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After Action Report – June 1944
Summary of Operations / A – Phase #1/1
Landing Operations 6 June 1944

A. Phase # 1

1. The 115th Infantry Regiment landed at 1025-H, with the 1/115th and 2/115th abreast on Fox Green, about 1000 yards east of that part of the beach on which it was intended to land.
The 2/115th on the right crossed the beach and started up the cliff, making slow progress due to mines. The progress of the 1/115th on the left was faster. It pushed inland to the south of St-Laurent, reaching there about dark.
This battalion was subjected to heavy fire from snipers and mortar fire throughout the night.
Col Richard C. Blatt became fatally wounded by mortar fire. The 2/115th attempted to capture St Laurent, but was unsuccessful. It then moved to the south of the town, into the woods, about one-half mile to the west. Regimental Headquarters landed with the leading battalions, and remained on the beach under artillery fire until 1600-H.
At 1630-H, Hqs moved the CP inland to a trail east of St Laurent

2. Advance inland from Beach to Inundated Area.
During the night Jun 6 to Jun 7, the 3/115th moved to the outskirts of St Laurent.
At daybreak they attacked the town and by mid-morning had secured it. They then pushed toward Louvières. The 2/115th was held in the woods all through the day. The 1/115th moved to the woods about 1200 yards to the west of St Laurent.
During the morning the CP moved into St Laurent amidst severe sniper fire. In the afternoon it was moved further forward, to the rear of the 2/115th. The 3/115th was held up in front of Louvières.
In the later afternoon, although the battalions were widely separated, the attack was continued in the direction of Longueville. The 2/115th was the only battalion that succeeded in moving forward and the attack continued until 0300-H.
The 2/115th was in the stream valley northwest of Montigny and the attack was halted there daylight. The attack was then resumed, with the 1/115th and 2/115th generally abreast.

Longueville was captured at 0900-H by the 2/115th, which assumed a defensive position west of the town. The 1/115th moved forward and assumed the defensive to the east of the town because Trévières had not been captured.
Early in the morning, 3/115th had begun moving to a defensive position west of Formigny to protect the left flank of the Division.
Later, they were moved to a defensive position west of Deux Jumeaux, arriving there at 1800-H. The Regimental CP, which had followed 2/115th, was established in Longueville

B. Phase #2
1. Crossing Inundated Area.

During the night Jun 8 to Jun 9, 3/115th, followed by the 2/115th, moved to the vicinity of Canchy, and started across the inundated area. The crossing was completed with the assistance of the Engineers.
2/115th moved to the vicinity of Bois de Calette, 3/115th to the vicinity of Colombières, and the 1/115th to the vicinity of Bricqueville.
At noon, 2/115th and 3/115th were ordered to continue their movement to the south. 3/115th moved against little enemy resistance, accept for snipers.
In the early afternoon, the 2/115th encountered stubborn resistance at Veuilly.
Late in the afternoon, this resistance was overcome and the battalion continued to move southward. The movement continued until dark, when the battalion assumed a defensive position about a mile southwest of La Folie.

During the night Jun 9 to Jun 10, 2/115th was attacked by the Germans, suffered considerable losses, and was disorganized.
Throughout the period Jun 8 – 9, the 1/115th remained in a defensive position at Bricqueville, where it suffered almost continuous attack from the Germans from the vicinity of . As the other two battalions had moved miles south of the Germans at Trévières, 1/115th had the mission of protecting the left rear of the regiment.

2. 2/115th Incident

At approximately 2045-H, Jun 10 1944, a closing force of German Armor and Infantry which had been by-passed and cut off to our rear and columns to the surprise of both units. Opening fire with their MG’s, mortars and 75’s and 88’s a heavy and confused action occurred in the dark with severe losses on both sides. Two enemy tanks were knocked out, plus a 150-MM field piece. 2/115th was left in a dispersed and disorganized state and control was not regained until after daylight.
2/115th’ CO, Col William E. Warfield was found dead, believed to have been killed at approximately 0300-H. Replacements were received and the remainder of 2/115th were reorganized under command of Col Arthur T. Sheppe.

