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THE OPERATIONS OF TASK FORCE WEAVER
(REINFORCED RCT 90TH INFANTRY DIVISION)
FROM ST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET TO LE
MANS FRANCE, 5-9 AUGUST 1944
(NORTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGN)
(Personal experience of a Task Force Provost Marshall)
INTRODUCTION
This monograph covers the operation of task force Weaver, the Reinforced Regimental
Combat team of the 357th Infantry, 90th US Infantry Division, from St Hilaire du Harcouet to Le
Mans, France, 5-9 August 1944, during the Northern France Campaign.
In order that the reader be better oriented, a brief picture of the activities of this division
will be given leading up to this action.
The US 90th Infantry Division was activated at Camp Barkeley, Texas in March 1942.
Basic Training and unit training took care of the period up to January 1943, at which time the
Division moved to the Louisiana maneuver area and participated in maneuvers against the 77th
US Division.
April 1943 found the 90th back at Camp Barkeley going through a period of specialized
training, such as attack against fortified areas, river crossing exercises and street fighting. In
August 1943, the Division moved to the California-Arizona maneuver area at Camp Granite,
California. From August to 26 December, the Division maneuvered against the 93rd US Infantry
Division. At this time, it was evidently felt by the War Department, that the Division was ready
for combat against our enemies. On 20 December 1943, the Division was en-route by train to
Fort Dix, New Jersey for final staging in preparation for a move to an overseas theater. By the
Middle of April, the Division had closed in seven widely separated camps in England and Wales.
Senior Officers and their staffs were immediately briefed on operation Neptune, which was the
plan for the Invasion of France. Some specialized training was undertaken during this period and
the D-Day landings of the Division in France. One battalion of the 90th US Division landed on
Utah Beach on 6 June 1944, and by nine June the 90th was completely on shore and was given
their first mission.
After the completion of the Normandy Campaign and on 28 July 1944, the 90th Infantry
Division was assigned to the recently activated US XV Corps of the 3rd Army, commanded by
Lt. General George S. Patton. On 30 July 1944, the Division was assigned two new General
Officers; Brigadier General Raymond S. McLean, as Division Commander and Brigadier
General William G. Weaver, as assistant Division Commander. This made the fourth General
Officer to assume command of the Division since his activation.
Morale was low after a succession of grueling battles and very heavy losses during the
Normandy Campaign. Another reason for lack of esprit de corps and morale was the holding of
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