Martinville Ridge WTO (id:#57814)

Heat of Battle (Beyond the Beachhead ID: BTB5)   [next]   [previous]

Martinville, France 1944-07-16 (10 others)

Overview:

After the 2nd Infantry Division captured Hill 192 to the east, 29th Infantry Division could now resume its attacks on the high ground closer to St. Lô. They attacked on the 16th of July through the hedgerows but with little success. Without any adequate gains the attack was called off. At the same time 2nd Battalion, 116th Regiment was just starting to have some success. Communications were lost, and before word reached them to halt the attack, they penetrated well to the south. Because the other U.S. units halted, it was now cut off. 1/116th had taken control of Martinville Ridge, however, and was ordered to setup a defense there. A different unit would be ordered to attack to relieve the surrounded 2nd Battalion. Rather than attack the cut-off battalion, the Germans opted to attack the ridge itself and prevent any relief attempts.

Defender: American (1st Battalion, 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)