Regiment (-) remained in assembly area vicinity of PICAUVILLE. Landed on Utah Beach, still missing in action. This attack was finally repulsed at dawn. Home | 2 june (D-4) : The main attack was preceded by the attempt on the part of a task force consisting of an Engineer Company to capture the town. Captured documents revealed that his position, the MAHLMAN LINE (named for the commander of the 353rd German Inf Div opposing us) ran from BEAU COUDRAY on the E through the FORET DE MONT COSTRE to the West Coast. 357th Inf: The activities of the 90th remained unchanged The various Regiments continued defending their respective sectors. [2] On March 25, 1942, the 359th was called to active service for participation in World War II and was organized and trained at Camp Barkeley, Texas. The Division was ordered to seize and hold a line running from the railroad station (288024) to Terre de Beauval (2901). > CHERBOURG itself had fallen and the 4th and 9th Divisions were completing mop-up operations on the Citys flanks. 359th Inf: ABMC Headquarters 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 703-584-1501 As a result there was insufficient maneuver room for the employment of the 3rd Bn on the right; moreover a considerable gap existed between A and B Companies which could not be readjusted because of the continuous fire to which the 1st Bn was subjected. 90th Light Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia. The Boche gave no respite sided by his excellent observations which pinpointed our disposition as of dusk, he continued a hell of artillery, mortar and harassing machine gun fire which increased the problems of re supply and readjustment of local supports and reserves. 27 june (D+21) A coordinated attack preceded by the support of all available artillery was launched upon the town at 1900. The Division plan visualized the commitment of this battalion on the left of the 2nd Bn 359th Inf after the latter had reached the eastern extremity of the narrow corridor through which it was attacking and had turned to the SE. As of midnight, the 121st was no nearer our lines than 24 hours previously. Late in the day information was received on the indefinite postponement of the projected attack of the 358th Inf. The presence of this unit meant only one thing counterattack to restore position. Resistance continued to be severe throughout the day. 1st Bn, in position unsuitable for a jump off; supported the attack to the right two battalions by fire, but made no advance. > SECTION 3 - NORTHERN FRANCE . Division Artillery made preparations to move into a new assembly area. A reinforced Battalion of the 359th proceeded to the vicinity of the 357th. Gen. Inactivated: 27 December 1945 at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts. from assignment to the 90th Infantry Division, 359th Infantry withdrawn 17 October 1999 from the Combat Arms Acting on Division instruction Cos of the 2nd and 3rd Bns began a systematic search of the ISLAND while remainder of Regiment was alerted for immediate movement. Across the entire front of the VII and VIII Corps German resistance was as strong as on the first day of the offensive. At 1930 still another attack, supported by heavy artillery concentration, was launched against the entire front line. Meanwhile B Company which had been brought down the battalion route as a reinforcement, reached the battalion area and was placed on the right of L Company to complete the all around defense. At noon, on Div order, the 3rd Bn was directed to move from its assembly position in the vicinity of ST JORES to attack W through the valley to clean out the resistance in the rear of the 359th Inf as far as the town of LITHAIRE. England, while Group A (Composed of foot elements of the 1st and 3rd Battalions 359th Infantry Regiment and forty vehicles) was located at Camp Syon Abbey in Devonshire, England, and attached to the 4th Infantry Division. The first units which have been described in some detail are the British 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division & British 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division. At 0800 the head of the 4th Armd Div column passed through PERIERS and rolled unopposed southward to ST SAUVEUR LENDELIN. 315 Engr Bnwhich had for the past 5 days operated exclusively as a combat unit, was relieved at daylight from its position atop the FORET and returned to much neglected Engr work. Headquarters 90th Infantry Division APO 90, U.S. Army. 357th Inf: At this latter point it turned due E to LES MILLERIES and then S through GRUCHY drawing abreast of the 3rd Bn. 23 june (D+17) 90th Rcn Trcontinued to screen the right rear of the Regt, blocking approaches up the valley N of the FORET from the W. 358th Inf (less 1st Bn): Lack of routes and by-passed groups of Boche made communication and supply and extremely difficult and hazardous problem. The few available hours of darkness had been inadequate to effect resupply and establish communication to and within