Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) Libraries HQ Donovan Research Library

Armor Research Library Fort Benning, Georgia

Report date: June-August 1944 Title: 2nd Armored Division Abstract: Action Against Enemy, After Action Report including

information on such operations as Neptune and Cobra, St. Lo, Tourovre-Elebeuf and Beauvais-Mont Didier

Number of pages: 42 Notes: Armor historical documents collection located at the MCoE HQ Donovan Research Library, Fort Benning, GA. Document#: 802 AD 404 Classification: Unclassified; Approved for public release

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67th Arma het; gt; Lt AttacK fter Action heport, 7th Anna hegtUocunent 835

2 Arii oltn Ax Task Force was relievea Ot esponsibiiteS o oroa a ±O0Kos in

LI*i t T. TIee L0oa9Ks were taen over by 33a Inf Div at 2j5A, i April i45. ruers

VWare rc eivea at Uubu Iar Uo n i7 TasK kforce copi in; ist Bn 6tn A (- (Leiaf);

3ru bn 41st -.ar -) Weinf); anQ £14 and h Go 07th 1h, to cross II' at L7-ia±LTJ

at 0030B fooing cna6 tn 7in A; St Sn 4st lh aind Div .irty Hq.. ission at tese lead-

ing CC"B" elae:tets wa,, to iush to LAT an' secure pas. es tarougtne T114z Lt t D&.F1 orcer t rt 0/tn .h Task ia'ce could pass thrausn anii ead tht aavarce to Last. Orders

r t rceiwiv at a)proxi%&iateiy 2)oB tihat 67th A task Force 6ould not .5ab tnrougn e1 ia r

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tiai._ lt 1-2 April 1/45 ith Aission of advari iig tn ast to secure pass tir)ugh te

AL-i2D' aJ iaetiatBly ,,est of Detmold covering the further auvatre of the G.ambat

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HEADQUA R TERM% AR O i MIiON:D SeTES SECOND ARM ftteON t ' 40,nOffice of the Division Commandr ,a

A.P.O0. 2529 September 1944

.SUJECT: Actibn Against Enemy, Reports After/After Action Reports

0 : The Adjutant General, Washington,D.G.(Through Channels)

isAP: GSJ, 4250, FRAiC, scale; 1/50,000. Sheets; 32. L0,

CARENTAN, ISIGNY, L2 HAYE 34 PUITS

In compliance with letter 319.1/401 (C) Headquarters FirstU. S Army, A.P.0. 230, dated 13 July 1944, subject, 'ActionAgainst Enemy, Reports After/After Action Reports't, the followingreport is submitted'cvering the period 1 to 30 June 1944, inclu-sive."

Ar the Cornmandins General

f(b .6 T H. SELLLt. Col., AGDAdjutant General

Inclosures:5 copies, After Action Report, June 1944'1 copy, Journal, G-61 copy, Journrl, G-26 copies each, After Action ideport

12 Subordinate units ,370 (AG) 1st Ind. ER/jplQ XIX CORPS, APO 270, US Army, 13 Sep 44. /TO: OG, First US Army, APO 230, US Army. U.

For the Commanding General:Inci : n/c ///

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Office of the DIvision Com,ad-r

A.P.0. 2V29 September 1944

i 72IR &CT;Oc: REGflT

JITPY 1914

The 3r.d lrT .. Div. cope ed_ :rts for t1e 7ea on .?TWE b.tweer

Jure and 3 Jure 1944. Thi.s w.as lru4i-ler tY ' Arecilon or "A. Ger. £idwrdH. Brooks, wor oersonal-.'y suNervised a series 02 map problers, terrain board

exercise, an. safPf coifere. ces ou the operation ir Clive !louse Ann exthe

Division :-.ar "uildin .t T:b", L I * .r77 j

Th, D' ri-sio., was w.ved on C mri 7 June 1944 to h m'rshallfnf area ithe .. .. vioity or $VT F" . ar, ptP.m -..,, £kr'D, jre-eratory to em)rkinrfor MR'!.v Te ad;.eroe C.p* of Con a Comw.rd "1" r a f"R 7, 0 a .. o c er comrnd of )r 2.

Gen. ! Yurie Rose, was elarhed at utR, S.fl'.D, or 2 June and sailed on 3

June, esL- ls'" a C.. rcrth of S. LThCT SR -,, ''R'LVDY at 07lF303

June 1944. The purpose of the advaAIce C.p., C. "A" (see Annex I) was to Fain_inforwatiu -f the rroress of the ,erat' , to receivew- ard orjanize C.C.

and to receive, orient, aw cora.jn: all Lnlts of the Duvnsion w' iob arrived

prior to te arrival of the Division Ccrz: ,-Ardere

'\,jcr units o t e Division started lotvdin on j June 1944 and first shiperents to ' CRT 'W started ,h1tt C .t Th-e first large elements of the 2"d Ar-d.

Div. were unloticJ in VR\"CE on 9 June 1944. 8Qf oficers and 1,581 enlisted menwere ashore at QSLJ, 'Rt" 2, by 09240C3 June 1944. leanwhile, the Comanding

General, C.C. A", had established liaison with Cortendinr Genersl, V Corps.

L 10 June 1944, V Corps called for in'antr-f rein forceent.s. Consquently3rd IV. (less Co. i) 41st ArId. Inf. Re t, 0;as ordered to assist units of' the2-1 In c Dv. in securRr t'e V-XE RTVR bridt ehead near JtVILIE S'-'UR LE VEY.Rc.. Co. of the 66th Arz.J. Re, t. ad 52nd AriA. Rc. Bn. sent out ptrols to cox-

tact otL,%r friendly forces at the same ti-me. Uniordin; continued on the bach

that day, so thet by mdni ht 10 June 1944, 214 more officers and about 4,000

additional enlisted men were ashore. Cambat Commnard "r" (see Annex I) and units

under Di.-is!on Control (see Azlnex i) d4semberked near COLIV VLLE SUR 'ER and ad-

varced ineland to assembly areas near IA "lYE, LITTR, LENAY, and other villages

or the edre of CERISY Fn'REST.

Losses durnr -tie crosslsr from EWG1A D to ?RFCWT)Y were 31 tanks and 32

othor vehicles from the shkinr: of an LSm . The craft struck an erery mine on 11

June 194-4. The craft berinr, Gen. Brooks and his 3taff "wa jarred by explosion

of .a jo rman bo.b off the R, A'DY coast, also on 11 June 1944.

Th e I. ad d. p'tor of st Bn.., 41st .%rir,:. -n " Regt. . as sort tonco- /

orfrate wilt.t .trolS of to 10ist, Airhc'te Div. for reconnaissance of a route be°o-*" "r ' ECATC, 328E or. 11 June 19414. it iret sti ffl resistance ard Cc. H of thb6

41st Ard. K . Mt.fi waS ororod to itls as 1sttxrce. lb enemy were killed awl

a~ /I rn , '/

5 urismers %ere taken in tris Ojeratio,. Lur trees los- 1 o e2 cr a< 1 I-listed man killed. The 3rd Bt., 41st Arr U.f U6:--j, Was r etuned to, 0 , ,Acontrol o; 12 June 1044.

I-ate the ritt 12 June 1944, the Cc-mtridin 0Ce;,eral, 2n Arr. DJv. r-cejvc' orcers Irr Ccr-ar,1in- Gen-rl, V Corps, to send a ha!talior of In '-n ryand a a ftali rn of a ks to ST G':, .but lat bd peission fro . Co1mrdir ;: C n-r- C on-, l I-C-: eeral, V Corrs, tr s.. one CorKat- Cor. CCo- andim ,era, P.w&S directed or the mission0 TIS r' ssior was to secure the brid4eh-ead at I$'YPatrols were sent south toward ... AICT, siunorted by fire from the Amermc n+ t "p T .Tx S evada and ,rkansas. The r& sson was -ay:1 rt > re "e force

was acualt5 coi.itted.

C.C, "A" was then (freted to assist t 1e llSt Airborne D-v. i se crj;C: RW;-TA". C.C. "A" launched its attack southwest from CA.t'',:" or 13 June i144ir coordin&tion with the 101st Airborre Dv. The Germanr hedcerow tyce of defensewas first encculltered here. A method of a' tack co",sstiSt of closer cark, ir I .,artil]ery teamwork r.s developed to overcome Ihese defenses. %ne task force cot-posed of 3rd 1n.,'41st Ar1rci. h1f. Re(t. arA 2nd Sn., <th Ar-d Ret., the oth rtask force crnsisting- of 1it rSn., C;t nrm. egt. a4d eleens of the lOlst Air-hcrn e Div. oth of these trsk forces received clove sunport from the 14th Arr-d.F.A. o 50 Germrans were estiatted to b've beer killed in the Jay's dathti.Cur losses were 2 officers and 0 enlisted men killed; 6 oficers and 30 enl'stedmen wounded, 2 prisoners were te ken. Co. A of the C'Jth r- d. re t. was assindon 13 June 1944 to assist in holdinv the 13T,, brjdehead.

C.C. "A" irflicted furthler heavy looses upon the Germans ox 14 dume 1944when a ir faniry platoon and a ank plato,-n were .iven the mi!ssion of nirinr outpatrols which had infiltrated towar. Lt AE order from First Son 1 June 1944 called for a force b;ith he :ossion of probin - enem>i strenptr.along the axis of the CARE1t'-' PER.'RS road. This force w&s composed of eleen-tof Rcr. Co. C6th Arrd. Ret., 3rd Pn., 41 l nrmd. Inf tet. andtAsupported by the 141 ,rrd.F.-. . An un;estimated nw er o" enemywere killed, wounded, or captured in the enr'ar-emertj W-', followed. 9 of our menwere kil].d, 4 officers and 27 men wounded, and 1 officer and 6 men reported miss-

C "A" less 1st Sn., 66th A-md. Ret. -was then disensased fro o tactwith the enemy and returned to the Division, havin: secured 101st Airtorhe Jiv.units in positions beyond CARE'TTAN. The Ist En., 66th Armd. A(ent. remaied in pos-ition near QLRWTAN, attached to the 101st Airborne Div. ad later to tTe 83rd Inf.Div. u til 6 July 1944. Dur ig his period, .C. "A", lass Ist RI., -6th Am 4.Regt., ocoupied assembly areas near X.E 'MARAIS, FRANCE. The QA.RENTAKT operation alsoresultea in the capture of' several enemy supply and ammunition dumps,SThe 2nd Aru'd. Div. prepered for further oporations by carryir. or. advancedtra:r' 2 n h edero-w warfare in addition to maintenrance of vehicles nd equip .ertduring the latter pvrt of June, rnests :,ere co', .c jc i :< ae ci tx t.''-art

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weapons Lainst captured German armor, ct eise of flaretrrowPers, deo-a .,dmine detectors. Constant plannig was corducted to :tirrort actions off th. V Corsand XIX Corps and to meet various possible hostile conr-terahtacks.

To -ain experience, combvt ptLtrols Prom Co. P and Co. C, td nrmd. Ron. Vrnwith detachments from 2nd 3n., 4 Ist arV In. Rept. were sent out ar. penetratedthe enemy line scuth of CATW.0'T"T on 26 June 1944, after passinr through outpostsof the 18th Inft Rert ,Ist InC. Div. One p'trol advanced 600 ycrds ijside theGerman ljines on 28 June 1944 and returred aft.r r ainiru information of enemy n.si-tions and rflictin casualties. Our >cses were I killed and 3 :vcurded.

