70th-4-Opening the Way - Eagles Strike

Wild Bill Wilder
August 5th, 1944, St. Pois, France\\ Good day to you, Colonel. Now that we've gotten into the open and the enemy is retreating, we must not let up in our advance. You and your tanks are to force a crossing of the See River near St. Pois and move forward. General Patton has the mistaken idea that only "his boys" know how to advance. Let's show him differently. You and your men have not let me down yet. I know you won't this time.\\______________\\Some History: By early July, it was apparent that the Allies had lost all momentum of advance. They were stuck. The "bocage" (Woodland) or hedgerow country of western France had been a nightmare for any advance. It was terrain imminently suited for defense and the Germans were using it to full advantage. In addition, the infantry-tank relationship was just getting started and still needed some perfecting.\\ American forces on the eastern end of the invasion area and the allied forces to the west were in a similar state. Progress was being measured in yards instead of
miles. Something had to change. The breakthroughs would come with massive air bombardments at Caen and St. Lo in late July.\\ Thousands of planes participated in both raids, which left German forces shattered and stunned. Suddenly the way was open to the more expansive areas of Central France, ideal tank country. At the same time, General Patton and his newly formed 3rd Army were getting in place to take advantage of the opening, once it was secured, to make a dash for the interior of the country.\\ It was the 70th's task, in conjunction with the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division to help open the way. On August 5th, near St. Pois on the See River, the men of the 70th encountered fierce opposition. The Germans in desperation were throwing anything they could find in the path of the advancing American tanks. Units of the German 116th Panzer Division, enroute to Mortain, were diverted to slow down the 70th.\\ Colonel Welborn and his men did their job, continuing the fight. For its actions after the
bombing at St. Lo, the 70th was awarded a commendation for Meritorious Service by General Barton, commander of the 4th Infantry Division.\\Sources:\\Breakout and Pursuit, Blumenson\Strike Swiftly, Jensen\D-Day, Ambrose\Normandy, Essame\Normandy 1944, Badsey\