C. Phase #3
1. Elle River Crossing

The regiment remained in defensive positions, and patrolled across the Elle River. During the day, Jun 12 1944, the patrols could not cross the river because of heavy fire from the banks. In the afternoon, the regiment was warned that it would be required to attack across the river the next morning.
At 0245-H, orders were received for an attack at 0500-H Jun 12 1944. 1/115th and 3/115th attacked the river line abreast and 1/115th on the right. During the preparatory fires German artillery fired into the troops forming the line of departure causing several casualties.
This delayed the attack.
At 0800-H, the attack jumped off. 1/115th was unsuccessful in crossing and moved south to the vicinity of Les Fresnes, where it was surrounded by the Germans. They fought in position until they were almost out of ammunition, at which time element fought their way out and returned to a position north of the river.
During the afternoon the relief of 3/115th was attempted by sending a detachment of tanks across the river at Moulin L’Evèque.
While a platoon from G Co. and a detachment of A/121st Engineers Combat Battalion successfully removed the minefields from the bridge, the attack was repulsed by German SP guns on the south of the river late in the afternoon, after heavy artillery preparation, the 1/115th renewed its attack, which was again repulsed. The 116th Infantry, at dark, forced a crossing.

2. Advance from Elle River to defensive position.

At 0600-H, Jun 13 1944, 3/115th recrossed the Elle River against light opposition consisting mostly of artillery and mortar fire. They advanced to position northwest of Couvains and were attached to the 116th Infantry. 1/115th remained in a defensive position and the 2/115th moved to the defensive line north of river previously held by 3/115th.
The Regiment less the 3/115th went into Division reserve.
This position was maintained until the afternoon of Jun 16 1944 when the 2/115th moved against a strong point of enemy resistance 300 yards north of Hinet and west of St Clair. It cleared out this resistance and remained there in a position (defensive) overnight. 3/115th reverted to Regimental control and remained in position.
During night the 1/115th moved north through St Clair toward Les Foulons against slight resistance and occupied a position 200 yards east of Les Foulons. It remained here in position until next morning.
The Regimental CP followed behind 1/115th to a position 700 yards northeast of Les Foulons where it closed in at 180400B.

The next morning the 2/115th was moved southeast to Couvains and attached to the 116th Infantry. The next afternoon 1/115th and 2/115th moved southeast towards Couvains and then west to Bois de Bretel. The Reg CP followed to Bois de Bretel.
1/115th was committed south of woods during the afternoon, and encountered heavy resistance. 3/115th was also committed to left of 1/115th and it did not advance against heavy resistance.
1/115th and 3/115th remained there overnight in defensive positions.
2/115th was detached from the 116th Infantry, and under Regimental control, relieved the 2/116th on the morning of Jun 19 1944, taking over positions north of La Fossadière.
Early that morning 3/115th moved to defensive position in vicinity of Segueville. 1/115th set up defensive positions at Bois de Bretel. The Regimental CP, originally at Bois de Bretel, moved to rear of 2/115th, and then to 657682.

D. Phase #4
1. Active defense north of St Lo.

From Jun 20 to June 30 the 115th Infantry was in active defense. There was effected a consolidation of our forces during which time replacements came to the 115th Infantry. There was active night patrolling, and considerable information of value was obtained concerning strength and disposition of enemy forces north of St Lo.
2. 3rd Armored attack through our positions.

Infantry and tank elements of 3rd Armored Division attacked through our positions at 0900-H, Jun 29 1944 to seize high ground running east and west about 400 yards south of La Forge. Battalions remained in position and were subjected to intense artillery and mortar fire.
The following day the 1/115th and 3/115th moved into positions of the 36/3AD, who withdrew through our lines.

Forces Engaged (from beach defenses to the inundated areas)
In Phase #1

The Regiment started to engage the enemy immediately behind the beach line defenses and identified units of the :

• 726.IR/716. ID
• 17. PB
• 7.Ko/915.IR/352. GD
• Labor Bn (Russian and Italian) 352. GD
• 1714. Artillerie Battalion
• 12. Battery IV Battalion

Phase #2

Crossing of inundated area was strongly opposed by German defense at eastern end, at Colombières and at Bois de Calette at south of causeway by units of

• 914. GR
• 915. GR
• 916. GR
• Schnelle Brigade 30

2/115th was attacked at Le Carretour by units of the 352. GD-A.

Phase #3

The approach to, and the crossing of the Elle River was opposed by units of 3 battalions of the 30. Schnelle Brigade, units of the 352. GD and an unknown SP gun unit.
Documents indicated that parts of the 5. Fallschirmjäger Regiment were in these defensive positions.

Phase #4

The following units were identified from the Elle River to Jul 1 1944.

