Document Source: Supreme Allied Headquarters Archival Document, Original Communiques of the Supreme Commander, European Theater of Operations
Communique Number 1 – 6 June 1944
Under the Command of Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied Naval Forces, supported by strong Air Forces, began landing Allied armies this morning on the Northern Coast of France.
Communique Number 2 – 6 June 1944
Shortly before midnight, on 5 June 1944, Allied light bombers opened the assault. Their attacks in very great strength continued until dawn. Between 0630 and 0730 this morning, two Naval Task Forces, commanded by RAdm Sir Philip Vian, KBE, DSO, flying his flag in HMS-Scylla (Capt T. M. Brownrigg, CBE, RN), and RAdm Alan Goodrich Kirk, USN, in USS-Augusta (Capt E. H. Jones, USN) launched their assault forces at enemy beaches. The naval forces which had previously assembled under the overall command of Adm Sir Bertram Ramsay, RN, made their departure in fresh weather and were joined during the night by bombarding forces that had previously left northern waters. Channels had to be swept through the large enemy minefields. This operation was completed shortly before dawn and, while minesweeping flotillas continued to sweep towards the enemy coast, the entire naval force followed down swept channels behind them towards their objectives. Shortly before the assault, three enemy torpedo boats with armed trawlers in company attempted to interfere with the operation and were promptly driven off. One enemy trawler was sunk and another severely damaged.
The assault forces moved towards the beaches under cover of heavy bombardment from destroyers and other support craft, while heavier ships engaged enemy batteries that had already been subjected to bombardment from the air. Some of these were silenced. Allied forces continued to engage other batteries. Landings were effected under cover of the air and naval bombardments and airborne landings involving troop-carrying aircraft and gliders carrying large forces of troops were also made successfully at several points. Reports of operations so far show that our forces succeeded in their initial landings. Fighting continues.
Allied heavy, medium, light, and fighter bombers continued the air bombardment in very great strength throughout the day with attacks on gun emplacements, defensive works, and communications. Continuous fighter cover was maintained over the beaches and for some distance inland and over naval operations in the Channel. Our night fighters played an equally important role in protecting shipping and troop carrier forces and in intruder operations. Allied reconnaissance aircraft maintained continuous watch by day and night over shipping and ground forces. Our aircraft met with little enemy fighter opposition or antiaircraft gunfire. Naval casualties were regarded as being very light, especially when the magnitude of the operation is taken into account.
Communique Number 3 – 7 June 1944
Allied forces continued landings on the Northern Coast of France throughout yesterday and satisfactory progress is being made. Rangers and Commandos formed part of the assaulting forces. No further attempt interference with our seaborne landings was made by enemy naval forces. Those coastal batteries still in action are being bombarded by Allied warships. At twilight yesterday, and for the fourth time during the day, our heavy bombers attacked railways, communications, and bridges in the general battle area. There was increased air opposition and twenty-six enemy aircraft which attempted to interfere were shot down. One Allied bomber and seventeen fighters failed to return from this operation. Other enemy air activity included an attack on our beach forces. This proved abortive and four of a formation of twelve JU-88’s were destroyed. In addition to attacks on defended positions and other objectives in immediate support of land operations, railway centers, bridges, military buildings, and communications at Abancourt, Serqueux, Amiens, and Vire were attacked repeatedly throughout yesterday by our medium and light bombers. Allied fighter bombers and fighters flew low to attack enemy units and motor truck columns.
From dawn to dusk the vast Allies fighter force maintained vigil over our shipping and the assault area. This air cover was again completely successful. Airborne operations were resumed successfully last night. Coastal aircraft attacked German naval units in the Bay of Biscay. A strong force of heavy night bombers attacked bridges and road and rail communications behind the invasion area, including the junction at Chateaudun. Thirteen heavy bombers are missing. Light bombers were also out against the same type of targets, and night intruders destroyed twelve enemy aircraft without loss.
Communique Number 4 – 7 June 1944
Allied troops have cleared all beaches of the enemy and have in some cases established links with flanking beachheads. Inland fighting generally is heavy. An armored counter-attack in the Caen area on tuesday evening was repulsed. Enemy resistance is stiffening as his reserves come into action. The landing of troops and seaborne military supplies continues on all beaches despite the north westerly wind which had persisted since the assault. Shortly before dawn today, light coastal forces, while sweeping to the eastward, encountered a superior force of enemy craft. The action was immediately joined and damage was inflicted on the enemy before he could make good his escape. Enemy coastal batteries which were still in action yesterday have been silenced by Allied Naval Forces. It is not yet known whether all have been finally reduced. Today, Allied aircraft have been directing the fire of the USS Texas (Capt C. A. Baker, USN) wearing the flag of RAdm Carleton F. Bryant, USN and HMS-Glasgow (Capt S. P. Clarke, DSO, RN) who, together with other Allied warships, have been engaging inland targets behind the beaches. Allied aircraft of all types and in great strength has again closely supported our land and sea forces.
Early this morning airborne operations were resumed on a very large scale, supplies and tactical equipment being delivered to our ground forces. In two operations this morning, medium and light bombers attacked large troop concentrations and military buildings close behind the enemy line as well as gun positions in the battle area and railway lines south of the battle area. Road, rail, and other targets, including armored vehicles, troop concentrations, gun positions, and ammunition dumps were also attacked during the morning by fighter bombers. Heavy bombers, in medium strength, attacked focal points on the road system in the area south of Caen early this afternoon. Fighters escorted the bombers and also strafed and bombed railway yards, locomotives, trains of oil tank cars, flak towers, radio installations, and airfields over a forty to fifty miles arc south and southeast of the battle area. Continuous patrols were maintained over shipping, the beaches, and the battle area. More enemy aircraft were encountered than on Tuesday and a number of them were shot down.
Communique Number 5 – 8 June 1944
Bayeux has fallen to our troops, which have also crossed the Bayeux-Caen Road at several points. Progress continues despite determined enemy resistance. Fierce armored and infantry fighting has taken place. Contact has been established between our seaborne and airborne troops. The steady build-up of our forces has continued. During the night, forces of E-Boat made unsuccessful attempts to interfere with the continual arrival of supplies. Support fire from Allied warships continued throughout yesterday. Our Air Forces have given invaluable support to the ground troops on all sectors of the front. The advantage was taken of favorable weather over Northern France yesterday afternoon and evening to attack enemy rail and road centers, concentrations of men and material, and to bomb airfields and other targets up to 100 miles in advance of our troops. More than 9000 sorties were flown in tactical support of land and naval forces. Out for the second time yesterday, heavy bombers with fighter escort in the late afternoon attacked airfields northwest of Lorient, and railroad bridges and focal points in the area from the Bay of Biscay to the Seine River. The bombers encountered no enemy fighter opposition but our fighters reported shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in combat and destroying more than a score on the ground.
After bombing rail and road objectives in the immediate zone of operations, medium and light bombers flying as low as 1000 feet just behind the enemy lines, strafed gun emplacements and crews, staff cars, and trains. Allied fighter bombers and fighters were also extremely active, flying armed reconnaissance over the assault area, covering naval operations, and carrying out low-level attacks on bridges north of Carentan and in the Cherbourg Peninsula. Coastal aircraft attacked naval enemy units in the Bay of Biscay and Channel Areas and at least two E-Boats were sunk. Last night heavy bombers in strong force continued attacks on railroad centers at Achères, Versailles, Massy-Palaiseau, and Juvisy on the outskirts of Paris and a concentration of enemy troops and transports some twelve miles south of the assault area. AT guns, motor transports, and considerable supplies were delivered to our ground troops by very strong air transport and glider forces. Small enemy air formations attempted attacks on the beaches and night intruders appeared over East Anglia.
Communique Number 6 – 8 June 1944
British and Canadian troops are continuing to make progress. Repeated enemy attacks against the 6th Airborne Division (UK) have been held. The American bridgeheads are being gradually enlarged. The enemy is fighting fiercely. His reserves have now been in action along the whole front. With the safe and timely arrival of merchant convoys and improvement in the weather, the unloading of supplies is proceeding at a satisfactory rate. Development of the Allied beachheads continues. The supply by air of arms to our airborne troops early this morning was completely successful. Last night, enemy E-Boats operating in four groups entered the assault area and attempted to interfere with our lines of communication. A series of running fights ensued and the attacks were successfully beaten off. Three of the enemy were seen to be repeatedly hit before they escaped. During the early hours of today, E-Boats were attacked off the French Coast and the Belgian Coast by coastal aircraft. One E-boat was sunk and three others sunk or were severely damaged. Our air assault in support of the land and naval forces against a wide variety of tactical targets has continued uninterruptedly and in various great strengths. The enemy air effort is as yet on a limited scale but some opposition from flak has been encountered.
