June 1944

Western Front

In the US 1st Army area, the VII Corps, receiving no reply to its ultimatum, begins the final assault on the Cherbourg fortress. Intense air preparation, beginning at 1240, does more to demoarlize the enemy that to damage his positions. The VII Corps attack opens at 1400. On the left flank, the 9th Division presses to the northeast toward Cherbourg with the 60th Infantry on the left and the 47th on the right. The 60th quickly takes Acqueville but is halted at the edge of the Flottemanville fortifications. The 47th gets forward elements to the slopes of Hill 171, just west of Bois du Mt du Roc. In the center, the 79th Division attacks with 3 regiments. While the 315th is clearing the Hardinvast region and the 314th the draws east of Tollevast, the 313th makes the main effort on the division's right astride the Valognes-Cherbourg highway and advances to positions just south of La Mare à Canards, an enemy strongpoint. On the right flank of the VII Corps, the 4th Division also attacks with 3 regiments. On the left, the 8th Infantry makes limited progress toward La Glacerie; the 12th Infantry, in the center, makes its main effort toward Tourlaville but is held to small gains; to the right, the 22nd Infantry, with its mission of clearing Digosville, becomes surrounded by the enemy and is unable to advance.