CHAPTER 2

INVASION: THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY

As the convoy rounded Land’s End, tension rose, and there was much speculation as to where the invasion would take place. The “Sunday morning quarterbacks” were telling how, where, and when it would happen, and many faces were red when news of the invasion was announced. Briefing was then completed and it was known that the battalion would go ashore on D+2. Part of the 90th went in on D-Day with the assaulting 4th Infantry Division, and the rest of the Division came in as fast as possible.

On the morning of 8 June our convoy approached Utah Beach. There were ships everywhere. Battleships, cruisers, destroyers, LCVP’s, LCM’s, LST’s, Liberty ships, ducks, and minesweepers. There were hundreds of things that will always be in the men’s memory of Utah Beach those hectic days; our Navy blasting enemy coastal batteries; barrage balloons more numerous than nickle balloons at a country fair; enemy guns getting uncomfortably close and then suddenly quitting; U.S. Destroyers moving in close and firing point-blank at enemy coastal defenses; barrage balloons bursting in the air; an occasional plane going down in smoke with the pilot parachuting to safety and some that didn’t. The continual jockeying around of the vessels to prohibit the enemy from “zeroing in”; anti-aircraft shrapnel dropping close by; the monotony of our rations and how uncomfortable a steel deck can be to sleep on; the moments of complete silence and all at once all hell breaking loose. Enemy aircraft overhead at night and the thousands of colored fingers from our machine-guns and “ack-ack”, searching the skies for them. The sudden ball of fire rocketing to earth when our ack-ack boys found their target and the warm feeling our hearts for those of the “Triple A”. The union hours of the Merchant Marine and vehicles left hanging in midair during unloading while they “took off for chow”; the Susan B. Anthony hitting a mine and sinking, the orderly manner the ship was vacated without loss of life. Some of “Doughs” who lost their weapons when she sank going ashore unarmed; the pots of coffee the sailors produced when needed most; first wounded being brought aboard and the indescribable feeling knowing that it might have been you. The thoughts of home and your loved ones and of Him watching from up above. Wondering, not if He is on your side, but if You’re on His side. Then it came, “Let’s go, this is it”.

Part of the 343rd went ashore on D+2. The rest came in on the morning of D+3. Major Harris, (then Captain) who had been aboard the ill-fated Susan B. Anthony, and the walking party were ashore ahead of us marking the assembly area. Late afternoon brought “C. S. M. 0.”, the battalion moved into its first combat firing position in the vicinity of Neuville au Plain. Enemy aircraft were active, being, “a bit of a bother”, the first few nights in Normandy. In the meantime our infantry was working inland from Ste Mere Eglise toward Amfreville. The Merderet River was crossed, but our gains were costly. The enemy launched numerous counter- attacks during the night, trying to regain ground lost during the day. It was then that Major General Eugene M. Landrum assumed command of the division replacing Brigadier General Jay W. MacKelvie. Col. Sheehy replaced Col. Ginder as CO of the 357th Infantry Regiment the next day, 14th of June.

On 11 June, our second full day of combat, we suffered our first casualty. Pfc. Gilbert A. Helland in one of Able Battery’s “FO” teams was killed in action near Amfreville, He made nine trips across a bridge exposed to enemy fire to maintain and service wire communications so that we could continue to give “Our Doughs” the much needed support.

The first CP grew uncomfortably “hot”. It was a target for nightly bombings and evidently was a concentration number on some “Heinie” firing chart. It was decided a change of position would be healthier but before the battery had cleared the field a barrage came in on the exact spot that Fire Direction, switchboard and Message Center had just vacated. The foxhole, one of the men had been attempting to dig in rock and shale, was blown to the proper size by one of the enemy rounds.

In the first position, the 343rd had its biggest day for rounds expended: 2981 rounds were fired during the attack on Amfreville. During that time enemy aircraft raised havoc with the “Urban” battalion. “Bed Check Charlie” made his debut at 2300 our first night in Normandy and played a full hour a night for approximately 70 nights. His harassing ceased some time after General George Patton’s boys had passed over the Seine River. A sister model of “Ole Bed Check” made her appearance later, but didn’t stay around long. Throughout Normandy “Ole Bed Check” was highly respected as an incentive to the T-O boys to dig a little deeper.

On 12 June T/5 George J. Mayer Jr. and T/5 Millard F. Aufrance both of Headquarters Battery were killed in action. They were radio operators in liaison sections during the attack on Amfreville. Casualties were very high in these early actions. Pvt. Frank H. Kocubinski also of Headquarters Battery was reported wounded in action on this day and died of wounds a short time later.