the assault battalions; it was nearly noon before the battalions were in proper shape for a continuation of the attack. Through inexplicable circumstances elements of the 4th Armd Div launched a limited objective attack to seize Nay, a locality which had been held by our troops for a period of 5 days. 357th Inf: The attack was firmly repulsed at duck but its weight and fury had delimited the bridgehead to a scant 300 yards depth S of the stream. The 2nd Bn attacked at 0800 and meeting practically no resistance, advanced rapidly to LE PLESSIS. Several times throughout the day, the 357th was attacked by the enemy Infantry and tanks, but al enemy efforts were beaten back. First elements of the division saw action on D-Day, 6 June, on Utah Beach . By 1300 all leading elements had reached the ST SAUVEUR LENDELIN MARGINY ROAD. 391.3.3 Records of the 3d Regiment of Dragoons. The 22nd Infantry Division was a specialized German infantry division in World War II. 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division 37; 298. CT 9 (- Group A) and the Division advance detachment went aboard the personnel ship, the Susan B. Anthony, and moved into the Bristol Channel at 1800. During the early morning hours the Boche withdrew to a position, which was subsequently discovered to be some 3000 meters rearward. Perhaps someone will see these and recognize their dad or grandfather in them. The 359th Infantry Regiment was constituted for World War I at Camp Travis, Texas on August 5, 1917 as a unit of the National Army. As it actually developed, the failure of the 8th Inf Div to clear our front lines on this day postponed the attack. Private First Class Orville E. Johnson 359th Infantry Regiment 06/29/1944 Private First Class Elmer O. Jones 359th Infantry Regiment 12/13/1945 Private Bernard R. Kadlec 357th Infantry Regiment 12/12/1944 Private Eugene P. Kane 358th Infantry Regiment 07/16/1945 Private First Class Thomas F. Keeley 359th Infantry Regiment 11/10/1944 Battalion concurrently allotted to the Regular Army, World War I: St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne; At 0600 357th and 359th Infs resumed their advance to the S keeping entirely clear of the PERIERS COUNTANCES ROAD. Share a testimony from a relative or a friend, veteran or civilian, resistance member, ally or German, actor or witness of History. Division ordered the 357th Inf to extend its 1st Bn to the right to contact with the left of the 3rd Bn 358th Inf. They show us things as they were, and as they actually happened with no dressing and special poses. 361st Fighter Group 12 . The Division was immediately thrust into the fighting; cut across the Merderet and took Pont l'Abbe. (c) 357th Inf, in Div reserve, prepared to pass through the 358th Inf to seize the Div objective. But the German losses were heavier. Private First Class Stanley Schachne entered the U.S. Army from New York and served in the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. The transport stayed afloat just long enough to enable rescue of all the men. Bn halted forward motion after cutting main lateral road on ISLAND awaiting armored and antitank support. 4 July 1944 The 90th and 83rd Inf Divs, still abreast, were directed to maintain positions and await further orders. Army strategy dictated that the Corps hold in place for the time being, pending development in other areas. By 1500 the 3rd Bn attacking against increasingly strong resistance had reached the high ground immediately S of BEAU COUDRAY. 359th Inf: 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. Across the entire front enemy reaction was intensified adnd with 8 out of 9 infantry battalions completely committed, the possibility of a damaging enemy counter-thrust loomed large. K Company on the extreme right reached the road and attempted to turn E on the road to roll up resistance in front of the other companies, but withering fire hitting both exposed flanks made this an impossibility and it withdrew to its original position. The full importance of the nose had not become apparent until we secured it. In tribute to this battalion it is considered that its gallant action in the face of great odds on this day broke the German main line in the FORET and occasioned their withdrawal along the entire Division front 24 hours later. It moved to an alert area and was committed to action in the vicinity of Picauville to the East of Pont lAbbe. 1st and 3d Bns advancing abreast moved on to the general axis GORGES GONFREVILLE, against slight resistance. 2nd Bn 358th Inf from its position on the S slopes of the FORET advanced due E towards LASTELLE avoiding Hill 92. 2nd Bn 357th Inf, in Regtl Reserve, moved to the area vacated by the 1st Bn 358th Inf. To the right rear of the regiment, the 8th Div was advancing slowly, having initiated their attack at 0600. The 357th Infantry pressed its attack at 0800 with the mission of capturing the high ground in the vicinity of Amfreville. The official history of the 90th Division in WW1 is available for online reading. ft. The battle of the ISLAND had been a costly failure, shattering as it had 2 battalions of infantry. Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 2,745 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic . During the night 26 27 July the Boche made a major withdrawal but our foot patrols were unable to penetrate the thick covering shell which remained in position until first light. 3rd Bn moved from its original positions at 1600, leaving L Co to secure the causeway at BAUPTE. The 1st Bn 358th Inf would consolidate the nose and reorganize as a regimental reserve. The 90th "Tough "Ombres" Division was activated on 25 March 1942,at Camp Barkeley, Texas, as a "triangular" division organized around three infantry regiments, the 357th, 358th and 359th Infantry Regiments. Group A moved to an assembly area in the vicinity of Reuville (380968). All in all five Boche tanks had been put out of action 3 by bazookas and 2 by artillery. 358th Inf: 79th Inf Div on the extreme right of the VIII Corps had advanced practically abreast of the 90th Div, bypassing LA HAYE DU PUITS. 357th Inf: Tous droits rservs. 2nd Bn was released to Regimental control at 1550 and was moved to a forward assembly area in the vicinity of LES BELLES CROIX. Beside it, in front of a 12-line BD-72 telephone switchboard, is a mannequin dressed in the uniform of a technical sergeant of the 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division. This website is only in its very early stages, aiming to give a full spectrum of data on World War II fighting units, including details on organization, commanders, and literature. At 1950 leading elements of the battalion forced the stream and entered GORGES. Rank Staff Sergeant. The 359th Infantry was ordered to continue its offensive in the vicinity of Picauville. It remained in a position of readiness immediately rearward of the 1st Bn. Based on information from Corps of evidence of a general enemy withdrawal on our front, Division ordered strong patrols to determine the presence or absence of the enemy in the BEAU COUDRAY area. The Boche furiously attempted to retake the area but were consistently repulsed, the last assault coming late in the afternoon. [2] In 1952, the ORC was redesignated the United States Army Reserve. Heavy pressure against the center & R of the line continued throughout the morning and afternoon, climaxed by a strong attack at 1500 designed to split the 1st Bn 359th Inf and 2nd Bn 358th Inf. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted . B Co was committed wide on the right of the 1st Bn. He was killed in action on December 7, 1944 in the vicinity of Pachten, Germany. The mission for the Division remained unchanged. : The Story of the 90th Infantry Division -- WWII G.I. At 0900 an enemy counterattack supported by tanks and artillery struck between the 2 Cos and forced them back into the first German entrenchments from which they successfully repulsed the Boche. Notice All rights reserved. The 90th Division through its battles and conquests will go down in the annals of history as one of the finest and bravest Division of World War II. The 90th Infantry Division after action report that month reported that on June 23, 1944, "The 358th and 359th Infantries relieved the 507th Parachute [Infantry] Regiment in the areas South of the Douve River." During the next few days were relatively quiet, aside from patrollingand fending off German patrols. The action of this battalion, although its gains measured in yards were negligible, unhinged the right flank of the enemys defensive position, forcing him into a general withdrawal. On the NE side of the PRARIE, 83rd Inf Div, operating with VII Corps, cound count as gains only a few hedgerows. MOSELLE-SARRE RIVERS, Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for PRETOT, This Bn had been so greatly decimated in the preceding few days that its rifle elements consisting of but 4 officers and 122 EM were organized into a single battle group. The terrain into which the 3rd Bn 358th Inf attacked was rocky and densely wooded and control immediately became a major problem. Patrols crossing the SEVES RIVER drew heavy fire from the ground to the S, which in the ensuing days was to become so well known as the ISLAND. Attacked in column of battalions at 0530 with the 2nd Bn leading. The 357ths lines ere restored. 357th Inf: The Division plan for the resumption of the attack was briefly as follows: (a) When passed through by the regiment of the 8th Div, the 3rd Bn 359th Inf and the 2nd Bn 358th Inf would side slip to the E and attack SE through the FORET on the left of the 8th Div with the 1st Bn 359th Inf following in reserve. CT 7 (less 3rd Bn) on the Explorer at Cardiff. The 1st and 3rd Bn together with the 2nd Bn 358th Inf maintained what was tantamount to a regimental strongpoint against continuous probing and attack. While the fighting had been severe and the casualties heavy the Division had secured a foothold on the FORET DE MONT CASTRE a foothold which we were never to relinquish and which provided the initial key to the success of the Divisions operations. Lieutenant of the 1st Polish Armoured Division and American officer of the 359th Infantry Regiment after the units meet up at Chambois, August 1944. 