(Above) Among this tank crew from the French 2nd Armored Division, stands not only a soldier, but a legend of French cinema—Jean Gabin. I take this occasion to salute this remarkable man, who traded the spotlight for service with quiet strength and dignity. (Doc Snafu)
The attack was continued early on August 23. Resistance continued as the enemy strove to keep us from harassing the armor escaping between Evreux and Louviers. Small groups of infantry, anti-tank guns, and armor all stubbornly resisted our advance up the narrow neck of land bordered by the two rivers. The front line was in vicinity of Le Pipet and west of Gaillon.
Progress was still slow though enemy resistance did not appear as strong as the night before, at 1030, the control of CCR was released by Corps. CCR was given orders to move to an area west of La Heunière and to proceed along the east bank of the Eure River to clear out the woods on the Division left flank as far as the road between Sainte-Colombe-près-Vernon and Chambray. Upon reaching the road it was to establish liaison with CCA and if the situation permitted to proceed northwest to the main highway running northeast from Antheuil-Portes.
Upon reaching the highway it was to request instructions from Division. CCR was also to maintain liaison with the 30th Infantry Division to our left. The Division Commander directed CCB to form Task Force 
15 under the Commanding Officer of 15-AIB consisting of the 15-AIB less one company, with one platoon of light tanks, and one platoon of Tank Destroyers attached. This force was to proceed from its position in vicinity Saint-Pierre-de-Bailleul in the direction of Gaillon, to clean out woods between present location and Gaillon, as far as the main road leading Southwest from the town. At this point the Task Force would pass to the control of CCA until CCB reached its objective, at which time the task force would be returned to control of CCB. The remainder of CCB was to clear out the dug-in enemy position reported to its front. The 744.Infantry-Regiment or 711.Infantry-Division as well as elements of 17.Luftwaffe-tDivision and Combat Team Wahl Franke continued to oppose us. No artillery or aviation was reported. CCR moved on its mission at 1130, and by 1630, the combat elements had reached the objective, They reported the area clear of enemy by 1700 and contact made with friendly troops in Autheuil-Authouillet at 1800. The only enemy contact reported on this mission was fifteen enemy at Chambray, all killed by Troop D, 85-Cav Recon Sq.
CCB’s Task Force 15 moved at 1250, and at 1620, had reached its objective astride the highway southwest of Gaillon. No enemy resistance was met during the advance. CCA’s progress, though slow, was steady. Artillery fires placed on the town of Ailly at 1200, and a heavy concentration was requested for 1600. The advance continued until 1700, at which time elements were in contact with enemy at Les Quaizes-Ailly-Gournay. The enemy was estimated to be one enemy infantry battalion reinforced with some tanks. Liaison had been established with Task Force 15 which was being moved up on the right. At 1450, the 85-Cav Recon Sq was relieved of its mission of securing the left flank of the division and moved to reconnoiter and secure the right flank. Our infantry grenaded enemy infantry positions in wheatfields under shooks of wheat with great success. Four out of nine tanks which opposed CCA near Champenard were destroyed. The Cavalry reported that Germans returned to the town of Aigleville on the night of August 22, after we had passed through, killing 21 civilians. Citizens of Vernon were afraid of the same situation. German outposts were visible across the Seine River from Vernon, and enemy troops crossed by a footbridge, which was still usable, when American patrols were not present. Enemy losses during this day were: Killed 295, captured 35; vehicles destroyed: 15 tanks, 1 anti-tank gun, and 1 mortar,. USAAF destroyed 50 to 60 vehicles in the vicinity of Caudebec-lès-Elbeuf. Visibility was bad; weather dull.
