CHAPTER II
And so it goes. At 0130 on August second we started on the move that later developed into the
eradication of the German 7th Army in the Falaise pocket.
The Battalion moved out with the 537th AAA, B Battery interspersed throughout the column for
air raid security. The column moved along at a very slow pace during those dark hours of the early-
morning, enabling us to see the damage done to the towns of Coutances and Avranches. Both towns not
only had been visited by our bombers, but also the armor had done a good bit of smashing to pieces the
buildings they fought their way through. We can distinctly remember the appearance of Coutances. At
the crossroads of the town MP’s were standing, guiding traffic through the rubble with their red lens
flashlights, rubble that stood around like grim specters, telling what had happened when the "Yank"
came through. In all, this scene was very eerie. After daylight we began to notice German armor
absolutely crushed, strewn all along our route. People who were wide awake, began lining the streets
waving flags of all descriptions and shouting, "Viva Les Americaine!" When the column would stop we
would give out cigarettes and candy, in return for the cider and cognac that they continually pressed on
us. Around 0802 two M.E. 109's flew over the column, apparently as surprised in seeing us as we were
them, for they scooted away with a few fifty slugs in their tail feathers, never to return. The towns and
villages that we started passing through at this point seemed to have missed most of the violence of war,
testimony to the speed that Jerry was being driven back. Later that morning we drew off into a field and
orchard where we set up, ready to fire on anything that showed any signs of resistance. Planes, Jerry at
that, flew over all day, and the only firing down all day was at them, no artillery was asked for. That
afternoon the 358th Infantry took St. Hilaire du Harcouet and Louvigne de Desert with no artillery fire.
The next two days were nothing but more moving, with no resistance met that the infantry could
not handle. When we moved into La Touche we were greeted by a group of FW 190's but our ack-ack
and a 90 mm outfit chased them away in good fashion.
During the dark hours of the night, before the last move, Captain Smith, a liaison officer, was
around the infantry CP when a strange truck drew up to where he was standing. He and his radio
operator went over to see what the trouble was and discovered a load of Heinies, all kinds of weapons,
and ammunition aboard. The captain immediately forced them out of the truck, relieved them of all
weapons, and turned him over to the MP’s. This group of Germans, not realizing that the Americans
were up this far had come through looking for their own outfit, illustrating how badly disorganized their
outfit was becoming in this fast-moving fight.
The next night everyone was either sleeping or guarding those who slept, when Sgt. Berry, of
headquarters maintenance crew, telephoned in from an outpost warning us that there were an untold
number of Heinies in the area. Immediately everyone was alerted and squads were formed to cover the
specified areas. Pretty soon some infantry, who were in the adjoining field, near an old rail line, opened
up with rifle fire and grenades. Everything then quieted down, while we waited for daylight before
investigating the area. The result of the shooting was the killing of one Jerry, and the capture of one
officer. Later on in the day the total reached 34 captured. Larger numbers were captured by the
"Doughs" who sent out a few men to flush out the countryside.
August fifth saw us move from the La Touche to St. Denis de Gastines, a long move during
which time no rounds were fired. Before moving two Polish boys came into the area and Cpl. Leo
Widzinski, Headquarters Battery machine gunner, took them in tow. Upon questioning the two we
learned that they had been in a German forced labor battalion around Cherbourg, and had made their
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