With the Chateaudun - Orleans area consolidated, the 35th Infantry Division was ready for its next operation. It was to be a continuation of the American blitz with the th attached to the 4th Armored Division. On 20 August, the Regiment, combined with elements of the 4th was divided into three parts.
The plan for the coming move called for spectacular action. Sixty miles southeast of Paris was the city of Sens. Located on the navigable Yonne River, just below the junction with the Seine, this rail and highway center was reported to be a central supply point for German strongpoints to the northwest as far as Paris and southwest to Montargis.
Combat Command R was to remain in Orleans to secure the city. Moving in a column of tanks, tank destroyers, self-propelled artillery and trucks, the plan was for these forces to travel approximately 90 miles without flank protection. Caution was necessary as it was believed that the Germans were in considerable strength on the Loing River at Montargis and farther north at Fontainbleau. It was decided to move between these reported strongpoints and cross the Loing at Souppes, and then push east into Sens.
The success of such an operation depended largely on the surprise element as the enemy was unaware of the proximity of the American Forces, due to his own shattered transportation and communication lines. Swinging through Patay and Ormes to Orleans, the column then turned northeast. Main highways as far as Nibelle were avoided where possible.
Here the cavalcade took to the main highways, moving into Boiscommun, east to St. Loup les Vignes, then to Juranville and Corbeilles.
