List of my September WWII Blogs on “Where were my Dad and his men 80 years ago today?”
October 3, 2024
October 4, 1944 – The weather stayed firmly on the side of the Germans and our GIs quickly bogged down
October 4, 2024During the next two weeks, Dad’s 3rd Infantry Division maintained continuous pressure, slowly pushing the enemy north toward the Mortagne River and the town of Bruyères.[1]
On October 3, Dad’s 30 Infantry jumped off on with the 2nd Battalion committed in a new attack on the regiment’s extreme left with the final objective of seizing Hill 781, north of Le Tholy.
At 0700 the attack was well under way, with the 2nd Battalion coordinating with the 1st Battalion on the right while Dad’s 3rd Battalion stayed in reserve.
Because the battalions were all in continuous contact with the enemy at nightfall, reorganization was difficult. However after reorganization all battalions continued the attack with the … 3rd (moving forward).
Throughout the bright moonlight night of October 3-4 the regiment continued its determined attack.[2]
The 3d Battalion reached its objective by 1230 hours, taking eight prisoners and a mortar position, using the mortars to fire back at the enemy until the ammunition was exhausted.[3]
The fighting was slow and fierce, but the GIs made continuous gains.
~~~~~
[1] Champagne, 101.
[2] Taggart, 250.
[3] Prohme, 257.
In case you haven’t read or listened to Dad’s book, you can learn more or order it here.
© Copyright WLL, INC. 2024.
