The 2nd Infantry Division attacked to seize the ridge and town of Saint-Jean-des- Baisants.
Tanks equipped with hedge cutters and supported by time-fuzed artillery tore holes in one hedgerow after another, opening breaches through which tanks and infantry poured behind curtains of artillery fire.
Progress was difficult initially, but a coordinated attack in the late afternoon gained 1700 yards by nightfall.
The 2nd Infantry Division forced its way into Saint-Jean-des-Baisants on 28 July.
German resistance was crumbling, although the terrain itself in the division’s sector continued to be an impediment to rapid advance.
Small irregular hills, winding roads and a patchwork of hedge-rowed fields forced a battle at every turn even if the enemy defense was losing cohesion.
By 31 July the 2nd Infantry Division had advanced yet another eight miles south of Saint-Jean-des-Baisants, forcing back the enemy lines even as armored columns raced through more open terrain into their rear areas.
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