a harsh and distorted appearance. By dawn the batteries were all in position, camouflage nets in place,
ready to fire.
It was here at Gourbesville that the 79th Infantry Division came up through us and continued the attack.
On the night of June 21 we moved to the south and joined up with 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions to
take up an active defense of the lower part of the peninsula. In going to this area we had to pass through
several small towns, one being Etienville.
Up to this time we had been underVII Corps control but now we went into the VIII Corps. This area
was to be occupied until the plans for large-scale attacks towards Periers had been completed. But Hill
122 and the Foret de Mont Castre were ahead. This was to be the most important battle in the
Normandy Campaign.
When we were first in a new position very little firing was done, for we had been instructed to keep the
amount of artillery as much a secret as possible. So for that reason the entire sector was very quiet until
the end of June.
July first was a day very similar to the last few days, rain and sun, rain and sun. That day we fired better
than 900 rounds, more than we had shot for several days. The Service Battery ammo train has had a
rather ticklish job crossing the bridge at Cretteville. Apparently the "Hun" had it well bracketed at all
times, much to the consternation of all travelers. The air activity, ours thank God, has been rather good,
considering the weather. One can well imagine the thoughts that go through Jerry's mind when "Jabo"
starts one of his screaming downward journeys. All the prisoners taken claim him as the most feared
along with artillery, whose massing they couldn't fathom.
Though July 2nd was much the same as July 1st, there was much more activity around the battalion area,
indicating the preparation of a big drive; heralding the ultimate doom of Germany. Liaison officers
from various outfits that were to support us in the coming action arrived during the day to talk over
plans. Our mission was to support the 358th Infantry in taking the high ground through the Foret de
Mont Castre and then drive toward Periers. This drive included the 82nd, 79th and 90th Divisions.
Attached to our combat team was part of the 712th Tank Battalion and one platoon of the 86th Chemical
Mortar Battalion.
July 3rd broke as a dark dreary day, with a very low ceiling, but the attack still went off on the
designated time, 0515, with a terrific corps artillery "serenade", opening a pathway, or should we say a
swath for those unbeatable "footsloggers". The final objective, Coutances and east looked a long way
off, and a very costly one too. Immediately to our front was the highest point in the peninsula, Hill 122,
whose approaches were covered by dense forest, and heavily guarded by the enemy.
On the first day of the attack our battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Merton E. Munson was wounded by
mortar fire and had to be evacuated, leaving Major Charles Conn in command. Lt. Bovard and Andrews
were also made casualties during the days hard fighting. Besides the tenacious quality of fighting by the
enemy, rumored through P.W. channels to be paratroopers used as infantry. The doughboys had no air
support because of the poor weather and their progress was slowed down by much swamp and marsh.
After firing a great many rounds throughout the day we heavily interdicted the roads leading into the hill
and behind it.
 |
 |
 |