Saint-Samson-de-Bonfossé (Manche)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
- Liberation: 26 July 1944
- Deployed units:
66th Armored Regiment, Combat Command A, 2nd Armored Division
747th Tank Battalion
30th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, 30th Infantry Division
Panzer-Lehr-Division
- History:
During the afternoon of July 26, 1944, after the initial fighting between Combat Command A (CCA) of the 2nd Armored Division and the armored units of the Panzer Lehr Division in the Saint-Gilles sector, the Americans pushed back the German lines toward Mesnil-Herman. Securing this sector would allow them to secure the left flank of the breakthrough, thanks to several high points (notably elevation 183) which offer a significant panoramic view south of Saint-Lô.
Around 11:00 p.m., the Sherman tanks of the 66th Armored Regiment reached Saint-Samson-de-Bonfossé, abandoned by the Germans. With the American reconnaissance elements having simultaneously reached their objective in the Mesnil-Herman sector, the CCA, commanded by Brigadier General Maurice Rose, paused briefly to resupply and prepare for the next assault. By the end of the day, the CCA had advanced more than 14 kilometers through the German lines.
Shortly after midnight on July 27, the general assault resumed toward Mesnil-Herman and Hill 183. On July 28, the 747th Tank Battalion took up position in Saint-Samson-de-Bonfossé, acting as a reserve for the next round of operations. It was followed on July 29 by the 2nd Platoon of the 30th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (30th Infantry Division), which established a defensive position there as part of the flank guard of the American breakthrough.
Saint-Samson-de-Bonfossé map:
Back to the Normandy cities in 1944