D+1 went by without a round being fired by the 319-GFAB. Due to excessive casualties and temporarily missing personnel, the battalion was unable to effect sufficient organization to go into action. Including the walking wounded, they had over 100 wounded in their assembly area by evening. There had been no thought given to air evacuation. Each unit was taking care of its own. The able-bodied had to watch their wounded suffer until well into the following day when evacuation became possible. On the morning of June 8, the 320-GFAB was still firing from its present position, in support of the 505-PIR and the 2/325-GIR which had been attached to the 505-PIR for action to the north. No preparation was attempted for the attack due to the shortage of ammunition, but sufficient observers were provided to reach the infantry company level. The effectiveness of the observation was limited by the hedgerows, but approximately twenty-five missions were fired upon targets of opportunity, and this battalion did contribute materially to the success of the attack which cleared the division zones to the north. The 319-GFAB got underway to a position area in the vicinity of Chef-Du-Pont, which, if we recall, was their alternate position area in the initial plans. Since the battalion was in no condition to operate with any degree of efficiency, due to the shortage of personnel, and no replacements were in sight, plans were made to augment its strength from the 456-PFAB when the land-tail element arrived. This unit was further looked forward to because the battalion ammunition trains therewith were known to be carrying 1000 rounds per battalion.
By evening, seven howitzers were in position and the mission was direct support of both the 507-PIR and 508-PIR. Since the 320-GFAB had taken over its mission with the 505-PIR, the liaison and observer parties were transferred to the 507-PIR. The observers, already with the 508-PIR reported into the fire control net during the day. At 1700 H, the battalion commenced firing. Many other events were occurring at this time. Our infantry was moving into positions to capture our initial objectives on the following day. The 90th Infantry Division Artillery was moving into positions to reinforce our fires, The 456-PFAB plus other attached artillery with the land-tail element was moving in. The airborne phase had ended.