CCA continued the attack early August 24. Observation was very poor due to fog. At 0855, CCA was preparing to attack the town of Gruchet-Gournay-Fontaine-Bellenger-Ingremare-Heudebouville in order. The artillery preparation was being fired at that time. The Division CP was now located one and one half kilometers northeast of Champenerd. The Division Commander received oral instruction from Corps to move one Combat Command to the vicinity or Jumeauville to clean out area west of the Maude River north of Beynes: to coordinate action with 106-Cav Recon Group (Mecz) the remainder of the Division to assemble and move on Corps order to assembly area south of Mantes-Gassicourt prepared to cross the Seine River. This combat command mission as given to CCR. CCR, 95-AFAB attached, moved at 1330 and at 1600 had reached Bréval. At 1800 it made contact with 106-Cav Group east of Arnouville-lès-Mantes. Orders were received by CCR, direct from Corps, to cross the river and clear out a pocket north of the Seine; to reconnoiter to Poissy but not to cross east of the Mauldre River except an Corps order. Then Combat Command was assembled in vicinity of Ile Belle for the night. CCA continued its attack through the day in heavy rain and mud which hampered movements of all types of vehicles. By 1800 it was about one half mile south of Heudebouville, with an artillery concentration being fired on the town.
The 85-Cav Recon Sq moved to oppose a reported infantry regiment observed along east bank of the Eure River vicinity of Pacy. Strong fortified positions were reported along reverse slope area on both sides of the river. Air reconnaissance was active during the night. Mine fields were reported in vicinity of Vernon on the east bank of the Seine River.
At 1620, August 24, information was received that XV Corps had been attached to the First US Army at 0600. At 1800, orders received to move the Division to the Mantes-Gassicourt area, the 85-Cav Recon Sq to be left to screen Heudebouville-Gaillon and the road net northwest of Vernon. The 85-Cav was to be relieved by 1800, on August 25, by the 113-Cav Group. The Division, less 85-Cav Recon Sq, was ordered to the south of the line Bonnières-sur-Seine-Pacy-sur-Eure by 0800, August 25. The march was started at 1950 on August 24 by the Division Headquarters, followed by Division Troops and CCB.
CCA had released Task Force 15 at 1735, and at 2100, broke contact. Reconnaissance screening the withdrawal. At that time the enemy had been driven from Heudebouville and was retreating north. CCB likewise withdrew, and CCR continued its corps mission east of the Maulde River reconnoitering the area Thiverval-Grignon-Davron-Orgeval. CCR, on their way, encountered heavy 88-MM fire and later, a short contact was made by 121-Cav Group, working with it, against a force or about 400 Germans. A transport plane was captured intact with other air corps equipment near Thiverval. During this action, 126 Germans were killed, 57 captured; 5 tanks, 3 armored cars, 11 cannon and 1 motor vehicle destroyed by Division during the day.
At 0045 on August 25, the Division CP was in the vicinity of Boinville-en-Mantois. By 0125, all elements except the Recon Squadron were below the indicated line. CCR continued its Corps mission, reconnoitering along the west bank of the Seine River from Villennes-sur-Seine to Les Mureaux. The latter town was found clear. Infiltration by elements of 6.Sicherheit-Regiment and the 3.Sturmbataillon Paris was attempted in the area Orgeval and the Seine in the vicinity of Les Alluets-le-Roi-Villennes-sur-Seine, north of the Bois régional de Verneuil and Les Mureaux. CCR received orders direct from Corps for an attack early August 25, in direction of Crespières-Orgeval-Vernouillet.
CCR at the time was in position just west of La Couperie. It crossed the river at Beynes at 0900, and attacked at 1200, encountering enemy bicycle troops north of Davron. Clearing the woods in the area was a slow process and the advance was carried slowly to the hill line extending northwest of Feucherolles. By 1800 combat elements were moving on the town of Morainvilliers, disposed to move through Marsinval and Vernouillet and swing left for a crossing of the Ru de Bazincourt. CCA at 1930 was closed in new assembly positions in the Mantes-Gassicourt area. CCR reverted to Division control at 1500, August 25. At 2015 CCR had reached the line Marsinval-Chapet and had sent strong patrols into Les Mureaux and Verneuil-sur-Seine, to rally for the night east of Orgeval between Chapet and Morainvilliers. At 1500, the Division Commander had received orders to be prepared to advance one combat command across the Seine River in vicinity of Meulan. CCB was alerted for this mission.
