THE BREAKTHROUGH
Due to the bombing from St. Lo to the southwest toward Periers and the exploitation of the
breakthrough that was subsequently forced, the enemy withdrew from the Division front on the night of
July 27th. Light rearguard action, only, was encountered in the next several days. The 4th Armored
Division moved southwest across the Division front to Periers and then south to and beyond St. Sauveur
Lendelin on July 28th.
The Battalion moved south to the vicinity of the St. Sauveur Lendelin on the 28th July and
assembled one mile east of the town.
During the month of July 15,424 rounds were fired indirect. The Battalion kept units in direct
support of the AT defenses of the regiments and also in support of the Division Artillery. Platoons were
rotated and the Companies displaced forward with the units they were supporting. All units received
heavy enemy fire and suffered casualties.
On August 2nd the Battalion, minus Company A, marched south to the vicinity of St. Hillaire de
Haurcouet via Coutances and Avranches. Company A was attached to the 357th Regimental Combat
Team and moved to La Mancilliere (six miles northwest of St. Hillaire). The Battalion CP occupied
Insigny (three miles northwest of St. Hillaire); Company B moved six miles south of St. Hillaire and
Company C went into St. Hillaire.
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