Yesterday, 20 June, 1944 at Delasse, the 313th Regiment made contact with the German fixed defenses around Cherbourg. Throughout last night and today (21 June, 1944), patrols were sent out to feel out the enemy’s strength and to attempt to find weak spots in the line. The bulk of the […]
WWII Journal – Paul Farnum
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The 315th Regiment struggled yesterday 19 June, 1944 due to scattered resistance around the town of Valogne, so General Wyche decided to leave the 315th where it was, containing the east flank. He ordered the 314th Regiment, which had been the division’s reserve, to join the Paul Farnum’s 313th Regiment […]
The 313th Regiment Objective is the high ground west and northwest of Valognes, on the road to Cherbourg. Paul Farnum’s First Battalion forms the left of the 313th’s advance, the Third Battalion is on the right, with the Second Battalion in reserve. Support provided by artillery fires from the 314th, […]
Today, 18 June 1944, the 9th Division broke through German resistance to the west and reaches the coast at Barneville. This completes the immediate strategic goal of cutting off Cherbourg from reinforcement. The Allied plan is for the 79th to relieve the 90th Division. Then the 79th Division will drive […]
The 313th Regiment was alerted today, 16 June 1944, for a possible move to meet a German counterattack, with an alternative mission to take over a large hill in the area of the 82nd to the south. Orders did not arrive.
Most of the remaining motor equipment came ashore today, was de-waterproofed, and joined their respective units. The 313th regiment is now nearly complete, lacking only 500 men, a field kitchen, and some equipment left behind in England.
Today, 14 June 1944, the 79th Infantry Division and the 313th Infantry Regiment land on Utah beach, beginning about 4 p.m. The beach has been cleared of enemy opposition, however sounds of enemy shelling and bombing echo in the distance. The units start inland along the main road towards Sébeville, […]
For the last few days the troops have remained in the marshaling area, changing money into francs and making other last minute preparations. Today, the 313th was trucked to the port of embarkation. Tomorrow, the 79th lands on Utah Beach. Here’s the situation they will find.
On 10 June 1944, the 313th Infantry Regiment entrained for Plymouth, England, about 100 miles away. Their destination is Crown Hill Camp, a marshaling area for troops scheduled for shipment across the English Channel. On arrival, a message awaits them from Major General Wyche, in command of the 79th Infantry […]
The soldiers of the 79th Division learn that D-Day has finally arrived. Earlier today, 6 June, 1944, the 4th Division, a sister division to the 79th Division in VII Corps, landed on “Utah” beach more than a mile south of the originally planned location. “We’ll start the war from right […]
“D-Day,” the long anticipated Allied invasion of Europe, originally scheduled for today, is postponed due to poor weather. General Eisenhower and his staff hope for better weather tomorrow. Meanwhile, Life Magazine features “The U.S. Infantry” in the cover story of its 5 June 1944 issue. On the cover of this […]
On 1 June, the entire 313th Regiment moved by motor to a new location, Lype Hill, located in Somersetshire. The 79th Infantry Division shoulder patch features the Cross of Lorraine in recognition of the Division’s victory in the Lorraine Campaign of the First World War. The Cross of Lorraine was […]
On 30 May 1944, the 79th Division including the 313th Infantry Regiment, stationed at Garswood Park and Marbury Hall, received orders to prepare for a sudden move. 313th Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, Company C
Memorial Day Weekend is a time to remember and honor all those who fought to defend our country and our freedom. We honor all, because we cannot possibly honor each. And thus the individual experiences, memories, and recollections grow dim and risk being forgotten. This Memorial Day weekend, AetherCzar undertakes […]