Ceaseless patrols were maintained over the immediate battle positions by our fighters and fighter bombers. Small units broke off from the main patrolling force to dive-bomb and strafe armored columns, troop movements, and gun positions as targets presented themselves. Other fighters covered shipping against air and sea attacks. Behind the combat zone, other fighter bombers ranged over the country in a deep belt many miles south and southeast of the battle area, attacking armored vehicles, motor transport, and troop concentrations. Other targets included railways, fuel dumps, airfields, and canal locks on the Seine River. Rocket-firing planes attacked a tank concentration west of Caen. Our heavy bombers in very strong force struck at railway focal points, railway yards, and airfields well beyond the battle area. This morning, medium and light bombers took advantage of the improved weather and made many sorties in the Normandy Area against rail and road targets. Our aircraft have flown approximately 27.000 individual missions in the period from dawn June 6 to midday today. One hundred and seventy-six (176) enemy aircraft have been destroyed in the air. In the same period, our losses were 289 aircraft.
Communique Number 7 – 9 June 1944
Allied troops have continued to make progress in all sectors, despite further reinforcement of german armor. Landings have continued on all beaches and bypassed strong points of enemy resistance are being steadily reduced. During yesterday, there was desultory firing from some coastal batteries, which were again silenced by gunfire from allied warships. Allied aircraft continued to support naval and land forces by attacks on a variety of targets. Late in the day, the weather over Northern France caused a reduction in the scale of air operations. Our heavy bombers, in strong force, attacked railway targets and airfields beyond the battle area yesterday morning. They were escorted by medium forces of fighters. These and other fighters strafed ground targets, shooting down 31 enemy aircraft and destroying more than a score on the ground.
From these operations, three bombers and 24 fighters are missing. Medium bombers attacked a road bridge over the Seine River at Vernon, fighter bombers struck at troop and transport concentrations, gun positions, armored vehicles, and railway and road targets behind the battle lines. Fighters patrolled over shipping and the assault area. Twenty-one enemy aircraft were destroyed. Eleven of our fighters were lost but two of the pilots are safe. Rocket-firing fighters attacked german E-Boats in the channel leaving one in a sinking condition. Last night heavy bombers, in force, attacked railway centers at Rennes, Fougères, Alençon, Mayenne, and Pontaubault. Five heavy bombers are missing. Light bombers struck at railway targets behind the battle area during the night. For the first time since 1940, allied air forces can operate from French Soil.
Communique Number 8 – 9 June 1944
American troops are across the Carentan-Valognes Road in several places and have cut the broad gauge railway to Cherbourg. Further gains have been made west and southwest of Bayeux. Fighting is severe in the area of Caen where the enemy is making a determined effort to stem the advance. The weight of armor on both sides is increasing and heavy fighting continues in all areas. The enemy strong points previously bypassed have now been eliminated. The weather has deteriorated but our beachheads are being steadily developed. Poor visibility and stormy weather reduced Allied air activity to a minimum over the battle area today. Before dawn this morning, HMS-Tartar (Cmdr B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN), with HMS-Ashanti (Lt-Cmdr J. R. Barnes, RN), Canadian ships HM-Haida (Cmdr H. G. de Wolf, RCN) and HM-Huron (Lt-Cmdr H. S. Rayner, DSC, RCN), ORP Blyskawica, HMS-Eskimo (Lt-Cmdr E. N. Sinclair, RN) ORP Pioron and HMS-Javelin (Lt-Cmdr P. E. N. Lewis, DSC, RN), intercepted a force of German destroyers which had previously been reported off Ushant by coastal aircraft. The enemy was sighted and our ships turned towards them, avoiding their torpedoes. In the course of the action, at times conducted at point-blank range, HMS-Tartar passed through the enemy’s line. One enemy destroyer was torpedoed and blew up. A second was driven ashore in flames. Two others escaped after receiving damage by gunfire.
