Communique Number 14 – 12 June 1944
The fusion of our beachheads is now complete and a coastal strip some sixty miles long is firmly in our hands. Its depth is being increased steadily. Slight advances were made east of Caen. American troops in the Cherbourg Peninsula have made further progress to the north and west. Additional road crossings over the coastal inundations are in our hands. Further East, the enemy was driven from the whole of the Forêt de Cerisy. Fierce fighting between British and enemy armored units continued between Tilly-sur-Seulles and Caen. Allied warships have been giving deep supporting fire in the center and close support on the flanks of our armies. Striking in very great strength, our aircraft today hammered enemy airfields and communications over a 400-mile arc from St Nazaire to Lille. Armed reconnaissance and medium-level bombing missions were flown from the tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula over the battle area and southeastward to Juvisy. The largest single striking force of heavy day bombers ever dispatched from England struck this morning at a broad belt of sixteen airfields from Dreux to Lille, and at six rail bridges in the St Nazaire and Paris areas. Strong forces of fighters which escorted the bombers, scored against a variety of rail targets on their return flight.
The rail system focusing at Rennes was a major target for the day, with fighter bombers severing in numerous places the railway lines leading to the city. Meanwhile, medium and light bombers carried out a succession of attacks on the railway installations there and highway junctions to the south of the battle area. Rocket-firing aircraft attacked the military ferry at Bréville-sur-Mer. A ferry boat and a pier were left burning. Other rocket-firing planes on armed reconnaissance struck at a variety of armored targets and motor transport in the combat zone. Batteries at La Pernelle and Joulines, both near the tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula, were attacked shortly before noon. Our fighters continued their patrols over the beach and adjacent Channel Waters. Eleven enemy aircraft were destroyed in this area, for the loss of eight of ours.
Communique Number 15 – 13 June 1944
After two days of hard fighting, American troops have liberated Carentan, the possession of which materially strengthens the link established between our two major beachheads. In the sector of Tilly-sur-Seulles, strong enemy resistance continues. Steady progress has been made in other areas although there have been no marked advances. The build-up is progressing satisfactorily. Railway targets and enemy troops and vehicles were the main objectives of our aircraft which struck again in great strength throughout the afternoon and evening yesterday. Attacks were made by medium fighter bombers at various points on the railway system behind the enemy. The railway bridge over the Seine River at Mantes-Gassicourt was attacked. Tracks radiating from Nogent-le-Rotrou and Le Mans were cut at several places and oil tank cars and goods wagons were destroyed. Other targets included troops and motor transport in the battle zone, radio installations, and gun positions. A tank concentration in the Forêt de Grimbosq, southwest of Caen, was heavily bombed; in the course of this attack an ammunition dump blew up. Fighters patrolled the beach areas and the Channel; other fighters destroyed some enemy aircraft on the ground.
Last night, heavy bombers in great strength attacked the railway centers of Amiens, Arras, Cambrai, Poitiers, and bridges at Caen. Twenty-three of these aircraft are missing, medium and fighter bombers bombed ferry installations over the Seine River at Caudebec, the rail center at Mézidon, and other rails and road targets in the same area. Four of these aircraft are missing. Our night fighters destroyed nine enemy aircraft over the beachhead and battle area.
Communique Number 16 – 13 June 1944
Allied troops have advanced generally in all sectors, particularly south of Bayeux between the Forêt de Cérisy and Tilly-sur-Seulles. Two more towns have been liberated. They are Troarn, on the left, and Le Ham in the Cherbourg Peninsula. More than 10.000 prisoners have now been taken. Attempts by enemy light craft were made last night to approach our lines of communication. The enemy was intercepted and driven off by our naval patrols. Deteriorating weather today slowed down our air offensive. Nevertheless, escorted heavy day bombers continued their attacks on airfields to the west of Paris at Évreux-Fauville, Dreux, and Illiers-l’Évêque. A fuel dump at Dreux was set afire. Medium bombers were also active and again attacked the airfield in Rennes.
