6 June (D-Day): The main body of the Division sailed from the Bristol Channel for the coast of
France. Group A landed on Utah Beach at 1000-1600 and moved to an assembly area in the
vicinity of St. Marten Verreville (404983) as part of the 4th Infantry Division's Reserve.
7 June (D+1) Group A moved to an assembly area in the vicinity of Reuville (380968). The Susan
B. Anthony, which carried the Division's advance detachment and CT 9 (-Group A), struck a mine
off Utah Beach at midmorning and sank in approximately two hours. All men were saved, but the
bulk of the equipment other than individual was lost. Elements of CT 9 (-Group A) assembled at
Reuville by nightfall. The remainder of the Division sailed eastward along the coast of England.
8 June (D+2): The main body of the Division arrived off Utah Beach at midmorning and began
debarkation from all three transports simultaneously at 1200. By midnight, all foot elements had
closed into allocated positions in the Division's Assembly Area -- Turqueville-Reuville-
Audonville-La Hubert-Ecoqueneauville -- with the Division CP set up at the village of Loutres.
Only 5% of the Division's transport vehicles were available because MT ship unloading was far
behind schedule. The Division Commander received warning orders that the 90th Infantry
Division would attack across the Merderet River through the lines of the 82nd airborne Division
with a view to cutting off the Peninsula. The RCT 9 moved by battalion to the vicinity of
Bandienville, still part of the 4th Infantry Division's Reserve.
9 June (D+3): Infantry and Engineer reconnaissance parties were dispatched by the Division to
reconnoiter possible crossing sites along the Merderet River within the contemplated zone of
action. Particular attention was paid to the bridges opposite the towns of Chef du Pont (330938)
Les Dupres (330933), and Grainville (315997). Corps order gave the Division the mission of
attacking to the west on 10 June to seize the high ground East of St Sauveur le Vicomte to deepen
the corps bridgehead. CT 9 was still to remain attached to the 4th Infantry Division. During the
day, the 82nd Airborne Division, supported by the 345th Field Artillery Battalion of the 90th
Infantry Division drove a bridgehead across the Merderet River at 308910. It was determined that
the crossing at Chef du Pont was lightly held. The situation in the vicinity of Grainville remained
obscure. By 1800 the bulk of the Division's equipment had been put ashore, and shortly [Page 2]
before dark, the 90th Division was set in motion towards jump off positions for the morning. A
new CP was chosen at 2200. In the meantime, elements of CT 9 were employed by the 4th
Infantry Division to mop up bypassed resistance, and to make a reconnaissance in force within its
sector. The second Battalion was only 50% equipped as a result of a loss during the sinking.
10 June (D+4): Upon order of Corps, the Division attacked on 10 June 1944 with the object of
seizing the high ground east of the Douve River. Plans called for two regiments to attack abreast,
take an intermediate objective and then push on to the final goal. The 357th Infantry was assigned
to the left [right] sector of the drive and the 358th Infantry to right [left] sector. The remainder of
the 358th was placed in Division Reserve to be prepared to advance in either of the regimental
zones. The Division Artillery was ordered to prepare to mass its fires in either of the regimental
zones, while the normal support battalions were to render support to their respective Infantry
Regiments. CT 9 remained attached to the 4th Infantry Division. Both Infantry Regiments
crossed the LD at the prescribed time (the 358th at 0400 and a 357th at 0515). The 358th
successfully crossed the Merderet River and after severe resistance reduced a château which was
occupied by the Germans. The 357th advanced in its zone of action and encountered enemy