A Company on the extreme left received heavy MG fire from its left front the moment it moved forward. During the preceding night the enemy returned in force to the N bank of the stream and from hastily prepared positions stoutly resisted the advance of the battalion. 329th Inf experienced great difficulty repositioning its troops and late in the afternoon decided to postpone this effort until the following morning. All patrols drew heavy fire; the Boche was still there. Counterattacked there both frontally and on the right flank by a combined infantry-tank force, it fell back on ST SUZANNE to defend from its night perimeter positions. 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. The remainder of the regiment remained at BEAU COUDRAY training replacements and continuing reorganization. After our return to civilian life it will give us great satisfaction to look back at ourselves as were in combat, arid to see ourselves as the heroes of the 359th, one of the great regimental combat teams of the war. Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 359th Infantry Regiment, Camp Travis was five miles northeast of downtown, Military Assistance and Advisory Group, Vietnam, "Headquarters, Department of the Army: General Orders No. On the NE side of the PRARIE, 83rd Inf Div, operating with VII Corps, cound count as gains only a few hedgerows. At 1400, the 3rd Bn 358th Inf attacked SE into the heavily wooded reverse slopes of the FORET. The situation was sufficiently critical in the area of the 3rd Bn 359th Inf that the 2nd Bn 358th Inf was directed to move to occupy the high ground from which the 3rd Bn, 359th Inf had jumped off in the morning, filling the gap between the 2nd and 3rd Bns of 359th Inf. However, the infantry was not at the LD at the prescribed hour and the preparation fires were not followed up. 358th Inf: 2nd Bn, relieved after dark by the 3rd Bn, 357th Inf, side slipped to the right to assembly position in rear of the 1st Bn. The 358th successfully crossed the Merderet River and after sever resistance reduced a chateau which was occupied by the Germans. 22 june (D+16) 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. 2nd Bn, attacking to secure the NE nose of the FORET, encountered heavy resistance throughout the day. The terrain into which the 3rd Bn 358th Inf attacked was rocky and densely wooded and control immediately became a major problem. As of midnight, the 121st was no nearer our lines than 24 hours previously. When this maneuver had developed sufficiently, 358th Inf would mop up the ISLAND and assemble thereon as Div Reserve. Both Infantry Regiments crossed the LD at the prescribed time (the 358th at 0400 and the 357th at 0515). (2) During both days of the attack weather conditions deprived us of air support and, of more immediate concern, prevented the use of artillery liaison planes to find and adjust on conterbattery targets. 359th Inf: By July 22, elements of the German regiment's 2nd and 3rd battalions were entrenched in defensive positions opposite the 90th Infantry Division on the Cotentin Peninsula. On the 18th of July the 4th Armd Div, available for employment in a defensive role only, replaced the 4th Inf Div in the interval between the 90th and 83rd Divs. 358th Inf: The situation in the vicinity of the Divisions equipment had been put ashore, and shortly befor3e dark, the 90th Division was set in motion towards jump off position for the morning. at Camp Barkeley, Texas, Inactivated 26 December 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Activated 24 March 1947 in the Organized Reserves with Headquarters
The 90th Div, drained as it was of key officers and non-commissioned officers had undisputedly proven its combat effectiveness. As was the case in the 358th Inf attack a few days previously, the Regiment was faced with the SEVES R as an immediate obstacle. From: U.S. Although our guides and liaison officers were in contact with the left elements of the 121st Inf (left assault regiment of the 8th Div) and the area between their left front and the rear of our hilltop position was clear, scattered enemy resistance remained in the right of the 121st Inf zone and slowed their progress. 3rd Bn executed similar maneuver on the left flank of the 2nd Bn and in this wedge formation the Regiment advance to its initial objective cutting the PERIERS CARENTAN Road, 2 Kms SW of RAIDS. Attacked in column of battalions at 0530 with the 2nd Bn leading. The 1st Bn followed in trace behind 3rd Bn to LONGUET. 358th inf assembled in the vicinity of CATHELAMAIS while the Division opened at CHATEAU PERRON (284697). By 1600 it had cleared the area of german resistance taking numerous prisoners, and established contact with 4th Rcn Tr and had organized its outposts. At this point, they came under extremely heavy fire from Hill 92 to their immediate front. It was activated on 1 December 1939. 90th Rcn Tr: no. Staff Sergeant Hassell C. Whitefield was one of five members of the 90th Infantry Division who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions in that deadly 36-hour battle for Oberwampach. The new offensive would begin as soon as troops became available from the CHERBOURG area and the artillery ammunition situation clarified. VIII Corps agreed to this plan and preparations were immediately initiated for a dawn attack by the 358th Inf on 19 July. At 1950 leading elements of the battalion forced the stream and entered GORGES. The 359th Infantry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army. After breaking resistance immediately in front of it, it made excellent progress. 13 june (D+7) : Some 3 Kms S thereof, vicinity of BUCHEUX, the 357th Inf was stopped by contact with elements of the 1st Inf Div moving W directly across our front. 