he first thing we had to do was de waterproof in a special designated area. Immediately upon completion of this little operation we were given our first assignment. Namely a road called U-5. Action wasn't long in forthcoming those first few days and for a brand new-combat unit we settled down fast, setting about our business with a methodical manner which made people wonder how many previous assignments we had completed.
Two of the batteries had their first shelling before they had even left the beach. Both "B" and "D"
batteries were fired upon while unloading on Utah beach. Some of the shells landed within 50 yards
of the vehicles but fortunately nobody was hurt.

On the second night "C" Battery sighted an FW-190 and three fire units cut loose at it. It was last
sighted heading back towards enemy lines smoking and loosing altitude. That was our first engagement and to be followed by many more with the same or better results.
Early in the morning of the 15th a number of planes were over our area dropping flares and bombs.
Three bombs were dropped within 25 yards of Pfc. Lopez' machine gun of "C" Battery's number 7 Fire Unit. Pfc. Lopez did not stop firing until the target had headed for home. Later the same night all the batteries had another chance with a number of single enemy planes dropping bombs all over the area. In spite of the continued raids no damage was inflicted on the objective U-5. From the 15th of June to the 27th single enemy planes were over the defended area nightly but were not engaged because of poor visibility. On the 28th of June we moved to a fighter airstrip near Pont L'Abbe' to set up defense of that area. In this set up we experienced a second taste of shelling. "C" Battery's number 6 Fire Unit got it this time. They came close enough but luckily no casualties were suffered. The next day VIII Corps launched an attack and that was the last we had of shelling in that position.
On July 6th the residue arrived with those welcome half tracks in tow. Just how welcome we were to find out later. Of course all the boys gave the residue a big line trying to make them think things had been tough. One of the half track crews took a prisoner on the 8th of July who was thought to be a straggler cut off by the VIII advance, showing the "Combat Boys" how much that line had sunk in!
For the first 10 days of July there was no aerial activity so as luck would have it "Hold Fire" had just been given when a FW 190 came in low over the area. "A" Battery was on the alert and the instant "Resume Fire" had been given they proceeded to run him off with a few rounds of 40mm. A couple days later another one flew over and "D", "B", and "A" Batteries chased him away in the same manner. No. 6 gun of "D" Battery had a little excitement on the 16th when a P-47 crashed near them. The next day another one crashed and burned again in "D" Battery area. It looked as though it was becoming a habit. On the 20th of July the whole Battalion was relieved from assignment and concentrated near Font L' Abbe'.
Our new assignment was in the Cobra operation, for those who didn't know Cobra it meant that we were to participate in the St. Lo breakthrough. All Batteries received missions to protect 4 bridges on the Vire River and one air strip for fighter planes.
By the 24th we were all in position and ready for action. It was not long in forthcoming either for during the first night in the new positions "D" Battery was shelled by 88's.
The morning of July 25th dawned bright and clear. There was an air of expectancy over the entire front as we observed our forces jammed into assault positions northwest of St. Lo." Jerry" seemed to sense that something was up also and sent over an extra ration of artillery and rockets. "D" Battery
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