Operations of the 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry
(30th Infantry Division) at Mortain, France
6 - 12 August 1944
(Northern France Campaign)

Personal Experiences of a Company Commander

An Isolated Infantry Battalion
Defending a Key Terrain Feature

Major Ralph A. Kerley

Monograph Written for the
Advanced Infantry Officer's Class #1
1949 - 1950

ORIENTATION

Introduction

This monograph covers the operations of the 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in the defense of MORTAIN, FRANCE, 6 - 12 August 1944, during the "Breakout".
To enable the reader to fully understand and appreciate this action, it will be necessary to review the major plans and preceding operations of higher headquarters.
In June 1944, the First U. S. Army and the British Second Army successfully invaded the NORMANDY coast of FRANCE. The mission was "to secure a lodgment area on the continent from which further offensive operations could be developed". (1) The initial mission was accomplished and the Allies proceeded to expand their beachhead. The slow, costly, bitter battles of the hedgerows ensued. Finally, on 25 July 1944, the Allies held an east-west line from CAEN through CAUMONT and ST. LO to the west coast. (See Map A)
From this line, "Operation COBRA" was launched and a penetration was effected in the ST. LO area. First Army then raced south. On 6 August 1944, First Army had advanced as far south as MAYENNE and held the line shown on Map A. (2)
On 1 August 1944, General Patton, with his Third Army, received responsibility for the area on First Army's right. At this time, the British secured the high ground between the VIRE and the ORNE RIVERS, and continued to keep pressure on the Enemy's right flank. Resistance on the enemy left flank crumbled, and the long awaited "Breakout" was achieved. (3)
The U.S. 30th Infantry Division landed in FRANCE during the period 13-14 June 1944 and launched its first attack on 15 June 1944. The division participated in the hedgerow battles and was one of the spearhead divisions in the ST. LO breakthrough, and was now a part of XIX Corps of the First Army. (4)

General Situation and Plans

First Army planned to take advantage of this situation and inflict the greatest possible damage to the enemy. This was to be done by retaining power in the center of the sector and striking a cross-blow at the enemy's crumbing left flank. In order to carry out this plan, there were some shifts of Corps boundaries, and consequently a shifting of divisions between Corps was necessary.
On 5 August 1944, the U.S. 30th Infantry Division was shifted from XIX Corps to VII Corps. VII Corps now was composed of the 1st, 4th, 9th and 30th Infantry Divisions and the 3rd Armored Division, and was deployed on the right flank of First Army. The advance of the entire First Army had slowed down appreciably, and enemy resistance was stiffening. Apparently the enemy had bolstered his left flank and was concentrating power in the vicinity of MORTAIN. (5)
Elements of the 1st Division had reached MORTAIN, consolidated positions, and were aggressively patrolling to the front. These patrols met increasingly strong resistance and on several occasions encountered armor. This proved later to be a part of the armor Field Marshall von Kluge had massed for his ill fated drive to AVRANCHES and the sea. (6)
The most critical terrain in the area lay in the vicinity of MORTAIN and extended west to the sea. The town of MORTAIN formed a road junction of north- south and east-west roads leading west to AVRANCHES. There were two main roads leading from MORTAIN to AVRANCHES. Between these two main roads lay commanding ground, the highest point being HILL #314, and control of this ground meant control of the roads. There were numerous secondary roads in the area, all of which would support heavy traffic. (7) (See Map B)
On 5 August 1944, the 30th Division passed to the control of VII Corps and was ordered to progressively relieve the 1st U.S. Division as soon as possible. Relief of the 1st Division would allow VII Corps to extend its lines and to continue knifing into the enemy's flank and rear. (8)

Enemy Dispositions - 4 August 1944

On 4 August 1944, the bulk of the German 7th Army, minus XXV Corps, faced the U.S. First Army with II Parachute Corps on the northern flank. Extending south was LXXIV Corps and XLVII Panzer Corps, with LXXXI Corps protecting the southern flank. The XLVII Panzer Corps was comprised of the 116th Panzer Division, 275th Infantry Division, and 1st, 2nd and 10th SS Panzer Divisions. These units were located to the east and southeast of MORTAIN. (9) Approximate locations shown on Map A)

Disposition of the 120th Infantry

On 2 August 1944, the 30th Division as a whole, passed into XIX Corps reserve. the 120th Infantry was given a well earned rest in the vicinity of TESSY-SUR-VIRE during the period 3-4 August 1944. Reorganize and rest was the order of the day until 5 August 1944, when the regiment was alerted for movement. (10)

The Battalion Situation

On 2 August, the 2nd Battalion was ordered into a rest area in the vicinity of TESSY-SUR-VIRE. The battalion welcomed this opportunity to rest and especially to reorganize. The fighting around TESSY had been fierce, and casualties were heavy.
During this period replacements were received, the men were paid, given showers and clean clothes. The battalion was completely re-equipped. U.S.O shows and Red Cross wagons were nearby. Replacements had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the men, non-commissioned officers and platoon leaders of their respective platoons. This situation was rare indeed.
All was not play however. On company level, previous combat lessons were taught to the replacements and, much to the disgust of all concerned, small unit tactical maneuvers were practiced and studied. Morale was extremely high. (11)

Movement To Mortain

At 052024 August, the 120th RCT received the order to move by motor from the vicinity of TESSY-SUR-VIRE to the town of PERCY, where the convoy would be met by guides, and conducted to MORTAIN. The mission was to relieve the 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Leading elements of the RCT crossed the I.P. at 060130 August. The move south to MORTAIN, a distance of approximately 45 miles, was uneventful, and the regiment closed into its assembly area at about 061000 August.
The Regimental Commander, having received no information other than a movement order and his mission, preceded the regiment to MORTAIN. The information received from the 18th Infantry Commander regarding the enemy was favorable though sketchy. The area had been comparatively quiet and apparently there was no immediate threat. As a result, the front line battalions went into the line with only information gained from Battalion and Company Commanders if the 18th Infantry. A physical daylight relief was decided upon by the two Regimental Commanders. (12)

 

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