HMS-Tartar sustained some damage and a few casualties, but continued in action and has returned safely to harbor. Unsuccessful attempts were again made after dawn by E-boats to enter the assault area both from east and west. They were intercepted and driven off by light coastal forces. Off the La Pointe de Barfleur, hits were observed on two of the enemy before they escaped in a short gun action. During the night, destroyers under the command of RAdm Don Pardee Moon, USN, intercepted a force of heavily-armed enemy craft between the mainland and the Iles de Saint Marcouf and drove them off. During the 24 hours to 0800 this morning, 46 targets were engaged by Allied warships. Spotting for these shoots was carried out both by aircraft and military Forward Observer Officers, who had been landed with the assault troops. HMS-Belfast (Capt F. R. Parham, DSO, RN) wearing the flag of RAdm F. G. H. Dalrymple-Hamilton, C.B., RN, and HMS-Frobisher (Capt J. F. W. Mudford, RN) have done considerable execution on enemy concentrations. This morning, HMS-Frobisher neutralized two enemy batteries and destroyed an ammunition dump.
Communique Number 9 – 10 June 1944
American troops have captured Isigny-sur-Mer. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the disembarkation of further men and material was uninterrupted. Withstanding heavy enemy attacks delivered yesterday morning by infantry and armor, British and Canadian troops stood firm in the Caen Area. Our forces have made contact with strong enemy forces near Condé-sur-Seulles. There, is continuous fighting in other sectors. Adverse weather during daylight yesterday confined our air activity to limited patrols over the immediate battle area and to coastal aircraft operations. An enemy destroyer, driven ashore off Batz-sur-Mer in the Brest Peninsula earlier in the day by naval surface forces, was attacked and left a smoldering hulk. One enemy aircraft was shot down twenty miles off Brest by anti-E-Boat patrols flown over Western Channel Waters.
Last night, a strong force of heavy bombers, eight of which are missing, attacked enemy airfields at Flers, Rennes, Laval, and Le Mans in Northwestern France, and the railway center at Etampes. Light bombers pounded enemy communications in the rear of the battle zone. Weather conditions remained unfavorable. Night fighters and intruder aircraft shot down four enemy planes over the beachhead. Coastal aircraft are cooperating with naval surface forces in a vigorous offensive against U-Boats which are threatening to attack our lines of communication to the assault area.
Communique Number 10 – 10 June 1944
Allied progress continues along the whole of the beachhead. Trévières is in our hands. On the eastern sector, severe fighting is in progress against strong enemy armored forces. In the Cherbourg Peninsula, our advanced patrols are west of the main railway in several places. In the Carentan Sector, heavy fighting continues. Intensive air operations in support of our ground and naval forces were resumed this morning in better weather. Heavy bombers attacked enemy airfields in Brittany and Normandy. Their fighter escort remained in the zone of operations strafing enemy armor and transport. Other fighters attacked similar targets over a wide area. Our medium bombers and their fighter escort twice attacked targets close behind the enemy. These included road and rail transport, troop and tank concentrations, bridges, and communication centers. Widespread air cover was maintained over our beaches and the channel.
Few enemy fighters were seen but flak was heavy at many points. According to reports so far received 3 enemy aircraft have been destroyed. Seven of our fighters are missing. Further troop-carrying and support operations to our forward formations were completed during the morning. Allied warships have maintained their activity on the eastern and western flanks of the assault area in support of our ground forces. Last night, enemy E-Boats operated to the west of the assault area. They were intercepted by light coastal forces under the command of Lt R. N. Collins and several brief engagements ensued. Some damage was inflicted on the enemy. Neither damage nor casualties were sustained by our forces. Enemy patrol vessels heading toward the assault area this morning were attacked off Jersey by our coastal aircraft which also dispersed a cluster of E-Boats. An unsuccessful attack was made by enemy aircraft on an Allied merchant convoy. One of the enemies was destroyed by gunfire from HMS-Wanderer (Lt-Cmdr R. F. Whinney, RN). There was no damage to the convoy or its escort.
