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was not considered adequate to support both the attack on CHERBOURG and the VIII
Corps attack.
The abandonment of this plan was a disappointment, for each day of delay in the
attack to the south gave the enemy a golden opportunity to reorganize his forces, receive
reinforcements from BRITTANY and prepare defensive positions in front of us.
On 26-27 June, the remainder of the forward echelon arrived, bringing with it the
much-needed balance of the 59th Signal Battalion and Company A, 511th Military Police
Battalion. The remainder of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, VIII Corps
Artillery, did not arrive at this time, as the ship on which this unit was being transported
was damaged by a mine or torpedo, and had to put back to ENGLAND.
Operations for the remainder of the month of June consisted of maintaining the
defense and the regrouping and build-up of forces to carry out the First Army plan for the
next phase. This plan provided for a coordinated attack to the south with four corps
abreast. The main effort of the Army was to be made on the west with the VIII Corps.
The date on which this attack could get under way depended upon the speed with
which VII Corps could eliminate the decreasing enemy resistance in CHERBOURG and
in the east and west tips of the peninsula. 3 July was finally settled as the date of attack.
Upon the accomplishment of the CHERBOURG mission and release by VII Corps, VIII
Corps was scheduled to receive the 79th and 4th Infantry Divisions, plus artillery and
other supporting units. Elements of the VII Corps were well into the town of
CHERBOURG on 26 June and two days later, all resistance there had ceased.
The turn-around and regrouping for the VIII Corps attack began even before the
mopping up of all enemy resistance was completed. The 79th Division started its move
south on 27 June and at midnight, 29 June, took over the sector previously held by the
357th Regimental Combat team of the 90th Division, on the Corps right flank.
Meanwhile, the 101st Airborne Division on 27 June had been relieved by the 83rd
Infantry Division of responsibility for the defense of the area on the corps left flank,
southwest of CARENTAN, and had moved to an assembly area near ST. SAUVEUR LE
VICOMTE. Upon the closing of the 79th Division in its new area, the 101st Division on
291800 June was relieved from VIII Corps control and moved to the vicinity of
CHERBOURG in First Army reserve. The 357th RCT moved across the 82nd Airborne
Division area and into the 90th Division sector. In place of the 4th Division, the 8th
Division was assigned to the Corps. This division was expected to arrive over the
beaches on 3 July and upon arrival would go into Corps Reserve in the vicinity of
MONTEBOURG.
At 1500, on 28 June, the Corps CP was moved from BLOSVILLE to the vicinity
of LES HANTES VENTS (T 223979), north of ST. SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE.
At the close of the period, 30 June, the dispositions of the core were as shown on
Map C.
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