The story
The 29th Infantry Division continued attacking towards Saint-Lô, assisted by the 2nd Infantry Division on its left and, beginning 11 July, the 35th Infantry Division on its right.
Saint-Lô was a strategic transportation hub clear of the marshes and waterways around Normandy and opening onto terrain suitable for mechanized warfare.
Its capture would enable a general breakout offensive.
The division scored a major breakthrough on 11 July, and by 13 July had secured Martinville Ridge, a key terrain feature overlooking the town.
During further difficult and confused fighting a battalion pushed within 1,000 meters of Saint- Lô, but became cut off.
A relieving battalion commanded by Major Thomas D.Howie broke through to them, but Howie was killed when the combined units continued the advance.
When the division finally seized Saint-Lô on 18 July, it laid Howie’s flag-draped coffin on the rubble-buried pediment of the Sainte-Croix Church, a poignant and enduring symbol of the courage and sacrifice that the campaign had required.
Photo: The body of Maj. Thomas D. Howie, killed on 17 July, who commanded the 3d Battalion, 116th Infantry in their fight to the outskirts of St-Lô, was carried in by Task Force C and placed on the rubble surrounding the Cathedral of Notre-Dame.
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.