U.S. Airborne in Cotentin Peninsula



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


TOP SECRET - BIGOT - NEPTUNE
Copy N° 3 of 100 Copies  
Registry N° 1900 Hq 82 A/B Div.
APO 469, U.S. Army
28 May 1944
FO N° 6 (Revised Copy)
(FO N° 6 dated 14 May 1944, without annexes, will be destroyed)

MAPS:     FRANCE,

1:  25,000 GSGS 4347
1:  50,000 GSGS 4250
1: 100,000 GSGS 4249
1: 250,000 GSGS 2738
     
1.
  1. Annex N°1 INTELLIGENCE
  2. The VII Corps, with Divs in column, landing at "U" beach at H Hour with the 82d A/B Div and 101st A/B Div covering the landing of the seaborne assault, captures CHERBOURG with the least practicable delay. The 101st A/B Div landing by parachute and glider between STE MERE EGLISE (349965) and CARENTAN will assault the Western exits of the causeways to assist the landing of the seaborne troops and will cover the crossings of the DOUVE from the junction of the MERDERET to the sea. The 4th Div leading the seaborne troops attacks to the Northwest passing through the Airborne Divisions.
2.
  1. This Div (less dets) lands by prcht and glider before and after dawn of D-Day astride the MERDERET RIVER, seizes, clears and secures the general area : CR (261938) - CR (265958) - CR (269975) - RJ (274982) - RJ (283992) - Bridge (308987) - NEUVILLE AU PLAIN (340985) - BAUDIENVILLE (360987) within its zone.

    Missions
    (1) Capture STE. MERE EGLISE (349965)
    (2) Seize and secure the crossings of the MERDERET RIVER at (315957) and (321930), and a bridgehead covering them, with MLR along the general line : CR 261938 - CR 265958 - CR 269975 - RJ 274982 - RJ 283992.
    (3) Seize and destroy the crossings of the DOUVE RIVER at BEUZEVILLE LA BASTILLE (309911) and ETIENVILLE (269927).
    (4) Protect the Northwest flank of the VII Corps within the Div zone.
    (5) Be prepared to advance West on Corps order to the line of the DOUVE North of its junction with the PRAIRIES MARECAGEUSES.

  2. TROOPS
    FORCE "A" (Prcht)

    Comdr : Brig Gen James Maurice Gavin

    Det 82d A/B Div Hq & Hq Co
    Det 82d A/B Div Sig Co
    Det Hq 82d A/B Div Arty
    Det 456th Prcht FA Bn
    Air Support Party
    505th Prcht Inf
    507th Prcht Inf
    508th Prcht Inf
    Co "B" 307th A/B Engr Bn
    Naval Gun Fire Party

    FORCE "B" (Glider)
    Comdr : Major Gen Matthew B. Ridgway

    325th Glider Inf
    319th Glider Inf FA Bn
    320th Glider FA Bn
    Btrys A, B & C 80th A/B AA Bn (AT)
    Co "A" 307th A/B Engr Bn
    307th A/B Med Co (-)
    82d A/B Div Hq & Hq Co (-)
    HQ & HQ Btry 82d A/B Div Arty (-)
    82d A/B Div Sig Co (-)
    82d A/B Div Rcn Plat (-)
    Comd Vehicles Prcht Regts

    FORCE "C" (Seaborne)
    Comdr : Brig Gen George P. Howell

    456th Prcht FA Bn (-)
    80th A/B AA Bn (-Btrys A, B & C)
    307th A/B Engr Bn (-Cos A, B & C)
    782d A/B Ord Maint Co
    407th A/B QM Co
    82d A/B MP Plat
    Seaborne elements of units in Forces A & B above
    87th Armd FA Bn
    899th TD Bn
    Tr B, 4th Cav Sqdn
    Co "C" 746th Tk Bn (M)
    3809th QM Trk Co
    3810th QM Trk Co
    Plat QM GR Co
    Corps Med Dets
3.
  1. Force "A" will drop between 0100 and 0315 on the night of D-1/D-Day in accordance with Annex N°2 (Revised) Air Movement Table, seize, clear, and secure the Div area, establish a bridgehead west of the MERDERET, (Para 2. a. above) and protect the Northwest flank of VII Corps. (See Overlay)


  2. (1) The 505th Prcht Inf with Det 456th Prcht FA Bn, one Plat Co. "B" 307th A/B Engr Bn and Naval Gun Fire Party atchd, landing in DZ O, will :
     
