The 2nd Infantry Division attacked to seize Hill 192, key terrain dominating the critical road junction of Saint-Lô from the northeast.
The attack progressed slowly against determined resistance from German paratroopers making skillful use of heavily compartmented bocage terrain.
It took several days for the division to gain a firm foothold on Hill 192, securing a salient within 700 meters of the crest.
Meanwhile the Germans accumulated significant armored forces near Caen.
Anticipating German counterattacks and focusing resources on seizing the port of Cherbourg, First Army Commander General Omar N. Bradley went over to the defensive in the 2nd Infantry Division’s sector.
The division was ordered to dig in, hold what it had seized, and conduct aggressive patrolling “so as to deny the enemy any opportunity to abandon this front with impunity.
” The division diverted and attrited its immediate adversaries with skirmishing, limited objective attacks, and counterattacks.
The website www.backtonormandy.org has evolved. It has grown, expanded, and broadened its horizons. What once focused solely on the historic events of Normandy now reaches far beyond that — embracing a larger, more inclusive story of World War II history across Europe.
As I move forward, II invite you to explore my new home: www.ww2history.eu.
The history I share is not confined to a single place or a single moment in time. It’s the story of nations, of sacrifice, of courage, and of resilience. It’s a history that spans the entire continent of Europe, where every country played its part in shaping the world we live in today. The lives of millions were touched, forever changed, by the events of World War II.
By migrating to www.ww2history.eu, I can now present a more complete, more comprehensive view of this pivotal period in our collective past. From the beaches of Normandy to the streets of Stalingrad, from the forests of Ardennes to the skies over London — the story of Europe during the Second World War is vast and interconnected, and it deserves to be remembered in its entirety.
I am committed to preserve these stories — of the brave men and women who fought, suffered, and died, of the ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times, and of the lessons we must never forget.
So, I invite you to visit www.ww2history.eu. Discover new stories, new perspectives, and the shared history that binds us all together. Join me in honoring the past as we shape the future. This is not just history — this is our history, and it’s waiting for you to explore.
Your webmaster Fred Vogels - www.fredvogels.com