Purple Heart Hill WTO (id:#63948)

(Special Ops # 9 ID: O18)   [next]   [previous]

Hill 108, Normandy, France 1944-06-18 (5 others)

Overview:

On 16 June, 29th Infantry Division Commander General Charles H. Gerhardt gave the order to renew the attack towards St. Lô. For the next two days, the division found itself engaged in a series of vicious close quarters battles with their German foe among the hedgerows, with violent German counterattacks often nullifying any gains. By the end of the 17th, however, the 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment found itself alone on a small knoll called Hill 108, having penetrated German lines nearly a mile farther than any other 29th unit. Although impressive on a map, Hill 108 proved to be overgrown with hedgerows and virtually worthless as an observation post. The battalion dug in for the night, and the next morning awoke to the sound of German artillery pounding the American position in what was clearly a precursor to an assault on the hill.

Defender: American (1st Battalion,175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)