On D-day the landing of American troops on Utah Beach was a success. On 7 and 8 June the German forces retreated inland in uncoordinated movements. The joining between Utah and Omaha Beach bridgeheads was the main objective. The American parachutists attempted to cut the retreat route of the German columns in Saint-Côme-du-Mont. In the early morning of 8 June, with support of motorized artillery Colonel Sink commanding the 506th Parachutist Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division launched an attack toward Saint-Côme-du-Mont. But they were facing a crack unit : the German paratroops under Colonel von der Heydte. The Germans opposed stubborn resistance to keep control of this road, their counterattacks broke against American positions. After the evacuation they blew up the bridges over the river Douve. On 8 June at 4 p. m. American parachutists of the the 506th Regiment entered Saint-Côme-du-Mont left cleared by German paratroops 's withdrawal.