CT 9 remained attached to the 4th Infantry Division. Particular attention was paid to the bridges opposite the towns of Chef du Pont (330938) Les Dupres (330933), and Grainville (315997). Infantry and assigned to the 90th Division, Organized in September 1917 at Camp Travis, Texas, Demobilized 24 June 1919 at Camp Bowie, Texas, Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as the Manhattan,Kansas.Sunflower University Press, 1996; Harold M. Hyman. [2] It was organized in September and assigned to the 180th Infantry Brigade, a unit of the 90th Division. 1 Km S of PERIERS it encountered enemy infantry and tanks. no. After elements of the 82nd Airborne Division had passed through satisfactorily, 358th Infantry assembled in the vicinity of Pont lAbbe to await further orders. As the 4th Armd Div on the immediate right was holding fast, the 1st bn was swung into the gap which thus developed and followed on the right rear of the 2nd Bn. CT 9 was still to remain attached to the 4th Infantry Division. The full importance of the nose had not become apparent until we secured it. Service # 37155164 . First elements of the division saw action on D-Day, 6 June, on Utah Beach, Normandy, the remainder entering combat 10 June, cutting across the Merderet River to take Pont l'Abbe in heavy fighting. The 2nd Bn of the 359th Infantry occupied a defensive sector to the left of that of the 358th Infantry. The 357th reverted to Division Reserve in the vicinity of Gourbesville. 1st and 3d Bns advancing abreast moved on to the general axis GORGES GONFREVILLE, against slight resistance. The mission for the Division remained unchanged. Throughout the day positions were readjusted and improved without molestation from the enemy on the far side of the SEVES R. 358th Inf: 26 July 1944 The 358th successfully crossed the Merderet River and after sever resistance reduced a chateau which was occupied by the Germans. [4] Blue signifies the Infantry branch. Awards: MH-4; DSC-54; DSM-4; SS-1,418; LM-19; DFC-4; SM-55; BSM-6,140; AM-121. Thereafter, pressure relaxed sufficiently to allow the Bn to resume the advance and by dark it controlled the road, connecting up with the 1st Bn, 357th Inf, by patrols. EN RU CN DE ES. Jasper T. Aaser. Casualties: Total-7,549 (KIA-1,091; WIA-6,458). Throughout the hours from midnight until dawn the Boche in the Regtl zone continued to probe the hilltop positions, but no attack developed. The rapid capture of the FORET DE MONT CASTRE loomed increasingly important without it i we had no observation; with it the Boche had too much. commanders. The movement of the 1st Bn 358th Inf obliquely across its front in the vicinity of LA COUTRIE stopped further progress. Shortly after midnight a paratrooper battalion, scaled the wooded south slopes of the nose occupied by the 1st Bn, 358th Inf and launched a noisily fanatical assault which retook the high ground driving the 1st Bn back onto the reverse (N) slope. General Order . 79th Inf Div on the extreme right of the VIII Corps had advanced practically abreast of the 90th Div, bypassing LA HAYE DU PUITS. The VIII Corps directed all Artillery in the Corps to fire one-sixth of a unit of fire to represent a simulated attack. The 90th had landed at Utah Beach right behind the initial assault . After defensive action along the river Douve, the . Completion of the readjustment, slowed by the harassing fire of the enemy S of the stream, consumed a considerable portion of the morning and the 2nd Bn 357th Inf did not cross its LD until 1030. 4 July 1944 WW Moved from its positions on the Div left flank to maintain contact with the 121st inf on the Div right. On our left the 4th Infantry Division maneuvering deliberately through difficult swampy terrain made excellent progress. 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. Status Killed in Action. Debouchment from the bottleneck represented by the corridor, was contingent upon the prior capture of BEAU COUDRAY and its successful assault was necessary preliminary to the further development of Regimental Plans. Landing on Utah Beach amidst the heavy fire of the enemy was a remarkable achievement. At nightfall, and under the cover of darkness, unit commanders regrouped their forces in preparation for the continuation of the attack on 13 June. In the eyes of higher headquarters the Division setback was inexplicable but in vindication of the officers and men who had fought, bled and died in a heroic attempt to make the attack a success it must be stated that a curious series of cumulative circumstances had combined to deny success. By the night of D plus I, the bulk of the regiment was assembled on the beach. 3rd Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division 89; 215 . elements of the 90th Infantry Division, 1st and 2d Battalions inactivated 31 December 1965 and relieved Readjustment and improvement of the positions of the combined 1st and 3rd Bns continued. Operations memorandum covering the subjects of rehabilitation, housekeeping and Tank-Infantry training was drawn up and put into effect immediately. American planes bombed Pont lAbbe at 1700. Given thus a breathing spell, the Division entered upon an extensive program of reorganization, rehabilitation and training. All efforts to force the stream line were repulsed, and the battalion secured for the night on the positions it had won by mid-afternoon. First elements of the division saw action on D-Day, 6 June, on Utah Beach, Normandy, the remainder entering combat 10 June, cutting across the Merderet River to take Pont l'Abbe in heavy fighting. 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"? They list the 357th, 358th, and 360th but not the 359th. This website is only in its very early stages, aiming to give a full spectrum of data on World War II fighting units, including details on organization, commanders, and literature. It reported that the companies were under continuously heavy pressure and were very low on ammunition. 