3rd Bn moved abreast of the 2nd Bn and swung left, crossing the TAUTE R at LA FOSSAIRE. The only enemy contact during the day had been Boche stragglers who had been overrun by the rapidity of the advance. The 8th Infantry Division on our immediate right moved rapidly till encountering the reverse slope positions of Hill 92. Conflict World War II 1941-1945. Having broken the Boche resistance by mid afternoon, the battalion was able to push through the woods in its zone to reach the high ground N of STE SUZANNE where it halted, incapable of further offensive action. The 3rd Bn now in regimental reserve, moved throughout the day, echeloned to the right rear of the 2nd Bn 358th Inf. The Division Artillery supported this attack. (a) 359th Inf on the right, extended from its contact point with the 82nd A/B Div just short of PRETOT, SE to vicinity Port AUNY. All in all five Boche tanks had been put out of action 3 by bazookas and 2 by artillery. The command group itself was attacked by a by-passed German squad; the latter was dispatched by the timely intervention of the reserve platoon of L Company which turned back upon hearing the sound of the fire fight. Elements of the 3rd Bn of the 357th Infantry fought their way into Gourbesviille at 2020 and held their control of the town until the next morning. 29-31 July 1944 Despite its canalization and the stubborn fight put up by superbly dug-in Germans, the battalion drove ahead and by dark had reached the far end of the corridor and had gained for itself the maneuver room necessary for the development of its full offensive strength. Verbal orders were given to continue the attack the following day. [4] The regiment's coat of arms incorporates the oak tree and fleur-de-lis. The VIII Corps follow-up attack contemplate a straight push with 4 Divisions abreast (in order from right to left, 79th, 8th, 90th, 83rd) to seize the high ground vicinity COUTANCES. Civilian report of an impending attack against the 357th Infantry was found to be inaccurate. Group A landed on Utah Beach at 1000-1600 and moved to an assembly area in the vicinity of St Martin de Verreville (404983) as part of the 4th Infantry Divisions Reserve. 90th Infantry Division. 357th Inf: The three battalions on the Hill maintained their positions against German reconnaissances in force which increased in frequency toward evening. The Boche furiously attempted to retake the area but were consistently repulsed, the last assault coming late in the afternoon. [4], The 359th Infantry Regiment's campaign participation credit includes:[2], Decorations to which the 359th Infantry Regiment is entitled include:[2][4][5]. Here again, a Boche counterattack spearheaded by tanks struck the BN right, disorganizing G Co and widening the existing gap between the 1st and 2nd Bns. Delayed by the bridge construction and mines on the main road to PERIERS the Troop did not initiate its movement until 1330. The 1st Bn 358th Inf and 2nd Bn 359th Inf in close contact, one with the other, consolidated their position and made those readjustments requisite to a continuation of the attack. Division FO for the attack, prepared, after detailed terrain analysis and several staff and commanders conferences were released at 1300. Its primary method of transportation was gliders. 16 june (D+10) . 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 D-Day and Battle of Normandy media library: archives photos and videos, Souvenir shop featuring t-shirts, caps, mugs, models or posters inspired by D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, D-Day Overlord - Marc Laurenceau 2003-2023. [2], On October 17, 1999, the regiment was reorganized as 1st Battalion, 359th Regiment. The planned attack of E Co did not materialize because of the failure to organize it properly. By 1400 the 1st Bn had reached the stream line just N of GORGES with its left at the swamp and its right opposite the town. 25 August 1944: XV Corps, Third Army, 12th Army Group. Both Bns were low on ammunition, without AT protection and were under heavy enemy fire. The enemy penetration was neutralized by a counterattack and the lines restored. The enemy emerging from cover after the completion of the preparation and not finding himself attacked at close quarters was alerted to and ready for the attack when finally launched. G Company, in Battalion Reserve, moved to the right, N of the stream, to assist the 1st Bn 358th Inf in its attack against GORGES. During the lull thus afforded Division continued to fully utilize the available time to bring units to fullest possible combat efficiency. (d) Div CP was located at BEUZEVILLE LA BASTILLE. Major General Eugene H. Landrum assumed command of this Division on this day. 15 june (D+9) C Co was committed on the right of B Co to secure the right flank. 315th Train Headquarters and Military Police, 357th, 358th, 359th, and 360th Ambulance Companies and Field Hospitals. 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"? Finally at 1100, elements of F Co pushed across the stream W of SEVES and secured a lodgment but no additional 2nd Bn troops effected a crossing. The date was April 2, 1945, and Sevel and another scout had just paddled across the Werra, approximately 100 miles northeast of Frankfurt in the heart of Germany. 20 june (D+14) This Division came under control of the VII Corps. Regimental System, redesignated as the 359th Regiment, and reorganized to consist
