Le Plessis-Lastelle (Manche)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
Liberation: July 10, 1944
Deployed units:
357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division
712nd Tank Battalion
2. SS Panzer-Division “Das Reich”
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 15, 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
77. Infanterie-Division
History:
As of 3 July 1944, the VIII American Corps commanded by Lieutenant General Troy H. Middleton launched an offensive aimed at piercing the front to the south of Cotentin after the liberation of Cherbourg. The Germans set up a solid defensive line called “Mahlmann Line” by the name of Generalleutnant Paul Mahlmann, commander of the 353. Infanterie-Division, who imagined it.
The US 90th Infantry Division is responsible for seizing Hill 122, known as Mont-Castre. At the same time, it must progress southwards along the departmental road 338 in the direction of the hamlet of Le Plessis-Lastelle. On the morning of July 5th, the 357th Infantry Regiment under the orders of Colonel George H. Barth deploys one of his battalions to assault the hamlets of Le Plessis-Lastelle and Beau Coudray, which are located next to the But the Germans of the 77. Infantry Division trigger multiple artillery shots that fix the American infantrymen. The highly compartmentalized bocage is favorable to defensive fighting and the Germans derive all the advantages, especially since the American units are unable to deploy properly.
The 357th Infantry Regiment (IR) re-assaulted, supported by Sherman tanks belonging to B company of the 712nd Tank Battalion at the dawn of July 6th, and after a major artillery preparation. Seize the hamlet of Plessis-Lastelle. Shortly before dark, Colonel Barth moved forward with anti-tank guns and heavy weapons in front of the defensive device located to the south of the hamlet in the event of an opposing counter-attack. At 2345 hours, after an artillery preparation, the Germans launched the much-feared counter-offensive and succeeded in isolating the elements of the 357th IR positioned south of Plessis-Lastelle. Numerous fights take place throughout the night between the infantry of the two camps. The following day, July 7, an American company is launched to assault the isolated elements but it suffers very heavy losses, its unit commander being killed. The next morning, July 8, six soldiers joined the lines of the 357th IR and realized that all their comrades were made prisoners or killed. The Germans, reinforced by paratroopers from the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 15 (Fallschirmjäger-Division), failed to continue their attack and the front line stabilized for 48 hours. On July 10, the 90th Infantry Division relaunched the progression, permanently freeing the hamlets and the front line moved south of Plessis-Lastelle.
Le Plessis-Lastelle maps:
