Le Carrefour des Vignes aux Gendres (Calvados)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
Liberation: June 9, 1944
Deployed units:
115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Grenadier-Regiment 916, 352. Infanterie-Division
History:
In the early evening of June 9, 1944, the 2nd Battalion of the 115th Infantry Regiment (29th Infantry Division) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William E. Warfield reached Le Carrefour des Vignes aux Gendres after a long march and several mistakes during the progression. The American soldiers are exhausted by the last days of fighting and they quickly set up different bivouacs before dark, without digging holes of fighting. At 2045 hours a column of German soldiers and armored vehicles belonging to Grenadier-Regiment 916 (352. Infanterie-Division) in the process of retreating towards the south discovers the enemy’s device at the height of the hamlet: a battle of impressive intensity Engages in the night and totally disorganizes the Americans, causing them very heavy losses. Around three o’clock in the morning, Lieutenant-Colonel Warfield was killed, and the exchanges of shots continued until the Germans broke contact at dawn on June 10th. 150 American soldiers, including 11 officers, were put out of action during this engagement.
The 115th Infantry Regiment reorganizes its second battalion, which is now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur T. Sheppe. The regiment continues during the day in the direction of Cartigny-l’Epinay.
Carrefour des Vignes aux Gendres maps:
