"LIGHTNING BOULEVARD"

August 22nd, 120th Regiment, Companies A, B, and D were engaged with a column of German troops, including horse-drawn vehicles in a wooded draw near the Paris-Caen highway. The enemy was discovered at dusk, and most of the subsequent fighting took place in the darkness. Enemy machine-guns and 20mm ack-ack fire was directed principally on the highway and was of such intensity that the area was known later as "Lightning Boulevard"!!! The entire action was characterized by confusion caused by the darkness. The battalion commander was caught in the front lines with Companies A and D and, because of the intense machine-gun fire, was forced to remain in this position throughout the night. In the end, the Germans were forced to withdraw, but not without leaving many dead and wounded behind. Several hundred prisoners were taken the next day.