June 1944

Western Front

In the US 1st Army area, the VII Corps finishes clearing the region east of the Douve and establishes a bridgehead. The Corps objectives are advanced as its attack progress very rapidly against the retreating Germans. The 90th Division employs the 358th Infantry in the region to the right of the 9th Division. The 9th Division attacks with 4 regiments: the 39th, which the 4th Division has released; the 359th of the 90th Divition, temporarily attached; the 47th; and the 60th. Driving rapidly through Ste Colombe, the 60th Infantry establishes a bridgehead across the Doube before Néhou with the 2nd Battalion while the rest of the 9th Division clears the region east of the Douve. The 82nd Airborne Division makes substantial gains; the 325 Glider Infantry and the 505 Parachute Infantry Regiments reach St Sauveur-le-Vicomte before noon and are joined there by the 508th Parachute Infantry, which the 507th has relieved at Baupte. The 505th and 508th then establish a bridgehead between 2,000-3000 yards deep.

In the XIX Corps area, the 120th Infantry of the 30th Division takes the heights commanding the Vire-Taute Canal and remains there defending the canal line while the 29th Division, in conjunction with the V Corps' 2nd Division, pushes toward St Lô. The 175th Infantry drives against Hills 90 and 97, northwest of St Lô, while the 116th Infantry, reinforced by a battalion of the 115th, attacks toward the northeast end of the Martinville ridge (Hills 147 and 150). Strong opposition halts the attack well short of its objectives.

In the V Corps area, the 2nd Division, with 3 regiments in assault, attacks for Hill 192 with the 3rd Battalion of the 38th Infantry gets to within 700 yards of its crest. The division's attack is then halted for some time.