21 june (D+15) 358th Inf: On this day the VIII Corps met uniformly strong and determined resistance along its entire front and by dark had registered only negligible gains. It was finally held short of its objective. 359th Infs effort remained unchanged, their attack being directed S towards PERRIERS along the Division right boundary. Both regiments secured their positions and gained firm lateral contact to prevent the infiltration southward of by-passed enemy elements. An attack on the island of Saint-Germain-sur-Sves on 23 July failed so the 90th bypassed it and took Priers on 27 July. It was strongly recommended that the 121st Inf on the left of the 8th Div veer to the left of its zone and approach its LD (our present front line) over ground which had been cleared by our units thereby bypassing the scattered resistance still remaining W of the 3rd Bn 358th Inf. From A Spearhead Regiment (the book's introduction): "When the blood, sweat, and dirt of war become memories, who will remember the " little things" that GI Joe did, to make war just "a memory"? G Company on the battalion right by-passed this resistance and by dusk had drawn abreast of the 3rd Bn 358th Inf. This failed to materialize due to the severity of the enemy resistance. Numerous guides were posted and officer liaison established to facilitate execution of this plan. Since addition to the enemy position immediately to its front, its left flank had been exposed by the divergent maneuver of the 1st Bn 359th Inf. WW 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division 37; 298; 315; 382; 664 . Because of the tardiness in reaching the LD and more especially because of the heavy barrages sustained at the jump off time, the assault as conceived was never launched. 4 june (D-2) : At 1030, 2nd Bn 359th Inf, attacking generally in an ea sternly direction moved forward from the NOSE, crossed the road to LASTELLE and attacked into the hedgerows to enfilade the resistance confronting the 357th Inf, which had meanwhile come abreast of it at the right, advanced to and occupied the town of LASTELLE shortly after midnight. 6 june (D-Day) : Accessibility Statement, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-OKLR/1.0/. ABMC Headquarters 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 703-584-1501 329th Inf with its left Bn on the assault was to attack simultaneously to seize a parallel objective. At 1645 the 1st Bn, supported by the fire of the 2nd Bn 359th Inf launched a frontal attack against the German position on the crest. 358th Inf: Boche pressure slackened; it was later determined that the paratrooper force, having accomplished its mission of restoring the line, had been replaced by a less elite combat group. They were likewise employed to guard communications from the regimental CP across the wilderness to Bn forward positions. Back to the 90th Infantry Division After Action Report menu. [2], The 359th Infantry was reactivated on March 24, 1947 as a unit of the Organized Reserve Corps (ORC). Soon they would be storming Utah beach. The 2nd Bn of the 357th launched an attack of a limited nature in order to strengthen its position. 358ths attack was finally and definitely set up for 22 0600. It was adopted by the 90 th Division during World War I because most of its original personnel were drafted from Texas and Oklahoma. The Boche outposts N of the RIVER were quickly overrun and one platoon was pushed toward SEVES to secure the stream-crossings. At 1715 the Regiment (less 2 Bns) was directed to move to the vicinity of LE FRY in preparation for its commitment the following day in a zone of action between the 357th and 359th Infs. The 90th Division in World War I: the Texas-Oklahoma draft division in the great war. 329th Inf experienced great difficulty repositioning its troops and late in the afternoon decided to postpone this effort until the following morning. With time at a premium, arrangements for the movement of RCT 357 and coordination of plans with the 83rd Inf Div were pushed with all vigor. Enemy tanks from well defiladed positions on the flanks of the 2nd Bn, harassed the infantry and prevented their advance. Ahntastic Adventures in Silicon Valley Captured officers reported that it would attack on 8 July on a NE axis to recapture the FORET DE MONT CASTRE. During the early morning hours the SEVES R overflowed its banks and became unfordable in most spots. By nightfall, the entire Regiment had been committed. Attacking at 0800, C Co, or the right flank of the 1st Bn, made limited progress and forced its way across the E W Road through BEAU COUDRAY; the other Cos were stopped without gain. 1st Bn 358th Inf had sustained an attack shortly after midnight which drove it off the high ground on the NE corner of the FORET DE MONT CASTRE. Sample Page; ; During the night of the 25th and the morning of the 26th, an enemy patrol struck in force in the area of the OPLR of the 357th and made slight penetration. Thus at midnight the 8th Div had not yet passed through our lines and our resumption of the offensive was consequently postponed. 