Ranging from the Channel to Tours, fighter bombers swept the area for two and a half hours, destroying seven locomotives and some 50 vehicles, and strafing encampments. E-Boats, which had been attacked off Boulogne early in the morning by coastal aircraft, were again hit by rocket and cannon-firing fighters later in the day. In these engagements, at least three enemy ships were sunk and others were left on fire or badly damaged. Reconnaissance photographs show that severe damage was done to the railway centers of Orléans and Rennes, which were attacked by heavy bombers on the nights of June 10 and 11.
Communique Number 17 – 14 June 1944
West of Tilly-sur-Seulles, our armor found the enemy flank and struck south with great effect. Advance patrols of our forces have now reached Caumont despite vigorous reaction on the part of the enemy. In the sector between Tilly-sur-Seulles and Caen, armored clashes continued to take place. There is strong pressure in the Carentan area. Early yesterday evening, after a midday lull caused by bad weather, Allied aircraft resumed the offensive in one of the most concentrated efforts since the opening of the campaign. Enemy fighter opposition was sporadic but many of our aircraft encountered anti-aircraft fire. Heavy day bombers with fighter escort attacked 6 bridges on the north-south railway system across the Brest Peninsula and the airfields at Beauvais, at Nivilers, and Beaumont-sur-Oise. Further to the southeast two large formations of fighter bombers attacked railway bridges over the Loire River at La Poissonière and Port Boulet; another formation patrolled the Étampes-Orléans railway seeking out traffic. Throughout the Cherbourg Peninsula and in the immediate battle-zone, large groups of fighter bombers and rocket-firing aircraft attacked German troop concentrations, motor transport, and other targets indicated by our ground forces. Medium and light bombers in considerable strength bombed fuel dumps in the Forêt d’Andaine, at Domfront, and St Martin, and the highway junctions at Marigny and Canisy. Beachhead patrols continued throughout the day and evening. During the night our fighters shot three enemy aircraft attacking the beachhead. Light bombers without loss attacked the railway yards at Mézidon.
Communique Number 18 – 14 June 1944
The armored battle continued in the Tilly-Caen Area. The enemy has counter-attacked constantly in a furious attempt to stem our advance. We are holding firm and vigorously searching out weak points in his attack. In the Cherbourg Peninsula, the enemy is fighting fiercely. His heavy counter-attacks in the north have forced us to give some ground in the vicinity of Montebourg. Further south, we have made some gains. An enemy counter-thrust on Carentan has been repulsed. In one of their most active mornings, Allied air forces today operated almost unopposed from the Brest Peninsula to Belgium and Holland and penetrated deep into Eastern France. The effort of heavy day bombers exceeded even yesterday’s figures. Targets included airfields at Le Bourget, Creil, Orléans-Bricy and Étampes-Mondésir in France, at Bruxelles and Melsbroek in Belgium, and Eindhoven in Holland. After escorting the bombers, our fighters hit numerous road, rail, and military targets in France. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed. Fifteen bombers and eight fighters are missing from these widespread operations. Before dawn medium and light bombers hit communications targets near Caen, in close support of our ground forces.
Attacks were made on a marshalling yard at Mézidon and against bridges and traffic centers at Aunay-sur-Odon, Falaize, Vire, Vimoutiers, and Flers. Other formations struck far into the interior, bombing traffic points and moving targets in the Chartres Region, southwest of Paris, rail tracks west of Laval, and railway guns south of the battle area. No enemy fighters were encountered in these operations, but the anti-aircraft fire was heavy. One medium bomber is missing. Fighters, fighter bombers, and rocket-firing fighters, some of them operating from bases in Normandy, gave close support to the troops in the Cherbourg Peninsula, cutting railroads and attacking large enemy convoys. Other fighters scored rocket hits on barges and batteries. Coastal aircraft harassed E-Boats near Le Touquet. Shortly after midnight seven enemy M-Class minesweepers were intercepted west of the Minquiers Rocks by ORP Piorun and HMS-Ashanti (Cmdr J. R. Barnes, RN) while on patrol. The action was joined at about 3000 yards, the enemy being illuminated with star shells. The enemy vessels were repeatedly hit and scattering, some of them sought shelter under the guns of the coastal batteries on the Jersey Island.
