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THE BEACHES AND THE HEDGEROWS |
| The succeeding days were used to improve positions, to
train replacements, and to receive instruction in enemy mines, tank-infantry
tactics and rehabilitation. Aggressive patrolling was conducted at all times
within the defensive sector, and the enemy was cleared from the area south
to the Douve River. German patrols were also active during this period. And so the month of June came to an end. The Cotentin peninsula had been secured, Cherbourg had fallen, and the only minor mopping-up operations were in progress. The peninsula had fallen but across its base Field Marshal Rommel had drawn a line of fire and steel and planned to contain the Allies within their small area until he could draw upon reserves. When those reserves became available, then a counter-offensive would be launched to drive the Americans back to and hurl them into the sea. In the meantime, the line across the base of the peninsula had to be held at all costs. That was the plan of the enemy. But the American plans were radically different. Theirs called for the liberation of the soil of France. And so, with the arrival of July, new orders also arrived. They read with a familiar ring... "The 90th Division will attack..." |
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