Pinched out of the line by the closure of the Falaise Pocket the 2nd Infantry Division reoriented into the Brittany Campaign and siege of Brest.
Brest was one of the most important ports in France, and had served as a base for German U-Boats that had long wreaked havoc on Allied shipping.
It was heavily fortified and stoutly defended by paratroopers, infantry and naval personnel, and required prolonged and deliberate attack to secure.
The Americans mustered three divisions for this arduous task, the 2nd, 8th and 29th Infantry Divisions, in addition to artillery, naval and air support.
On 21 August elements of the 2nd Infantry Division attacked to seize Hill 154, heavily entrenched key terrain over watching the southern approaches into the city and harbor.
After savage fighting using flamethrowers, demolitions, and direct and indirect fires, the division carried Hill 154 on 23 August, and one of its infantry battalions earned the Distinguished Unit Citation in the process.
Brest itself finally fell on 19 September.
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