Battle of La Haye-du-Puits

Following the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944, Lieutenant General Omar Bradley's US First Army began an advance to the south, aiming to break through the German defenses and secure a line from Coutances to Saint-Lô. The first stage of this was an advance by Major General Troy H. Middleton's VIII Corps to bring it into line with the rest of the First Army, and shorten the American front.

The most striking geographical feature of the area was the bocage, earthen embankments topped with small trees and tangled underbrush and vines, separated by sunken lanes. The hedgerows provided cover, camouflage and concealment to the German defenders, which reduced the effectiveness of American artillery. Small detachments defended each field. The terrain favoured the defense, and the Germans effectively utilized the bocage with defensive tactics that involved hoarding forces for counter-attacks.

Between 5 and 14 July, the American forces pushed southward through the forest, swamps and bocage to assault the high ground around La Haye-du-Puits. The advance was bitterly contested. The 82nd Airborne Division achieved some success, capturing the key positions of Hill 131 and La Poterie ridge. The 79th Infantry Division faced challenges but managed to capture Hill 121 and make progress towards Montgardon ridge, while the 90th Infantry Division fought through heavy German resistance to capture Mont Castre ridge and advanced towards Périers, and the 8th Infantry Division captured the ridge overlooking the Ay River. The Americans finally reached their objective, the Sèves River, on 14 July.

Although the battle was very costly for the Americans, it was also costly for the Germans, and had the effect of wearing down their forces. This paved the way for Operation Cobra on 25 July, which finally broke through the German defenses.