359th Inf: This Division came under control of the VII Corps. 3rd Bn moved abreast of the 2nd Bn and swung left, crossing the TAUTE R at LA FOSSAIRE. From its the N of the ISLAND fired through the day in support of the 359th Inf. 17 june (D+11) The 359th (-1 BN) was released from assignment to the 4th Infantry Division and reverted to the control of the 90th Division on 10 June. E Co which had been placed astride the ST Jores BEAU COUDRAY Road, remained in that location. However, the infantry was not at the LD at the prescribed hour and the preparation fires were not followed up. Closing for the night in an assembly area SE of LA BAGOTTERIE. Insofar as photography is concerned, some photos could be better, but that doesn't really matter. It then raced across France, through Verdun, 6 September, to participate in the siege of Metz, 14 September 19 November, capturing Maizires-ls-Metz, 30 October, and crossing the Moselle River at Knigsmacker, 9 November. (c) 357th Inf would execute a holding attack until pinched out by the advance of the two right regiments, at which time it would revert to Division Reserve. 14 june (D+8) : It was active in Europe as part of the 90th Infantry Division during World War I and World War II, and components of the regiment were later part of the United States Army Reserve. The remainder of the Division sailed eastward along the coast of England. 12 june (D+6) : 357th Inf: Upon relief, assembled all units of the regiment in the general area of GORGES. 90th Rcn Tr: 17 August 1944: Third Army, 12th Army Group, but attached to V Corps, First Army. The 79th Infantry Division on the Corps right remained abreast of the 8th Infantry Division. ft. Division Artillery made preparations to move into a new assembly area. Co A received increasingly stronger enemy reaction and was unable to force its way into BEAU COUDRAY. Sergeant Hawk, Company E, 359th Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, manning a machine gun, held back encircled German forces attempting a breakout. It was consequently directed that the 4th and 6th Armd Divs pass through the 90th and 79th Inf Div respectively and drive towards COUTANCES and points to the S. During the night Div staff completed necessary arrangements for the passage of the armor while the engineers worked with feverish speed to demine the CARENTAN PERIERS Road and provide a passable route through the demolished town itself. And the brief respite afforded in the last few days of July had permitted revitalization of both individuals and units. The resumption of the attack (in a southeasterly direction) had been planned as a coordinate effort by the 359th and 358th Infs. FAQ | (1) Except in the narrow zone of the attack, the entire Army front was inactive and the Boche was able to give undivided attention to this sole threat to the integrity of his front. Gee Colin. The instinct for self-preservation outweighed obedience to orders and posed insurmountable obstacles to rapid reorganization. at Camp Barkeley, Texas, Inactivated 26 December 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Activated 24 March 1947 in the Organized Reserves with Headquarters With time at a premium, arrangements for the movement of RCT 357 and coordination of plans with the 83rd Inf Div were pushed with all vigor. I uploaded a couple of his personal photos. The remainder of the 358th was place in Division Reserve to be prepared to advance in either of the regimental zones. 358th Inf: At 0600 357th and 359th Infs resumed their advance to the S keeping entirely clear of the PERIERS COUNTANCES ROAD. 27 june (D+21) It provided perfect observation to the N and to the E and consequently was more important to the Boche defensively than to us in our offensive plans. England, while Group A (Composed of foot elements of the 1st and 3rd Battalions 359th Infantry Regiment and forty vehicles) was located at Camp Syon Abbey in Devonshire, England, and attached to the 4th Infantry Division. Back to the 90th Infantry Division After Action Report menu. During the night, partial resupply was effected by using attached tanks as cargo carriers. [2], The 359th Infantry Regiment's distinctive unit insignia (DUI) depicts an oak tree between two fleur-de-lis on a blue field. Lack of routes and by-passed groups of Boche made communication and supply and extremely difficult and hazardous problem. All units remained at anchorage until late in the evening when Group A, joined convoy and initiated the Channel crossing. 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. World War II US Army 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division Service Number: 38104403 Born: September 6, 1916 Inducted: March 21, 1942 Killed in action July 3, 1944 in France . The two regiments continued to push forward upon the opening of the new day. 2nd Bn 358th Inf from its position on the S slopes of the FORET advanced due E towards LASTELLE avoiding Hill 92. On 6 December 1944, the division pushed across the Saar River and established a bridgehead north of Saarlautern (present-day Saarlouis), 618 December, but with the outbreak of Gerd von Rundstedt's (Army Group A) drive, the Battle of the Bulge, withdrew to the west bank on 19 December, and went on the defensive until 5 January 1945, when it shifted to the scene of the Ardennes struggle, having been relieved along the Saar River by the 94th Infantry Division. 