CCR continued the mission on August 26, and at 0850, was driving enemy out of the woods in the vicinity of Verneuil-sur-Seine and Les Mureaux. It moved west through Ecquevilly-Flins-sur-Seine-Épône at 1230, having cleared the entire area.
At 1330, August 26, the 85-Cav Recon Sq was relieved of its Corps mission and immediately started to move to its assembly area with the remainder of the division. Its commanding officer reported that the squadron had been strafed by enemy aircraft and that hostile air reconnaissance had been active early in the morning. At 1430, all orders with reference to an attack across the Seine River by the 5-AD were cancelled. The Division would instead assist the attack of infantry division of the Corps by artillery fire from positions south of the Seine, reconnoiter routes to the vicinity of Saint Cyr, 
and be prepared to move to that vicinity on order of First Army through XV Corps. When released by XV Corps the Division would be assigned to V Corps. By 1500 CCR had completed its mission and had outposted the river line from MEULAN and POISSY. The outpost was necessary due to the return of the enemy to areas which had been cleared earlier. On this date, numerous civilian reports were received of fortifications in the Paris area, Germans were also reported fleeing towards the frontiers, via Beauvais-Amiens-Gisors. The division reported this date 90 enemy killed, 30 captured, thirteen guns were destroyed: nine 88’s and four 105’s. Forty bicycles were also destroyed. Among PW’s were some from 3.Sturmbataillon Paris, made up of civilian workers in Paris who had been given uniforms, rifles and a few days training, and from the 6.Sichereith-Regiment which was originally used to guard military installations around Paris but had recently bean sent out as infantry. There were 100 men per company, of ages between 38 and 45 years.
On the next day, August 27, CCR reported that the enemy was withdrawing further to the East and Military Intelligence reported troops massing in the vicinity of Pontoise. Some artillery and mortar fire was received vicinity Meulan-en-Yvelines. Seven training planes were discovered and destroyed by CCR in the Bois de Verneuil. Some marked with swastikas, others with British insignia.
A report from CCB stated that the sector along the Seine had been active with enemy all day, that the enemy had considerable installations around Meulan-en-Yvelines, to the east and also in the Poissy loop of the Seine. Artillery was used on all known targets. Air support was used on the town of Menucourt against a reported concentration of enemy motorized infantry, and also in the Chateau de Villette area, reported to contain an enemy headquarters. The general movement of the enemy had been to the east along the north bank of the Seine and it was reported that anti-tank guns, mortars and machine guns were being installed in considerable numbers. All day the Division Artillery supported the 79th Infantry Division and the 30th Infantry Division in their bridgehead across the Seine River, firing on enemy retreating in direction of the L’Aubette River in Meulan-en-Yvelines. Units opposing these 2 divisions were from left to right: 49.Infantry-Division, 17.Lufwaffe-Division, 18.Luftwaffe, elements of a Parachute Regiment Lehr probably from the 6.Fallschirmjäger-Division.
At 2230, the Division Artillery was relieved of its mission of supporting the XV Corps and the Division was released from attachment to XV Corps and attached to V Corps. Forty eight PWs were taken this date: four 105-MM guns were destroyed; two warehouses in Mareux were captured, with an estimated two million dollars worth of Luftwaffe equipment. During the period of August 25-30, the division utilized all available time for heavy maintenance, for which this was the first opportunity. Needed tank parts, engines, tracks and replacement vehicles were received and vehicular rehabilitation accomplished. On August 28, Maj William H Burton returned to duty with the 46-AIB and resumed command. Lt Col Gilson, who had been assigned to the battalion to command during Maj Burton’s absence, was transferred to the 15-AIB and assumed command of that unit on the same day.
