Operation Overlord and Mobilization

On the 6th of June, 1 million troops stormed the Atlantic Wall at 6 main strategic points on the beaches on Normandy.

Tragic losses occurred that day and the fighting was fierce.

Their First Theatre of Operations:

The 40th landed on Area #4 at Omaha Beach on morning of the 6th of July 1944. As you can see by the map on your left, the Allies weren't very far into France.

One impression that I imagine a lot of people get is once the beachhead had been secured in Normandy that troops poured in and Naxi resistance was minimal. It took nearly six more months to liberate France and the Low Countries.

The Battalion moved to Vehicle Transit Area Number Four (4), Omaha Beach, and proceeded to dewaterproof vehicles and set up night bivouac. At approximately 1440 hours, 7 July 1944, the unit proceeded in motor convoy to bivouac area, 2 mile's west of Valognes, Normandy, France, Arriving at about 1730 hours. The Battalion remained at this bivouac sight, along with the attached company, the 257th Signal Construction Company, until 9 July 1944.

During this period, contact was made with the Signal Officer, First United States Army, and the battalions initial job in combat was outlined to the Commanding Officer, Major Tilton D McNeal. The Battalion moved at 0750 hours, 9 July 1944, to bivouac area one-half mile east of St Come-du-Mont, Normandy, France, in order to centrally locate the unit for the job that they were about to begin.

On the morning of 10 July 1944, the Battalion began work on their first wire construction job under combat conditions. The job was a two (20) arm twenty(20) pin open wire line from St Chemin to St Come-du-Mont, Normandy, France, for the purpose of connecting First United States Army to First United States Army Rear, VIII Corps and VII Corps, This line supplanted the existing line between St Come-du-Mont and Carentan, along the railroad which was under enemy fire.