| Original caption: “the Second Division starts inland from the beach in front of E-1 draw. At the curve of the column, the troops are passing pillbox used as headquarters by the engineers The Second Division, landing June 7-8, had to be used in mopping up enemy resistance near the beach.” Troops of the United States Army 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, march up the bluff at the E-1 draw in the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach, Normandy, France on D+1, June 7, 1944. They are going past the German bunker, Widerstandsnest (“Resistance Next”) 65 (WN 65), that defended the route up the Ruquet Valley to Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. The 2nd soldier from the left is William L. “Bill” Dudas (September 10, 1924 – June 18, 2018), 2nd Battalion, Company G. In V Corps Field Order Number 2, issued at 2115 Hours on June 8, United States Army General Leonard T. Gerow (July 13, 1888 – October 12, 1972) directed an attack at noon the next day by 3 divisions abreast The 2nd Division, taking over a 5,000-yard (4,500-meter) front north of Trévières, was to capture the key high ground at Cerisy Forest. The 1st Infantry Division was to put its main effort on the right, thus assisting the 2nd Division, and to protect the east flank of V Corps along the Drome River. The 1st Division’s objectives lay along the high ground west of the Drome River between Cerisy Forest and the Army boundary. On the right wing, covering the drive south to Cerisy Forest, the 29th Infantry Division would cross the Aure and reach the edge of the Elle River valley; at the same time, it was to capture Isigny and establish contact with VII Corps toward Carentan. Enemy counterattack was still regarded as highly possible, and each attacking division was ordered to be ready for defense of D-Day positions in its sector with 1 to 3 battalions (1 in the 2nd Division sector), these units to remain in D-Day positions until relieved by Corps order. Dudas served for 19 months, in 5 campaigns. He broke his ankle in combat and was wounded by a bomb fragment, earning 2 Purple Hearts. He lost 52 pounds overseas, which disqualified him for the Notre Dame football program upon his return. He graduated with a degree in Education and taught high school for 35 years. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2081.jpg |
| Image Size | 697.30 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2640 x 1824 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | June 7, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Omaha Beach |
| State or Province | Normandy |
| Country | France |
| Archive | United States Army Center of Military History |
| Record Number | American Forces in Action Series page 137 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database