Hedgerows
The three-quarters of a mile from Picauville to Pont L’Abbe was stubbornly defended from
hedge to hedge. The famous hedgerow country of Normandy reared itself as the ugly, bitter battle field
on which the 358th Infantry was to fight some of its bloodiest battles. Each hedge was another line of
defense for the Jerry. Prominent also were the sunken roads where the unforgettable odor of the dank
Normandy soil was most noticeable. Also came the hated German “88” and the “Burp Gun”, each a
nemesis to be reckoned with in Normandy. This, indeed, was a new type of fighting, and for a time the
hedgerow proved a difficult obstacle. Soon, however, the Infantry learned to overcome this obstacle and
drive the German from his hedgerow home. Normandy exacted its bloody toll and plodding Infantry
moved on, day after day, from hedgerow to hedgerow.
Pont L’Abbe
On the 12th of June the Regiment made its final attack to capture Pont L’Abbe. Roaring P47’s
dove on the town and mass artillery battered it to bits in preparation for the four o’clock “jump off”.
When they moved in the First Battalion on the left and the Second Battalion on the right they mopped up
a completely destroyed village. On the day following, the Second and Third Battalions attacked to
secure an important crossroad on the west of town.
Le Calais
On the 14th of June the 82nd Airborne Division passed through the Regiment and drove on to
the west. That night the outfit was moved to the vicinity of Amfreville where it attacked the next day
toward Le Calais. There were stories of numerous acts of gallantry as the Third Battalion was first to
cross an open swampland which Jerry had well covered with machine gun crossfire. They were
followed by the Second which had a difficult time too; but their nemesis was an open field on the other
side of the swamp. As darkness approached the First Battalion crossed and the three held firm on the
other side for the night. Next day all three battalions pushed forward about 3 kilometers to hold a line
near La Ham. Through these lines the 79th Division passed to continue on to Cherbourg while reports
came that the peninsula was almost cut. The Regiment then moved to a defensive position extending
from Coigny to Baupte, France.
Patrols And “Guts”
While in this location, meager comforts were made available to the fighting men. Some were
able to use a blanket in their foxholes, the first bit of cover since the landing on the Normandy beach;
and some received hot “chow” for the first time. However the gallant and courageous actions did not
cease, for many patrols were dispatched to penetrate deep into enemy lines. The patrols that came back
were frequently badly mauled, but vital information was obtained, and the great courage of the officers
and men who fearlessly entered enemy lines is beyond description. At night there was the familiar
drone of “Bed Check Charlie”, and frequently – almost always, the chronic harassment of enemy
artillery came screeching and screaming overhead and detonated with a loud, terrifying explosion that
shook the very earth.
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