SECRET Auth:
CG 101 AB Div Init: Date: 18 May 1944
Hq
101st AB Division APO 472, U.S. Army 18 May 1944
FIELD
ORDER ) :
NUMBER 1 )
MAPS:
FRANCE 1: 50,000 GSGS 4250, Sheets LA HAYE DU PUITS (5E/5), PERIERS (5F/2
& 6F/1), VALOGNES (6E/3 & 4), ISIGNY (6E/6).
1.
Intelligence: See Annex No. 1.
The 4th Div of the VII
Corps assaults UTAH BEACH on D-day at H-hour and captures CHERBOURG with minimum
delay.
2.
The 101st AB Div, reinforced, will land by air and water on the COTENTIN PENINSULA
beginning at J-hour on the night of D minus one - D-day, with the principal mission
of assisting the landing of the 4th Inf Div and its passage inland from UTAH BEACH.
It will subsequently protect the south flank of the VII Corps along the DOUVE
RIVER within its sector.
Attachments:
Co "D", 70th Tank Bn 65th Armd FA Bn (upon release by 4th Inf Div) Tr
"G", 4th Cav Sq 3807th QM Trk Co 3808th QM Trk Co 1st Platoon,
"A" Btry 474th AA AW Bn
J-hour is the time of dropping of the first parachute serial (See
Annex No. 2, Air Movement Table).
J-hour,
H-hour, and D-day will be announced to units by officier courier.
Boundaries: See Annex No. 3.
For drop and landing zones see Annexes No. 3b (1) and (2).
3.
PARACHUTE ECHELON: (See Annex No.2, Air Movement Table).
(1)
502nd Prcht Inf, with 377th Prcht
FA Bn, attached, landing on Drop Zone "A", will destroy
the enemy battery located west of ST. MARTIN-DE-VARREVILLE (405980)
and will seize the western edge of the inundated area back of UTAH
BEACH between ST. MARTIN-DE-VARREVILLE (4098) and AUDOUVILLE-LA-HUBERT
(4096), both inclusive, prior to H-hour. It will protect the north
flank of the Division within the Regimental sector. See Annex No.
3. Upon being relieved by 4th Inf Div it will assemble in place
prepared for movment to the southwest. See Annex No. 3a.
(2)
The 506th Prcht Inf (with 1st and
3rd platoons, Co "C", 326th AB Engr Bn, attached), landing
on Drop zones "C" and "D" will execute the following
missions:
Seize the western edge of the inundated area back of UTAH
BEACH between AUDOUVILLE-LA-HUBERT (4096) exclusive, and POUPPEVILLE
(4493), prior to H-hour.
Protect the south flank of the 101st AB Div and 4th Inf Div
within the Regimental sector. The bridges north of CARENTAN
at 365872, 382865, 383862, 419873, and 427876, will be destroyed;
the dam at 397868 will be seized and defended.
(3)
The 501st Prcht Inf (less 3rd Bn)
with Co "C" (less two platoons), 326th AB Engr Bn, attached,
landing on Drop Zone "B", will protect the rear (west
flank) of the Division within the Regimental sector. It will seize
STE. MERE-EGLISE and the crossings of the MERDERET RIVER at 315957
and 321930. Upon being relieved by the 4th Inf Div it will assemble
southeast of CHEF DU PONT and push a strong detachment to the west
for the purpose of destroying the crossings of the DOUVE RIVER at
309910 and 269928 and contacting the 82nd AB Div at ST. SAUVEUR-LE-VICOMTE.
(4)
The 3rd Bn, 501st Prcht Inf, landing
on Drop Zone "C" will assemble in Division reserve prepared
to mark and protect glider landing Zone "E".
GLIDER ECHELON: (See Annex No. 2, Air
Movement Table).
(1)
The glider troops, following landing,
will assemble in vicinity of Landing Zones indicated in Annex
No. 3b (2) and await orders. Battery "A", 81st AB AA
Bn, will be prepared for attachment to the 506th Prcht Inf. The
Commanding General, Division Artillery, is charged with arrangements
for receiving the glider echelon. For duties of glider pilots
see Annex No. 7.
SEABORNE ECHELON: (See Annex No. 2a, Landing Table).