Division assembly areas were subjected to straffir1 'vd bovnt -n raids dlur-inF the month, )ut vehiculbr weapons &ri th',r wtj-'r ra fire dre off mostof the German planes. Tie severest losses resulted from a obirj w io occurredon 20 June 1f44, when a 500 pound bomb and ar estl, -ted 2,000 pound 'ob dro'eedin the assembly area of 2nd Bn., Cp t '.rrid. Ito:L. 7 men were ki1 oled and 4 c'TPcersand 47 enlist-ed TeT were wo1Irded. The 19fA ,f.n.n. (A.U.) Bn. ( a. ) a:rved fromTSTP('7 srortly after this bombinf and--et- up ar , .rc-und air doeer.s. . .ry. ikwas attached to CC"B", 2Bry. 2 to Div. 1>s, try. C to ,- q. nd Dv. Re.,and Btry. D to C.C. " A" The 19Pr Tt r. .... . L . n. . • re .r ted 10-, _efs ,.;.A ] - $of enem-r aircraft ofl be1teen 2 and C plan, es each, from 21 to Y) June 1944. tr".A was credited by -1 Corns with knocking do-i 1 ;.Z 10 on 22 Jirne 1944.

The 702nd ' oD R ( . .), a-tached to tie 2. .i'nd. DJ.. ;c 3t"on 1] June 1244. Ths 3n. ma anta'ed c-ntactai4 h t " e 1s , d . . 2;in the front li.,es urAtil 30 Ju r e 1944. Xritid.h ij S or the left wore contectedand enti-tark p-Ic'tions were occu,:ed south of' LL'CY and C TS" CSJ. heunits also aPsiated in 3ti.:L-taik ex.,rien 4 Y "s a aenan ark V tonk.

f e 4 3 L n ?r r -K. "> 4 . En , c c ' a f e d V L . 0 1 c h . u e r s a l jits flrs .. eJear" s'.eatirz. a..ew. ur: a -v li.: £ votre 1244. Co,. A, 48thnArrd. Ved. B ., surirte.d the 6rd Do ., Irr,* 2 e-ts .... t'e 'ter u.-ticipated in its f.rs 4 ,- ossi~n e~r 2-.-: .. 2 Cc. Ie'r. salsof.o-.- 2I" - ...... # v- .. r- J r J:... s . ,. -. l o fltved othar 0.0. A" units in the Oait A7 o 2 eratiy t :r% pJ P7 ritle.-s in

£ days. Con. 3rcoks and Ger. Rove vis' e- L.V station ' :rc 1n- "- opera+"> * j .B, 48th Arnd. doJ E-C. arr've] in Th o 1? , 1944 after res c 4'. 2 of iesurvivors of a sunken LOT. •Tore ,hen V,, soldiers were treated at Cu. 37s & EAZ'f istaieon after tie-4 borte- on WA u 194< * 0 .? D.ralso reported on t he hadin of cor , it exhaustion e-; reourrexr 4alaria cases atCo. C' clearin: statfion. These uatiern.s Gnu re:,a 0 j L h. :- '.- .- r-:d. D:v. Oo'r-rlete records for June 1944 showed that 220 ,.w-ur->, ,K,, and "--,n,& ,. -e ru

t - .....(7 It-le a 1r)u h th e

cl.eerin statins hehneen £ ann r0 June 1944; 31 re- "vere ret:- : J tu Jt- and ar.died of waunds.

10,70.

-$ I

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A72'EJC I

Unit assignments for Operation Neptune were as follows:

COMBAT COG,.TAi;D "A"

(CommandedbyFBrie. Gen. Maice Rose)

Unit:'q . "A"S2nd Arml. Ron. Bn. (with Co. D, 17th

Armd. EnFr. -n. attached)66tn Armd. Regt.

1st Bn.2rd 5n.3rd Bn.41st Ar3nd. inf. Rest. (less 1st Bn.)

2nd Sn.3rd Bn.

17tr Ard. E rr. Ba,. (less Cos. B,D, and E)

14th Armd. F. A. n.

92nd Armd. F. A. Bn.1st Det., Co. A, Suuply Rn.Co. A, >int. 0n.Co. A, 48th Arrd. ed. a.

Ccmmanding Oftcer

Lt. Col. vKheeler G. oerriamCol. John CollierLt. Col. Car] 0. ParkerLt. Col. Lindsay C. ierkress, Jr.Lt. Col. Amzi R. Quillan

COl. Sidney R. 11indsLt. Col. Wilson D. ColemanLt. Col. 1I.rshall L. Crswley, Jr.

Lt. Col.Lt. COl.Lt. Col.

Louis W. CorrellCarl I. HuttonWilliam R. Buster

COby sAT CO?& ATD "B"(Commuanded by 517-17 D WWite, now Brig.. Gen.)

ur it

G7t, Lrmd. RegL.1st Rn.

12nd Rn.3rd Bn.

78th Arnd. F. A. .1st Rn., 41st ArnK. Thf. Rert.CCs. B, , 1th a ELd. nC-r. BR.Co. B, 4t2 Arkl d. Bn.Cc. TB, b int. Bn.

2nd Dot., CO. A, Supply B.

Commanding Off icer

Col. Paul A. DisneyLi. Col. RCoichard E. NelsonLt. Col. Niliaur M. Stokes, Jr.Lt. Coi. Parry HillyardLt. Col. ugh 2. Extor.Li. Col. :.rtin J. ?,brin

D rT! 317 CCTRC'L

Tin itEq. dI. Cc., ArwdDiv'Tqo Dpv. nry.

Comman dinc , Of fi21 ce r

Col. ThIomas A. Roberts

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".F. 2Th , Serv. C 2nd ar'1, D-..)et -1 .td Jlg. Fh'to Co.9-1d P , 4-0 th .o,

D-. D-9, Co. G, U4ist . 0. ,.

>2'nd T.3. %*. (s.r.) Lt. DevlinLt ~ ~ AL !"'Joh Cftjjal

-2-

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The foll,-wi,: ur t a~signmcts werc i: effect - 2rd A' i. Div. su'zequertto competlon cf la-it o-rerations:

q., C.C. "A"

Cth Arrd. Re-t.3rd ?n., Klst r< , . T nC. 4ect.14th Arrd. F. A. .Co. A, 17th- Arwd. Enr. r.Co. A, 48tl Arn. YeA. .Co. A, Wul+. t.

D?"". '8IQX+ RE 37. :

41st hrmJ. t'. . efi "%ss 1stard 3rd 7a. t

3rd D-i.,671-h AorrAlet

-4C' t-, 4l -C '.. D !-"

'74 l e I

67th Anrid. 2cz. (l-ess 3rd Sn.)1st B=., 41s+ .rvl. It?. -e t.76th Arr&. F.. ."Cc. 3, tto. eS,-, B-tr -l- F .-AI " . t ar

,, 0 B. 41F . A -d - 7.i. .e ac

2x.,i:d .r1. Div.

7S tr md. Ka Yr. (es2O.

UJa 7'. D. 3 n. (S.F.)

ndAnldo.ig. uOo

K /

12131 III

TEE DIVISION STAFF

Cormanding Genera?Chief of starrA. C. of 3, G-IA. C. of S, G-2A. C. of S, G-3A. C. of S, G-4G-l Civil MffairsG-3 AirAir OfficerAnti-aircraft OfficerArty. idr.Chemical OfficerEngineerHq. kdt.Ordnanoe OfficerProvost IArshalSignal Off ioerDivision Sur veonAdjutant GeneralChap lainFinance OfficerInspector GeneralJudge AdvocateQuartermasterAmmunition Officer-Special Service Officer

!&j. Gen. Edward H. BrooksCol. Charls a D. PalmerLt. Col. oell S. Love.Lt. Col. Jesse M. Hawkins -

Lt. Col. Russell W. JennaLt. Col. Charles Co. PetersonMbJ. !brcel F. Jo BruxowI&J. Lloyd P. VanCourtLt. Col. Joseph G. FohtLt. Col. lawrence A. DevliaCol. Thomas A. RobertsLt. Col. Richard L. LaBodieLt. Col. Louis W. CorrellIkJ. James D. bterUA. Col. Allan L. HartsI&J. John W. DoranLt. Col. COaron Le ClayCol. Abmer ZehaLt. Col. Robert H. ShellTbj. lawrence M, NelsonLt. Col. Harold W. UhrbrockLt. Col. Ernest W. Howellij. £odward . sylva

Lt. Col. Lewis 1m FlintCapt. Charles 3. BransonNj. Ibrehall W. Dickson

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HFADWA RTERS C CBAT C IMAND "A"SECOND A-OLD Pirsi r

APO 25224 July 1944

SUBJFCT: Action Against Fhemy, Reports After (Period 1-30 June 1944)

: Commanding Genertl, 2d Armored Division (Atten. AC of S, G-l)

1. In oompliaznoe with par. 5, Ist lnd, letter, lHq 1st US Army,13 July, subJet, "ActIon Against Fnemy, Reports After/After Action Reports",the following attached renort is submitted for Combat Command "A" 2d ArmoredDivision, covering period 1-30 June 1944.

For the Commanding General:

el-4 Cop0unE RtIopy - .iurntls&,.1 Copy so Journal, 3-02

B. M. BAILEY, J/X)Lieut. Colonel, &Valr

F°xeoutive X'tioer,

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JJ" IC-on e" 1St iLre.: : , A.orts Afte(/l4r A o-flJeporus

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(""uu.- CLannuis)Q

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l in aCe:or-a e ith oarigraoh 10 (06) A 645-105 and asCt O-.- ±&ub.sr :,.du:.rtcrs First United States Army, datedt z uO OctlaLinA m, !IL m: 1- stc'on A-aint Snemy, Antorts Aftor/After,0C Ci e / A f t erD 0 ior ,2:e -- ttaciod reports and documents are herewith

c : _ .- utc 1or , L:ont: -: of Ju l:y 1944.

20 r.nCo,.m:mianin': Gcnoral:

Lt. Colo, AGO,Adjutant General

Or! ,inel :Inc ,; cociss, at r action deport, 2nd Armd Div,,,, / . . ,

J-T J rl, July 19,4R"Prts of' subordinate units

1/sa370 (Ar) lot lad.HQ ZIX CURPS, APO 270, US Army, 17 Sep 44.

TOQ: 00, Fizuet US Army,, Apo 230, US Army.

Fer the Ocmanding General?

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RD AXUID.zCD )IVI2~t JILYI1

Afterbfter acti.-n reports Thr Ju .o 11"t fro- t-e fo S .

C t" A

41 st Arr. Inf liert4th Ar ad i'A 3i Cth Ard FA Bn 9.f

V2nd Ard FA Bn t.A.7th Armid En-r 3n

8 82nm dr A kcri Ba Ar &dth Ar.t lied 3 a4 -Lertent 3 ny

)Sapoiy 3aO 2.dArtO Si.-P GQo

>q 2d Armt Div Trnin seAI Div Arty Section S".Piv Surgeon462nd Arm FA Bn (Attached) --

&VtJq95th AAA At (sP A"S02nd TD B"

04253th Arid PA Bn "

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A~IoA

Offlee o' teo DfIViSIS Caste

A..O. 252,21 SeptWe, 1941.

* Vh." AnS Dlva mqab &f13Gee ar Ie* sabee#ttheV OrpS ant I3nC to the Yflnd I d a s of te Lalartiet e b a 2 SJer eperatian. aIa AtheGpera s N id

The1" e Us&awie4 t(1 defense ef the G-UE Senter, 1toj 9. ieolnsive; (2)A e ktareugh west of ST 0 (Opration coat)to 31 JUly, i UAh the FIT i5 adwaned froa the, onfines of

the erial behhd.