After one of the nightly bombings, the battalion received a gas scare. The air was heavy and smoke from the exploded bombs hung like a gas, so being new in combat and extremely cautious, the alarm was given. Some gas masks were not where they were supposed to be. They were hanging on trees or in trucks, rather than being carried, or in the foxholes. Some had not been de-waterproofed. Sounds in the night ran something like this: “Oh Lord, where is my mask – Gulp! I’m smothering – cough – cough; oh hell, it’s too late now – My Gawd! Hartnett we’re dead for sure – That’s my mask”. The classic remark of the evening was from a captain of another artillery battalion, who was at fire direction. Ten minutes after the alarm and not being able to find his mask, he drawled, “Well, I guess that you can take them off now, cuz if it was gas I’d be damn near dead by now”. It wasn’t gas.

After Amfreville it was Gourbesville for the 357th Infantry. Enemy resistance continued to be strong. Counterattacks were numerous and artillery was the motivating factor in the eventual capture of the city as it was in the capture of Amfreville. While the infantry pushed on, resistance grew lighter until the 90th crossed the Cotentin peninsula and received a holding mission cutting off any enemy escape route from Cherbourg. It was then that the 90th, the 82nd, and the 101st Airborne Divisions were transferred from the VII to the VIII Corps control.

The 357 Combat Team was motorized under the command of Col. G. B. Barth, who had assumed command of the 357th on 17 June after Col. Sheehy had been killed. CT 357 took up a defensive line from St Sauveur le Vicomte, west to Portbail. The VIII Corps mission was to hold a line across the peninsula until Cherbourg had been captured and more troops and supplies were available. High winds had made Utah and Omaha beaches practically inaccessible and the supply problem was somewhat critical. Orders were to make every round count and to waste none. The enemy was attempting to break our line in the vicinity of Portbail, in fact, at times it was difficult to ascertain whether the main effort was from the North or South. The enemy forces on the south were trying to push up the peninsula to help their troops there, and thousands by-passed by the 9th Infantry Division were trying to sneak down the coast to escape capture. The battalion went into position in a woods northwest of St Sauveur le Vicomte. A hill with a tower on it near the battery positions offered a good observation post of the enemy territory. It was soon learned that the Heinie artillery also thought it a good registration point. Baker Battery caught the “overs”, and any observer on the hill received the range and deflection correct rounds during their adjustments.

It was in this position that a Baker “FO” crew met with disaster. The 357th was trying to secure a hill for observation well in advance of the front lines. The FO party went out with a platoon of infantry to the hill and upon arrival found it good for observation. While waiting for reinforcements to arrive to secure the hill, German infantry came upon them from both front and rear and a tank from a flank. Lt. Marable assumed command of the group in the absence of the platoon leader who had returned to our lines to bring other troops. The Lieutenant and an infantry sergeant elected to stay in their position and give covering fire while the others tried to reach our lines. When the smoke cleared away T/5 Pratt was the only member of the FO party that had managed to escape back to our lines. Lt. Paul D. Marable and Privates Roy E. Jacobs and Louis M. Krohn were listed as “Missing in Action”. Word was received later that all reported missing were in German prison camps.

On 21 June the kitchen trucks came to the battalion. The kitchens were not used but were sent to Service Battery and the extra trucks used to haul ammunition and supplies. The kitchen personnel were placed on Security Guard and “K’s” and “10 in 1’s” were still the menu.

23 June the battalion moved to the vicinity of Grande Huanville. On the second night in this position enemy patrols nearly came into the position area and the next day five Krauts were captured by “Undo Able” (Battery A of the 537th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion which was attached to the battalion at Amfreville and remained with us up to the second Moselle crossing) in a barn overlooking the CP. On the twenty-seventh, a German agent was captured in Baker Battery area. Shortly after mid- night the CP received a “pretty good going over” by enemy artillery and Pvt. Hall G. Varner on security guard was killed and Pvt. Franklin F. Haughawout was injured.

Later in the day the battalion moved to Besneville where Capt. Meier took over duties as S-2 and Lt. Bleimehl assumed command of Baker Battery. The 79th Infantry Division came down from the north and relieved the 357 CT (Combat Team, 357 Infantry and 343rd Field Artillery Battalion). The CT moving to the T-O left flank on the 29th and 30th. On 2 July the battalion went into position near Appeville in support of the 344th Field Artillery Battalion for the attack on St Jores, the 357 being placed in reserve.

At noon, on the 4th of July, all division artillery fired howitzers and small arms in a salute. Evidently all personnel were not notified of the salute because many went into foxholes, but quick, and some on straddle trenches either terminated their business, right then and there, while others were given added incentives for their business. No casualties.

July 5 the 357th was thrown into the fight again, south of St Jores, with orders to take Beau Coudray, while the rest of the division plunged into the Foret de Mont Castre. In our sector, the attack started off very well with artillery playing an important role. Beau Coudray was reached after bitter fighting, but here the infantry was stopped cold. This was the beginning of a six day sea-saw battle for the town. “Urban” moved to new positions near St Jores and those that were only “88” conscious found out that the Krauts had something quite a bit bigger.