357th Inf: 3rd Bn passed to Div control and relieved the 2nd Bn, 358th Inf on the left of the Div: 90th Rcn Tr attached to 3rd Bn to patrol BAUPTE area connecting up with the 83rd Div. Shortly after midnight the 1st Bn, previously regimental reserve, initiated relief of the 2nd Bn 359th Inf. 1st Bn, 358th Inf, heavily opposed to its front and harassed by accurate fire from the nose of the FORET, fought its way S across the RR and captured LES BELLES CROIX. [2] Its headquarters was again located in Dallas. 23 March 1944: Third Army, but attached to First Army. Soldiers of the 873rd Quartermaster Unit of West, to U.S. Army Soldiers from the 44th Expeditionary Signal. 358th Inf: The 90th ID had their 359th Infantry Regiment attached to the 4th ID for D-Day, landing on 6 June. 359th Infantry and assigned to the 90th Division (later redesignated as the However, 3rd Bn 358th Inf effected relief of 3r Bn 359th Inf to place the attack LD under Regtl control. 359th Inf: Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. Thus on the eve of August the 90th Div was spiritually and physically ready for the stellar role it was about to be given. Thus the 1st Bn with 3 Rifle Companies committed was unable to force its way into or through BEAU COUDRAY. Despite heavy artillery and mortar fire which continued to rain up on the battalion area, the reorganization was quickly completed and the attack was resumed at 1800. As a mater of interest, this BN was forced to fight for its night assembly position. The 82nd A/B Div on our right had made an actual gain in the left of their zone while the 79th Inf Div reported only negligible progress. Added to all other difficulties, a dense fog overhung the Division area rendering the much depended upon liaison planes useless. Name Beginning With (2) Updated 7/2/11. The presence of the Boche tanks on the one side and the inability to move AT or TD weapons in position to oppose them on the other resulted in a stalemate until dark. At 1600 this battalion was ordered to move to the SW toward the tip of the FORET DE MONT CASTRE to relieve pressure on the 2nd Bn 359th Inf. D-Day and Battle of Normandy Encyclopedia. Small German groups countinued to attack and harass I and L companies of the 357th Inf. Debouchment from the bottleneck represented by the corridor, was contingent upon the prior capture of BEAU COUDRAY and its successful assault was necessary preliminary to the further development of Regimental Plans. A counterattack against K Co was beaten off prior to dark. 3rd Bn, after a violet but short-lived skirmish in the vicinity of its LD, broke through the German defenses and advanced relatively unopposed to seize and secure the high ground on the E side of the FORET. 29-31 July 1944. First elements of the division saw action on D-Day, 6 June, on Utah Beach, Normandy, the remainder entering combat 10 June, cutting across the Merderet River to take Pont l'Abbe in heavy fighting. Finally, the advance of the 2nd Bn, 359th Inf, relieved pressure on the W and the 1st Bns leading elements secured ST JORES, with the bulk of the unit disposed for protection of the crossroad, whose retention was vital to the integrity of the Divisions position. Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve), Reorganized 1 April 1959 as a parent regiment under the Combat By late evening the remnants had routed the Boche and, reinforced by 2 AT Platoons, had organized the crossroads for defense. After our return to civilian . The contour of the enemys new delaying position was definitely established when this Bn hit determined resistance a short distance S of PIERREPRORT. 16 18 July 1944 The assault companies, abhorrent as the phrase may be, were pinned to the ground and notwithstanding the heroic actions of their leaders, remained immobile throughout the foremoon. C Co was forced back with heavy casualties and became intermingled with K Co; these 2 Cos were subsequently reorganized as one unit and fought as such for the next several days. 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Infantry Division. 29-31 July 1944 Renewing the advance at 1600, 3rd Bn bypassed PERIERS and moved astride the PERIERS COUTANCES Road. no. (3) The success of the attack was contingent upon the element of surprise to the extent of rushing the open ground N of the ISLAND before the Boche could react to the sudden pressure. Corps order directed active patrolling by the 359th from their sector down to the river line with the mission of eliminating all German resistance in that pocket. [2], On October 17, 1999, the regiment was reorganized as 1st Battalion, 359th Regiment.