Communique Number 11 – 11 June 1944
As the result of an armored thrust, British troops have reached Tilly-sur-Seulles. Naval guns yesterday lent effective support to our advance in this sector. Further west, American forward troops are everywhere south of the flooded areas in the lower Aure Valley. High ground between Isigny and Carentan has also been taken by American forces. In the vicinity of Caen, the enemy has made no progress against our positions despite continuous and vigorous attacks. To the northwest of Carentan, we have crossed the Merderet River and, overcoming enemy resistance, have made further progress. Allied aircraft pounded road and rail targets and airfields yesterday and last night in support of ground forces.
Heavy day bombers attacked airfields and inflicted considerable damage to rolling stock, bridges, and armored vehicles. Thirteen enemy aircraft were destroyed. After escorting the bombers, formations of fighters attacked road and rail traffic, destroying an ammunition train. From these operations, 23 fighters are missing. Medium bombers, sometimes flying at 200 feet in the absence of enemy aircraft opposition bombed and strafed field guns and armored vehicles. Considerable damage was inflicted in the Falaise and St Lô areas. Fighter bombers and fighters attacked rail yards at Laval and Le Mans at ground level. At Avranches, armored vehicles and a train were targets. In these operations, 15 enemy fighters were destroyed. Last night, heavy bombers attacked rail centers at Orléans, Dreux, Achères, and Versailles. There was strong opposition and six German aircraft were destroyed. Twenty bombers are missing. Our night fighters were active, and six German bombers were destroyed, five of them over the battle area.
Communique Number 12 – 11 June 1944
Good progress has been made on the right. Our troops are now fighting in the outskirts of Montebourg. To the southwest of the town, we have held enemy counter-attacks attempting to stop our advance west of the main Cherbourg Railway. American troops have liberated Lison and have advanced several miles southward on a broad front. In the vicinity of Tilly-sur-Seulles, there is heavy fighting. The enemy has strong armored forces in this area and is stubbornly resisting our advance along the Seulles River. A particularly effective bombardment was carried out in this area by HMS-Argonaut (Capt E.W.L. Longley-Cook, C.B.E., RN) and HMS-Orion (Capt J.P. Gornall, RN). Allied warships also gave support to the armies yesterday by bombarding mobile batteries and enemy concentrations.
This morning, the Allied Air Forces continued their supporting operations despite adverse weather. Strong forces of heavy day bombers attacked airfields, bridges, gun positions, and other targets ranging from the battle area to the vicinity of Paris. Objectives in the Pas-de-Calais were also bombed. They were escorted by a strong force of fighters which attacked enemy tanks and lines of communication. Medium bombers, fighter bombers, and fighters attacked many targets behind the battle area including two railway bridges over the Vire River, military trains, railway sheds and yards, armored cars, and troop concentrations. Fighters maintained patrols over the battle area and shipping into the Channel. There was little enemy opposition in the air, though intense flak was met at some points. Seaborne supplies are arriving at a satisfactory rate. Enemy E-Boats were active again during the night and many brisk gun actions ensued during which one of the enemy was destroyed. Several of the enemies were damaged by gunfire before they evaded the pursuit. Early this morning our coastal aircraft attacked enemy E-Boats off Ostende (Belgium), and left two of them on fire.
Communique Number 13 – 12 June 1944
The American advance east of the Vire River was continued into the Forêt de Cerisy. In the Cherbourg Peninsula, enemy mobile batteries have been under heavy fire from Allied warships, and some further progress has been made West of the inundated Merderet River Valley. Intense fighting against German armor continues in the Tilly-sur-Seulles Area. Air operations were curtailed sharply after midday yesterday when cloud and rain obscured much of the battle area. After escorting heavy day bombers, our fighters joined fighter bombers and rocket-firing fighters in attacking oil tanks, rail centers, and road and rail traffic, including several hundred railroad cars, tanks, and armored vehicles. From these operations, 24 aircraft, including three heavy bombers, are missing. During the night, heavy bombers struck rail centers at Nantes, Évreux, and Tours, and a railway bridge at Massy-Palaiseau, south of Paris. Allied medium and light bombers and rocket-firing aircraft hammered rolling stock, a ferry terminal, and road transport. Intruder aircraft operated with success over enemy airfields in France and Holland.