Bring up the Bull Dozers
BATTLE OF NORTHERN FRANCE
A great share of the peninsula had been taken over by American arms, and advance elements
were stabbing toward the neck of NORMANDY. Field Marshall Montgomery further north was forcing
the Boche to divert troops to contain the constant pressure he was exerting on positions around CAEN.
The American zone was seething and boiling with troops and material ready to spring out in a mad rush
across France. But the groundwork for this great operation had been a painful and bloody affair and the
712th Tankers, as they prepared their tanks and awaited the signal, could look back on 4 weeks of
magnificent accomplishment. Sitting on their tanks they witnessed the tremendous aerial bombardment
which preceded the ST. LO breakthrough. Thousands of bombers and escorting fighters blackened the
sky, dropping their destructive cargoes not too far in front. The Luftwaffe did not even make an
appearance but Heine ack-ack occasionally found its mark and the flaming fortress blossomed out with
parachutes.
By 1 August a major breakthrough had developed and the Battalion was put under the aegis of
Gen'l. Patton's 3rd Army, made operational that day. Three divisions were assigned to the XVth Corps
with the 5th Armd. on the southern or right flank, the 79th Inf. in Corps center with LAVAL as the
objective, and the 90th on the north headed towards MAYENNE, on the flanks of the 1st Army.
On 2 August the Division rolled, spearheaded by Task Force Randolph which consisted of D
Co., Recon. Plat., Hq. 105s and 90th Recon. This highly mobile force moved forward quickly and after
brushing aside light and disorganized resistance reached ST. HILAIRE DU HARCOUËT to find the
main bridge still intact but well covered by high velocity weapons. The light tanks, in a daring and
aggressive move, stormed the bridge, swept into the town and eliminated all nearby opposition. After
reassembling, the Task Force pushed south and seized LOUVIGNE DU DESERT, thereby consolidating
the advance of the 1st Inf., whose position until then was none too secure. On 2 August this Task Force
took LANDIVY.
Meanwhile the rest of the Battalion, moving with the main body, finally obtained clearance on
the overburdened roads which were choked to capacity by all the vehicles of the American Armies
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