TheUs2d Mit D iv swed south tra nits asebly ares near FP DR CUISYen 1 July and rlievd the British 7th Amd Div in a defensive soe east ofGUH (se Ov&A, Annex I). The froet as extemded pp stely 3000yir n the eassth of LIfT, MAZ. The Division relieved the Britisb"thoins legh .-he were deI ngM t the osecto thad he Br 2d Aa - An 1stawbaIuAST;s m est to the left flank of the Divione

Oembat GmS 3A', undr Brig en Maurice Ros, with 2nd and 3rd Dus,41st LitA Da Regt attached, us disposed as showa on ovelay, ApAx I.Centact ua metablishd with Britihlement s a the left. The 66th AdRet, less the at us hold In a position which would sab.o it to avofoe r d in event of an ean attack and uas also disposed to preteotthe left f of the Div. Roates to points that were consid vulnerablowere reco mitered and the 17th At En Bn then castruted roads to

arMih eos to these points. Combat Coin d "B", with let B &o4st A .RteRt attachod, nder a of Brig Ge I D hiteo, u disposed as shom

in Overlay Amex I. for the use of CC "B" were constristed by the 17thLi h Dr " The infantr7 battalaon c mders wee l st B, Lt C5f JNMA; 2d Ba, lt Col W D Colua; 3rd Bn, Lt Co l arshal L Crawlero Each ofthe nfantry batt aens plaoed 2 ie. in line ad the 3rd conpanqInreserve, sonany assipu-ns bein rotated. Ba Eq Gee frrished cloe supportwith machine gans, mortars and assault gans. Snipers were placed in maqspets ant fltpests were eseupied wel ahead of the main lime of resistance.The existing British defenses were improesd with wire, mines and boeb trapsand in eme sectors the line uas pushed ferard. Patrels wet out nightly tocatet the easy atd to gain informatiou.

35

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-W t . I A AA

The DivArty, 66th AR, 67 tR6 the7ndeD Bn were given 8uaomissions. The 1 th Armd FA Bn suppoad 00 "A a the 8th Arad ?A Bn

supported OC "B".. The 92nd Art FA Bn reinforced the.fires of the 14th

And FA Bn and the 62nd Art FA Bn, an attached unit, reinforced the f"a

of th# 78th Ard FA Bn. The 92nd ArtP A Bn also reinforced the British

Royal Horse Arty in the British sector and fired support missiont on 5, 7

and 8 July on ST CMAIN DECTOT, supporting the British 50th Brigado

attacks. The 92nd Art FA Ba aided the breakup of a local counterattack on

British elements west of HOTTOT, destroying 4 X1 IV tanks and killing 80

Germans. Air observers were sployed by the Arty to spot targets and adjust

fire to destroy enemy guns. 186 arty concentrations were fired during this

period, neutralizing 11 enemy batteries and destroying tanks, SP guts, mortars,

ammnition dumps, vehicles, and OPIs.

A ca paign of psychological warfare was conducted duri this time

from the front lines by the Div G-2 section, under Lt Col Jesse M. Hwkin,

resulting in the surrender of a number of Germars from the 2nd 5 Ps Div*

The 702nd TD Bn (less 2 Co's) took up positions to ipepL ment the

actions of the Combat Commands in case of a strong enemy attack. Two

companies were located on the front line with the infantry and delivered

direct fire with their M-10's. One U-10 was danged by enemy fire and 2

officers and 19 men were wounded.

The 195th AAA (AW) Bn (SP) supported the Div with batteries assigned

as follows: Btry A, to CC "B"; Btry B, Div Tns; Btry C, Div Hq and Div

Res, and Btry D, CC "A". Medical reports listed 187 total casualties durirt

the I to 17 July operations. These included 30 killed, 122 wounded and

35 dombat exhaustion cases.The 1st Bn, 6th AR remained in the vieinty of CAENTiN frcs 1 to 6

July. It was attached to the 101st Airborne Div until 2 July, then on 3

July to the 83rd Inf Div. On 4 art 5 July, it supported attacks of the

83rd Inf Div. Co F and the 1st plat, Co C, supported the attack of the 330th

inf Regt on 4 July wuth of CAREMN. Heavy resistance, including minefields

and fire of machim guns and rocket dischargers checked progress of the

tanks after the village of ST GEDE BOHN was reached. Co I and Co C, less

1st plat, 66th AR supported the attack of the 329th and 331st laf Regts

on 5 July. They attacked astride the CARENTAM-fPERS road. Steady

progress was made through ninefields ant against resistance from strong

erey infantry units, supported by SP guns. ist Sn, 66th AR, was relieved

frcm attachment to the 83rd I Di!, on 6 July 1944 and rejoin the 66th AR

in the vicinity of LE SNIL6 taking up positions simlr to those of other

battalions of the 66th AR.

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.-AimI-,

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The Division was relieved froa its defensive mission by the British 50thDivision on 17 July and returned to an assably area north of FWZST DR CUISY,where preparations for further action were undertaken. Operations for theDivision from 18 to 25 July iirluded maintenance of oquipuent and vehiclesand further trainin in hedgerow warfare. The 17th A M Enr Bn installed aDiv showerpoint at VAUBODON, FRANCE. Special Service programs for all men were aleI.Advanced training tests were held, emphasizing infantry-tank cooperation.

Operation "COBA"

The 2nd Armored Division was attached to VII Corps for Operation "CORn",which began on 25.July 1944. The Division was ordered to exploit the break-through made by infantry units south and west of ST. LO and to drive Westtoward the coasts holding a series of objectives extending as far west asHIEHAL. Purpose of the mission was to prevent enemq counterattacks from thesouth or east along the line of SSSY SIR VWE-VILLDALDON-PCY4AUAY-ENIAL (see Annex IU for troop list).

Operation "COA", started on 25 July. CC "A" was comitted on 26 July.CC "B" followed CC "A". The operation was preceded by the saturation beard-ment of the breakthrough area which was followed initially by launching ofattacks by the 9th and 30th Infantry Divisions.

CC "A" advanced south from its assembly area below ST. JEAN DE DAIS at260945B July on its mission to repel possible enw counterattacks from the

TSSY SUR VM-VIILEBADON tra.. It passed its IP near PONT HEBUT and beganan advance over damaged roads and difficult terrain. F*irst objective of CC "A"

was near L ZESNIL HEWN It moved out initially in one column, latersplitting into two col , with the 2nd and 3rd Battalion 66th AredRegiment abreast, operating with the lot and 2nd Battalions of the attabed22nd RCT. The 1st Battalion, 66th Aroed Regimet was in sUpport. The 24thCavalry Reconaissance Squadron, attached, was used as a covering force.Division Artillery, reinforced by batteries frm the 188th and 258th FA

Battalions, supported the attack from positions between ST. JEAN DE DAIS andRXWAN as the operation began. CC "A", in a single 0olWun, reached ST. GILESat 1510B, advancing through anti-tank defenses and around Minefelds and

bcmb craters and drove towrd CANISY. A fuel dump as burned, 2 e tanks

destroyed and 80 prisoners were taken enroute to CANIT. Here 00 "A" split into

tw colans and contimed to advance astride the CANY-LU Ilu IL mMAI road,

meeting further obstacles and stron resistance. 2nd Battalion, 6th Arred

Reioent, on the right, pashed south of CAN3NY to the vinity of ST. MARTINDE BON FOSS. It was forced to negotiate a serious roadblock at C515,where a railroad tMverpass had been blown. Anti-tank guns and dug-in taaslowed the left column, which reached ST. HOW DR BON FOU and ST. 5801DR BONl FOSS.

CC "B" remained near ST. SN VS DAIS with orders to follow CC "A" afterthe latter's main units kid cleared CANISY.

At. -.

0C "B" advanced in 2 col a on initial objectives near DANfY. Div Rea,assebled in the ST. JEAN DE DAYS area, was alerted. The geeral area ofthe Div OP was e and strafed durag the night for a period of 28 uintes,7 being killed and 62 wounded.

CC "A" consolidated its postions on 27 July, the west (right) colhaving secured L MESNIL IAN, it. objective, at 080W. The CG, CC "A"gave orders to let ia, 66th AR and attached units to reconnoiter in fcrcealong routes to TSY SUR VB. It encountered strong anti-tank resistance

also had to overcome infantry delaying action. The 3rd B, 66th AR wasalo ordered to lead a task force on a similar mission to VIILEBALDON. Thisforce marching toward VI DAtDON met moderate resistance. 2nd Bn, 66th ARand attachents, was ordered to secure HIL 183. The third elment of C "A"acocmplished its mission about i00B and was relieved by infantry units. Theattacks were forced to skirt sin reads which "re blocked by burning enemyvehiclos. Strafing Geran planes which cam over the colum were drivenoff by fridly fighter-bombers In support ef CC "A" which s hot down oneeea aircraft. The fighters resined to strafe and destroy ens tanks andtroop carriers.

On 27 July, CC "B"'s attack was delayed by heavy traffic on all sinroeds. The combat ea Qoved out its recoaissance and advance guardelements at 11003. These elemnts,;later supplented by the nd Ar n RnBa, ere to locate routes over which an forces of CC "B" could advanceto cut off the na frem the north along the line extending frcm CANISYto MHL. Contact uas made just southwest of CADY on the road to PONTfOCAS. Patrols of the 8S Art Ron Bn reported that an enq fore of

infantry-supportd by mortars and artillery, hold LSIUY art QUIBW. Theadvanoe guard was depleyed and try A of the 78th Art FA B3 tockup a ap-prti peAtien to shell enty S gs and mortars. twelea t of theemay's left flank 4-i4iated the resista e and the advance of the mainbedy as remind. The advanee guard seined DAIY at 1900B and was reinforeedby lst , I s Axd f Regt and Co D, 67th1L This afre yoved ontoenupy PUT UaR befere nigtfal, after overnoing further resistancefret emq In red ears. An easy counterattack near PONT BROC tserepelled, klts otthe ala right oolumam thencied up eff the roads toaflew the etA lna te ave forwar. The left els reached a p onemile seth ef DAI! destroying eleents of mnq infantry and orsarawnartilery caste .

Um otee CtktAlad Ron1bcontinued tocover the adveae of C Bas it appreahed its seed Sojeetive, sutheast of NU DAN L CHILLY.00 B operated a mg the a roed eat of io! Ce 0 chocked routes on theriht of the a read and Co A te*o thn nthe left. These organisationsreached LA PVrUNIU by 24003 after an advance 1at ile4. They encounteredeleinats of 5 German regimets, Woek 39 prisoners and destroyed 3 enemy tanks.The Div Ree rmaind In its assembly are, prepred to move south to CANDY.The Div Arty osamder placed 2 batteries of the 129th MA Bn, newly attached,in anti-tank pos ious imthe divisiomreoar. The 7O d TD'hnandftry Dofthe 195th AlA (AW) 3m (SP) eeupied support positiens, capturn 16 prisoners.

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The 3rdLit Div was r rged cro the ST LOPialus road ean the rightOf tho 2nd Ad Dlv, and elemonts f the let Itt Div approached MARINff,Wet t T GILLUS.

