der Kampf um Cauquigny / Juni 1944 (Torrance, PA)

For the event we were portraying the members of Nr. 5 Kompanie, Gren. Regt. 1057 / 91st Infantry "Luftlande" Division in the fight following the allied airborne landings on D-Day.  The objectives of the American paratroopers in this area were to drop several miles inland from Utah beach, alongside the Merderet river and clear the western portion of the beachhead area between the sea and the river.  As reports of these allied airborne landings came in, the 91st Division proceeded to counterattack by deploying the 1057th Regiment towards the enemy airborne landings along the Merderet River.  These attacks would be carried out without artillery support or anti-tank guns.  As GR 1057 moved towards La Fiere, they soon would engage elements of the US 82nd Airborne Division.  

After several unsuccessful attempts to move on along the La Fière causeway, GR 1057 then went on the defensive, setting up a new German line running from le Ham through to Carentan.  On June 9, elements of the US 82nd Airborne along with tank support attacked following a 15 minute preliminary bombardment by guns of the newly arrived US 90th Division.  By this time, the elements of GR 1057at Cauquigny were probably no more than two weak companies.  On June 11th, the German 77th Infantry Division (including osttruppen) began to arrive from Brittany.  It is the fight around Cauquigny that we were looking to portray.