July 6th 1944, General George S. Patton, Jr, arrived in France as head of Third Army, an army that he had neither seen nor had the chance to prepare. Much to his disappointment, he had missed D-Day, but he was finally going to have his chance to get into the fight. For months, he had been at the head of the phantom U.S. 1st Army group, part of 'Operation Fortitude'. In his opinion, he had done his penance for the 'slapping incident' and now he was straining at the leash.
Traveling with 'Willie' his bull terrier and his history of 'The Norman Conquest', Patton had boarded the C47 in England wondering if there was still going to be a war when he got to France. There was, and he was going to play a major part in it, but he would have to cool his heels a while longer.
He landed at an airstrip beside Omaha Beach and was escorted to Bradley's CP. The relationship between the two men was cordial, but Patton had been Bradley's boss in Sicily and now the tables were turned. Patton took a back seat during his meeting with Bradley. He kept quiet while Generals discussed tactics and poured over maps and situation reports. He was determined not to rock the boat. After all, he was at last in France and he desperately wanted to get into the action.
Map on display at Camp Patton
Apple Orchard, one original tree remains
Patton's third army HQ was an apple orchard on the outskirts of Nehou, a small village. This compound became known as 'Camp Patton'. Strict secrecy was to be maintained. No one was to know of the arrival of the great general. As far as the Germans were concerned he was still in England preparing for the real invasion in the Pas de Calais. That was probably the main reason for the secrecy, but it was widely rumored that George Patton was not to be given any limelight, on the strict orders of Eisenhower himself.
Sherman tank at Camp Patton
Monument at Camp Patton
It would be some weeks before Patton got into the action that he so craved.
This week, 130 injured U.S veterans, with spouses, family members and supporters, have been cycling around Normandy’s historic landmarks.
This is no sedate trip around country lanes, but a grueling, six day, 240 mile ride, interspersed with history lessons.
The cyclists, many of whom are amputees, ride a mixture of hand cycles, tandems and traditional road bikes.
Veterans fold a 48 star flag, courtesy David Ashe
“This is not a race, it’s a ride” said Debora Spano, the Ride 2 Recovery spokes-person, “We help these injured warriors to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. When the ride is over, they take their bikes home and keep training.
We chose Normandy because of it’s glorious past and the connection between the sacrifices of ‘The Greatest Generation’ and those of our modern day heroes. Our riders have just devoured all this history.”
“I stood looking at the rows of white graves in the American cemetery, over 9000 and I thought, these guys did this for us” said Medal of Honor recipient, Salvatore Giunta of Iowa. Sal is the first living recipient of the nation’s highest award since The Vietnam war, a volunteer with Ride 2 Recovery and a great source of encouragement for all his comrades.
Tourists and locals looked on in amazement as the riders rolled into the famous town of Sainte Mere Eglise. “We will never forget how you Americans gave us back our freedom,” said Mayor Lefevre in his address to the group, “I just wish you could stay with us longer.”
Kenny Butler lines up with fellow veterans
The riders did have time to visit the local museum and participate in the folding of a 48 star WWII flag, before heading off on yet another leg of their epic journey.
The ride will finish in Caen on Wednesday July 6th, but, as a reward for all their exertions, the riders will be at the finish line of Stage 6 of the ‘Tour de France’ in Lisieux, Normandy on Thursday July 7th.
With their awe inspiring display of endurance and determination, the riders have won the hearts of the people of Normandy, just as their forefathers did 67 years ago.
The trip was made possible by United Healthcare and American Airlines, Air Compassion for Veterans.
As day broke on July 4th 1944, the American armies jumped off on their continued inch-by-inch battle of the hedgerows. The 331st Infantry Regiment of the 38th Infantry Division were positioned just South of the small village of Meautis.
German artillery behind these trees
The German 6th paratroop regiment von der Heydte were waiting for them.
Preceded by a preliminary artillery barrage, and accompanied by a couple of medium tanks, the Americans headed into the swampy ground, toward the farmhouse of Les Ormeaux.
There is a good, first hand description of the battle for Les Ormeaux farm and how it repeatedly changed hands at this site.
On the 331st's left flank, the 330th Regiment would launch their attack down the main Carentan-Perriers road to try and seize the small town of Santeny, located just 9kms south of Carentan. This town was held by the 17th SS panzer grenadiers, aided by panther tanks from the dreaded 2nd SS ‘Das Reich’.
the pharmacy is now a salon
By evening, the attack on Sainteny had stalled on the outskirts of the village, but a pfc, Tony Vaccaro, a keen photographer, wanted to develop his film. He made his way into the town, which was still under fire, and found a pharmacy. With the butt of his rifle, he broke the window. He climbed in and found the chemicals he needed.
On arriving back at his foxhole, Tony borrowed some helmets from his buddies and set to work developing his film, which he hung on the branch of a tree. “It was a dark night with no moon,” recalled Vaccaro, "and we were still trading artillery with the enemy, but I managed to develop my photographs”
artifacts from the Sainteny area
The attacks and counterattacks on Sainteny would continue until July 10th, when with the help of the 4th Infantry Division, the town fell to the Americans.
Further West, the 90th Infantry Division were on the outskirts of the village of St Jore. They had been bloodied all the way after crossing the Merderet River and They were about to experience their most ferocious combat to date, the battle for Mont Castre, known as Hill 122, which rises 300 feet above sea level. The Germans, who held this hill, maintained an unrivaled vantage point, which had to be taken by advancing American forces.Yet again the weary paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne would have to come to the rescue.
German view from hill of road leading to Periers (Nat'l Archives photo)
Overall, the whole advance was starting to stall. The enemy were still in a position to maneuver despite Allied air supremacy. They had a relatively intact communications system and their supplies were still getting through. The weather had been atrocious with a deluge of rain, which made areas of already marshy ground often impassable. The Germans had also demonstrated their willingness to defend positions regardless of cost.
US National Archives
Poor visibility had hampered Allied aerial patrols. In addition, numerous American tanks were being lost to German attack as they ‘bellied up’ over the hedgerows, presenting their lightly armored underside to enemy panzer grenadiers.
The pressure was mounting on General Bradley to do something bold and decisive, fast!