On 28 July, both Combat C ans wee confronted by strong enmy re-sin ... , largG Oera~ n feres sought to espe suthfard tra the FirstU. 8. Army trap and ether enmy fores attempd to counterattack from theseutheast. The ena fro the north encoutered elements of CC "B"; enemyarmor aad Infaatr apprhach from the southeast, were net by CC "AN nowattached to IfX Corps.CC 3B uats advanced 4 to 8 miles against stubbern resistance, gainingtheir objeetives at InaOiu and CA OIJN. Co H, 67th AR and Co G, 41stLitst Regt, an advance group of CC I3U seised the crossroads on theCOUTAImOAWT h ihway near CAXUKa. Slants of the 82nd A Ron Bpresd, fard withthe mission of aesuringcosss over the SIEN W River.Its patrels reached inOus and LA JOURCANIRE, on their obJective andeaptme 125 priseers. An advance force, composed of 1st *a, 67th AR (less0O D) a l 1st Ba, 41st Art Inf Rgt, with a platoon of Co B, 17th Ad bgrDn attacheda us ordered to sseure the road north of HAMBIL In a sharpsuggmat while this objeetive was being occupied, Lt. Col. R. I. Nelson,eatro of l t Ba, 67th AR va lled when his tank was hit by anti-tanktire.

The alin right cole= of C "3" mua conterattacked in, force by enewwhich approached PONT ROCD and NOTIRE DAME LI ClENf frm CRI51 ,L ASALL.As a result of this attack, Div lea as camitted. CoE, 41st Art Inf Rsgtattacked west from PONT ROk; Co F, 41st Arv tnf Regt drove southwestand Co I 67th Lird Regt n ed south to NOUN DANE L CEXNIU awl attackednorth. f midnigYht C R1 IA L was occupied and reserve units were die-posed to block escape routes frm the north. Geran tanks, anfantry andartlery units were destroyed in this engagement. Advance element of the6th 1s Ren, 4th 1nt Div noted into the IOU! DAME LB CENILLY area in rearOf CC "B. The 3rd AradDivwas contacted on theright tlankad the 4thLid Div s ecoatacted moving south frcm COUTLAS.

CC 0e0 was engaged throughout the next day, 29 July, by continuedCounterattacks and escape efforts of the enem. An 8 mile advance to theirfinal objectives was nads by sain units of the Cobat Cmiand. Starting at0400B, raants of 2 Nai Pa Div tried to break through CC 333 lines nearNOT E DAU L CENIU.. An eqenolun vas destroyed after driving back4th mt Div outposts and threatening positions of the 78th Ard FA Bn. Twobatteries oftthe 78th Arod FA Bn fired direct fire at a range of 500 yardson the colan. Tanks and anti-aircraft guns joined in the ground action anda tank-infatry team mopped up enea remnts. The 78th Art FA Ba reported711 IV tanks destroyd, 26 enemy killed awl any other cawalties inflictedinthe enageaet. 1st Bal, 41st LisA 1sf Refl and 1st Bn, 67th AR advancedtward 33301W after bypassing resistance at HAIR!. Other units met lightresistance goingl through ST DEIS LB GAS? and the final objective at LEGIONSxas secured at 153GB by 1st Ba, 41st Art 1sf Re$t. Forces were ordered tosecure the area as tfous:m 2 infantry coo and platoon at Rcn Ca, 67th ARat ST DENlS 13 GAS?; one plateen, Ron Co, 67th AR at HAKIS, and the rest at

I-

Ion Ce0 Iu L tra where lian was aintaie with 4th Amd Div its£M1kAra Rn Ba Stationed Co C at iTY CO 3 b..etw e Uen .A ?nd BT DCILE GAST and Co A between CURE, sad wky, upyin aii al oh.

plv Re, advancg in rear of CC '3', set up rftdblocks and etpeetslate on 29 Ju , ith the mission of securig area as far nut as mn .OAs one of its 6 pos tas being occupied, a force of a&reflro 1 6Gmas with ta a, art and aut -,-- _,-,r. . tothe cut * T*Y 4V9eqme at poin blank ranq, bV both li. 5 and Nee.pouts, and a heavy toll of the enaW was taken. The en assault sonti sethrough the liae and overran porio of the Div lea C?, anof 2nd t, 41st Arid f Refa 3rd Bah. A l pe o e naein close eamkt, and upport as given by the 92nd Arad 7k . Tree prie taken s the l Div Re. C? area. Lt Ccl V. D. Celeman, co-am4the nd , skwI RgtUk~~~tu~~~% :e ad+in this ezgangta . Another tank-ifIntry attak was launched fom the southeast an forced units holding TDIN33 LI GAS? to fall back on friendly outposts. From roadblock positias theyengaged the German column on its flanks and Inflicted heav &so when thecolun reached positions Of the 78th Ad Fk Bit came under diret firefrom the artlry's 105ia and -50 cal guns, as wel as frct eMO tankdestroer. Three trucks, thee half.raoks twin M? gus, a trck witha 75 howitzer, sad 4 3? guns were destroyed; 40 ene were il d and 199captured. The 62nd Arid 7k Ba took 238 prisoners after this actio am 10were catured by the Div A section. During tre engagemts, Cal SidneyR. Hindu Div Res Ceandr and Lt Cal Rober B -. 1, asy,st ki1sfRegt Executive, made a patrol by half track frm the Div Res C area. toST DENIS LE GAST. Aimed with pistols, they encauntered a Gan araredcar and led o and wounded another of the guards of the car.In the early hours of 30 July, other elements of CC "Ba engaged in anothesharp encounter with a Gezan column, numberin 90,viles- More then 20-

enemy were e ated to hare been in the colm, which moed undor cover ofdarkness from secondary roads o)nto the CA NC~eSST DEIs UI GAS? roa andapproached GRIS 0. The colum as engaged by elemeAts of 2nd Bu, 67th Aland 3rd Ba, An mi I egt, ait was stow ewest ofGRIf. j, when theXX V tank leading the colmn was destroyet. Tank, anti-jnk, mortar andarms fire was directed at the length of the column and later the 62nd AmFAB, reinore ed by frsA and Bo h f&A.dp 1, udfrFA o teah A n opened fjre on

the ol0umn from the rear. All vehicles in the column were destroy and itwts estmted 480 enemy were killd. The colu included tans, a self-propelled 15 gun ("Ferdinand"), artillery prime movers, half tracks andadminstrative cars. During daylUght hours Cos A, B C of the 82nd AdRcn Bt combed the area for escaping ene ; 166 prlsors were take amfn 10-enemy kiled. After OC "B. had secured the-areas of its -obj-ct-ves arunThI• and CflEZ S along the SHENU River, the Cat Command was orderedto assemble and reorgaiz. The sector was turned over to the 4th ArMd Divand elements of the 1st kit Div. CC "B' took a total of 1058 prisonersduring the peried.

I+EI...

On 28 July, CC RAN was attached to XX Corps and received orders toattack and secure the IX Corps objective in the vlinity PERCY-ZL CIWRN-ST ARIE. The attack us launched in 3 colm an made steady progresstoward the objective. Major elements in the columns ccaprised the tankbattalion, of the 66th AR and infantry unit. of the 22W RCT. The centercolan, advancing south from the LE MISNIL HMLN area, reaeod NOUN,, butfound it strongly held by enow and defended by terrain obstacles. The colunnsecured high ground north of 11)1, and held this position until relievedby 29th Inf Div em the foijowing day. The left coln reached high groundsmith of LI NESNIL (PAC where easy tanks and dul Furpoe AA-T gas wereengaged. In the engagement 5,OMK IT tanks and 4 gma were destroy, tthno lesses to the attackin forces. The attack contimed under steady artilleryand mortar fire and at 2200B the $oroe wa assembled, outposting the areasouth of LE NZIL OPAC. The colum had been cut briefly by an easy tank-infantry counterattack, but the ens clents were arrounded and reduced.The right column, meeting -it resistance, pushed south rapidly and securedVIILEUDON; -the -advance was continued and elemets of the colum captunredthe town of P CY an 29 July. It was later relieved by the 175th nfRegtof the 29th 1sf Div.

The left colmn of CC MA' resumed its attack fra LI SU OPAC at O60Bon 29 July, having as its objective ground in the vicinity POWFWA*. slarms fire as met at the outset; this resistance was reduced and the advancevas pushed ahead in search of a streaa crossin. I tanks, artillery andmortar fire were eiwountered along the stream. The 00 "AN colmn returned thefire and destroyed 3 German tanks. At 16003 the Fore as dered to dis-engage fra eneq contact and assemble. The right lua, which lad takenFaa a 29 July, contianed its adare.

On 30 JWy an attack on TSS R VICw as lamhed by a face eMaitigof 2nd Ba, 46th A*, 1st Ba, 22u1 RCT and engner at reeemaisacee elaats.The Fore moved south throug VILUMMDOI and then Mufg nt, attackingtonard TUB!rSB VIR. The advance was soed by fierce any resistanceIn the VZLMADON area* Heavy Geman artlery camentratiens fell en thetown ad eaw tanks counterattacked the 0C "A' Aolas. The attack ias repelled ad a AT gum were destred. The attached imfamry it hel4 tbeto and secured the VVIEMDON ceossroads in pite of artillery fire Whicheontined to fall in the secte nk elemnts of the colasmoaved to anasrnbly area anthwest ef the tee.

C "A" renewed the attack a 31 Jul, when lot Bas 66"th AR ant atah-ante were oe to secure h grout areaS DM . The drive as adoeastward aleng the left flaAk of the VIUBAWOI-S=WY Mt V II rad. TheForce passed threh the 29th 1sf Div lime at adwneed to a poiut mAtrBIAUOOIULAY. hneq tanks were discovfee across a wooded zavii aS artilleryfire fell on the assault elements durn recemn~issne fer a crosing seerthe ravirm * No suitable crossing as located and thE Faee consolidatedfor the night. Other elnts of CO "A" were is assembly areas sr 7510atd IX 11501 at the close of the period.

• _: ' .i ... :.. ..* ,du...,>: S . 4 1 /

2nd Ard Div (less CC "A") as relieved fron VII Corps on 1 July andas assigned to XXX Corps. 00 "A" rmained in XX Corps, as attached an 28July. 2nd And Div (lees 00 "A") occupied assembly areas in the PONT MIr.ARD-lft DAN LE OSULY vicinity and prepared for future acti.

The report of the Division Smeon for July listed 149 men of the 2ndLita Div ked in actionj 922 were wounded and 247 cambat exustion caseswre handled. edical Uit. also treated 27 civiliaaand 346 em n wounded.DuIn the Operation "003kn, the 48th Ard Mid BB 3 clearng statioas,handled 1778 cases, nluiag any enmy wounded awd wounded an of attchedunts.

In its uy action, 66th AR, major unit in CC "AN, took 1200 prisoare,killed 230 ew an de stroe nore than 40 enou vehicles, iacbding 6 MIV tanks. 66th A lost 3 officers and 51 enlisted - kiled, 17 officeersaM 185 enlited men mutt, I officer and 51 enl ated men missing. DuringOperation "eSA", 00 "3 Olaimd an estimated 1250 sne killed and 73 off loreat 3650 ea f eaptuned Vents of 8 Gwman divisions were wiped eut by00 "3E and more 250 vehicles a heavy ygun were desnt red. 0 N "3losses mluded 3 offieers and 64 s enlited mam kied, 26 officers at 258enlasted mt omt, 1 efrisr a 68 enlisted men missing.

The report of Div Arty aoted that 45 artillery coneentratios were firedOperaties 'COMA". One oneW battery as neutralised, 7 IK IV tanks

m destroyed, and 2 counterattacks were sashed. The 195thM A (AW) N(U *, tokhadBty A and tr Bofthe 474th AABn attafhed fra 281to

31 JuyasIn 32 eqagacts with euw aircraft t also participtedin1greatM0action.Five Gem s plates (4 by ftwy AS were shot dow and 7irebables claimed. Te 702ad 36 Bn acewated for& ae than 35 sn Wvehlsdestroy " Thiroon of ts - vehiclesoe damagod at the battalioa lost10 mm ki led ad 3 offlers aS 5 isted ma.oude.