Of the seven enemy vessels engaged, three were observed to sink and one was seen to receive such damage that its survival is considered unlikely. Of the remaining three, two were left stopped and burning fiercely. Northeast of Cap de la Hague, three enemy patrol vessels were intercepted and attacked early this morning by light coastal forces commanded by Lt H. Ascoli, R.N.V.R. the first ship in the enemy line was hit with a torpedo, and the second set on fire.
Communique Number 19 – 15 June 1944
On all parts of the front Allied forces continue to carry the fight to the enemy. The heaviest fighting has taken place in the Carentan – Montebourg – Caen areas. Airborne troops have successfully beaten off attempts made by the Germans to retake Carentan, and are again pushing southward from the town. They have also advanced further to the west in the Les Sablons-Baupte vicinity. Heavy armored attacks and counter-attacks persist in the Caen – Tilly areas. The development of the beaches is making good progress and the unloading of troops and stores is steadily increasing. The Allied air forces continued their attacks yesterday afternoon and evening on communications and road convoys in the Cherbourg Peninsula in support of our ground forces. Rail traffic was also bombed and in a surprise attack on the enemy airfield at Le Mans about a dozen enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
Before dusk heavy night bombers, with fighter escort, attacked E-Boats and the dock side at Le Havre. During the night they bombed railway centers at Douai, Cambrai and St Pol and troop concentrations at Évrecy and Aunay-sur-Odon. Five bombers are missing from these operations. Light bombers made night attacks on enemy convoys and concentrations moving on the roads towards the battle area. Reports as yet incomplete show that 17 enemy aircrafts were destroyed in air combat since noon yesterday. Fourteen of our fighters are missing. Seven more enemy aircrafts were shot down over Normandy during the night.
Communique Number 20 – 15 June 1944
Further steady progress has been made west of Carentan and between the Vire River and the Elle River. Allied troops have repulsed several violent armored attacks in the Caumont – Tilly sector with considerable loss to the enemy. In the Cherbourg Peninsula, ground gained in the area of Quinéville has made available a valuable new outlet from the beaches. During yesterday mobile batteries on the flanks were engaged as necessary by Allied warships. On the eastern flank HMS-Belfast (Capt A. H. Maxwell-Hyslop, A.M., RN) engaged the batteries of Le Havre. During an unsuccessful enemy air attack in the western assault area, an enemy air craft was shot down by the USS-Augusta (Capt E. H. Jones, USN) wearing the flag of RAdm Alan Goodrich Kirk, USN. Convoys of Allied merchant ships are arriving satisfactorily and the armies continue to build up with men, stores and equipment. Allied aircraft in great strength ranged from the Cherbourg Peninsula southwards to the Loire River and eastwards to Chartres and Paris, continuing their attacks on communications, airfields, and tactical targets. Coastal aircraft kept up their attacks on enemy shipping in the channel early today.
Heavy bombers in great strength attacked many targets in France this morning, including rail yards at Angoulème, and airfields near Bordeaux and Paris, and railway bridges near Tours. They were escorted by strong forces of fighters which also strafed ground targets. In these operations twelve enemy planes were destroyed. Three of out bombers and three of our fighters are missing. Medium and light bombers attacked bridges at Condé-sur-Noireau, St Lô, Lessay, Chartres and Coltainville, and a road junction at Argentan. None of these bombers was lost. Fighter bombers and fighters provided close support for the ground forces and swept over Normandy, attacking supply dumps, troop concentrations, tanks, convoys, and railway bridges. Other fighters attacked a ferry at Quillebeuf-sur-Seine near the mouth of the Seine River. In the course of a patrol this morning five enemy fighters were destroyed near Evreux. Photographic reconnaissance shows that the German naval forces in the port of Le Havre suffered very severely from the attack by heavy night bombers on the evening of June 14.
