On 17 July 1944 we received our first reinforcements, five men. Enemy air activity was
increasing and we were seeing more action. These planes were mostly on reconnaissance flights though,
so it was rare when they came in range.
On 19 July 1944 our sector was attacked by four aircraft, and we went into action. We shot one
ME 109 down and damaged another. It was our first kill and we credited Section 5 with it.
We moved from Gorges finally on 28 July 1944, after witnessing the mighty aerial bombardment
preceding the opening of the St. Lô offensive.
We moved south of Periers when the Germans withdrew because of the pressure on their right.
During the next few days, many German reconnaissance missions were flown and we went into action
against them, driving them off in a number of cases.
During the night of 1 August 1944 we made a long motor march to St. Hilaire du Harcouet (a
town south of Avranches on the Selune river), and during the several days we were there, many German
planes flew over. On the third of August a formation of sixteen planes and one of thirty-eight planes was
fired at by our guns and we succeeded in scoring hits and several “probables” on them. We succeeded in
breaking up their formation.
On 4 August 1944 we captured our first prisoner; three Germans who had been by-passed by our
hard hitting armor were brought in by men from B-2.
On 5 August we were bombed by the Germans – there were no casualties to personnel or
equipment We rejoined the 344 FA Battalion and moved several times, during the day – finally setting
up at St. Denis during our move south. We crossed the Mayenne River, between Mayenne and Laval,
and continued driving southeast.
During the move on the 7th August after we had passed through Montsurs, our area was
attacked by several FW 109’s – one plane sustained several hits and large pieces were knocked from it.
During these days we were moving constant1y and morale was excellent. We all knew that Jerry was on
the run. The whereabouts of our spearheads were obscure though, and news was scarce.
We continued in our thrust to the southeast – passing through St. Susanne, through the Foret de
Ste. Suzanne to La Quinte and proceeded to a position north of Le Mans in a grueling night march.
The next day saw us enter Le Mans and set up north of the city. The reception our outfit
received while moving through was tremendous, and fruit and flowers, were showered on our vehicles.
Our reconnaissance party captured five prisoners before the battery came into position.
On the 11th of August we started a drive north. We moved three times during the day toward
Alençon.
We passed through Alençon and set up in a holding position on the 13th of August 1944 at
Condé sur Sarthe. Our division was moved north to Nonant Le Pin and elements contacted the enemy.
This was the start of the battle in the Falaise Pocket and was to become a nightmare for the Germans.
Our artillery unleashed an unmerciful barrage.
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