THE OPERATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE WEAVER
(90TH
INFANTRY DIVISION) IN THE ATTACK ON
MAYENNE, FRANCE, 5 - 6 AUGUST 1944
(NORTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGN)
ORIENTATION
INTRODUCTION
This monograph covers the operations of the Task Force Weaver, 90th Infantry Division, in the attack and capture of
MAYENNE, FRANCE, 5 - 6 August 1944.
It might be well to discuss some of the major events of the invasion of EUROPE, which will lead up to and orient
the reader for a better understanding of this operation.
On 6 June 1944 the fortress of WESTERN EUROPE was invaded by the greatest amphibious and airborne force in
the history of warfare. By 1 August the Allied Forces, under the Supreme Commander General Eisenhower, had expanded
their beachhead, fought through the hedgerows and cut the CONTENTIN PENINSULA, and reached far south to include the
French town of AVRANCHES, on the GULF OF ST. MALO. (See Map A)
On 1 August General Omar N. Bradley took command of the 12th U.S. Army Group, comprised of the First and
Third U.S. Armies. (1) The First U.S. Army, with the VIII, VII, and V Corps, was in contact with the enemy along a line that
ran generally northeast from the town of AVRANCHES, joining with the British Forces under General Montgomery in the
vicinity of the VIRE RIVER near LE BENY BOCAGE. The British First and Second Army zones were relatively small in
comparison with that of the U. S. First Army. (See Map A)
"Third Army became operational officially at 1200 hours, 1 August 1944, engaged in flaming battle in two
directions and going like a bat out of Hell in both." (2) These are the words of Colonel Robert S. Allen, wartime chief of
Combat Intelligence on General George S. Patton's Third Army Staff, in his book Lucky Forward. This quotation is used to
describe the Third U.S. Army's entrance into the conflict on 1 August 1944, in the vicinity of AVRANCHES, FRANCE.
This operation is often referred to as "The Breakout at AVRANCHES" and it is here that we might well find the
beginning of our own operation.
On 1 August the Third Army comprised of the following: VIII Corps, commanded by Major General Troy H.
Middleton and the XV Corps, commanded by Major General Wade H. Haislip. The Third Army had actually controlled the
operations of the VIII and XV Corps from 28 July, (3) It is with the XV Corps that we will be primarily concerned since it's
composition at that time was the 83d and 90th Infantry Divisions and the 5th Armored Division. (4)
THE GENERAL SITUATION
The initial breakout at AVRANCHES was led by the VIII Corps. Armor and Infantry streamed through the ever
broadening gap on every available road. In order to exploit this success and maintain momentum, General Patton ordered the
XV Corps through the AVRANCHES-MORTAIN gap behind the VIII Corps, between the 1st and 3d of August. At this time
we find the 90th Infantry Division concentrating near ST. HILAIRE DE HARCOUET southwest of AVRANCHES. (5) XV
Corps was ordered to seize bridgeheads across the MAYENNE RIVER both at MAYENNE and LAVAL, and subsequently
to establish a bridgehead across the SARTHE RIVER at LE MANS. (6) To the 90th went the mission of seizing the
bridgehead at MAYENNE, the operation with which we are concerned.
THE ORGANIZATION OF TASK FORCE WEAVER
At about midnight on the night of 4 - 5 August the Division Commander, Brigadier General Raymond S. McLain,
summoned his staff and commanders to the Division Command Post, in the vicinity of LAUNAY. General McLain had been
assigned to the Division on 30 July 1944 along with Brigadier General William G. Weaver, assistant Division Commander.
The Third Army G-2 report dated 4 August 1944 had stated in part "Enemy situation continues too fluid to define an
established front line. Estimated battalion of Infantry reported at ERNEE." (8)
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