Between July 12^th and 15^th, the Battalion moved to the Seves River, where a defensive line was set up behind the hedgerows overlooking the river and field.

   

On July 18^th, the 358^th Infantry was given the job of making the first crossing of the Seves River near St. Germain-sur-Seves. On the military maps, the area looked like an island because it was high ground surrounded by a swampy area. The battle for the "Seves River Island" turned out to be a very costly battle for the already beaten 385^th.

 

  On July 19^th, they relieved the 359 ^th Infantry 3^rd Battalion along the Seves River, between Nay and Seves. This river line was held for 4 days in the face of very heavy artillery and motor shelling. Four days later, on July 22^nd, the battle of Seves "Island" began. The 357^th, 358^th, and 359 ^th Infantry were up against the 6^th German Paratroop Regiment, who were stationed in the farmhouses along the meadowlands. The American troops advanced through a hedgerow and had no cover or protection. The attack began at 6:30 AM as heavy German machine-gun and artillery fire pinned the Americans down. It was not until nightfall that most of the Americans were across the Seves River. There were heavy casualties on both sides.

On July 23^rd, Eddie’s 3^rd Battalion moved back into a reserve area, near Gonfreville, where they
received frequent long range shelling from the Germans. Eddie was fortunate to be away from the Seves River, as the Germans made several counterattacks that day. At 9:30 AM, the Germans broke through the American lines into the Command Post area. The Americans were so tired and badly beaten that 11 officers and 254 soldiers surrendered to the 50 German soldiers.

On July 25^th, the 3^rd Battalion again moved back in defense of the Seves River area, as the other two Regiments attempted to encircle the "island".

On July 26^th, they discovered that the Germans had evacuated the area, leaving behind a maze of mines and booby traps. Eddie’s Battalion moved across the Seves "Island", through Les Milleries, across the Taute River and down to an assembly area near Cathelmais. It was here that the Battalion saw its first movie and USO show.