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GONFREVILLE
Manche
- 7 km north of Périers
10 000 casualties in eleven days fighting
South of the Cotentin peninsula the VIIIth Corps launched an offensive
on 3 July 1944, as rain stopped air support. The 90th American Infantry
Division under General Landrum attacked on the 82nd Airborne Division
left wing, between Gorges marshes and mont Castre. After a fast move
the Americans were blocked by the German defenses and suffered heavy
losses. On 5 July the 357th Regiment made little progress on the axis
Saint-Jores/Périers facing the 77th German Infantry Division.
On 6 July the 357th Regiment reached Beau Coudray north of Le Plessis
Lastelle, where a German counter-attack beleaguered two companies.
On 7 July the 90th Infantry Division captured hill 122 at the top
of Mont Castre, but a Kampfgruppe of the 2nd SS Panzer-Division Das
Reich prevented further progression. The Americans fought until 11
July to seize Mont Castre, while they encountered difficulty toward
Périers. On 13 July General von Choltitz ordered withdrawal.
The 90th Infantry Division liberated Gorges, Gonfreville and stopped
at the river Sèves on 14 July. From 3 to 14 July the VIIIth
Corps commanded by General Middleton had 10 000 casualties, and Périers
was out of reach for the moment. |
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A 26 airfield plaque