Naj Wll.s. P. R Jr., beamosin g offier of lt En, 67th andiat r tel 1. 3. Nelo af s kled in action, on 28 Jul. Lt 1Ca

AudR 1. loliaUsang offeor of 3rd En, 66th And Rqt, was *ndedis aetin en 26 Juy at Maj ghR . 0'Farrll seeded hi as emander.Lt ol W. D. 0oma, Seas killed on 30 July, as suoeeoded by Maj Charlese. tter, as 00of 3d E, 41st An iat Ret. Ma4 brad . Mand assumedcmad of the Wt And FA Ea a 30 July, after it CS lHuh .fn Us

woued it astiec.

Ef

TUOP LIST FOR OPEiA'I'iON CO0iA

COMBAT CU igD "A"

Hq CCA66th Armd degt22nd Regt Combat Team with

normal attachments14th Arri FA BnCo's A, C, 17th Armd EnLr f-l702nd IiD bn (SP) (less Co 1)Co A, 48sth Armd M.ed &nBtry 0, 195 I MA (Ad) Bn (SP)Dat iviaint Bn

COlJ/SAT ', Ouii.Ai.D '13"

Hq CCU7 ti Ar. d rtegt (less Urd ,n)ist, 3rd . ls, 41st Airid Inf ei7L1h Ar,,d 'A ' nCo -, 17Tn Armd ' ngr s3nCo b, 70nd C, Sn (Sc)

Coh oK~hAnc d vf

bUIt, i, l'bn AAJk (Al) anDet iaiixt ±3n

DIV CONTROL DIV

Hq and H1 Co -Jnd Ar-i bjv (w/i Uo,

41st AuI attached, plas 6 secus:ury C, 195t MA :.-(AW) (&,) )1 4,2nd Arrd.Sig Co82nd Ariid "icn nn (plus Co 6, 17wii

Armd tii ngr i3n)24tn Rcn Jqin ,.Cez (-1 1rp)Div Tns (plus L-i p , ly O ±3 ,u9u Sn

1q i9oi. 'AAA .n (le S) s176-i Ar)id iah-.n Vy in (1esC- & L;ots)

elst Aria l a RegS (loss(-1 Go)

IDr d 3n, o7bn Arc {d e b

D I A IL J

iLq Div Art., nu , Q iv

'.. A, " .Cs 2' i- 1 Ii

ux, .td Ai.'.~i Al A ._fn.cf. C, _.95th -:-".A Al (..,) (&:

^,q

ANNE II

-mo..

ALr~

MADea E2 AHEa4 DIVMuoxWU. of he Divisio O s

Auth. OG 2dAPinitial.Datet-*r sefl.-1k4

APO a22- 2? September 14

AIt A &CZQ!UZ a RiOperations of the 2d Armd Div during the perod 1 Avg to 31 Avg 19"my be grouped into three major phases:I* The VTh-DWRCRT Wflsi (1 to 15 Ag1944) eploiting the ST LObreathrughof 25 to 31 July 1944.I . •OTheTQOwMjW 'FS szu (20 to 26 Ag 1944). The A~h UVAIS- 0 1 SUIT (29 to 31 Aug 194)

Mjor units of the 2d Ar Div operated undr VMIatKd Cip0f theFfrs. United States Army in certain stages of this phase of ceai, iDiv less CC A" as attacja± to VII Corp. until0=1C t... ug; toe n tThCorps until 7 Aug. The Div loes C "A" was again attaaed t o# o-...,-ad to ,- ca u Y o o

7 Aug and CC A", which hd been operati since28J ider ups,was placed in XU Corps reserve, 24 Art Divas again relieed . trm VICorps on 13 Aug and attached to XU Corps.0

General aissasa of the two Corps cawpised expleittjn of th3T 10broakt - , - -ace a -plis duringthePre ceding month. In pursuit of thesemssions tin e Div destroyed O ne units south and southeast of VI-&ILt ;secured s aqeessire objoectives from the V3I area to DWRONT. UnitsOfthe VII and Cps aidod materially in closing the FAAIS4cm gap,entrapping the remants of the German 15th.Army.

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1 AUGUSTAt first light on 1 Aug 3rd En 66th AR, reinforced, attacked tram. anassembly area in the vicinity of VILZBAIDoH with the mission of 8euring%Ssr SUR _V* . "The attack vas launched employing a secatary nut-stroad north of the VIILEMDON- ggy SUR V3I highwy as an axis. Adwatag.was taken of a grunoa mist which sovered the movement of t.he force;.aa l Cof enem vehicles was ovrru and destroyed enrout. an the thrust camon uAto high ground northwest of T ySSR VMR.Two tanks of CoG 66thnAR&actuallentered TSSY SUR V at 1030B, but were engaged by a superior number ofGerman tanks and destroyed. The column was attacked along its length by anumber of Mk V German tanks, which were driven off or destroyed in a series jof fiercely contested actions. 3rd Bn 66th AR assembled all elements and Uconsolidated on commanding terrain NW of TESS SIR VIES. The positi washold against determin~d enemy W c at l isolated the force unt

... . . . . -- =. -,,-,, ., .-. ... . . ,-.,-,..

relief was effected by other elements of CC "An.

At 1500B, 1st and 2nd Bus 66th AR, reinforced with el ats of the 22ndRCT, attacked astride the VIILEBAUDON=TLSY SUR TI highway. he advancewas mnde against heavy may resistance in the form of artillery and anti-tank fire, and a large nmaber of enemy Mark IV and Mark V tanks placed inconcealed positions along the highway. The na was foreed to withdrawto positions south of TSSY TVRE, at CC "A" consolidated its forces,securing the toun for the night. In supporting the attack of CC "A", Co Aand Co B0of the 702nd TD ni dostroyed 19 enemy vehicles, and captured 64prisoners.

The 2d Ard Div, less CC "A" was in VII Corps reserve and occupiedassembly areas near PONT HtCCARD. Units engaged in reorganization andmaintenance during the period.

2 AUGUST

2d Art Div less CC "A" passed to control of Xfl Corps at 021200BAug and resumed operations with an attack to secure Corps objectives to thesouth. CC "B" moved out at 021600B from its assembly area in vicinityNOTRE DAME I CENILLI and advanced through VILEBAUDON and P3CY in the sonof the 28th Inf Div. By 022200B the advance guard had reached MARGOUAYafter meeting heavy resistance from German artillery, tanks, mortars, anti-tank guns and infantry. CC "B" consolidated its gains north of MARUUAI.Div Res was placed on a 2 hour alert status and prepared to fflw the ad-vance of CC "B". CC "A" was withdrawn to an assembly area near VILLBAUDONfor reorgan tion and maintenance. Div Tns moved fra CANISI to an areasouthwest of PONT BROCR during the period.

3 AUGUST

2d Art Div units continued to meet fierce resistance from enemy rearguard elements. Mines and log roadblocks were encountered on the route ofadvance of CC "B". Units of the German 2nd Pz Div and 363rd Inf Div offeredstiffening resistance; although hampered by rain and difficult terrain, theCombat Command advanced in two columns about 7 miles along its s axisPMcCY-MRGUNIA-MCNTELY-SPT FREES. The left column reashed UTFESand was fighting in the town at nightfall, fimally cansolidating in a pOpitionsouth of LA CAVE. The right coban encountered a blmn brdge andisfieldcovered by artillery and mortar fire along its route, and reached a point oamile northwest of ST =TE CALVADOS, here gains were consolidated for thenight. Div Res prepared for action and moved up to an assembly area southof PE3T. Div Arty fired 4 conentrations from the P01 area, and supportingartillery battalions fired .issions and reported hits on the FUT DE STSEVER. The 78th and 62d Armd FA hs supported CC ,"r directly; the l4th,65th, 92nd and 258th FA ths were in general support. CC "A" continued vehiclemaintenance aid personnel rehabilitation in its VUILEBAUDON assembly area

and was alerted to prepare for action by 040600B Aug.

AUGUST

2d Armd Div's field order assigned CC "B" the left sector of the Divzone of advance and gave CC "B" the mission of passing through the 28th InfDiv positions on 4 Aug to secure the XIX Corps objective, which was the highground southeast of SCURDEVAL. CC "A" was assigned the right sector, andwas to pass through and coordinate with 29th ±nf Div units and advance tothe Corps objective, bypassing VIRE if necessary. CC "A" moved into theattack at 04600B and executed the Div order with a 12 mile advance south-west from its VILLEBAUDON assembly area. Minefields and a series of road-blocks were reduced and a damaged bridge was repaired during the advance.Anti-tank guns and-roving and dug in tanks were encountered and destroyed.At 20DOB a new attack, coordinated with 29th Inf Div etements, was launched

by CC "A" and the combined force pushed to within 3 miles of VIRE. Patrolswere sent toward VDLE during the night. CC "B" met stubborn resistance inits advance from SEPT FRMES and COURSON. Assault elements were slowed byenemy mines, artillery, nebelwerfers and mortars. CC "B" occupied areaswest and north of ST SEVER CALVADOS for the night, and patrols reconnoiteredfor routes to bypass the town. 82nd Armd Rcn In patrolled toward VIRE andinto FmRET DE ST SEVER to secure routes of advance for the combat commands.Both Co A and Co C of the 82nd Rcn came under heavy fire and suffered severecasualties. Div Res was on alert status in its assembly area.

5 AUGUST

CC "A" continued to advance on the left in the 2d Armd Div zone, co-ordinating with 29th Inf Div units in that area. CC "A" launched its attackat 0800B in two columns. The left column, led by 2d Bn 66th AR, was directedsouth toward VIRE and the other, composed of 1st Bn 66th AR and attachedinfantry, moved to the west of the city to secure a flanking position over-looking VIRE and the VIM River. All bridges and adjacent roeds were foundto be mined and strongly defended by the enemy with infantry and AT fire fromassault guns and dug in tanks. CC "A" made a 3 mile advance during the period.Hill 219 was secured by 1st Bn 66th AR. 2d Bn 66th AR Reinf, met stiff enemyresistance at MARTIIY, northwest of VMMS, and disengaged for the night.CC "B" operated ina sector with 28th Inf Div and continued to drive towardSOURDEVAL. CC "B" attacked in two columns at OBOOB and made steady progressagainst stubborn enemy resistance and local counterattacks* The right columnattacked southwest toward BOIS DE LA HATE and reached a point north of CHAMPDU BOULT. The left column, after encountering bazooka and artillery fire,captured ST MANVU BOCAGE. Div Res was prepared to support either of thecombat cmmands by routes through ST SEVER CALVADOS. 82nd Armd Rcn Bn p4lsencounted heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire in their reconnaisanceof F ST DR ST 2. Div Arty fired concentrations on amnnition dumps,barracks, guns and vehicles in the forest.

6 AUGUST

XIX Corps order directed the 24 Artd Div to attack southeast, seizeGATHWO art assist the advance of the VII Corps on the right. CC A", againcoordinating wth 29th mnt Div was ordered to attack in the XIX Corps zone,secure VI and advance to the C z tD iv less CC "A". r

I/- m~ m

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was directed to attack, wth objectives on the line DO ONT4MISM (See

AN. Ifor troop list, August).

