Today 12 August, 1944, the 313th Regiment (and the rest of the 79th Division) assembled in area of La-Mele-sur-Sarthe to assist in blocking the escape of German soldiers to the east.
WWII Journal – Paul Farnum
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The march continues encountering little resistance, and by evening they had reached Rouillon. There they were ordered to assembly position in the vicinity of Les Tertres. Encountered cheering as they passed though towns. At Loue, as advanced units struggled to establish a bridgehead, a small band of patriotic Frenchmen braved […]
Today, 8 August, 1944, the 313th was ordered to advance to Le Mans. They started at 0800, preceded by the 106th Cav. and the Division’s Reconnaissance troops. At first, resistance delayed progress for about 2 hours. Just before dark, the 1st Battalion moved into position near Mariel-en-Champagne. During the night […]
Today 7 August, 1944, the attack resumed, information gathered during the night verified the enemy had retreated and blown the bridges, crossed the Mayenne River and cleared Laval.
Today, 6 August, 1944, the 313th led the assault on Laval with the intention of capturing a bridgehead across the Mayenne River. They encountered strong opposition including artillery and mortar fire into the night.
The western end of German lines in Normandy have collapsed. Allied armor columns have broken into Brittany. The 79th and 90th Divisions control a narrow passage barely 15 miles wide at Avranches at the base of the Cotentin peninsula. Paul Farnum and the rest of the 313th Regiment were motorized […]
The 313th Regiment moved to the area of Nicolle yesterday 28 July, 1944, then was ordered to follow the 6th armored toward Avranches. The bridges have been blown by retreating German troops. This is slowing the advance. Meanwhile the Germans lines have broken. Harassed by superior Allied airpower and unable […]
At 19:45 today, 26 July 1944, the 313th Regiment was alerted to prepare to move across the Ay River tomorrow, following the 314th. Operation Cobra is achieving deep penetrations behind German lines. Soon the 313th and the rest of the 79th Division will be advancing to maintain pressure on the […]
With the battle for Normandy threatening to become static warfare reminiscent of the First World War, the Allies have decided on a bold plan to break the stalemate. Called Operation COBRA, the plan (shown below) envisions an intense aerial bombardment on German positions, an infantry breakthrough to secure the breach, […]
For the past two days, the 313th Regiment has advanced quickly following the German retreat. By early morning, today, 15 July, 1944, the 313th was patrolling as far south as the Ay River. Later this morning, the 313th was relieved by the 315th and went into Division reserve. The U.S. […]
At 06:30 the 313th Regiment continued attack to the south, passing through the 315th and reaching the vicinity of Angoville. Patrolling was initiated and continued until 7:15 a.m. on the 13th when the attack continued. The night of the 12th, elements of the 1st Battalion, including Company C occupied the […]
Today, 9 July, 1944, the 315th Regiment relieved the 313th Regiment. The 313th and moved to assembly area near la Gosselinerie. Replacement troops received training in hedgerow fighting, and the troops prepared to continue the attack.
The 313th Regiment moved to an assembly area near la Gosselinerie, then attacked south past Montgardon, as far as the road leading from La Surellerie to Biemont. The Regiment received heavy artillery fire continuing throughout the 8th, maintained positions but were unable to advance. In all, the 79th Division advanced […]
Today, 6 July, 1944, the 313th Regiment moved to vicinity of St. Remy-des-Landes, then west and south in attempt to flank the German resistance but was repulsed by the Germans. The 1st Battalion of 313th put into reserve.
The 313th spent the night under artillery attack. This morning, 5 July, at 06:30, the 313th Regiment continued south, encountering little resistance initially. The terrain proved difficult and slowed progress while German artillery and mortar fire increased, finally forcing the Regiment to withdraw to higher position. Losses were extremely high.
Late this afternoon, 4 July, 1944, the 313th received order to attack. At the same time, German forces located the Regiment and began an artillery barrage, causing many casualties.
Today, 3 July, 1944 the 79th Division attacked. The 314th and 315th Regiments jumped off at 0530 with the 313th (and Paul Farnum) in reserve.
The Allies have secured a tenuous foothold in Normandy. VII Corps (including the 79th Infantry Division) accomplished its objective of capturing Cherbourg and securing the Cotentin peninsula. Now the Allies need to expand the beachhead, securing enough room to maneuver to enable a breakthrough attack.
Today, 27 June, 1944, Cherbourg surrendered. The first major objective in the Allied campaign in Northwest Europe is now complete. The German defenders inflicted great damage on the port facilities. Time will tell the extent to which the Allies will be able to restore the port of Cherbourg and begin […]
Early this morning 26 June, 1944, the 313th advanced into Cherbourg, braving snipers and clearing their sector in house-to-house fighting. By 0800, the 313th had reached the beach in their zone. Throughout the day, the 313th eliminated scattered pockets of resistance and captured hundreds of prisoners. Paul Farnum and the […]
This morning, 25 June, 1944 the 313th spent the morning on patrol. At 1400, the Regiment moved in a column of Battalions (Second – First – Third) from the high ground down to the outskirts of Cherbourg. By nightfall, the 313th occupied the position in the map below, in orange. […]
Orders for the 79th Division were to capture the strong point at la Mare a Canards. This task was left to the 314th. The Paul Farnum and the 313th Regiment veered east to attack strong points west of la Glacerie, encountering continuing opposition, and proceeded to Hameau Gringor, taking about […]
By late night of 22nd, the 313th along with two battalions of the 314th held a line along the east-west road which crosses the Cherbourg highway at Crossroads 177 (purple line). That morning, the 313th discovered that they had been cut off by German forces to their rear, and their […]
The surrender ultimatum expired without word from the German commander of Cherbourg. Allied troops withdrew 1000 yards from the front and today, 22 June 1944, at 12:40, the Air Forces began an 8 minute attack on the German first-line positions. The 313th was to continue along the Valognes-Cherbourg highway jumping […]