The story
The 28th Infantry Division attacked to seize Percy, and secured the town on 1 August.
From this point it continued its attack southeast, advancing through difficult terrain and stubborn resistance.
By 4 August the division had pushed another eight miles further into Saint-Sever-Calvados.
This put the 28th Infantry Division and the 9th Infantry Division on its right flank in effective control of the Foret de St.Sever.
American possession of this forest denied the German defenders excellent cover and concealment, and numerous points of observation they had come to depend upon.
It also positioned the Americans to control an extensive road network.
From Saint-Sever-Calvados the division pushed on to Gathemo, seizing it on 10 August and driving on.
The division paid a high price in casualties – to include the life of its commander, Brigadier General James E.Wharton.
Meanwhile General George S.Patton’s Third Army had swung in a wide arc from Avranches through Le Mans, encircling much of the German army in the process.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.