August 19-20, 1944 – D-Days +4-5 in southern France
August 18, 1944 – D-Day +3 in southern France
August 18, 2024August 20, 1944 – D-Day +5 in southern France
August 20, 2024The 30th Infantry Regiment captured the town of Brignoles after a two day engagement.[1] Dad’s 3rd Battalion continued toward Bras.[2]
The story of medical support in southern France was like that of other support activities, with the Seventh Army’s rapid drive north upsetting carefully laid plans and schedules.[3]
During D-day, three separate medical battalions began coming ashore, and each one supplied a collecting company and a clearing platoon to reinforce the organic medical battalions of VI Corps’ three divisions. Three 400-bed evacuation hospitals, each supporting a division, were operational by 19 August, the same day that the first U.S. Army nurses arrived in southern France.[4]
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On the evening of 19 August, the proper course of action was not so evident.
Based on the ULTRA information that Patch had received on 17 and 18 August, the Seventh Army’s best move appeared to be an immediate push toward the Rhone in an attempt to cut off the Nineteenth Army.
But a number of factors stayed Patch’s hand. Logistics had now become a major problem. A general shortage of trucks and gasoline meant that the Allied logistical system could not immediately support a major effort to cut off the Nineteenth Army at Avignon or farther north up the Rhone valley.
For deeper operations inland, Toulon and Marseille would have to be taken and rehabilitated, a task that a strong German defense might make exceedingly difficult.[5]
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The 30th Infantry reorganized in the vicinity of Brignoles following its fight there and moved out with 1st Battalion in the lead. By 1430, August 19, 1st Battalion had gone beyond La Censiesk, the 2nd Battalion was on high ground to the south of the 1st Battalion, and 3rd Battalion was on high ground to the south of Bras.
At 1900 3rd Battalion left St. Maximin for Olllières on foot and arrived there prior to midnight. Shortly thereafter it moved out for Pourcieux.
The 2nd Battalion remained in reserve near Brignoles until 0400, when it moved out along Highway 7.
At noon, 30th Infantry had still encountered no opposition.[6]
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Between noon of August 19 and noon of August 20 the Division advanced nearly thirty miles, moving both on foot and by motor. Towns liberated during the 24-hour period were, besides Brignoles: Meounes, Gareoult, Neoules, La Roquebrussane, Camps, La Celle, and Le Val.
Summary of localities liberated again read like a Michelin guidebook to the area: Masaugnes, Tourves, Rougiers, Seillons, Ollières, Pourcieux, St. Zacharie, Pourrierers, Trets, Peynier, Rousset, and Puyloubier.[7]
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[1] Champagne, 84.
[2] Taggart, 215.
[3] Additional information on medical support derives from Charles M. Wiltse, The Medical Department: Medical Service in the Mediterranean and Minor Theaters, United States Army in World War II (Washington, 1965), pp. 370-411. From: Clarke, 211.
[4] Clarke, 211.
[5] Clarke, Riveria to the Rhine, 136-137.
[7] Clarke, Ibid.
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