The story
The 9th Infantry Division attacked to seize Gathemo, a town on the north flank of General George S. Patton’s Third Army breakout. The division’s attack progressed quickly for 10 miles, and then slowed in the face of determined resistance around the Foret de St. Sever, a wooded area concealing German troops and supply installations.
The division coordinated a wide flanking attack to encircle this obstacle, sending a regimental combat team hooking through the 4th Infantry Division’s sector on its right flank.
On 7 August the Germans attempted a desperate counterattack through Mortain, hoping to reach the sea at Avranches, and cut off Patton’s Third Army.
The weight of this attack hit the 30th Infantry Division, but the northernmost column collided with the regiment of the 9th Infantry Division attempting the encircling attack on the Foret de St. Sever. The Americans, reinforced by nearby units, had the better of a confused melee. Meanwhile, the rest of the division cleared the Foret de St. Sever and continued its advance.
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.