After a heavy shelling of VIRE during the night, CC "A", reinforced by

2nd En 4st Arad Inf R99t, launched its attack on VINE. Heavy fire by enemy

artillery, mortars and direct fire frm anti-tank guns halted the left column

cmprising the 2nd Bn 66th AR Reinf, at a crossroads north of the city, after

an advance of about 500 yards. Thelst and 3rd Bnl66th AR and 2nd Bn t

AIR were 'cut off from the 15th Inf Regt, 29th Inf Div, at this point and were

heavily engaged by German infantry and tanks which attacked from the vicinity

ST. MARTIN DE TAUWEE. All counterattacks were repulsed successfully. This

force of CC "A" was later relieved by the 175th lnf Regt of the 29th Inf Div

and was withdrawn to ZH Corps reserve. CC "B" advanced 2j miles against

determined enemy resistance. The left column ran into heavy fire from mortars,

artillery and anti-tank guns, but successfully penetrated FOrET DE ST. SEVER to

the vicinity of LB GAST, where the Force vas relieved by the 15th Inf. CC "B"'s

right column attacked through the forest with dismounted infantry in support

and after a short advance turned the sector over to the 109th Inf Regt of the

28th IT Div. 82nd Armd Rcn Bn patrols reconnoitered for routes for a proposed

move through ST. POIS to MCRTAIN, and also screened the advance southeast of

ST. SEVER CALVADOS. Heavy fire was laid down by all artillery battalions on

targets in FOW DE ST. SEVER and in the VINE area.

7 AUGUST

82nd Armd Rcn Bn moved out at 070010B from positions near ST. SEVER

CALVADOS and acted as advance guard for the Div less CC "A" in a movement to

the vicinity of ST. P01S. Patrols contacted 9th Inf Div elements south of

CHNPENCE LE BOUSSEL. The main column of CC "B" left the ST. SEVER CALVADOS

area at 0530B. Co "B" 82nd Armd Rcn Bn contacted enemy after passing CBDINCE

IL BCUSSL and leading elements of CC "B" also came under fire. Enemy mortars

and artillery were bypassed and a local tank attack as repulsed.

At I100B, 2nd Armd Div less CC "A" was attached to VII Corps and the

mission was modified. The march to the south and east was continued by a route

through ST. POS, CUVES, REFEUVILE, ST. HILAIRE DU HARCOUET and LE TEILIeUL.

All CC "B" units closed in vicinity of BARENTON by 2330B after a 45-mile march.

Div Re. and other units of 2nd Armd Div less CC "A" began to move on the route

of CC "B" at 1700B. CC "A" less 2nd Bn 66th AR was detached from 2nd Armd Div

and put in XIX Corps reserve. 2nd Bn 66th AR was attached to the 28th Inf Div.

8 AUGUST

CC "B". attacked at 0800B from a position west of BARENTON, driving northwith the objective of securing high ground in the vicinity of GER. CC "B" movedin two columns with 1st En 41st AIR on the right and 3rd Ba 41st AIR on the left.

3rd Ba 67th AR, attached to CC "B" from Div Res, supported the infantry

battalions. Both columns advanced more than 3 miles across difficult terrain,

through minefields and against anti-tank guns. At nightfall the two columns

consolidated their gains and maintained enemy contact by active patrolling.

Div Re. dispersed an enemy andsen aba arltcr

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KGLTAIN to elinaLte an ene roadblock. 82nd ArM Ecn Bn patrols reconnoiteredtovard t, UCETAIR a DCWROM to cover the attack of CC "B". Other Rcn Bnpatrols guarded bridges over LA VARENNE river. Div Arty comeentratims werefined on enemy artillery, vehicle andinfantry coluns, anti-tank guns, ad aflak tower. The 2nd TIDn at Div lea occupied outposts and established road-blocks to protect the rear at flanks of the Div. CC "A3 remained in reserve inthe vicinity of VIR.

9 AUGUST

CC "B" resumed its attack toward the vicinity of on the Rmring Of9 A u nd by 1630B had seized high ground 4 m snorthOf BARUTON. Theattack Ms preceded by a heavy artillery barrage and jas supported by 3rd Bn67th AR. Air Support aided the advance considerably by destroying eney tanksgums and mamnition dumps in the MTAIN-GU..BMWTON pockt. CC NB" repulseda tank infantryCOunterattack on its left front and at 200CB destroyed an eztank cola which had advanced south toward "CC "B" liae an the OU-EAErNN-road. Forward units outposted their positions at patrolled into ene territoryat nightfall. Considerable artillery and mortar fire fell in CC "B"'s sectorduring the night. 3rd Bn 12th tn Regt, 30th t Div, was attached to CC "B"in preparation for a renewed attack on 10 August. Div Arty fired 22 concentra-tions during the period and scored hits on enem tanks and guns north of thefront lines of CC "B" infantry. Patrols from 82nd Art Ron Bn occupiedST. ECROES DE RCWELE, contacted 35th Inf Div elements near KRTAIN, coveredthe ME ONR-D ONT highway and observe enemy tanks at LOKIAT L'AAn.

10 AUGUST

E&my planes ba ed the vicinity of Div CP and Div Ree areas for about 25minates, starting at 010B. Heavy demolition and anti-personnel basn aredropped and 35 casualties were reported in the area of lt Bn 67th AR. CC "B"held its position north of BARENTON and drove off an enemy counterattack at053C. Enemy infantry vare reinforced with tanks and advanced under supportingfires of artillery, mortars and nebelwerfers. Supporting artillery and fighterplanes dispersed an enemy infantry column which mowed from the northeast at20305 and approached CC "B" 's lines. CC "B" acted as a covering force for 30thinf Div units which attacked north from near LE TEILLEL to open a supply andcomunication route to 2nd En 120th mn Regt, which had been isolated on a billeast of fMTAIN. 945 Div Arty concentrations usre fired during the day, assist-in mashing the counterattacks on CC "B". 82 Art Ron Bn and attachedengineers blew up bridges between BARENOzi an D CRONT to prevent their use byenemy for a possible counterattack from that sector. 82nd Armd Rcn Bn alsooccupied ST. GEORES DI ROJELLE. The 238th Cot Egr Bn (less 1 Go) arrived inthe Div Res area and as placed in direct support of 2nd A Div.CC "A", attached to IX Corps, assembled a task force which as attachedto the 28th luf Div at GATHEIO. The Force consisted of 66th AR (less 1st atd3rd Ens, Ecu Co atd "A" Go), 2nd En 41st AIR (less 1 Go), 14th Artd FA En, Co"A" 702rid ID En, 1 plat Co "A", 17th Artd Engr Bn atd det Co "A", 48th Artd

Med En. The Task Force passed through lines of the 109th Int Regt at 060B

mrnmmm, 1 . +, b"' 'l.5

and attacked south and southeast of GAT , with the towns of V NSEO?8 andST. SAUVnUR DR CHAUI as objectives, The Task Force pressed steadily acrosscountry over rough terrain, encountering mortar, basooka and extrately heavyartillery fire. 1st Bn 66th AR as attach to the h Div for an attacksouth Of GATHWO against remnants of the eey's Ah It Div which had just beencleared from the town.

31 AUGUSTCC "B" received anothej' easy counterattack trot the northeast, Germninfantry engaging a CC "B" atrol and then following the patrol toard positionCC "B", under cover of artillery and mortar fire. The enemy attack vaschecked; a heavy artillery barrage by Div Arty aided in repelling the counter-attack. CC "B" ratrols penetrated F(RET DI LADZ POtII and area in vicinity ofGIE, contacting enemy in force. Div Res was ordered up to vicinity of EARENTONand received the mission of relieving CC "B", which planned a renewed attack tothe north on 12 August. Units of 82nd Arid Rcn Bn continued to outpostST. CW Di ROUELLE and crossngs over LA YARENNE river. CC "A" resuaed itsattack in the XIX Corps sector on Ui August, its Task Force being given themission of seising Hill 338 and then proceeding to Hill 367. When the Task Forceentered the 29th hat Div zone it was to be attached to 29th Inf Div. Fierceenemy resistance met, coprising an anti-tank battalion equipp with Saguns, basooka te , and heavy mortar and artillery fire. The Task Force wasdelayed until 12 August in securing the initial objective. The Div OP area,south of BARMtON, vas shelled by long range gun at about 150CB. Airreconnaissance located the gun near DQWROtT and fighter bombers destroyed it.

12 AUGUST

CC "B" and Div Res continued to hold defensive positions in the 2nd ArMDiv sate at the start of the period. At UlOOB a new attack was launched byCC "B" with lot Bn 41st AmR on the rightan 3rd Bn 41st AIR an the left* 3rdBu 67th AR reinforced the infantry and 2nB 67th A and ane inttntry apnwe~held in reserve. The right olum advanced 800 yards againt lightopsiti; the left co1an ns checked by Intense artllery and automaticweapon fire. The attack continued until 22008, at which tme defensive positiouswere taken on order of OG VI Corps. AUI units vere alerted to meet possibleenemy counterattacks. Two eamy thrusts were beaten off, one by CC "B" at023MC and the other by Div Res at 161CB. Air cover of C "B" strafed anMycolumns and positions north CC CC "B" positions and repoted destroying 10 entanks. 3 rd n 120th Inf Rgt, which ad been attached to Div Res, as releasedat 180MX and returned to 30th In! Div control. 82n1 Ard Ran Bn sent patrols,reinforced by a light tank unit, to seize high groun south of OAT L'ABBAYN.After accomplishing its mission the forc ias relieved by elmnts of the 4thin! Div. The Task Force of CC "A" ontin to attack in the Ill Corps se,art advanced slowly from the northwest toward SCIJEEAL and GE. Enemy tanks,observed heavy artillery correntrations, ant anti-tank guns delayed the progressof the Task Force. 2nd Bn 66th aR and 2nd En 41st AIh secured the crosaroads

- aba~.

13 ALDUST

2d Armd Div less CC "A" was released from VII Corps gt 1000B and attachedto XIX Corps. CC "A" continued in the status of attached to XIX Corps. CC "B"maintained vigorous patrol activity north of its defensive sector. 82nd ArtRon Bn, reinf, began a reconnaissance in force against DCMFRONT. CC "A" (less2nd Bn 66th AR) was reinforced with one battalion of 112th Inf Regt, 28th InfDiv. Advance elements of CC "A" bypassed SOIRDEVAL and turned east towards GEp,meeting moderate resistance. A damged bridge south of SOURDEVAL was repairedand the advance continued through ST. CLUSNT and ntoward GER, an enemy tankbein knocked cut on the way. West of GM Ron Co 66th AR became heavily engagedwith eneay infantry art artillery and was, relieved by 3rd Bn 66th AR, whichforced an enemy withdrawal before consolidating for the night.

The 82nd Art Ron Bn, Reinf, lad the following elements attached for itsmove on DOFROtT: Co "E" 41st AIR,, Co "D" 67thAR, Co "D" l7th Artl r Bnand 62nd Art FA En. The Force advanced at 1300B in three columns east ofLA VARtNX river. Co "A" rtArt RcnBn, Co,"E" 4lat AIland a platoonofCo "D" 67th AR advanced along the fMAI-DOLFRCNT road; Co "C" and a platoonof Co ND" 67th AR moved east on the LB SUSZL-OO ROII road and Co "B" 82ndArt Ron Bn, with a third platoon from Co "D" 67th AR, advanced east between theother two columns over secondary roads. Co "D" 82nd Art Ron Bn protected roadsto the north and to the rear. Co "A" made good progress along its axis ofadvance, encountering only sporudic artillery fire, and consolidated a positionwest of DOMRONT overnight. Co "B" closed in to the north on Co "A's rightflank. Co "2" 41st AIR swung to the south and joined Co "C" 82nd Art Ron Bnat 1800, when an enemy thrust threatened the right flank of the Force; Co "Z"41st AIR and thes elemnts advanced to a position softwst of the town andconsoldated for thenight. The 62rArdFA Bn and Co"D" l7th ArtdnrgrBnsupported the attackin elements.