Home | Mr. Winebrenner was a soldier in the 90th Division, 358 Regiment. 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"? [2], On June 24, 1921, the regiment was reconstituted in the Organized Reserves with headquarters in Dallas and assigned to the 90th Infantry Division. It assembled in the valley N of the Engr position preparatory to its attack through that position. 30 July 1944: Third Army, but attached to First Army. By dar, Regiment had completely readjusted and positioned all weapons to support the attacks of the 357th and 359th Infs by fire. 17 june (D+11) F Co was attached to the 3rd Bn in position to back up the greatly reduced latter unit. The 1st Bn on the regimental left, attacked at 0645. FAQ | At 0900 Field Train and Regimental Headquarters personnel were forced into a provisional Co and occupied positions astride the ST JORES BEAU COUDRAY road S of the Regimental Headquarters. 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. Although reinforced by tanks, it was unable to reduce this pocket of resistance. 28 July 1944 The 357th Infantry fought fiercely throughout the day, but due to the ferocity of the enemy, they were able to make very little gain. Corps order assigned a new mission to the 90th Division. Corps order called for elements of the 82nd Airborne Division and the newly arrived 9th Infantry Division to pass through the 90th Division and secure the Douve River in our zone. Their attack was very effective it greatly aided the 358th Infantry in its approach to Pont lAbbe. 2nd Bn was released to Regimental control at 1550 and was moved to a forward assembly area in the vicinity of LES BELLES CROIX. Resistance continued to be severe throughout the day. The 197th Infantry Division (German: 197. Consequently the Division attack plan was radically revised. They were likewise employed to guard communications from the regimental CP across the wilderness to Bn forward positions. The transport stayed afloat just long enough to enable rescue of all the men. 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. 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. Enraged by an incident which cost the life of a battalion staff officer, the unit bored into a vicious close quarter fight in the orchards SW of PRETOT. The 358th Inf now consisted of its organic 1st Bn, 2nd Bn, 359th Inf and the 315th Engr Bn. It remained in a position of readiness immediately rearward of the 1st Bn. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The 3rd Bn assembled in Regimental Reserve N of GONFREVILLE. 2nd Bn, passing to the right of the 2nd Bn 358th Inf, advanced on the right rear of the 1st Bn, seized LA COMMUNE and continued to the RIVER to establish contact with the 1st Bn on its left, and shortly before dark with the 121st Infantry on its right. 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. The 358th took over the mission of the 357th. 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. The battle of the FORET DE MONT CASTRE had been won. 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. arrowhead); Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for
Based on the forecast of the expected progress of the 8th Div, the time of attack of the 3rd Bn in conjunction with the 2nd Bn 359th Inf was tentatively set at 1500. The future NASCAR team owner and 2011 Hall of Famer inductee was with Company D, 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 359th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Infantry Division at Normandy on D-Day. We had driven into his OPLR but stiffer fighting against his main defenses was in the offing. Elements of the Division in conformity with Corps order continued their efforts to secure their now defensive line. https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/183. Resupply and evacuation were serious problems because of the absence of roads and the presence of small German groups in the rear of the 2 Bns. Although it was repulsed, some infiltration continued around the right. The American 90th Infantry Division was poised to advance from Le Bourg St. Leonard, but due to a misunderstanding in the directives issued by the U.S. Army headquarters and the weakening of the pincer effort to reinforce Patton's thrust toward the Seine, it was not until August 19 that the 90th Division's 359th Infantry Regiment got its . ", United States Army, 90th Infantry Division, 359th Infantry Regiment, Regimental histories, United States Army, "Album: 359th Infantry - 90th Division" (1945). It was finally held short of its objective. 19 July 1944 At 0800 the head of the 4th Armd Div column passed through PERIERS and rolled unopposed southward to ST SAUVEUR LENDELIN. The German 20th Infantry Division was an infantry division of Nazi Germany.HistoryThe was established in 1934 under the cover name. The axis of the 90th Division was to attack the PERIERS -ST SAUVEUR LENDELIN Road. The attack was continued at 0600. 2nd Bn 358th Inf in the center of the Regtl line was attacked at 0330 by an estimated German battalion. History of the 3d Infantry Division in World War II (Donald G. Taggart - Editor). . 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division 37; 298. To fill that gap, B Co 315th Engr Bn was reattached to the regiment and moved to positions on the right flank of the 23rd Bn. 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. 329th Inf with its left Bn on the assault was to attack simultaneously to seize a parallel objective. 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. 28 june (D+22) Initiated its attack with the 2nd Bn on the left and 3rd Bn on the right to seize and hold the high ground in the FORET. By midnight the battalion had reached the road, connecting up with the 3rd Bn to its right rear. [page 331] COMMAND AND STAFF. 391.3.6 Records of cavalry regiments (1916-41) 391.4 RECORDS OF THE ENGINEERS 1846-1939 1,076 lin. : The Story of the 90th Infantry Division -- WWII G.I. Unit 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. After reestablishing contact and determining their position by colored smoke shells fired by supporting artillery, the battalion commander ordered a resumption of the advance. Renewing the advance at 1600, 3rd Bn bypassed PERIERS and moved astride the PERIERS COUTANCES Road. The Kampfgruppe of the 25th Panzer Grenadier Division had been reinforced by a battalion from the 74th Regiment after the reverse suffered at the hands of the 359th Infantry in the fight west of Kerling; now the First Army commander was given permission to use it in another riposte, this time at the southern flank of the 90th Division.