The unit commanders of the Division as of August 28, 1944 were:
5-AD – Maj Gen Lunsford E. Oliver (03536) USA
CCA – Brig Gen Eugene Regnier (08295) USA
HQ&HQ Co CCA – Capt Karl W. Roth (01010340), INF
CCB – Col John T. Cole (05256) CAV
HQ&HQ Co CCB – Capt Joe W. Perry (01012397) INF
5-AD Div Arty – Col Douglas J. Page (04495) FA
HQ&HQ Btry, 5-AD Div Arty – Capt Norman W. Cusik (0466787) FA
CCR 5-AD – Col Glen H. Anderson (08632) INF
HQ Co 5-AD – Capt Larry H. Greenwood (01283065) INF
HQ 5-AD Train – Col Guston M. Nelson (014512) INF
HQ Co 5-AD Train – Capt James R. Bagwell (01011081) CAV
MP Plat. 5-AD – Maj Alexender T. Nelsen (0335298) CAV
145-ADE Sig Co – 1/Lt Glenn A. Welde (0453447) SC
85-CRS (Mecz) – Lt Col Kent Fay (0286301) CAV
10-TB – Lt Col William A. Hamberg (0292156) INF
34-TB – Maj Glen L. Foote (0450438) CAV
81-TB – Lt Col Leroy H. Anderson (0239452) INF
15-AIB – Lt Col Kenneth P. Gilson (0359160) INF
46-AIB – Maj William H. Burton (0366028) INF
47-AIB – Lt Col Howard E. Boyer (0218680) INF
47-AFAB – Lt Col John B. Resenzweig (0246291) FA
71-AFAB – Lt Col Israel B. Washburn (0235367) FA
95-AFAB – Lt Col James W. McNeer (00223703) FA
127-OMB – Maj Roland S. Biersach (0318269) OD
22-AEB – Lt Col Fred E. Ressegieu (020575) CE
75-AMB – Lt Col Benjamin H. Bader (0372570) MC
On August 29, orders were received from V Corps for the Division to move on August 30 through the city of Paris on three routes: Route A, Highway N-13 through St Germain en Laye to N-310; Route B, Highway N-30 through Rocquencourt and N-307 through Aubervillier; Route C, Highway N-10 through Versailles and N-186 to N-306 to N-24. All routes ran through Paris to a line of departure about six kilometers northeast of Aubervillier. CCA was given Route C, CCB Route A, followed by CCR; Division Headquarters, Division Troops and Division Trains moved an Route B, following a married infantry-tank company to and through Paris.
The march of the Division started with CCB moving out at 0625, August 30, CCB moving out at 0630, and the Division Headquarters moving out at 0740. The Headquarters moved through Mante – St Cloud – Crespières – Bailly and entered the outskirts or the city of Paris at 1000, clearing the city at 1130. Orders were issued to the 85-Cav Recon Sq to continue on and report condition of crossings of the Oise River over five routes in the Division zone. At 1600, CCA had reached the town of Claye-Souilly, and CCB had reached Senlis, where light enemy resistance was encountered. Troop B, 85-Cav Recon Sq, captured ninety prisoners at this point. The Division CP was located just south of Ducy, with the head of the column held up by enemy anti-tank guns and infantry. Lt Col Kent Fay, commanding the 85-Cav Recon Sq, was killed in this action. Maj John P Gerald, EXO of the Squadron, assumed command. The Division Headquarters and Division Troops columns ware shelled by enemy artillery fire at this location. One casualty resulted from shrapnel. At 1700, CCA was refueling at Messy. CCB’s left column was in contact with the enemy at Lamorlaye, and its right column was still engaged at Senlis. The reconnaissance of CCB was moving on Barbery, the remainder of the task force and the CP were southwest of Chamant. The Division Trains went into bivouac just south of Baron.
