The story
The 35th Infantry Division continued its attack and forced the Vire River, but was pinched out by friendly units.
It then redeployed, intending to join General George S.Patton’s Third Army near Fougeres.
While the division was on the road, the Germans launched a counterattack through Mortain, hoping to reach the sea and cut off the Third Army.
The 35th Infantry Division changed course and marched to the relief of the 30th Infantry Division, defending Mortain and under attack by three armored divisions.
One of the 30th’s battalions, surrounded and isolated, doggedly held on to Hill 317, key terrain over watching the city.
The 35th Infantry Division hammered its way towards Mortain, overcoming fierce resistance and difficult terrain in the process.
Suffering 700 casualties to advance eight miles, the division made contact with the isolated battalion on 12 August.
Mortain proved a severe setback for the Germans; they left over 100 destroyed tanks on the battlefield and their participating divisions were severely mauled.
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You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.