On 24 September, 1944 Operation Market Garden was capturing attention, as the Allies attempted to capture the “bridge too far” at Arnhem. Also that day, my grandfather, Paul Farnum, died at the 32nd Evac. Hospital of wounds received 21 September in the fighting for Luneville. He was buried at U.S. […]
WWII Journal – Paul Farnum
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The 1st and 3rd Battalions were ordered to attack in the vicinity of the railroad overpass and to clear out resistance in houses beyond the overpass. At noon, the defence of Luneville was put in the hands of the 313th Regiment. Acknowledging the severe resistance of the enemy, the 315th […]
By midnight a treadway bridge has been constructed across the river at Lamath. Except for occasional enemy fire, the night was quiet. At 13:30 the Regiment moved out of Germaniel. No enemy contact was encountered by the column on the march to Luneville. The 1st Battalion was ordered to proceed […]
Traveling through Charmes, Einvaux, etc. the 313th Regiment arrived in the vicinity of Landecourt about 04:00, today 19 September, 1944. At 07:00, the 1st Battalion was ordered to attack west to the highground just west of the Meurthe River. The 1st Battalion encountered enemy fire, but captured the high ground […]
The 313th Regiment has been in Division reserve for 3 days. This afternoon, 18 September, 1944, the USO with Bing Crosby put on a show. During the performance, the 313th was ordered to prepare to move. At 18:30, the Regiment was motorized and moved out.
The 313th Regiment was placed in Division reserve just northwest of Charmes, today, 15 September, 1944.
Today, 14 September, 1944, the 313th Regiment finally secured Poussay at 11:00. The 1st Battalion moved on to capture Mirecourt in the afternoon, while the 2nd Battalion captured Ramecourt. The 313th Reigment captured Poussay today, 14 September, 1944. Source: Hugh M. Cole, U.S. Army in WWII European Theater of Operations: […]
The 313th Regiment resumed its attack on Ambacourt and Poussay this morning, 13 September, 1944. The 3rd Battalion overran the town by 10:30 but was encountering such resistance that the 1st Battalion was ordered to attack from the southeast and the 2nd Battalion from the west.
Today, 12 September, 1944, the 79th Infantry Division is on the attack, with the 315th Regiment attcking toward Neufchateau, the 314th Regiment toward Charmes, and the 313th Regiment toward Pussay and Ambacourt. The 313th met stubborn resistance and was unable to take its objective by 22:30.
At 07:15 today, 11 September, 1944, the Regiment moved toward Neufchateau on foot without encountering significant resistance. At noon, they are motorized and move toward Repel. Advance units encounter some resistance but it is quickly overcome. The Regiment arrives in Oelleville (just west of Frenelle-la-Grande) and sets up the Regimental […]
The 79th Infantry Division halted about noon today, 9 September, 1944, for a three hour rest. At 15:00, the Division continued on the road, driving through the night.
Today, 8 September, 1944, chronic supply problems were finally overcome. The 79th Infantry Division was motorized and ordered to Reims, France. No enemy forces have been encountered-thus the Division continued on the move for 24 hours straight.
The 313th Regiment and the rest of the 79th Infantry Division received orders today, 5 September, 1944 to prepare for a move. Supply problems remain critical, however, and the move may need to be postponed a few days.
The 313th Regiment reached an assembly area just north of the Belgian border at about 03:00 this morning. The rapid advance has created logistics problems. The Regiment is ordered to rest. A USO show is scheduled for 5 September.
By 09:00 today 2 September, 1944, all elements of the 313th Regiment were across the Somme, motorized, and continuing north throughout the day. The troops encountered cheering crowds, and continued far into the night encountering little enemy resistance.
Today, 1 September, 1944 at 17:00, the 1st Battalion rejoined the rest of the 313th Regiment. Now motorized, the Regiment moved through towns including Handaineville, Flaucourt to the banks of the Somme River. Tonight in cold rain, engineers are working to bridge the Somme.
Early in the morning, the The 313th Regiment received orders for movement to the north. The 313th was ordered into division reserve, and the 1st Battalion moved to vicinity of St. Pierre.
The 30th Infantry Division moved across the Seine to assist the 79th Division in extending their bridgehead, today 27 August, 1944. The attack began at 16:00. As I’ve been researching and reconstructing my grandfather’s WWII experiences, several books and references have been of particular help: Ernie Pyle’s Brave Men collects […]
The 79th Division successfully established the first bridgehead across the Seine today, 20 August, 1944. The Division, including the 313th Regiment, will remain in a defensive position for a while, waiting for the rest of the Army to catch up.
At 11:50 today, 19 August, 1944, Company C, 1st Battalion of the 313th Regiment (including Paul Farnum) reached the Seine River. Shortly afterward they engaged in a firefight with enemy troops entrenched across the river. Meanwhile an officer and two enlisted men from Company A of the Engineers became the […]
The 79th Division was ordered to the north to take defensive positions on high ground south-west of Mantes-Gassicourt. The Division motorized and moved at 13:30, reaching the vicinity of Poudreauville about 22:00.
Yesterday, the 313th Regiment completed their move across the Eure. The 313th remained in the area today, 17 August, 1944, on patrol to secure the area from scattered German forces reported in the area. In a rare occurrence, the Luftwaffe strafed the 313th but did not inflict significant losses.
At 10:00 today, 15 August, 1944, the 313th Regiment and the rest of the 79th Division advanced to Nogent-le-roi – only 30 miles from Paris. Meanwhile, the German counterattack at Mortain has failed and the German remnants are trying to escape through the narrowing gap remaining between Falaise and Argentan. […]