more prisoners. By this time Group L was redisposed and now oc-
cupied a position east of the MERDERET from LE PORT to the rail-
road bridge one kilometer north of CHEF DU FONT. Group S, on Hill 30, engaged German infantry on three sides.
The Germans attacked the road block on the west end of the CHEF
DU FONT causeway all day with about a battalion, plus tanks, mor-
cars, and artillery. They were driven out after dark by a night
attack made by Lt. Millsaps with Lt. Pollette and a 30 man combat
group. During the attack about 30 Germans were killed in hand to
hand fighting, and the remainder withdrew. No prisoners were taken.
All other fighting was done on the outpost line. Being short of
ammunition the outposts withheld their fire until they saw the enemy,
and the Germans soon became coo cautious to show themselves. By-
about 1600 the Division artillery had gotten into position on the
other side of the MERDERET. Patrols with SCR 300 radios then direc-
ted artillery fire which was adjusted on German groups attacking
the positions. Lt. Albright wiped out a battery of infantry howit-
zers which were bunched up on a road preparing to occupy firing
positions. 9 June - (. D + 3 ) During the morning there was no activity worthy of note ex-
cept the destruction of small enemy groups by patrols sent out by
Group L and Group S. Both groups were acting on orders from Divi-
sion to defend in place. At 1200 hour Lt. Colonel Mendez entered
the perimeter of the defense on Hill 30 with ten men. He had been
on the move with this small group since D Day, ambushing Germans
and destroying communications as far west as BONNEVILLE. At 1130 Colonel Lindquist received verbal orders by phone to
move one battalion immediately to the road junction three kilometers
west of STE MERE EGLISE to assist in establishing a bridgehead across
the river at LA FIERE. That afternoon Group L moved out, crossed
the MERDERET by the causeway south of LA FIERE, mopped up the area
between GUETTEVILLE and Hill 30, and occupied position on the right
flank of Group S. Now the regiment had a bridgehead protecting the
two crossings of the MERDERET. A provisional group, made up mainly
of cooks, supply, and motor pool personnel, took over the area pre-
viously held by Group L less Company H. The regimental rear CP
remained at CHEF DU FONT with the forward CP on Hill 30. At 1900
regiment received the plans of the 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th
Infantry Division, to pass through our lines west of CHEF DU FONT
at 0400, D + 4 in an attack across the causeway with the mission of
seizing ETIENVILLE. 10 June - ( D + 4 ) The 358tti Infantry Regiment arrived at CHEF DU FONT at 0005
and moved into the forward assembly area in preparation for the
attack at 0400 hour. The 358th moved across the causeway at 0510
encountering no resistance. Ac 1700 hour the rear regimental CP
moved to Hill 30. By 1800 hour, 10 June 1944 ( D + 4 ) the 508th
Parachute Infantry was for the first time assembling as a regiment
in one area since the drop on D Day, 6 June 1944. This reorganiza-
tion took place on Hill 30 west of the MERDERET RIVER. Company H
was still protecting the south flank of the division at LE PORT,
and a detachment of eighteen men under Lt. Hardwick had been left
at the bridge at CHEF DU FONT. 11 June 1944 This day was spent in reorganizing the units, reallocating
weapons and issuing ammunition in preparation for future operations. | 