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. Hampered only by mines and the inadequacy of routes, the leading regiments advanced rapidly, initially deployed and subsequently, in route column. By 1300 two additional counterattacks by the enemy had been launched and repulsed. Branch of Service Army. 1st Bn advancing without resistance moved rapidly within its zone and by mid-afternoon had secured the CRs N of SEVES. The 2nd Bn of the 259th was relieved of its assignments and rejoined the rest of the 359th. 1st Bn remained in its original position until the reserve Bn of the 121st Inf had come abreast of it and then moved left to an assembly position as Regimental Reserve. National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. The 358th Inf now consisted of its organic 1st Bn, 2nd Bn, 359th Inf and the 315th Engr Bn. At 1520, the 2nd Bn 358th Inf, now attached to 359th Inf, moved into the Regimental zone and fought its way forward with the mission of filling the gap between the two leading battalions. After the passage of units of the 79th, the Divisions two assault Regiments (358 and 359) assembled in place to await further orders. It was activated on 1 December 1939. These troops subsequently withdrew to allow tanks to fire into the buildings in SEVES. [2], On October 17, 1999, the regiment was reorganized as 1st Battalion, 359th Regiment. 358th Inf: THe 359th Infantry encountered severe resistance in its sector and was forced to press the enemy back in hedgerow to hedgerow combat. 2nd Bn moved from its original positions at 1600 and completed the mop up of PERIERS occupying that town for the night. The 359th Infantry was attached temporarily to the 9th Infantry Division for part of the day, but reverted to Division control at 2100. Several times throughout the day, the 357th was attacked by the enemy Infantry and tanks, but al enemy efforts were beaten back. The mission was completed and no Germans were found. 3rd Bn, which completed the relief of the 2nd time at 0600, advanced due S at 0900. 357th Inf: After an uninterrupted advance of 2 Kms it encountered a heavily defended strong-point in a sunken road midway between LA SALMONNERIE and ST GERMAIN. 358th inf assembled in the vicinity of CATHELAMAIS while the Division opened at CHATEAU PERRON (284697). However, those men who were on the landing need no pictures to remind them of it. K Company broke out of the woods and reached a position overlooking the road to LASTELLE, the battalion objective. Ahntastic Adventures in Silicon Valley Regimental System, redesignated as the 359th Regiment, and reorganized to consist 7th Armd Div on the right while holding in place was to support the attack with all available artillery. 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. EN. The 358th Infantry Regiment was stationed at Cam Llangattock . The mission for the Division remained unchanged. Was alerted at 1000 and given the mission to proceed S through PERIERS to contact the enemy. After beating down the immediate resistance, the battalion halted for reorganization prior to the resumption of the advance. The 359th Infantry Regiment landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. 1st Bn passed to the control of 357th Inf at 0845 after the 1st Bn 357th Inf passed thorough it. One BN served as a holding force on the Northwest side of the town. (4) Although Regt entered the battle at full strength, well over 50% of its Bn strengths were replacements for whom this was their first fight. 2nd Bn 359th Inf, unmoleted by this attack, remained in possession of the high ground E of this point. Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as the 359th Infantry and assigned to the 90th Division. Enemy tanks from well defiladed positions on the flanks of the 2nd Bn, harassed the infantry and prevented their advance. 28 July 1944 Share a testimony from a relative or a friend, veteran or civilian, resistance member, ally or German, actor or witness of History. The main body of the Division sailed from Bristol Channel for the coast of France. The entire attack plan had been promised upon the rapid movement of the leading waves across the barren approaches to the ISLAND and the quick overrunning of its first line of defense. It moved to an alert area and was committed to action in the vicinity of Picauville to the East of Pont l'Abbe. Men are not in the mood to take pictures while all Hell is breaking loose around them. 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 . 40 Prisoners including 1 Regimental Commander and 2 LTs were taken. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted . The first units which have been described in some detail are the British 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division & British 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division. 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. Heavy fire delayed organization of the attack and it was subsequently postponed until dawn. As it actually developed, the failure of the 8th Inf Div to clear our front lines on this day postponed the attack. At 1345 it passed to the control of 359th Inf for the completion of mop up operations W to the Division boundary. The 90th Div, drained as it was of key officers and non-commissioned officers had undisputedly proven its combat effectiveness. For example, by the end of January, 1945, the 47 th Infantry Regiment (which fought in France and Germany) had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded . The fight in this area see-sawed throughout the day, with ST JORES changing hands thrice. 357th and 359th Infs holding in place supported the attack by fire and drew in turn considerable enemy reaction. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 90th Infantry Division Artillery, 90th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), Headquarters, Special Troops, 90th Infantry Division, Headquarters Company, 90th Infantry Division, 90th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment. The assault units extricated themselves only by the gallant action of those men not pinned to the ground, who charged the Germans with bayonet, grenades and hip fired MGs. The 90th and 83rd Inf Divs, still abreast, were directed to maintain positions and await further orders. It was felt that the ISLAND should be captured and held as a preliminary operation to provide the Division with a better LD. The coast to the 90th Div had been high; some 5000 had been killed, wounded or captured.
