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  • June 1944
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  • May 1945

From D-Day to V-Day

June 1944

June 9, 1944 - D-Day + 3

It is June 9, 1944. For the fourth day now, battles have been raging on the coast of Normandy, France, between German Wehrmacht and SS troops on one side, and Allied forces on the other. After successfully securing a bridgehead, the Americans and joint British-Canadian attack formations attempt to expand their lodgement so they will be able to advance further inland. It is a race against the clock, though, as the enemy has significant military potential in France that could push the Allies back into the sea. The consequences would be catastrophic.

The US VII Corps and its 4th Infantry Division continued to advance on Cherbourg. The Division’s 22nd Infantry Regiment, moving along the right flank, forced the German garrison in Azeville to surrender; accompanied by the “Barber” tactical group, it continued to advance on Quineville. The German artillery battery garrison in Azeville long resisted the enemy’s concerted assault of air raids and attacks by U.S. paratroopers, but in close-quarters combat on June 9, 1944, US soldiers used flame-throwers to detonate the munitions stored in one of the bunkers. In the end, this German garrison – which had been covering the St Marcouf naval battery, the first line of German defense in the area – surrendered.

At the same moment, the 12th Infantry Regiment swiftly advanced north from Edmondeville and after a hard battle, the regiment was able to liquidate an enemy foothold in Joganville. The 8th Infantry Regiment broke through enemy positions in Magneville and advanced on Ecausseville; the enemy decided to retreat from the town after dusk. The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, reinforced by the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment from their “sister” 101st Airborne Division, fought west of Magneville. The men from the 82nd Airborne Division tried to conquer La Fiere, where two battalions from the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, followed by the first battalion of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, crossed the River Merderet and secured a bridgehead that was deep enough to make contact with all of the troops isolated on the left bank of the river. The 101st Airborne Division prepared to attack Carentan from two directions via the dam to Brévands, but plans were delayed as repairs to the bridge had not yet been completed.

The US V Corps attacked Foret de Cerisy to the south, using the force of three infantry divisions (1st, 2nd and 29th). From Isigny, the 175th Infantry Regiment from the 29th Infantry Division attacked south and reached La Fotelaie, where Company K from the 3rd Battalion, strengthened by a reconnaissance company and tanks, crossed the River Vire in Auville sur le Vey. South of Canchy, the 115th RCT from the 29th Infantry Division crossed the River Aure and forced the enemy to retreat from Bricqueville, La Folie and La Carrefour. In the V Corps central zone, the 38th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division– who went on to become very well known among Czechs – arrived in Trevieres and started to clear the town, while the 9th Infantry Regiment from the same division attacked Rubercy. The 1st Infantry attacked with the 18th Battalion on the right and the 26th Battalion on the left, and reached Agy and Dodigny. Another player who goes on to be successful fighter in Normandy starts to appear on the scene – the famous 2nd Armored Division is landing just now.

The British were not to be outdone, and the British I Corps advanced on the main target for these first days – the city of Caen. They encounter fierce resistance which grows even more intense over time. At this same moment, the British XXX Corps is headed towards Tilly sur Seules.