June 1944

Western Front

In the US 1st Army's VII Corps area, the 4 Division's TF Barber continues futile efforts to break through the Azeville gap to the Quinéville ridge in the coastal sector. The 12th Infantry gains its objective--the west end of the Montebourg-Quinéville ridge--but pulls back behind the Montebourg-St Floxel road since its flanks are exposed. The 8th Infantry digs in along the Le Ham-Montebourg road when enemy fire prevents any forward movement to the railroad. The 82nd Airborne's 505th Parachute Infantry, making an effort with the 2nd Battalion of the 325th Glider Infantry pushes into Le Ham under heavy fire only to find Le Ham deserted. The 90th Division continues to make slow progress west of the Merderet, but partly surrounds Pont l'Abbe. The 101st Airborne Division presses in slowly on Carentan against unabated opposition. On the right, the 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry, after crossing the Madeleine River and clearing enemy strongpoints, is joined by the 1st Battalion. Determined counterattacks are repelled. The 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry, takes over that part of the line during the night. While the main body of the 327th Glider Infantry conducts a holding action along the canal on the left, elements move in to the outskirts of Carentan along Bassin à Flot. A destructive fire is place on Carentan during the night, and the Germans quietly abandon the town.

In the V Corps area, elements of the 2nd Armored Division (the 3rd Battalion, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment) are committed to strengthen the bridgehead at Auville-sur-le-Vey, since 101st Airborne of the VII Corps is fully occupied with the battle for Carentan. The V Corps front is quiet except at the tip of Fôret de Cerisy, where elements of the 2nd Division reduce a strongpoint at the Haute-Littée crossroads.

The the British 2nd Army's XXX Corps area, the 7th Armored Division breaks into Tilly-sur-Seulle but is forced back by the enemy.