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S-E-C-R-E-T
 

Group W, about: 2.00 strong, organized south of DZ and fought
its way north to a point 500 yards east of PICAUVILLE. This
group then seized a position on the high ground south of GUEUT-
TEVILLE, occupying the area previously designated for the Force
A reserve ( 1st Bn ). During the afternoon of D Day Group W fought
off the combined attack of a large German force reinforced with
tanks and SP guns. Able only to contact Group S, Major Warren
broke off the action at about 1900 and joined Group S about 1000
yards east of PICAUVILLE. Group S originally consisted of about
a platoon, which fought a battalion of Germans reinforced with 4
tanks and a battery of light artillery during the whole morning of
D Day, just north of PICAUVILLE. About noon Group S broke off the
action and moved east, picking up about 150 officers and men, and
occupying a defensive position east of PICAUVILLE where it was
joined by Group W. The group consisted of about 400 officers and
men from various organizations, with only three LMGs, one BAR,
one 60 mm mortar Cube, and no other heavy weapons. On D night Group
S moved under cover of darkness in two columns abreast to Hill 30,
which is just west of the MERDERET and south of GUEUTTEVILLE, and
organized the hill for all around defense.

Group G secured the east end of the causeway across the

MERDERET at CHEF DU FONT and occupied a position defending the

bridge there, after routing about a company of Germans who had been
defending the town and the bridge from well dug defensive positions.

 7 June ( D + 1 )

In the morning Group L attacked north, clearing the area from
Its previous position to NEUVILLE-AU-PLAIN. Having accomplished
this Colonel Lindquist marched the unit down to CHEF DU FONT on

Division order, reorganized the position already occupied by Group

G and began the job of mopping up the numerous German strongpoints

surrounding the town. At 2330 hour a patrol under Lt. Ling cros-

sed the MERDERET RIVER, contacted group S on Hill 30, and returned

to the Regimental CP on the early morning of D + 2.

 

Group S had completed organization of the position on Hill

30 by 1300. Patrols wiped out a number of German mortars and ar-
tillery pieces nearby, retrieved equipment from bundles in the vici-

nity, and blew down telephone lines going west. Unfortunately

none of the ten or so bundles retrieved contained heavy weapons,

rations, or medical supplies, the items Group S needed badly.

Radio contact was made with Group G, located in the vicinity of

CHEF DU FONT. Two platoons reinforced from Group S established a

roadblock on the west end of the causeway from CHEF DU PUNT during

the evening of D+ 1. The area surrounding Hill 30 was under con-

trol of Group S by 2000 hour on D + 1.

8 June ( D + 2 )

Patrols were dispatched from the Regimental CP ( CHEF DU FONT )

at 0937 hour to contact the 101st A/B Division at LE PORT and

CARQUEBUT. These patrols encountered strong German resistance at

both localities, so Captain Taylor took two companies down there

early in the afternoon. Both companies marched into CARQUEBUT
with the high and inaccurate fire of the Germans buzzing over their

heads. The Germans had moved into the buildings of the town but

came out with their hands up just as the assault groups were about

to move in and wipe them out. Captain Taylor’s force killed ap-

proximately 15 Germans and captured 6 officers, 7 NCO’s, and 102
privates, a force much stronger than his own. Captain Taylor
then sent about half of his command down to mop up the Germans in

LE PORT. This was accomplished that evening with the capture of


—2-
S-E-C-R-E-T

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