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Columns of horse drawn carts and artillery would become an all too familiar sight to the troopers of the Second Cavalry Group as the desperate Germans used every means available to move equipment.

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Drawing of an LST unloading equipment from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Utah Beach, Normandy, 20 July 1944. A storm delayed the disembarkation of A&B Troops, 42nd Squadron until 22 July 1944. The Regiment is in Europe, and ready to begin a historic journey through Europe that would continue into the 1990's.

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Utah Beach

• Cherbourg (5)
• Sauxemenil (4)
• St. Mere Eglise (1)
• Transition Area B (2)
• Valognes (3)

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Troopers of the 2d Cavalry Regt. (Mecz) take a break at Transit Area B, directly behind Utah Beach, after landing on the French coastline Northeast of St. Mere Eglise on 20 July 1944.

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In typical Cavalry fashion, the Group wastes no time in spreading out and taking over. On 24 July the Group is given the mission of defending the Cherbourg Peninsula. With the 15th Cavalry guarding our western flank, the northern tip of France is firmly in Cavalry hands. Col. Hargis and Major Pitman both came from the 15th Cavalry when the 2d Cav was re-activated in 1942.

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Map 13 Operation Cobra
(click here for story)

• Avranches (2)
• Beauchamp (7)
• Coutances (6)
• Gavray (9)
• La Haye Pesnel (8)
• Lessay (5)
• Periers (4)
• St.Lo (1)
• West coast Cotentin Peninsula (3)

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The breakthrough at St. Lo, part of Operation Cobra, began with a devistating bombardment by 3,000 allied planes, reducing the town to rubble. The operation was the plan of Gen. George Patton, then the Deputy Commander of the 12th Army Group. It was designed to open a corridor for his Third Army and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment to race out in the open through to run the Germans into the ground.

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As VIII Corps Fourth Armored Division rolls through Avranches, the Second Cavalry Group is attached to VIII Corps of Patton's Third Army. Combat ahead!

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Troopers of the Second Cavalry Group cross the levee at Bayon, following in the wake of Patton's armor. Soon it will be our turn to lead the charge.