June 1944

Western Front

In the US 1st Army area, the VII and V Corps establish contact at Auville-sur-le-Vey, but the Germans remain in Carentan. In the VII Corps area, TF BARBER, on the 4th Division's right, makes little progress through the Azeville gap toward the enemy's main line of resistance on Quinélville ridge, since the enemy is disposed in strength on the TF flanks. Efforts to reduce Ozevile and Château de Fontenay are futile. The 12th Infantry reaches positions just below the Montebourg-Quinéville highway in the region east of Montebourg and is well ahead of the rest of the 4th Division. The 8th Infantry gains its objective along the Le Ham-Mountebourg highway. The 505th Parachute Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, takes one of its objectives, Montebourg Station, but is halted a little short of the other, Le Ham. The 90th Division, less the 359th Infantry which has been attached to the 4th Division, attacks to the west toward the Douve through the 82nd Airborne Division's Merderet bridgehead but makes little progress. The 357th Infantry crosses at La Fière and pushes toward Les Landes. The 358th Infantry crosses at Chef-du-Pont and move on Pont l'Abbé, getting a little beyond Picauville.

The 101st Airborne Division begins its envelopment of Carentan with the 327th Glider Infantry moving in from the northeast upon crossing the Douve near Brévands and cuts the eastern exits from the town. A bitter battle develops on the western side where the 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry, inches across the causeway northwest of Carentan under enemy fire, which supporting artillery is unable to silence. Elements of the 401st Glider Infantry make contact with V Corps units at Auville-sur-le-Vey.

The V Corps gains its objectives with little difficulty since the German lines above Caumont have given way and a gap of about 10 miles is virtually undefended. The 29th Division's 115th Infantry reaches the Elle River line. The 38th and 9th Regiments of the 2nd Division move rapidly through Forêt de Cerisy to their objectives. The 18th Infantry, 1st Division, reaches the St Lô-Bayeaux highway.

In the British 2nd Army area, XXX Corps commits the 7th Armored Division to action in the Tilly-sur-Seulles region, where the enemy is resisting strongly. The I Corps continues to press toward Caen.