June 1944

Western Front

In the US 1st Army's VII Corps area, the 9th Division, against disorganized resistance, breaks through to the west coast, sealing off the Cotentin Peninsula as its attack continues through the night of the 17th. The coastal road is cut at Barneville-sur-Mar and Grande Huanville. The 90th Division reaches its assigned defensive line Golleville-Urville and halts. The 82nd Airborne, which is to pass to VIII Corps control, is ordered to establish a bridgehead south of the Douve at Pont l'Abbe.

In the XIX Corps area, efforts of the 29th Division to advance are largely contained by the Germans strongly established in a gap between the 175th and 116th Regiments near Villiers-Fossard. The 115th Infantry is commintted in the center but is unable to reduce the enemy salient. The 175th Infantry, employing only a single battalion, is stopped on Hill 108.