Pitted against the 90th were some of Adolph’s best troops and on their own maneuver areas, putting the odds completely against us. Hill 122 to the west of Beau Coudray afforded the best OP in Normandy and was well fortified. On the division right flank the 79th was driving south and the fleeing Germans were a menace to the 357’s right flank.

The “Union” doughs battled the Krauts back and forth across the main street of the town and finally went across to stay on the sixth day. In the meantime the artillery wasn’t exactly having a picnic. “Urban” alone fired 8261 rounds, in between dodging incoming rounds, in support the 357. No record was available as to how much supporting battalions fired. Capt Pratt occupied an OP on the regiment’s right flank that was neither held by us or the enemy, both sides were reluctant to occupy the hill but both shelled it constantly and the Captain was finally forced to abdicate.

With Beau Coudray taken and the high ground south of there in our hands ,the battalion was to move to Beau Coudray. First positions were found to be mined and under heavy enemy fire, so were changed to the other side of town.

Cpl. Charlie H. Preslar of Charlie Battery was killed on the 13th or July. He was with the 3rd liaison section wire crew and was out repairing a line when high explosive shells came too close. He did not come back.

After Hill 122, Foret de Mont Castre, and Beau Coudray were behind the 90th, the Seves River was approached. It wasn’t much of a river but the Island of Seves turned out to be a fortified enemy stronghold. As the division approached the river we moved near Gorges on 14 July where we stayed until 25 July. Enemy artillery was still on the active list and all batteries received a liberal amount of shelling. “Undo Able” bagged their second plane at this position and enemy “ack-ack” gave our “Cubs” an occasional near miss. The Heinies didn’t care, even a little bit for our Cubs (L-4 observation planes). When they were up, enemy artillery was quiet. When the cubs were down the Kraut artillery made up for lost time. Eleven men were wounded, 6 from Service and 5 from Able, while in this position; all from enemy artillery. Sgt. Ray W. Whidden was killed when the 5 others from Able were injured. They were loading ammunition when the concentration hit.

21 July an enemy barrage of about 120 rounds was thrown in and over the CP, of which 75 to 80 were fortunately duds. There were no casualties. T/4 Jack Fish was at the straddle trench when the first two came over, the second landed a little closer than the first. He was still there when the third round started but left a fraction of a second later holding his trousers with one hand and a carbine in the other. Progress was smooth and rapid until about 3 yards from his foxhole a telephone wire was encountered. A split second later a shell came in, a dud. Fish also came into his foxhole with a dive that looked something like jack- knife, swan and a one and half gainer all mixed in together and with trousers at half-mast. Communications were still in. Cpl. James E. Gentile of Able Battery had a similar experience sometime later but without the

telephone wire to hinder his progress.

25 July the Air Force came out in strength to blast the enemy at St Lo. That evening the 357 CT moved around to the east of the Seves Island, the 358 CT faced it, and 359 CT was on the right. 26 July the First Army jumped off and the division with orders to by-pass the island started its advance. The veteran VII Corps on the division’s left pushed out ahead and the Germans in the 90th sector started pulling back to forestall encirclement. The “Tough ‘Ombres” went after them and reached their objective on 28 July. Contact was made with the 1st Division and lost with the enemy, the first time in 53 days.

The 90th had advanced 10 miles in 3 days. This wasn’t exactly spectacular but after bucking the heavy Kraut line for 50 days, the entire division felt like a halfback that breaks loose and gallops for a touchdown. There was very little artillery fire during this attack. We were there in position, the batteries were leap-frogged and artillery support could have been given had it been needed. The practice in leap-frogging was good practical experience for what was to come next: one of the greatest exhibitions of the practicability of combat team control during the war.

The battle for Normandy was over and the division received a three-dav rest. The 343rd never-the-less had all guns in position, and ready to fire, in the vicinity of Le Mesnibus. The kitchens were brought up to their respective batteries and the first kitchen-cooked meal of “B” rations was heartily enjoyed by all. Relaxation was the chief duty after bathing and cleaning-up had been accomplished. Movies were shown and interrupted by “Bed Check Charlie”.

The entire 343rd had a record to be proud of down to the last man. Lt. Col. D. K. Reimers had done an excellent job as battalion commander as had Major H. W. Perkins and Capt. James A. Ford in their untiring efforts running fire direction. The ammunition train had hauled over 29,000 rounds of ammunition – over 850 tons – an average of sixteen and one-half tons a day. Forty five trips for ammunition had been made ranging from ten to one hundred and seventy miles in length. There was never any vehicular trouble. In fact a roster of the battalion would have to be listed to cite every man and section who had completed the first phase of the battle of Europe with a “well done”.

30 July, Brig. Gen. (now Lt. Gen.) Raymond S. McLain and Brig. Gen. (now Major Gen.) William G. (Wild Bill) Weaver assumed duties as division and assistant division commander, respectively. The Tough ‘Ombres had caught their breath, found a firm footing and were now ready to roll. The 343rd Semper Paratus.