Exmes (Orne)

The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles

  • Liberation: August 15, 1944
  • Deployed units:

Image : drapeau américain Groupement Tactique Langlade, 2e division blindée

Image : drapeau américain 5th Armored Division

Image : drapeau américain 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division

Image : drapeau américain 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division

Image : drapeau américain 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division

Drapeau nazi 2. SS Panzer-Division “Das Reich”

Drapeau nazi 116. Panzer-Division

  • History:

On August 15, 1944, the 90th Infantry Division was ordered to advance eastward in accordance with the XV Corps plan and to identify elements of the 5th Armored Division present in the area. Company C of the 359th Infantry Regiment (Colonel Robert L. Bacon) reached the outskirts of Exmes during the day. But the multiple German counter-attacks on the village of Bourg Saint-Léonard during the following days forced the 90th Infantry Division to reorganize its system: on August 17, the 2nd Battalion of the 358th Infantry Regiment (IR) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Christian H. Clarke, Jr takes a position in place of Company C of the 359th IR.

On August 19, 1944, the task force led by Commandant Massu belonging to the 2nd French Armored Division (commanded by General Leclerc) was ordered to cross Exmes and then to proceed to the departmental road 13, East of Chambois. The commune of Exmes was reached that same day and Colonel Langlade installed the command post of his battle group.

 

Exmes maps:

Image : Carte de Exmes dans l'Orne

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