Excitement was running at a fever pitch for the staff of the 29th Infantry Division as St. Lo seemed ripe for the taking. Indeed, on the previous day Major Sidney Bingham (see Scenario 1) had led his battalion through the German lines so decisively that they had become separated from the rest of the regiment. Even though XIX Corps had ordered a stand down for the day, Major Bingham's isolated battalion needed help to hold their position. Colonel Godwin Ordway of the 115th Infantry was ordered to send one of his battalions to their aid at dawn. Surprisingly the colonel showed no enthusiasm for the undertaking.

The night before the attack dishwashers, clerks and other roustabouts were ordered into the front line to fill the depleted ranks of the 115th Infantry Regiment. Colonel Ordway remained unhappy about the mission and only followed through with it on direct orders from General Gerhardt. The attack miscarried and another couple of hedgerows cost the Americans 66 more casualties.

Even officers succumb to battle fatigue and Gerhardt fired Ordway two days later. A brilliant chief of staff when serving under Gerhardt during the invasion's first week, the rigors of front line command and the growing casualty totals had proven too much for him. He was not the first, nor would he be the last.

Meanwhile the Germans were stupefied that the Americans would not concentrate for a large assault but remained content to throw battalion-level attacks all along the front.