|
antitank defenses. It was relieved on 16 June, except for one battalion of the 66th
Armored Regiment, which remained in attachment.
To the north, considerable progress was being made in the VII Corps sector. On
16 and 17 June, both the 82nd and the 9th Divisions had secured bridgeheads across the
DOUVE River -- the 82nd just south of ST. SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE and the 9th to the
north near STE. COLOMBE. While the 82nd took up defensive positions facing south,
and the 9th sent two regimental combat teams to the west coast of the peninsula,
separating the German forces. This penetration separated elements of the German 77th
Division, which was attempting to escape to the south. One combat team of the 9th
passed through the 82nd and crossed the DOUVE at the bridgehead established by the
latter division. The 9th turned north and, with the 79th and 4th Divisions to the east
started the rapid advance toward CHERBOURG.
On 19 June, the 90th Division and the 82nd Airborne Division were attached to
the Corps and the mission of the Corps was expanded to cover the entire rear of the VII
Corps.
The Corps now took over the defense of the line extending from the TAUTE
River, south of CARENTAN, to PORTBAIL on the West Coast. The line of defense
generally extending along the inundated areas of the DOUVE River and its tributaries.
On 19 June, the 357th RCT of the 90th Division was moved to the line ST. LO
d'OURVILLE-ST. DE PIERRE PONT. The 82nd Airborne was assigned to the sector
from ST. SAUVEUR DE PIERRE PONT to BAUPTE where its patrols contacted the
101st Airborne. On 20 June, the remainder of the 90th Division relieved the 82nd
Airborne from the sector expanding from PRETOT to BAUPTE and also took over from
the Airborne Division the responsibility for the defense behind the inundated area from
ST. SAUVEUR DE PIERRE PONT to the junction of the DOUVE and the estuary
running through the PRAIRIES MARECAGEUSES (T228921). The disposition of the
VIII Corps units as all 20 June are shown on Map B.
In order to take advantage of the confused state of the enemy caused by the
penetration to the west, and to shorten the defensive line held by the VIII Corps, an attack
was planned to secure the line LESSAY-LA COUTRIE. The 90th Division, making its
main effort on its right was to make a double envelopment around the Hills 121 and 131.
The 357th RCT (90th Division) which was on the westernmost part of the line was to
take off from the line ST. LO d' OURVILLE-ST. SAUVEUR DE PIERRE PONT and
meet the remainder of the division south of LA HAYE DU PUITS. The 82nd Airborne
Division was to make the secondary effort, departing from a line BOIS DE LIMORS-
PRETOT and capture Hills 121 and 131 from the east. This operation would have
pinched out the 82nd Airborne Division and given them a much-needed rest. The 101st
Airborne was to maintain its defensive line during this attack. The date of the attack was
set for the 22nd of June. On 21 June, this attack was postponed for 24 hours and, on the
following day, for an indefinite period. The reason for the postponement was a severe
storm which for almost 72 hours from 20-22 June prevented landing of supplies in any
quantity over the beaches, reducing the Army's ammunition stock level to a point where it
|