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fire was now considerable, but Task Force Y was pushing along a small road, sunk between hedgerows most of the way, and the effects of the German fire were negligible. The few enemy positions met by Task Force Y were lightly held, and only an occasional antitank gun emplacement was encountered as the task force angled southwest toward the big highway. Not far north of the point where the armOr was due to turn into the highway, the two battalions of the II7th had nearly reached their day's objectives by the end of the morning. The 1St Battalion, east of the highway, had met some opposition, but was within 200 yards of its objective line. At Ill5 it was complaining of crossfire coming into its zone from the left, and blaming this on the armor of Combat Command B. On lhe Olher side of the highway, Lt. Col. Samuel T. CLOSE COUNTRY FAVORED THE DEFENSE. Here is all orchll/d, Clit by ditcheSflnd flanked by hedgerows, near Hill 32. The 120tll In/afJl!"Y (/!({s advancing hat' 9/u1y tVllen the Germans opened th"ir COltlllt'rallack. McDowell's 3d Battalion had made rapid progress from the start; by 0930 it reported itself 400 yards beyond its objective and was halted there. At II80, Colonel Kelly ordered the battalion to move back and mop up. The 3d Battalion had no contact on its right Rank with the 120th, and this was causing some worry. The 1I7th expected to be pinched out, but saw no indications on either Rank that friendly units were getting ahead of Colonel Kelly's two battalions. I n fact, the I20th Infantry was having some delay in getting started. The 2d Battalion was to lead the attack. During the early morning hours that battalion, holding a somewhat exposed position, was hit by enemy fire from both Aanks and thought for a time that a counterallack was developing. But the Germans made no serious follow-up, and by 1000 the 2d Battalion was taking
off, the 1St Battalion following at some distance to give protection toward the exposed western flank. The 743d Tank Battalion moved ahead, with Company B on the right flanks of the infantry. Hill 32 was the /irst objective in the 120th's zone, and enemy resistance, stiffened by considerable artillery fire, slowed the 2d Battalion as it approached this high ground. Colonel Birks felt out of touch with the II7th on his left, and had the impression th'at that unit was lagging behind. At "40 his OP reported that (enemy) tanks were heard moving up from the south. By 1230 the 2d Battalion was fighting off a counterattack, though no German armor was yet involved. The situation seemed to be in hand at 1300, when Colonel Birk's CP received a delegation of distin- MAP NO. 6 " " " " , " " guished visitors including Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., General Eddy (9th Division), and General Watson (3d Armored) . Enemy artillery began to register in the vicinity soon after their arrival. About 1430 the storm broke in the 12oth's zone. Details that would fix the exact sequence of events are not available. (See Map 6.) At '425 the 120th CP received word that the 3d Battalion, II7th (neighboring unit on the 120th's left) had been counterattacked and driven back. When this was reported to Division, and checked with the II7th, that unit denied any such counterattackbut said information from the 3d Armored Division was to the effect that 50 enemy tanks were coming up the highway from the south. At 1500 .. • ' /es Osmonds • GERMAN COUNTERATTACK Afternoon of 9 July 1944 A-EsTIMATEO POSITION Of 20 8N, F20TH 1,..1' WHEN ATTACKED B-POSITION WHERE Co B, 7430 TANK 8N WAS TRAPPED o 1000 YAROS
Page 2 and 3: ST-LO (7 July -19 July 1944) Americ
Page 5: WAR DEPARTMENT Historical Division
Page 10 and 11: THE JULY OFFENSIVE ST-LO, capital o
Page 12: eluded the Viro River and aimed at
Page 15: Near! y 15 miles wide at the start,
Page 18 and 19: XIX CORPS ATTACKS WEST OF THE VIRE
Page 20 and 21: units and to close quickly with the
Page 22 and 23: ASSAULT CROSSING SITE on the Vire R
Page 26: ing into Normandy in mid-June, the
Page 34: 12th Paracl!t/te Regime1lt. Germall
Page 39: 3 0
Page 45: while the 3d Battalion was hit by a
Page 51 and 52: of the 3d Battalion were ambushed a
Page 53: 1(1 Oeser! MAPNO.8 @JORCn •
Page 57: yond the Mont-Castre hills, one of
Page 66: FIXING DHIOLITIONS to blow a gap th
Page 70 and 71: corners, and spray the lateral hedg
Page 72: attack with two battalions in colum
Page 76: The 2d Platoon of Company A attempt
Page 80 and 81: Army to give it the 14/h Parachute
Page 85:
Atter hard fighting, the 2d Battali
Page 89 and 90:
On 13 July the claim was made that
Page 91 and 92:
35TH DIVISION, 12-14 JULY "'" MAP N
Page 93:
pressed, they could retire easily t
Page 97:
from the high ground across both st
Page 100 and 101:
geant. In the 120th, the strength o
Page 102:
supply problem. But the main ports
Page 107:
mingled, and artillery fire was har
Page 110:
to enemy movement or maneuver, Gene
Page 115:
the battalion that night and return
Page 118 and 119:
penetration. General Gerhardt did n
Page 120:
manding the 3d Battalion, was given
Page 123 and 124:
the regiment was finally ordered to
Page 126 and 127:
further was launched. The attack wa
Page 128 and 129:
have the honor to announce to the C
Page 130:
The I13th Cavalry Group, in corps r
Page 133 and 134:
clinging to the idea of mailltamtll
Page 135 and 136:
CONCLUSION A GENERAL OFFICER WRITES
Page 137 and 138:
of them could be withdrawn from the
Page 140 and 141:
., Hay.-du.PuifS L8$$01 I X FIRST X
Page 142:
-1 ....... --- Gr(lll/".$ (11'1' 38
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