APO 472, U.S. Army
Hq 101st AB Division
18 May 1944
ANNEX No. 5
to
FIELD ORDER No. 1
ENGINEER
NOTE:
For Location of Serial Numbers designated in this plan, see Engineer Operation
Overlays (Inclosures 5A and 5B).
1.
PURPOSE:
This plan describes the important engineer work within the 101st Airborne
Division area.
Responsability for taking over critical points on definite routes
of communications to prevent their destruction and facilitate the initial
movement of friendly troops is specifically delegated to unit commanders
in whose area they are located, as is also the destruction of specific
routes to prevent passage of the enemy into the division area from the
South.
2.
PLAN:
(1)
To do such engineer work as is
necessary to prevent the movement of enemy troops across the River
DOUVE and its tributaries from the South between ST. SAUVEUR LE
VICOMTE exclusive and the mouth of the CHENAL DU PORT de CARENTAN
inclusive.
(2)
To assist the advance of our troops
along the CHEF DU PONT-ETIENVILLE-ST. SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE road.
(3)
To disrupt the enemy's underground
wire communications system wherever practicable. Disruption will
be accomplished by disconnection at terminals and not by destricution.
The location of all breaks will be reported to Division Headquarters
without delay. 5See Incl. 5B).
TROOPS:
Troops available to do specialized engineer work in the sectors designated
are as follows:
(1)
501st Area:
(a) Co "C", 326th AB Engineer Bn., less 1st & 3rd
platoons.
(b) Demolition platoon, 501st.
(2)
502d Area:
(a) Demolition platoon, 502d.
(3)
506th Area:
(a) 1st and 3rd platoons, Co "C", 326th AB Engr Bn.
(b) Demolition platoon, 506th.
Corps Engineers plan to support Division Operations on call, on a
priority basis by takingover engineer work within the
Division Area. It is not contemplated that Corps Engineers will be attached
to Divisions.
3.
ENGINEER WORK IN RESPECTIVE UNIT AREAS:
506th Area:
(1)
Destroy the crossing of the River
DOUVE at 383863 priority Serials 32, 33, 34, in that order.
(2)
Destroy the two bridges (Serials
36 and 37) and the ferry (Serial 38) at LE MOULIN. Priority, Serial
37, Serial 38, in that order.
(3)
Destroy railroad bridges at 365872
(Serial 30) and 379853 (Serial 110) in the order of priority given.
(4)
Operate and control the locks
at LA BARQUETTE after seizure (Serial 35), and mine the approaches
to the dam from the south between the River GROULT and the River
DOUVE. A high proportion of AP mines should be used.
(5)
Disrupt enemy underground wire
communication system in the vicinity of 420950 (Serial B), 422914
(Serial C), and 408871 (Serial D).
(6)
Prepare to destroy the bridge
and seize HAUT DICK lock at north end BASSIN A FLOT (Serials 174
and 175).
(7)
Prepare to breach outer dikes
on western banks of CARENTAN Channel.
(8)
Prepare to destroy communications
net at CARENTAN.
501st Area:
(1)
Assist the infantry in seizing
and holding the crossings of the MERDERET River at CHEF DU PONT
(Serial 56) and LA FIERE (Serial 55), by construction of blocks,
laying of mines, or by other engineer work.
(2)
Destroy the crossing of the inundated
area at BEUZEVILLE LA BASTILLE (Serial 29).
(3)
Destroy the crossing of the inundated
area at ETIENVILLE. Priority Serials 27, 28, 26, in that order.
(4)
Prepare to assist the advance
of the 501st along the CHEF DU PONT-ETIENVILLE-ST. SAUVEUR LE
VICOMTE road.
(5)
Conduct engineer reconnaissance
along the DOUVE near LIESVILLE (333904) and be prepared to create
an obstacle to the possible crossing of the DOUVE in that vicinity
by laying mines, by demolition, or by other engineer work.
502nd Area:
(1)
Assist assault detachments of
the 502d in the reduction of the gun positions at ST. MARTIN-DE-VARREVILLE
by breaching obstacles and by demolition of emplacements and weapons.
(2)
Disrupt the enemy's underground
communication system in the vicinity of 400984 (Serial A).
(3)
Seize and maintain intact the
crossing at LA BISSON (Serial No. 601)(404955).
x.
(1)
Unit commanders will be responsible
for prompt transmission of engineer intelligence information to
the Division Engineer through command channels.
(2)
Accomplishment of designated missions
will be reported to Division CP without delay.
(3)
Commercial lines of communication
may be cut at the discretion of the unit commander occupying the
sector.
Amendment No. 1 to Annex No. 5 (27 May 1944)
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