The story
The 5th Infantry Division attacked to seize Vidouville, keeping pressure on the Germans to their front even as the COBRA breakthrough threatened their rear.
By the end of the first day the infantrymen were across the Saint-Lô to Caumont-l’Êventé Highway, and into Vidouville as well.
The attack continued south to keep pressure on the Germans, and to prevent them from reestablishing an effective defense in the difficult bocage country in the division’s path of advance.
The Germans retreated, but rear guards fought back in the rough terrain with ambushes, mortars and artillery.
The 5th Infantry Division fought through all this for seven miles, and pushed a battalion as far as the Souloeuvre River before it found itself intermingled with British units attacking southwest from Caumont-l’Êventé.
The boundaries between the two allied forces were redrawn, and the 5th Infantry was pinched out of its sector – and thus available for another mission.
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.