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It was less than three days after the landings at Normandy
on D-Day, June 6, 1944, that allied commanders issued orders
for the second phase of beach head operations to begin.
During the evening of June 8, V Corps issued orders directing
an attack, designed to continue the forward movements that were
already underway. The 1st Infantry Division’s objectives
– and those of the 18th Infantry Regiment – were to
be found along the high ground west of the Drome River and on
the right flank of the Corps’ assault. This area, known
as the Cerisy Forest, was thought to be an assembly area for
numerous enemy forces.On June 9, the 18th Infantry Regiment advanced
along a front, 4,000 yards wide, on the Bayeux-St. Lo Highway,
with Vaubadon and la Commune as objectives. The enemy offered
stubborn resistance from several strong point positions, but
they were eventually overwhelmed by the courageous determination
of the men of the 18th Infantry Regiment.
Shown here, a squad of infantrymen under the leadership of
SSGWalter Ehlers during the assault of June 9-10, 1944. Near
Goville, France, SSG Ehlers courageously led his men to knock
out several machine gun and mortar positions, often exposing
himself to enemy fire, thereby eliminating stubborn German strong
points and pushing forward the advance of the 18th Infantry Regiment.
For his actions during this assault, SSG Ehlers would be awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor for his "intrepid leadership,
indomitable courage, and fearless aggressiveness."
- Signed by the artist - |