• 914 Gr. Regt 352. Infanterie Division
• 915 Gr. Regt 352. Infanterie Division
• 916 Gr. Regt 352. Infanterie Division
• II Bn 943 Gr. Regt 353 Inf Div
• Eng Bn 353 of 353 Inf Div
• 9th Regt of 3rd Parachute Div
• 513, 517, 518 Bns of Schnelle Brigade 30
• 353 Fu Bn.

B. Number of Casualties
Number of Prisoners of War evacuated to Jul 1 :
Enlisted : 191
Officers : 2
Total : 193

Total number of enemy dead buried to Jul 1
Approximately : 10

It is assumed that at least an equal number were evacuated by the enemy due to relatively slowness of advance until the middle of July the evacuation of enemy wounded and dead by the enemy was excellent.

Important Captures – None
The highest ranking captive taken by this unit was the rank of Captain.

IV Awards and Decorations

1. Number of awards by type of for action during June :
Silver Star Medals : 3
Bronze Star Medals : 12
Purple Heart Medals : 61

2. Special mention of outstanding incidents in each type.

Silver Star Medal

Lt Roger E. Watson, 0466065, Medical Corps, US Army, for gallantry in action in Normandy, France.
During the entire period 6 June 1944 to 15 June 1944, Lt Watson’s untiring efforts with his unit in immediate contact with the enemy exhibited outstanding judgment as a soldier and a surgeon. It was largely because of his excellent supervision and instructions to others in tactical situations while under enemy fire that he could leave our own forces three times to render medical aid to wounded French civilians.
On one occasion eight Germans surrounded the house in which Lt Watson was attending a wounded French child. Because of his coolness and dignity of bearing, the enemy withdrew and permitted him to complete his work and return to our lines. His courage, skill, and ability reflect great credit upon himself and the Military Service.
Entered Military Service from Pennsylvania.

Lt Arthur C. Chadwick, Jr., 01300274, Infantry, US Army, for gallantry in action in Normandy, France.
On 12 June 1944, Lt Chadwick’s platoon was attacking a strongly fortified enemy position. The resistance was such that it became necessary to withdraw.
During this action, Lt Chadwick was wounded, and refusing to be evacuated he participated in another attack on the same strong point. Although his group was held up by machine gun fire. After receiving orders to withdraw, he remained until all the wounded were carried to safety. However, upon reorganization he learned that one casualty was not accounted for, and without hesitation, he returned to the exposed area and evacuated the remaining men.
Lt Chadwick’s unselfish actions show a deep regard for his men, and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Entered Military Service from New Hampshire.

Pfc Robert M. Moore, 20340558, Infantry, US Army, for gallantry in action in Normandy, France.
On 10 June 1944, Pfc Moore saw a German tank escorting several American prisoners to the enemy lines. Boldly confronting the tank, with complete disregard for his own safety, he directed the prisoners to disperse, and fired an antitank grenade at the tank. The tank returned the fire, but was compelled to withdraw when friendly support arrived.
The courage displayed by Pfc Moore, in the face of overwhelming odds, reflects great credit upon himself and the Military Service.
Entered Military Service from Maryland.

Changes in Regimental Staff and Battalion CO’s

Col Eugene N. Slappey, 05136 relieved as Regimental CO, 1540-H, Jun 13, 1944 and replaced by Col Godwin Ordway Jr., 016208
Capt George M. Nevius, 0406384, relieved as Regimental S-3, 1600-H, Jun 14 1944 and replaced by Capt Albert G. Warfield, 0409305
Col. Richard C. Blatt, 019277 – KIA Jun 6 1944. Maj James S. Morris, 0309173 took over command until 0800-H, Jun 14 1944 at which time he was relieved and replaced by Maj Glover S. Johns Jr., 0307139, as CO 1/115th
Col William E. Warfield, 0258123, CO 2/115th, KIA, 0300-H, Jun 10 1944 and was replaced by Col Arthur T. Sheppe, 0256110 who was relieved by Maj Maurice G. Clift, 0354335 at 1400-H, Jun 23 1944
Maj Victor P. Gillespie, 02456110, CO 3/115th relieved 1830-H, Jun 9 1944 by Capt Grat B. Mankins, 0407499 who was relieved (upon his own request) at 0930-H, Jun 17 1944 by Maj Charles A. Custer, 0277290 who was relieved at 1500-H, Jun 23 1944 by Col Arthur T. Steppe, 0256110

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