14 AUGUST

82nd Artd Ron En, Reinf, continued it. advanc to DOWBOIT at 080( arttook its objective at 16008. CC " B", reinforced by the 99th Sep IrS Bnattached, prepared for a new attack against elements of II esy divisions stillbelieved to be located in the FIN OW T-fMAIN pocket* This plan ascanaeled and CC "B" at Div Res were ordered to asseable and begin maintenanceof vehicles and quipment. O "A" renewed its attack in the north sector otXI Corps ' ane, moving out at 070OB. Steady progress was made toward tilminefields co r by ene mrtar and mall ars fire were encountered.Infantry and engineer units ce ared these obstaeis and the advance was resumedthrough C and LONAY L'ABBAY3, which was occupied at 205. Bore a blovibridge over the KIEN River, defended by artillery and SP anti-4ank guns,delayed further mveament until late at night. Infantry, reconnaissance andtank destrer aits crossed and oved east toward the final objective of CC "A"before the oese of the period. o a Ba made the main effort-i

e7-

along the ,higy from the southwost. Co "O"was reinforced by Co "E"4 Al and Co "e 67th A&. co ""B 82.- ArtRon Bn forded iVAEME riverand advaneed eft the right- flank, repulsed an eamy counterattaok, and then 4adveacd with an assault lute the streets of the toro Co "A" 82nd Ad Ron Ena initiall In reserve and at 120C3 entered the action tromsouth of DOWROfT.Tile 6216 Ahn FA B fired closesuppo which aided the assault when itthroatone to bogdo on the outskir of the tone Co NDR l7th AmdmqrBnlaid a treadmy brde, removed w dmolition babe fra under another bridgeand cleared iduefIds to support the attack. 200 prisoners were taken by theForce, thwasrelievelatrnthe day by the117tha12th Inf Rogt s30th it Div. tM thn withdrew to an assembly are.

15 AUGUST00 "A" s 2dArd Div's only it in contact with the enay during thispeiod. After crossing the DRUIK River east of LONLAY L'ADAH, elements ofC "" o am a mall pocket of resistance near the IF. 3rd Bn 66th AR reachedthe CC "A" objective, Hill 329, north of D(NFRONT, at 10003. Infantry continuedto sop up and consolidate the objective until it was secured at 1330B. 2nd Bn66th AR, which had been located near SOURDEVAL, rejoined CC "A" at GE. The112th Wt Regt of the 28th mt Div then relieved CC."A", which vas released to2n Ard Div and directed to join the remainder of the Div in vicinity ofEARNTON on 16 August. All other 2 Art Div mite engaged in maintenance ofoquiyaent, vehicles and weapons, and training and reibilitati of personnel.The 17th Art gr Bn opened a Div showerpoint near E ON

16-17 AIUS?All umts of 2nd Ard Div conducted rehabilitation of personnel and

maintenance of vehicles in their asably areas in vicinity of B, prejar-lng for fture operations. Test f of rock equipped tank Us conductedon 16 August at a temary range north of E T. Div Res oriented 99th SepInf Bn muts in tank-iantry tactics.

18-19 AUGUST

The 2nrd hnd Div, detacho d from XIX Corps and attached to V Corps, movedfrom the Barenton area to the vicinity of MTAGNE AU mCHIC and TUov. (SeeANNEX I for troop list). Two routes were used. CC "A" moved on 18 August overthe outh route through AMMIDES, JARO, PEE EN PAIL ad ALDICON to thevicinity of 318. CC ", Dlv Res, Div Arty and units titer Div control follcwedthe north route through DCMFRoVE, LA TT MACE and CAORW S to S35. Thearch as restaed on 19 August. The two main columns adnanced east and occupiedassembly areas near ST. ANNE and WROtN! AU P tCHE. On coupletion of the mowe,2nd Artd Div as detached trim V Corps and attached to XII Corps. The Divcovered approcrlately 6) miles in the two-day march.

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2nd Ad Div operated under XIX Corps in th phase of its August operations.In a seven-day offensive from 20th to 2th August, the Division advanced appre-imatel7 95 nile, north and northeast to the SEINE River. Elements of theGerman 2nd 33 Ps Div, U16th Ps Dir, 17th GAF Div and 34th bat Div were routed in.the DiTv zone as it accomplished its mission in securing successive obJectivesfrca TOROVR to ESEF.

20 AUGUST

Orders of CO d kit Div directed an attack at 20OO August, CombatCommnds abreast, to secure sUccessive objectives in the XIX Corps sone. COC "Badvanced on the left and O "A" on the right, with the mission of seizn orbypassing towns from VINZL to E-LSU?. The enemy was reported to be defendingalong the line VDUUIL-4AImLS, which had been reconnoitered by 82nd Ard Ren anpatrols. XIX Corps assigned the 113th Car Ron Sqdn to cover the Div's leftflank. CC "B" advanced in two coluns from vicinity of ST. ANNE, with theobjective of crossing the AIRS river at VNUJIL. Both columns met dete nedresistance near the town and sought to cross the AIRS river to the east and west.Reconnaissance was being made at the end of the period for suitable crossings.CC "A" advanced from the vicinity of LOINY AU PECH! thrcgh-L& FTZ VIDAfl at.ONTIGNY. Little resistanc was encountered until it reached the AIRS river,nortwest of EZ(.l. Bridges were found to be blown and bridge sites welldefended. Co "A" 17th Ai Engr Bn constructed a 30efbot treadqay across theAVRE and C "A" advanced 2nd Bn 66th AR, 2d Bn 41st AIR and Co "A" ?02 M Bnacross the stream to positions along the railroad north of the river beforenightfall. The remainder of the combat comand crossed during the night. DivRes units advanced northeast to vicinity of BREZOEIS and maintained roadblocksad local security in the Div rear.

21 AUGUST

2nd Armd Div operations were hampered throughout the day by rain and lowclouds, which cancelled scheduled air support. Both coat commands advancedtoward new objectives, reconnaissance elements being moved out at O600.Successive objectives were seized and secured by CC "A"'s major elements at211100B and 211500B. CC "A" then ordered an attack by 2nd Bn 41st AIR (less1 Co) and a company of medium tanks to secure DAMVILLE. The town was securedagainst stubborn resistance by 2130B and the enemy was driven back to high groundnorth of the tom. CC "B" attacked north from vicinity south of IDNUIL withWarrUL as its objective. A bridge and ford east of VUNUIL were used to crossthe AVRE river and the attack moved steadily north. Enemy resistance remainedstubborn, but before the close of the period CC "B" cut and blocked the BRETEIJILDAMVILLE road in two places. Both combat commands encountered artillery, anti-tank, nebeiwerfer and snall anus fir .e.Advances of between

a-9-5

A46 iJ

8 and 10 miles were made during the period. Large numbers of prisoners weretaken and much enemy equipnent was destroyed.

22 AUGUST

lack of stream crossings delayed both CC "A" and CC "B" during their attacks

on 22 August. Little enemy resistance was encountered. At 0800B, CC "B" crossedthe ITON river, bypassed BRZSEUIL to the east, and continued to move north on

the east side of the BREEUIL-CONCHES road. The two columns of CC "B" merged tobypass CONCHES and advanced to a point on the ROULOJR river, 3000 yards east of

CONCH3, Here a bridgehead was established and a force large enough to secure itfor the night was sent across the stream. At 080OB, CC "A" advanced fromvicinity of DAMVILLE in two columns. 2nd Bn 41st AIR was the major unit in theleft column an 2nd Bn 66th AR in the right column, Bth columns attacked northand by 2100B had establshed bridgeheads across the frON river. During the nightother elements of CC "A" were ordered to cross. Advances of about 9 miles weremade by both cambat commands and approximately 500 prisoners were taken. Co "B"and Co "C" 82nd Armd Rcn Bn advanced as a cover force fbr the two combat comands.

Co "B" destroyed an enemy colunn of 14 vehicles near LA BOCHE E and took 274prisoners. Patrols of 82nd Armd Rcn Bn advanced within 5 miles of the SEINEriver.

23 AUGUST

The attack was resumed at 0730B. Advancing from the 3EON river bridgeheads,

the combat commands met little opposition at first and the attacks progressed

favorably. Resistence stiffened as pockets of infantry and retreating vehicle

columns were overtaken. Scores of enemv were killed, much equipment destroyedand approximately 300 enemy were captured. CC "A" advanced about 20 miles. Its

left. column cut the highway between LE NELBOURG and ELBEUF and the right column

reached a point one mile south of ELB . Dug-in enemy tanks were encountered

and CC "A" consolidated its positions to prepare for a new attack on 24 August.

In 2nd Armd Div's left sector CC "B" advanced rapidly and seized a 12-mile strip

along the CONCHES-LE NEUBOURO road. Its elements, attacking in two columns,

received heavy fire from enemy trtillery and automatic weapons. LE NEUBOIRG was

cut off at 18OB and positions astride the road were consolidated. Road blooks

were set up on all roads out of LE NEUBOIG. Enemy tanks and other vehicles

attempting to escape under cover of darkness were destroyed. 82nd Armd Ron Bn

patrols reconnoitered deep into enemy territory, taking approcximtely 100.

prisoners. Div Res mopped up bypassed pockets of resistance and the 28th nt Div

performed a similar mission in the Div rear.

24 AtDUST

German planes bbed areas of 2nd AmA Div forward elements during earlyhours of the period. Casualties resulted. Lt. Col. Benjamin K. Bailey,executive officer of CC "A", was killed. All units resumed their advance towardthe SEINE river and objectives to the north at OGOOB, and continued to takescores of prisoners and to destojjjlunsot horsedrawi enemy vehicles.

-10-

One column of CC "A" drove past the LE ?EUBWRG-ELBEup highvay and the othercolumn attacked iUF from the south. The latter column ran into almostimpassable terrain in the form of a defile strongly defended by tanks and anti-tank guns* The column also encountered enemy artillery fire on outskirts ofELRJF, and the attack was suspended until reinforcements arrived. CC "B", afterbeing relieved by 28th Inf Div units at its roadblocks around LX NEUBOURG, resumedits attack north from the LI NEUB0URQ-LuvERS road, with the mission of seizingand consolidating positions in vicinity of TOURVflLE IA CAMPAGNE. Stubborndefenses of the enemy were encountered and a brief tank versus tank engagementensid north of LE NEUBURG. Inemy tanks were routed and by 1600B CC "B" hadgained all of its objectives. The 82nd Art Ren Bn pushed patrols to within twomiles of BOURGT RJDE and continued to take many prisoners. Div Res as engagedin mopping up activities. The 0 Mn D Bn reported seising 60 prisoners andknocking out an enemy column of 1 vehicles.

25 AuGUST

CC "A" and a combat team of 28th tnf Div launched a coordirated attack at110B to sei e KIss U and capture enemy escape sites on the west bank of theSINE river. 1st Bn 66th AR attacked north toward the highway leading west fromELK!? and swung to the east after cutting the road. The 99th Sep Inf Bn,attached to CC "A", and 2nd Bn a1t AIR attacked abreast along the LE NEUBOURG-ai? road. 2nd Bn 66th AR joined with the 109th RCT, 28th Inf Div in an attackfrcam the southeast, Enemy artillery from across the SEI river, anti-tank gunsand nebelwerfers placed fire on the attacking columns. By nightfall 2nd Bn 41stAIR, 99th Sep Inf Bn and 2nd Bn 66th AR had penetrated the town and other unitswere favorably positioned for a renewed attack on 26 August. Div Arty supportedthe attack of CC "A" and also placed concentrations on SINE river bridges andferries which escaping Genan units were using. CC "B" maintained roadblocks anthe left flank of the Div zone, northeast of TWIVILA LA CAMPAGRE. CC "B" con-tacted C&ana-di units in the British sector to the left of 2nd Azn Div. 82Ar Ron Bn reached its objective at BCUJKTHUOUIDE and then was relieved by unitsof the Canadian XII Corps.

