After elements of the 82nd Airborne Division had passed through satisfactorily, 358th Infantry
[Page 4] assembled in the vicinity of Pont l'Abbe to await further orders. The 357th Infantry
continued its attack on Gourbesville, while the 359th Infantry was ordered to resume the attack on
Orglandes to the Northwest. Elements of the 3rd Battalion of the 357th Infantry fought their way
into Gourbesville at 2020 and held their control of the town until the next morning.
15 June (D+9): Corps order assigned a new mission to the 90th Division. The Division was
ordered to seize and hold a line running from the railroad station (288024) to Terre de Beavual
(2901). Accordingly, the 357th Infantry was given the task of seizing and holding the line from
Gourbesville to Beavual, while to the 359th went the task of holding that part of the line which ran
from Ravan (225012) to Hau David (208012). The 358th Infantry was ordered to move into an
assembly area approximately 1000 yards to the east of Gourbesville. Because of the severity of
the fighting in the vicinity of the town, the 3rd Battalion of the 357th was forced to withdraw from
Gourbesville. The Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Kilday reorganized his men and then laid the
foundation of plans which resulted in the recapture of the town. At 2240 elements of the Battalion
again entered the town, and by 2330, Gourbesville had passed completely into the possession of
the 3rd Battalion of the 357th Infantry.
16 June (D+10): Elements of the Division in conformity with Corps order continued their efforts
to secure their new defensive line. The 358th took over the mission of the 357th. The 357th
reverted to Division Reserve in the vicinity of Gourbesville. The swamp to its immediate front
caused of the 358th to experience great difficulty in its advance. Plans were made to bypass the
swamp and the towns of Le Calais and Reuville in the process of advance. Resistance continued
to be severe throughout the day. The 359th Infantry was attached temporarily to the 9th Infantry
Division for part of the day, but reverted to Division control at 2100.
17 June (D+11): The Division continued its efforts to seize its assigned defensive line throughout
the day, and by the latter part of the afternoon, units of the Division occupied the desired defensive
position, thus affording the necessary protection for the VII Corps from Terre de Beavual to the
railroad station at 288024. [Page 5]
18 June (D+12): The Division's units continued to occupy their defensive sectors. CT 7 was
motorized and moved to take over the defensive positions formally occupied by the 47th infantry
of the 9th Infantry Division in the vicinity of Portbail. This Division came under control of the
VIII Corps.
19 June (D+13): During the day, the Division maintained its defensive sector while elements of
the newly arrived 79th Infantry Division passed through its lines. CT 7 continued its mission to
prevent enemy movement either from the North to the South or from the South to the North
between the two cities of St Saveuer de Pierre Pont and Portbail. After the passage of the units of
the 79th, the Division's two assault Regiments (358 and 359) assembled in place to await further
orders. In the meantime, the Division's Artillery supported the units of the 79th Division until it
passed out of range of effective Artillery coverage.
20 June (D+14): All units of the Division maintained their respective positions. The 357th
Infantry occupied its defensive sector. The 2nd Battalion of the 359th Infantry occupied a
|