    1. Capture and hold STE MERE EGLISE and secure the general line : Bridge at (308987) - NEUVILLE AU PLAIN-BAUDIENVILLE, Incl.
    2. Seize and secure the crossings of the MERDERET RIVER at (315957) and (321930).
    3. Clear the Div area within its sector.
    4. Establish and maintain contact with the 101st A/B Div at (374980) and (330928).
    5. Patrol aggressively to the line indicated.
    6. Mark LZ "W" for glider landings.
    (2) The 507th Prcht Inf, landing in DZ "T", will :
     
    1. Seize, organize, and defend the area along the general line CR 265958 - CR 269975 - RJ 283992.
    2. Clear the Div area within its sector.
    3. Assist The 505th Prcht Inf in securing the crossing of the MERDERET at (315957).
    4. Establish and maintain contact with the 508th Prcht Inf at RENOUF (264950).
    5. Patrol aggressively to the line indicated.
    6. Be prepared on Div order to advance to the West to the line of the DOUVE RIVER.
    (3) The 508th Prcht Inf, with Co "B" (-1 Plat) 307th A/B Engr Bn atchd, landing in DZ "N", will :
     
    1. Seize and destroy the crossings of the DOUVE at BEUZEVILLE LA BASTILLE and ETIENVILLE.
    2. Seize, organize and defend the area along the general line CR (261938) - RENOUF (incl.).
    3. Clear and secure the Div area within its sector.
    4. Assemble one Bn without delay in area indicated as Force Res.
    5. Patrol aggressively to the line indicated.
    6. Be prepared on Div order to advance to the West to the line of the DOUVE RIVER.
  3. Force "B" will land over a period of 36 hours, beginning on D-Day in LZ "W", in accordance with Annex N°3, Air Movement Table, (Changed only to indicate all LZ's as "W"), and reorganize without delay, (See Overlay).

    (1) The 325th Glider Inf will :
     
    1. Land in LZ "W".
    2. Assemble in Div Res in the area indicated.
    3. Be prepared to assist in clearing the Div area of hostile resistance, to counterattack within the Div area and to advance West to the DOUVE on Div order.
    (2) The 82d A/B Div Arty (less 376th and 456th Prcht FA Bn & Dets), will land in LZ and support the Div. It will be prepared to mass its fires on bridge at ETIENVILLE, CR 267935, CR 259952, RJ 259963, RJ 260981.
     
    1. 319th Glider FA Bn.
      Direct support of 508th Prcht Inf.
      Position area - See Overlay N°5.
    2. 320th Glider FA Bn.
      Direct support of 507th Prcht Inf.
      Position area - See Overlay N°5.
    3. Alternate positions in assigned position area will be selected by each Bn Comdr permitting support of the 505th Prcht Inf.
    4. See Arty Annex N°6 (Revised) and overlay N°5 (Revised).
    (3) Btrys' A, B & C 80th A/B AA Bn, See Annex N°4 (Revised).
    (4) Co "A" 307th A/B Engr Bn as indicated.
    (5) 82d A/B Div Rcn Plat, see plan RCN, Annex N°1 d.

  4. Force "C", with atchmts, will assemble in the area NW of (960938) (See Overlay) and from there, proceed to join the Div as directed by CG Force "C".

    (x)
    1. All hostile communication lines will be cut, except underground cables on which terminals will be opened.
    2. For AT plan see Annex N°4 (Revised) and Annex N°5 (Revised).
    3. Co "B" (less 1 Plat) 307th A/B Engr Bn reverts to Force "A" control vic Force "A" CP upon completion of demolition missions.
    4. Contact from Right to Left.
    5. Units will submit G-3 Periodic Reports daily as of 1800 hrs to reach this Hq at 2000 hrs.
4. See Adm O N°1
5.
  1. Current SOI Index N°1-101.
  2. See Overlay.
    CP's 325th Glider Inf, Co "A" 307th A/B Engr Bn to be reported.
        RIDGWAY

COMDG

INCLOSURES :
Annex N°
  1. Intelligence.
  2. Air Movement Table, Prcht (Revised).
    Annex N°2 dated 22 May 44 to be destroyed.
  3. Air Movement Table, Glider.
    Only changes - Serials: To be numbered 28 - 35.
    All LZ's are designated as "W".
  4. AT Plan (Revised).
    Annex N°4 dated 18 May 44 to be destroyed.
  5. Overlay (Revised).
    Annex N°5 dated 14 May 44 to be destroyed.
  6. Artillery (Revised).
    Annex N°6 dated 21 May 44 to be destroyed.