Operation Cotentin 25th June 44

[nevermore]

Operation Cotentin road junction east of La Glacerie
25th June 1944

Capture of this position was the mission of the 2d Battalion, which was to pass through the 3d and make the main regimental effort. The 1st Battalion was to attack on the left and come abreast of the most advanced positions. In support of this attack, twelve P-47's carried out one of the most accurate dive-bombing missions thus far seen in the operation. Of the twenty-four 500-pound bombs, twenty-three dropped squarely on the target. A 15-minute artillery preparation followed before the battalion jumped off.

With continued artillery and mortar support the 2d Battalion moved forward, two companies abreast. But neither the bombing nor the artillery concentrations had destroyed the enemy position, and the lead companies were stopped and came under heavy artillery fire. With no assurance of immediate aid the companies withdrew. Company E, which had borne the brunt of the attack, could account for only forty men when it got back to the line of departure. Two hours later the attack was resumed with tank support. The tanks turned the enemy's left flank and the Germans abandoned their guns, most of which were intact despite the bombing. About one hundred prisoners were taken in the vicinity that day and twenty-seven more surrendered the next morning. The 8th Infantry lost thirty-seven killed, including Lieutenant Colonel Simmons, 1st Battalion commander.

Another 47 photos of this battle are in the gallery on the main website.

A soldier of the 2nd battalion calls in a airstrike



The airstrike



Lieutenant Colonel Simmons at the front line



The enemy are rushed to the guns once the bombing stopped



Germans in position await the advance



Well hidden postion



The first of the advance begins



Then the tank support arrives



http://grimsbywargamessociety.webs.com/

[Marine0846]

Another set of fine photos from your club.
Sure have enjoyed looking at these.
Thank you for sharing.