26 AIUST

The assaul on EM uwas resued by CC "A" and all attacking units convergedan the center of the ton at approximately 120B. Mopping up continued untillate afternoon, wen the Canada 4th Ara Div occupied the torn. CC "A" assembledsouth of ]a mupo being relieved. Div Res relieved OC "B" in the sectoraround TUEVULK IA CAMPAGS. Div awaRes later relievd by Canadian units inthat sector, and mntained contact with the Sanadian III Corps. CC "B" reportedthat Oanad 3 rd In! Div bad taken position near CC Wf"Us assembly area.4Arty placed heavy fire o SI river rossing and on aname assemly areanorth of the river. 82Ad OAr on n onducted mtantenance fbr a halt day andthen at 193W began a *mle aeent from ZOQIUTOT to the flX Corps concantra-tion area in vicinity of NMES MSSCW. Div Tn. also bega to mare duringthe night to the new area.

For a record of tanks knocked45~3qy 2nd Artd Div during the TCR.EOVRE[joffensive, sea ANIUX LII.

27 28 AUQl

During this period the 2d Armd Div moved from vicinity of ZLBI' and18 NNUBWRG to an assembly area west of MANTES GASSICOURT in preparation forfuture operations. All units closed in th. new area by 2806B. Maintenanceand reorganization were conducted during the remainder of the period. sallelements of CC B" crossed the SEI6 River and moved to an area north of STMARTIN A GARENS. The 2d Armd Div was detached frau XI Corps at 280&00Band attached to XV Corps.

Pass i TH _BuuVs,.omimS PURSUIT 29 TO 31 AUGUST

The 2d Armd Div was ordered by XV Carps to cross the SEINE and take uppursuit of the withdrawing enemy. Marching to the northeast and north elementsof 2d Armd Div covered more than 60 miles in 3 days, reaching an area betweenBEAUVAIS and xONmIDe. Vast amounts of equipment were destroyed; many enemyvehicle columns were overrun. Hundreds of enemy were killed and captured.This phase of 2d Armd Div operations continued through 2 Sep 1944 when the Divarrived at an assembly area astride the Belgian border.

29 AUGUST

CC "B" attacked on 29 Aug through lines of the 79th Inf Div and advancednorth to seize high ground beyond LIMAY. 1st Bn 67th AR na detached fromDiv Res and attached to CC "B". Good progress was made against light resistanceand CC "B" advanced to the vicinity o ARTHIES before the close of the period,leading elements reaching MAGNY EN VEXIN. 82nd Arnd Rcn Bn crossed the SEINEat ROSNY SUR SEINE, passed through CC "B", and reconnoitered to the front ofthe Div zone. Co £ 17th Armd Engr Bn furnished treadway equipment to 82ndEngr Bn for a bridge across the SEINE at LEUIAN. Ren Co 66th AR crossed theSEINE to an area in rear of CC "B". 2d Armd Div was relieved fron XV Corps andattached again to IX Corps at 291200B after CC "B" had accamplished its missionin the XV Corps zone. Units of the Div not engaged or moving conducted main-tenance and reorganization in the vicinity of MANTES GASSICCJRT.

30 ATLUST

OC "A" was still in its assembly area near MANTES GASSICOURT at the startof the period. CC "A" moved out at 0630B, crossed the SEINE River at ROSNY SURSE4Eand advanced in its zone to come abreast of CC "B". Other combat elementsof the Div followed CC "A" across the SEINE. CC "B" attacked at 0700B afterbeing delayed in a fire fight which developed around its positions during thenight. CC "B" advanced rapidly against light resistance and forced a bridge-head across the EPTE River under mortar and artillery fire. The attack con-tinued through CHAULONT to an area southeast of GISCRS - a 12 mile advance.CC "A" advanced in its zone to the left of CC "B", passed east of GISCRS in anattack to the north and reached a point 8 miles south of BEAUVAIS at the closeof the period. 82nd Amd Rcn Bn elements took 150 prisoners during the dayand reached the BACHVIhLDRS-AUEIJIL area, 6 miles south of BFATTVAIS. Div liesunits held an area near CEAWUMOT after moving initially in rear of CC "A".

qVr

82nd Armd Rcn Bn moved out rapidly on 31 Aug in advance of the division.By nightfall an area north of MONMhDDa was held, comprising a 40 mile ad-vance. Both CC "A" and CC "B" pushed ahead steadily in their sectors, by-passing resistance wherever necessary. CC "A" had little opposition and ad-vanced five miles north of MLONTiDDIE by the close of the day. CC "B" famheld up by enemy infantry and anti-tank guns east of BEAUVAIS, but advancedto points 4 miles southwest of MON IDIm before consolidating for the night.Div Res, with let Bn 66th AR and1 st Bn 67th AR attached, advanced along anaxis between the two combat commands and reached a point 15 miles northeastof fAUVAIS.

Major changes in Div personnel were the transfer of Brig Gen MauriceRose, Commanding General CC "A", to the 3rd Amd Div as Commanding Generalon 7 Aug, and assignment of Col John H. Collier who had ccmmanded the 66thAR as CO, CC "A". Lt Col William . Stokes Jr. assumed conand of 66th AR.Col Thcmas A. Roberts, Div Arty Commander, was killed on 4 Aug while adjustingartillery fire from his tank near ST SEy CALVADOS. Lt Col Carl I. Hutton,formerly CO 14th Amd FA Bn, became Div Arty Comnder. Lt Col Jesse M. Hawkins,A C of S. G 2 of 2d Armd Div, was killed in action on 31Aug* Lt Col HughIM.Exton who had been wounded in action on 29 July resumed command of 78th ArmdFA Bn on 30 Aug, relieving Maj Harold G. Maynard. Maj Wilson M. Hawkins be-came executive officer of CC "A", succeeding Lt Col Benjamin M. Bailey, whowas killed on 24 August.

Monthly reports of August operations were received from 702nd TD Bn and195th AAA (AW) Bn (SP). 702nd D Bi reported destroying one Mk III tank, 12Mk IV tanks, 12 M V tanks, one French Hotchkiss tank, 6 armored cars, 6 trucks,one AT gun, 4 reconnaissance vehicles and one motorcycle. The Bn capturedtwo enemy officers and 155 enlisted men during August operations. Casualtiesof 702nd D Bn were two officers and 6 men killed, 4 officers and 62 menwounded. The 195th AAA Bn engaged two flights of enemy planes and took partin ground action. The Bn captured 44 prisoners and lost one manlled andtwo wounded.

- 13 -

ANNEX I Troop assigruents for operations 6 Aug to 15 Aug 1944

CIBAT COMMAND "A"

Hq, CC "A"66th Armd RegtCo A, 17th Armd Engr BnCo A, 48th Armd Med Bn14th Armid FA BnOne Bn, 119th Inf RegtCo D, 195th AAA (AW) Bn (SP)Dot Maint Bn, 2nd Armd Div

DIVISION RESERVZ

41st Armd Inf Regt (less 1st and3rd Bns)(less Co E)

3rd Bn, 67th Armd RegtCo C, 48th Armd Med Bn

CMBAT COMOAN "B"

Hq CC "B"67th Armd Regt (less 3rd Bn)Co B, 17th Armd Engr BnCo B, 48th Armd Med Bn78th Armd FA Bnlst and 3rd Bns, 41st Armd Inf RegtCo A, 195th AAA (AW) Bn (SP).Dot Maint Bn, 2 Armd Div

DIVISION COTROL

Hq and Hq Co, 2d Amid DivCo E, 41st Ard W Regt

2Art Sig Co702nd TD Bn82nd Ant Rcn Bnl13th Car Ron Sqdn17th Armd Engr Bn (less 4 Coo)Div Tn

DIVISION ARTJLLUI

Hq Sec Div Arty92nd Ar FA Bn62nd Art FA Ba65th And FA Bn258th FA BnAttached AAA unit.

y

ANNEX Ii Troop list

CC. "A"

18 Auc 1944

CC "P"

Hr CC "A"66th Armd Regt2nd Bn, l4st AIR14th Armd FA BnCo A, 48th Amd Med BnDet Maint Bn, 2d Armd DivCo A, 17th Armd Enrr BnEtry D, ]395th Ai (::v) Bn (SP)

Co A, 702nd TD Bn (SP)

DIV RES

41st AIR (less 1st and 3rd Bns)Ist Bn, 67th Armd RegtCo C, 48th Armd Med Bn99th Sep Inf Bn (Mtzd)

Hcj CC "B"67th Ard Regt (lers ]1st Bn)Ist Bn, Qst AIR78th Armd FA BnClo B, 48th ArM-. Med BrDet Md~nt Bn, 2d Armd DivCo B, 17th Armd Engr En

Btr, A, 105th AAA (A7) Bn (SP)702nd TD Bn (SP) (Less Co A)

DTV ARTY

Hc, Div Arty92nd Amd FA Bn (w/Btry

sects) 195th k"L (AW)65th Amd FA Bn258th Armd FA En

C (less 3Bn (SP))

DIV CONROL

Hq and Hq Co, 2d Amd Div(w/142nd Amd Sig CO)(w/Co 1, 41st AIR, Hq

A (AW) Bn (SP))17th Amd Engr Bn (less 482nd Armd Ron Bn (w/Co C,Div The (-) (w/Co 3, 17th

195th Ak (AW) Bn (SP), 3 Sects, Btry C, 195th

0os)

17th Armd Engr Bn (less 1 plat)Armd Engr Bn, Btry B, 195th AAA (AW) Bn (SP)

0

>1

V 4)

C

AnmAO DISUOM IN TUROTRZ EM CFENSI

(20 to 26 Aug 1944)

UMp of tank Mk VI Mk V Mk IV or- -• lower

00 "B"

82nd Arid Ron Bn

Div Rea

Totals

UNIT

31

0

0-

Total

42

44

6

1

188

1

1

28

21

35

50

61 93

,

AIR SUPPCRT AEX TO AFTE ACTION REPCRT, LOJWST 1 94

Throughout Divisional operations in August 194, air upport operated withassault elements. Ground control of fighter bombers war maintai in eachCombat 1 n through the use of V radios installed in m tanks. Eachground control station vas maimed both by a Grcand Force officer ad an AirCorps fighter pilot.

Except during the latter part of the month, weather conditions weregenerally favorable for flying operations, and air support flterially aidedthe Div in accomplishing its assigned missions. During the GU-sBxyc-DCWRONT operation (7 to 15 Aug) many cnemy tanks and guna were destroyed orneutralised by divn bombing; infantry and transport of all types were strafed.

The TOIROWeELUF OFFENSIVE (20 to 26 Aug) was well supported by planes.Column cover was flown regularly, accept on 21 Aug when inclement weather "curtailed air operations. Toward the end of this operation any barges trans-porting enemy troops, attempting to escape across the 5 River in theELSBUF area, were sunk or damaged by fighter boabers. Planes were of sub-stantial assistance in overcoming stubborn enemy resistance around 3123W.Many tanks and AT guns were destroyed.

During the S&UVAIS-MONmIDm pursuit (29 to 31 Aug) much of theavailable air cover was diverted to the strafing and bombing of enem trafficfleeing to the northeast. Oover over the Imediate vicinity of our colmnswas light as enemy resistance to oar advance was for tbe most part ineffective.

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