18th Infantry Regiment | 1st Infantry Division | Unit History

HEADQUARTERS 18TH INFANTRY

APO #1, US ARMY

30 June 1944

UNIT HISTORY, 18TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, FOR PERIOD OF

1 - 30 JUNE, 1944.

The 1st of June found the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st U.S. Infantry Division, in marshalling areas in Dorset County England, with the Regimental C.P. at Puddletown, preparing to embark for the invasion of Europe. Vehicles were being loaded, at Portland Hard, on LST's and LCT's, and at 2100 hours June 2nd, the last vehicle was on board. The personnel of the Regiment commenced embarking on APA's and LCI's. The Regimental C.P. closed at Puddletown at 2020 hours, June 2nd, and reopened aboard the LCI #490 at 0145 hours, June 3rd. By 0200 hours the 18th CT consisting of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 32nd F.A. Battalion, Company "E" 1st Engineer (C) Battalion, Company "B" plus 1 platoon Company "D" 1st Medical Battalion, and a Detachment, 1st Signal Company; with other units attached for transportation only, were loaded and awaiting the order to sail. The Combat Team remained on board the ships anchored in the Weymouth Harbor for the next three days. At 1800 hours June 5th, the ships weighed anchor and the Convoy got under way, and headed East along the coast of England. At last we were on our way to invade the coast of France.

The 6th of June, "D" Day, found the Regiment 10 miles off the coast of France. The time had come when the carefully formed plans which had been rehearsed, thoroughly explained to all personnel and fully understood, were to be carried out.

"H" Hour was set at 0630 hours. The Regiment was to commence landing on Beach Omaha Easy Red at H plus 195 minutes, with the 2nd Battalion leading. The 1st and 3rd Battalions were to follow at H plus 210 minutes. The Battalions were to assemble, covered by the 16th CT who had made the initial assault, move to their assigned sectors, capture their objectives, and prepare the high ground East of "PORT EN BESSIN" for an all around defense; to be prepared to assist the 16th CT if they were unable to reach their initial objectives.

Due to heavy enemy opposition, the 2nd Battalion landed forty five minutes late, and the beach was still under heavy fire from enemy small arms, mortars, and artillery. The Battalion was immediately committed and ordered to take over the mission of the 2nd Battalion of the 16th Infantry. The guns of allied cruisers and battleships were still battering at heavily fortified beach emplacements and pill boxes, yet to be neutralized, and covering the important exits from the landing beach. With disregard for all this heavy enemy opposition the Battalion pushed across the beach covered with uncleared mine fields and up over the steep beach embankment to close with the enemy. Before this intense onslaught of our troops the enemy was forced to withdraw resulting in the capture of this vital ground. By 1233 hours all elements of the 2nd Battalion were in Colleville sur Mer

The 1st Battalion landed at this time and pushed inland to assist the 2nd Battalion. The 3rd Battalion, on landing, suffered many casualties from heavy concentrations by enemy artillery and mortar fire, and from passing through an uncleared mine field. They, too, pushed inland and at 1525 hours were in position at 678855 prepared to assist either of the two forward Battalions if necessary. By 2100 hours the Regiment had cut the Vierville-Colleville road and had established strong defensive positions for the night. The Regimental C.P. which had landed at 1330 hours, was established in the vicinity of the beach at 682897.

At 0730, 7 June, the Regiment was assigned the mission of taking the original "D" Day Objective. The 1st and 2nd Battalions attacked abreast with the 3rd Battalion following the 1st with the mission to take Mandeville. Elements of the 745th Tank Battalion were attached to the Regiment; 1 platoon to the 2nd Battalion and 1 platoon to the 1st Battalion, with 1 company less 1 platoon going to the 1st Battalion to assist in the attack.

The 1st Battalion pressed forward under heavy enemy fire and by evening were in a favorable position on high ground overlooking the Aure River in the vicinity of Engranville. The 2nd Battalion advanced against light opposition, losing one tank and crew from enemy bazooka fire. They reached their objective and took up positions astride the Bayeaux road in the vicinity of Mosles. The 3rd Battalion advanced on Mandeville and by 2400 hours had established its defensive positions for the night. With the Regiment dug in active patrolling was carried out to the front and flanks. During the evening the 3rd Battalion stood off an enemy counter-attack suffering few casualties and taking several prisoners. Company "B", 635th TD Battalion was attached to the Regiment, one platoon going to each Battalion. The Regimental C.P. moved from the vicinity of the beach and opened at 1930 hours in Surrain, 075859.

On 9 June the Regiment received a Corps plan of action which assigned the Regiment to a much narrower sector. The 1st and 3rd Battalions were relieved from their positions in the vicinity of Mandeville and Trevieres by 9th CT, 2nd Division. The 16th CT and 26th CT were to attack abreast during the afternoon. Battery "B", 62nd (Armored) F.A. Battalion was attached to the CT for additional artillery support under control of the 32nd F.A. Battalion.

At 1415 hours, 9 June, the Regiment attacked with Battalions abreast, 3rd Battalion on the right, 1st Battalion on the left and 2nd Battalion in reserve, with objectives located on original D plus 1 phase line along the Drome River. The C.P. moved from Surrain to the vicinity of Etreham. The Battalions pushed forward with heavy tank and artillery support, but, by using a number of well-emplaced machine guns the enemy was able to clear out all enemy strong points. By evening of June 10th they occupied their phase objectives. The Paris railroad had been cut and defensive positions established astride the Bayeaux to Highway 13 highway. The C.P. moved to Tronquay, which was occupied by the 2nd Battalion. The 1st Battalion sent a platoon into Castillon, just south of the town. The 3rd Battalion sent a patrol to Balleroy and by noon, June 11th, occupied the town with one Company.

The 2nd Battalion was ordered to send a strong patrol to Bois de Bauzy, to clear the woods of enemy prior to occupation by the Battalion. The 1st Battalion was alerted to move to Planquery and the 3rd Battalion to occupy Cormolain and Cerisy upon receipt of further orders.

(Field Order) F.O. #21, Headquarters 18th CT, issued from C.P. 112330 at 683683, near Molandin, France:

1. Battalions to occupy positions on phase line 1 by dark of 11 June and be prepared to attack to the South to succeeding phase lines on order.

2. To attack with Battalions abreast (1st Battalion on right, 2nd Battalion on the left.)

3. Be prepared to assist CT 26 in the capture of Caumont.

4. Occupy positions on phase line 4 and be prepared to move to phase line 5 on order and be prepared to dig in for all around defense.

5. Maintain contact on both flanks.

The Battalions jumped off according to schedule at 0630 hours June 12th, meeting very little opposition. They were ordered forward from each phase line until they occupied their objectives of phase line 4. They were ordered to dig in and prepare defensive positions on the line. The C.P. moved to 681618 near Sallen, and opened at 1945 hours June 12th.

From the 13th of June to end of the month, the Regiment maintained and improved their defensive positions. The 2nd Battalion occupied positions in the vicinity of Villeneuve blocking the two highways leading West from Caumont. The 1st Battalion occupied positions in the vicinity of La Vacquerie, Le Haye, and Le Bisson. The 3rd Battalion went into reserve in the vicinity of Bernieres. Contact with the enemy was maintained by active combat patrolling, thereby by taking several prisoners and inflicting severe casualties on the enemy. Enemy thrusts into our positions have been successfully repulsed with no loss of ground.

The Regiment at present, is intact, and, awaiting any future missions it might be called upon to undertake.

[Signature]

GEO A. SMITH JR.,

Colonel, Infantry,

Commanding.

18th Infantry Regiment June 1944