Both CCA and CCB were given instructions to move forward until dark, then bivouac and report locations, both to continue attack at daylight August 31. CCB took the town of Senlis at 1845 and reported enemy to northeast and to west of the town. At 2330, August 30, orders were issued to CCR to move at daylight to clear route north of the Division Headquarters. During the day, CCA had no enemy contact along its routes. CCB still in contact with enemy at dark. Throughout the day the enemy had fought a delaying action as he retreated north, launching small counter attacks to slow down our advance elements and by steady shelling from his rear guard units. During this period the enemy was withdrawing from his last positions only about two hours before our forward elements reached them. Enemy casualties for August 30, were: killed 104, captured 184, The 190.Sichereith-Battalion was practicality wiped out during the day as it tried in vain fighting desperately from road blocks supported by anti-tank guns, to stem the Division’s advance.
On August 31, the delaying tactics of the enemy continued, as he retreated slowly to the northeast, in order to keep an escape route open west of the Cise River along the Forêt de Compiègne and the Forêt de l’Aigue for units in the path of our advance. The advance or the Division was resumed at 0600 on August 31. CCB made contact with an enemy roadblock at 0630 just north of Senlis, quickly reduced the resistance and contained a rapid advance. At 1000, both columns or CCB were moving forward without opposition in an attempt to obtain crossings over the Oise River at Compiègne and southwest of Compiègne. At 1100, CCA still advancing had made no contact with enemy. At 1115, CCB reported the bridge at Verberie blown. Also reported by CCB was the capture of an air field near Verberie with concrete runways not greatly damaged and believed repairable for heavy bomber use. CCR reported contact made with the enemy at Bethisy at 1215, that bridges were blown and the enemy observed digging in across the river. At 1315, troops A B and C, 85-Cav Recon Sq were attached to Combat Commands A, B, and R, respectively and the Squadron less A, B, and C attached to Division Trains in vicinity of Baron (?) to furnish protection. At 1430, CCR was closing in on the river. Enemy resistance was strong but undetermined, CCB reported that an enemy horse-drawn artillery column had run into its column and was being destroyed by tanks. At 1500, CCB reported the bridge out at (?). CCB made first contact (small arms fire) with the enemy at the same hour. At this point in the advance all routes ran through heavily wooded areas and the advance slowed considerably. The bridges at Compiègne and Pommiers were reported intact.
Effort was being made to force crossings the night or August 31 and push forward to a line Chauny – Noyon – Lassigny. At 1800 the right column of CCA crossed the river at Pommiers, unopposed, at 2000 CCB was five hundred yards south of Compiègne, preparing to attack to secure bridges there. CCR was meeting heavy enemy resistance in the forest north of Orrouy and Gilocourt. Enemy resistance made it impossible to cross any units over the river on August 31, except the right element of CCA. This crossing was made at Pommiers on the extreme flank of the Corps Zone. At 2310, August 31, the left column was in the vicinity of Pont-Sainte-Maxence helping the 28th Infantry Division to hold a bridge head there until a bridge could be built. The right column of CCB was just short of Compiègne. The 112th Infantry Regiment was passing through to attack the town and secure crossing. During the day 180 enemy were killed and 194 PW’s captured. The advance was fast and the enemy were forced to abandon five Russian 76,2mm AT guns, five 105mm howitzers complete with prime movers, and 12 trucks intact. 4 tanks and 13 artillery pieces were destroyed.
Total enemy casualties for the month of August were: Enemy killed 2811; captured, 2960; tanks, captured and destroyed 203; armored cars captured and destroyed, 11; motor vehicles captured and destroyed, 404; artillery pieces captured and destroyed, 125. While the Division was now engaged in operations in the Forêt de Compiègne, its supply points were located southwest of Paris, resulting in a long turn-around. Traffic congestion and much confusion around Paris complicated the process of resupply.
