The story
The 79th Infantry Division attacked along the west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula to seize the Montgardon Ridge, dominating the critical crossroads of La Haye-du-Puits, and then to push on to the Ay River.
Breakout from Normandy required pushing through a perimeter of marshes and bocage to reach more open ground suitable for mechanized warfare, and the division’s advance took it in that direction.
Overcoming stiff resistance in confused night fighting, the division outflanked and seized Hill 121, which provided the artillery a superb observation point to support the rest of the attack.
After several days more of savage fighting in the difficult terrain, the infantrymen of the 79th finally forced their way to the top of Moutgardon Ridge, beating back determined counterattacks to secure it.
Having outflanked La-Haye-du-Puits, the 79th Infantry Division seized it during 8-9 July in fierce house-to-house fighting that left much of the town in flames.
The division then pushed on to the Ay River, closing on it by 14 July.
There's more to discover
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.