After four days of fighting the American 79th Infantry Division had finally deployed all three of their infantry regiments to drive the German defenders from the Montgardon Ridge west of La-Haye-du-Puits. Being driven off the high ground was unacceptable to the German command so the next day the leading elements of the just-arriving 2nd SS Panzer Division were quickly combined into a two-battalion battle group with the troops of the 15th Parachute Regiment. The ad hoc group would assault and retake the ridge.

While 2nd SS Panzer received preferential treatment in the allotment of modern weapons and fresh supplies, with plenty of time for rest and training, the 5th Parachute Division experienced a very different war. The poorly-trained troops lacked support weapons and even basic necessities like helmets and uniforms. Colonel August Freiherr von der Heydte wrote a scathing report to his superiors on deploying the paratroopers before completing training or being properly outfitted for combat. Nevertheless, they were all the Germans had to support the SS militia and they went forward at the appointed hour. The attack’s initial fury drove the Americans from their hard-won gains. The Americans soon rallied and regained their positions on Montgardon Ridge. In the last two days of fighting to control the ridge, the 79th Infantry suffered over 1,000 killed, wounded or missing and over 2,000 in the last five. They badly needed rest and replenishment as they were no longer the efficient outfit who had captured Fort du Roule in June, resulting in the capitulation of Cherbourg.

Counters from Black SS may be used in place of those for Dishonor Before Death.