(1)
Seaborne elements, upon landing,
will assemble as indicated in Annex No. 2b. All combat elements
will be prepared for immediate employment in the CARENTAN area.
The assistant Division Commander is charged with arrangements
for receiving and directing the seaborne elements of the Division.
(2)
Batteries "D", "E"
and "F", 81st AB AA Bn are initially attached to the
11th AAA Group for the antiaircraft defense of UTAH BEACH. These
batteries will revert to Division control upon arrival of their
transportation on D plus 1.
(3)
The 65th Armd FA Bn (SP), initially
attached to the 4th Inf Div, will pass to the control of the 101st
AB Div on D-day by mutual arrangement with the 4th Inf Div. It
will be prepared to furnish general artillery support from beach
positions.
x.
(1) S-3 reports will be submitted
to reach this Headquarters at 2200 daily by Inf Regiments, Div
Arty, 81st AB AA Bn, 326th AB Engr Bn, and separate companies.
(2) For interruption of enemy
communication installations see Annex No. 5b.
(1) See Annex No. 6a and 6b Signal.
(2) Signal Operations Instructions (Assault) Index 1 - 1 will become
effective at J-hour.
(3) Signal Operations Instructions (Reference) Index 1 - 1 will be effective
at 0001B, D plus 4.
CP's:.
VII Corps Afloat----- USS BAYFIELD
Alternate Hq--------- LCI (L) No. 419
VII Corps Ashore--- LOUTRES (3896) after 1800 D plus 1
4th Inf Div------------- ST. MARTIN DE VARREVILLE (4098)
82nd AB Div---------- Vicinity LA FORET (147955)
101st AB Div--------- HIESVILLE (387922)(tentative)
501st Prcht Inf------- CAQUERIE (349952)(tentative)
502nd Prcht Inf------ REUVILLE (380969)(tentative)
506th Prcht Inf------- ST. MARTIN (396933)(tentative)
327th Gli Inf---------- STE MARIE-DU-MONT (4192)(tentative)
Div Serv Area-------- SEBEVILLE (3794)(tentative)
Radio Silence.
(1) Airborne elements will break Radio Silence upon landing.
(2) At H minus 40 or after, Radio Silence may be relaxed by Unit Commanders
of Seaborne Elements within approximately twelve (12) miles to Seaward
of beaches, unless otherwise prohibited.
Axis of Signal Communication:
VII Corps: LOUTRES - STE MERE-EGLISE - MONTEBOURG - VALOGNES.
4th Inf Div: ST MARTIN DE VARREVILLE - BANDIENVILLE - MONTEBOURG - VALOGNES
PMC Group APP will be sent immediately upon capture of strongpoint
and battery at ST MARTIN DE VARREVILLE
SHAEF
21 Army Grp
First U.S. Army
VII Corps
V Corps
AEAF
Ninth Air Force
IX Troop Carrier Command
4th Infantry Div
9th Infantry Div
82d AB Div
11th AAA Grp
1st Engr Special Brig
Hq British AB Trps
501st Prcht Inf
502d Prcht Inf
506th Prcht Inf
327th Gli Inf
1st Bn 401st Gli Inf
Hq & Hq Btry Div Arty
377th Prcht FA Bn
321st Gli FA Bn
907th Gli FA Bn
326th AB Engr Bn
Co "C", 326th AB Engr Bn
81st AB AA Bn
Hq Co, 101st AB Div
101st AB Sig Co
Hq 401st Gli Inf (Rcn Plat)
426th AB Qm Co
326th AB Med Co
801st AB Ord Maint Co
3807th QM Trk Co
3808th QM Trk Co
Co "D", 70th Tank Bn
Trp "C", 4th Rcn Sq
65th Armd FA Bn (SP)
Pathfinders
603rd QM Gr Co
101st AIRBORNE DIV CG
Asst Div Comdr
CG, Div Arty
C of S
G-1
G-2
G-3
G-4
AG
Cml O
Engr O
Hq Comdt
Ord O
PM
QM
Sig O
Surg
Air Officer
Cival affairs
Insp Gen
Top Secret Control Officer
for further distribution
Amendment No. 1 to Field Order No. 1 (27 May 1944)
