Evening star., 1944-06-26
German Stond-or-Die Defenses
Wither Under Cherbourq Drive

"dAlCh Apdl VAuClito, washington
D. c. Man, this is something that
happens to a mortal man only once
in lifetime-to be able to fire like
this at extreme range"
That's what I'm doing" said the
observer.
Shells then were crashing on the
sand spit. Soon four or five guns
were silenced but the Germans
would run from underground shell
ters at intervals, fire their remain
ing weapons and run back to their
shelter.
Below us troops carried dynamite
toward tunnel in quarry.
I'VE cleaned out that tunnel yes
terday, or though we had" said 1t.
Timothy. But it is regular rabbit
pen of holes and tunnels. This
morning Germans came out with a
machine gun and gave us more
trouble. We tried to get them all
out but they won't come, so we are
going to blow up the entrance and
seal the whole thing
Doughboy Patrol Moves In.
Through high-powered tele-
scope watched Doughboy patrol
led by 1t. Shirley Landon, Spokane
Wash, working its way toward the
city, feeling out defenses and check
ing each house along a road. 1t
was apparent they were meeting no
opposition.
Across a narrow valley on the
next ridge there was a movement
of men. They were identified as
Doughboys Of another unit. We
could see tanks nosing through
hedges, getting into position to fire
on the beaches.
Then just outside the harbor we
saw boats laying smoke screen,
shutting back and forth with
streamers of white smoke trailing
them. The Navy had arrived to
help the Army batter the enemy S
defenses.
That's the Navy ranging in," 1t.
Timothy said.
The Germans literally are be-
tween the devil and the deep blue
sea-" some one said.
The Navy began pounding the
sand spit from which the Geermans
were firing and shells threw up wa
ter around Fort des Flamands.
From within the fringe of the city
came an awful grinding noise, the
screech OF shells and bursts of ex-
plosives which erupted flame and
smoke on our right flank. The Ger
mans were firing their rocket wea-
pom which has a terrifying sound.
In the trees behind the bluff a
square jawed colonel from Alabama
called his officers together.
Unit Sent to Cut Road.
I'VE attack 1400 hours q p.m.),"
he said and pointed to a position on
map. We're sending a unit in
to cut the road here before we make
move toward the main part of
Cherbourg, and I want each man
to keep strict control of his unit"
His men lounged about him-dirty
tired and unshaven. They had had
little sleep for the past so hours be-
cause when they had a chance for
rest the enemy usually was shelline
them with big guns.
"Cannons?" said the colonel.
Yes, sir" said Capt. John B. Tim.
mons, Baltimore. Md.
Il want you to be ready to give
prompt support on the crossroads
here and on this main east-west
road"
We're ready, sir"
IT there is any movement .o1
troops toward our fianks I want
mortars, cannon and artillery te
hit 'em hard"
The colonel looked around
"Tanks!"
Capt. L. A. Hedges, Columbus
Ohio, nodded.
Il want the same formation We
had yesterday. If we come under
fire from a building l want tanks a.
the base of fire and I want you tt
destroy the building. I understand
tanks and infantry worked together
very we'll yesterday and I want the
same thing today"
Tanks were right there vher