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CHAPTER FOUR - INTERLUDE
On 1 August1944 the 90th Division passed to third Army control. At the same time this
Battalion was informed that it would be the Infantry element of task force Clarke which also included
the 344th FA Bn., one platoon of 315th Engrs. and a company of the 607 TD Bn. Consequently at 2300,
1 August 44 the Battalion, motorized by the attachment of QM trucks, moved out of CASTLEMAIS.
After passing through COUTANCES, GAVRAY, LA HAYE PESNEL and AVRANCHES, the
Battalion arrived at ISIGNY, the de-trucking point. From here the companies moved out in approach
march formation towards ST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET, an important road center. By moving rapidly
and attacking energetically what few enemy were in the way [were overrun]. Company I arrived at the
Selune river just short of town by 1100. Here, following a short artillery preparation, K Company
moved in and had the town secured by 1500. The rest of the Battalion then closed in around town and
prepared to stay for the night. Everyone was fairly well settled when suddenly an order was received to
move out at 1800 and secure LOUVIGNE DU DESERT, another road center about 15 kilometers to the
south. Then followed a long road march during a very dark night with enemy planes buzzing overhead
incessantly. LOUVIGNE was taken by 0100 against no resistance. A number of Krauts were shot up
while trying to get away in trucks. Early on the morning of the third, Company K sent a patrol to the
town of LANDIVY – some eight km to the east, and finding it unoccupied, outposted it. The people
here were very happy to see the Americans and even presented Capt. Robert Burns, Battalion S-3 with
the keys to the city at an elaborate ceremony. A bombed out bridge necessitated our staying there
during the 4th.
Then on the 5th of August the Battalion began its longest foot march
– covering 25 miles the
first day, 17 miles the second day, and 20 miles the third day, arriving at ST SUZANNE by dark of the
7th. This foot march was broken only once because a bridge was out over the MAYENNE river, so the
troops went swimming there. Enemy action during the three days consisted of about five rounds of tank
fire received in ST SUZANNE. The entire 62 mile march was made during days of intense heat and
over extremely dusty roads.
During the morning of the 8th, the Battalion moved by motor 22 miles to the east closing in on
an area near DEGRE. Company K was left behind to guard ST SUZANNE and ran into some trouble
from an enemy tank. The company was released during the day and assembled with the rest of the
Battalion. Following completion of a bridge over the Sarthe river, the Battalion moved by motor to
another assembly area five miles north of LE MANS. It was from here that Major Julius Oehlsen was
transferred to the 12th Army group. The 10th and 11th were spent in the same area picking up German
stragglers and generally taking it easy.
On 12 August the Battalion moved by foot north 20 miles to ALENCON, where we out-posted
the southern edge of town. During the night enemy planes came over and bombed the northern part of
ALENCON, doing some damage.
The 3rd Battalion of 357 relieved us on the 15th and we moved by motor north about twenty
miles to CHAILLOUE where Company K ran into some enemy which were promptly dealt with in true
“Kraut Killer” style. From here on the 17th we moved by shuttle march to an assembly area south of
EXMES. Company K was just preparing to assault the town when a Regimental order halted them and
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