Saint-Jean-des-Baisants (Manche)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
Aerial view of the town of Saint-Jean-des-Baisants.
Photo: US National Archives
- Liberation: 28 July 1944
- Deployed units:
2nd Infantry Division
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 15, 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 5, 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- History:
The commune of Saint-Jean-des-Baisants is located on a hill overlooking the area, with a peak reaching an altitude of 217 meters. It is also a road junction, connecting several communication routes from Saint-Lô, Saint-Georges-d’Elle, Caumont-l’Eventé, and Torigni-sur-Vire. From this location, the Germans were able to observe and guide artillery fire against the 2nd Infantry Division, which was advancing south from Saint-Georges-d’Elle.
For the Americans, the capture of the Saint-Jean-des-Baisants sector would allow them to break a major barrier to the German defenses in the region. On July 26, 1944, at 6:00 a.m., the 23rd Infantry Regiment launched its offensive north of Saint-Jean-des-Baisants near the Bois de la Roche, where it was severely engaged. The Germans defended each compartment of terrain in depth, having prepared machine gun positions, mined plugs enhanced by artillery fire, as well as counterattack routes for infantry and armored vehicles. Despite this solid defensive system, the Americans managed to advance and captured 235 prisoners in the enemy ranks during that day alone.
On July 28, after two days of fierce offensives, German resistance in the Saint-Jean-des-Baisants sector gradually collapsed. However, the defenders’ morale was declining. Under cover of nightfall, the German paratroopers of the 3rd Fallschirmjäger Division, reinforced by some elements of the 15th Fallschirmjäger Regiment (5th Fallschirmjäger Division), realigned along new defensive lines. As the Americans of the 23rd Infantry Regiment resumed their action and encountered minefields slowing their advance, they managed to enter the town by 5:15 p.m.
The 23rd Infantry Regiment secured the main road by 8:00 p.m. The 38th Infantry Regiment, fighting on the right flank of the 2nd Infantry Division, in turn broke through the German defenses and secured the southwest approaches to Saint-Jean-des-Baisants by the end of the day. To the east, the 9th Infantry Regiment advanced at the same pace and established defensive positions for the night on the division’s left flank, southwest of the town.
On July 29, after a series of reconnaissance missions to the south during the morning, the Americans resumed their offensive movement towards Saint-Amand at 3:00 p.m.
Saint-Jean-des-Baisants map:
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