Communique Number 21 – 16 June 1944
There has been no major change in any sector, but Allied troops have made further progress west of Pont-L’Abbé. All attempts by the enemy to gain the initiative have been frustrated and his counter-attacks have been successfully repelled. Our striking power grows steadily. Despite rain and limited visibility over many parts of France yesterday the Allied air forces flew 3000 sorties, many of them by aircraft based in France attacking targets indicated by advanced air force and army headquarters. In the afternoon, medium bombers hit fuel and supply dumps, bridges and other communications targets from Valognes in the Cherbourg Peninsula to Laval and Domfront about seventy five miles behind the enemy lines. One medium bomber is missing.
Fighter bombers, fighters and rocket-firing fighters were active throughout the day. Their objectives included railway yards at Le Mans, Fougères, Mayenne, Vire, Granville, Hyenville, Chartres and Coltainville, and a bridge over the Orne River near Amayé-sur-Orne. East of Caen, fighter bombers attacked enemy troops and tanks sheltering in woods and orchards. Others bombed Seine River ferries, observation posts, radio stations, artillery concentrations and several bridges and railway lines near St Lô. In these activities, fourteen enemy aircrafts were destroyed for the loss of seven of ours. Last night, our heavy bombers in great strength attacked concentrations of E- and R-Boats and minesweepers in the Boulogne harbor as well as railway centers at Valenciennes and Lens and fuel dumps at Châtellerault and Thorigné-Fouillard. Fourteen bombers are missing. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed and others were damaged over France by our night intruders.
Communique Number 22 – 16 June 1944
Advances by Allied Forces westward from Pont L’Abbe in the Cherbourg Peninsula have continued. Our troops had local successes in the Tilly Sector, but the town remained in enemy hands. Active patrolling has been kept up by both sides. Adverse weather during the morning once again restricted our air activity, which was confined to limited patrols over the supply beaches and adjacent Channel Waters and the immediate battle zone. Yesterday, HMS-Ramillies (Capt G. B. Middleton, C.B.E., A.D.C., RN) engaged a battery at Benerville-sur-Mer on our eastern flank, which she silenced after an hour’s duel, while HMS-Nelson (Capt H. H. Maxwell-Hyslop, A.M., RN) engaged an enemy battery north of Le Havre, which had been firing into the anchorage. Enemy batteries and concentrations were bombarded throughout the day by Allied cruisers. On the western flank, the USS-Texas (Capt C. A. Baker, USN), wearing the flag of RAdm Carleton F. Bryant, USN, the USS-Nevada (Capt P. M. Rhea, USN) and the USS-Arkansas (Capt F. G. Richards, USN) carried out heavy bombardments in support of the armies near Isigny and Carentan.
Communique Number 23 – 17 June 1944
Allied troops continue their advance with leading elements in St Sauveur Le Vicomte. Local advances were made in the face of heavy enemy opposition between Caumont and Tilly. East of Caen a strong enemy attack was beaten off. Throughout yesterday Allied cruisers and destroyers engaged gun batteries which the enemy had established on the eastern bank of the Orne River. Concentrations of enemy armor northeast of Caen were bombarded by the HMS-Ramillies (Capt G. H. Middleton, C.B.E., A.D.C., RN). Merchant convoys continue to arrive at beaches steadily and in safety. Adverse weather again restricted air operations yesterday afternoon and evening. Heavy bombers attacked enemy airfields near Paris and Laon and objectives in the Pas de Calais. Railway targets, road transport and tanks behind the battle zone were attacked by fighters and fighter-bombers, and an ammunition dump near Caen by medium bombers. Fighters also flew protective patrols and escorted the bombers. During the night our light bombers attacked supply dumps in the Cherbourg Peninsula. Two enemy aircrafts were shot down over Normandy.
Special Communique Number 1 – 17 June 1944
Since June 6, 1944, the Army of the French Forces of the Interior has increased both in size an in the scope of its activities. This army has undertaken a large plan of sabotage which includes in part the paralyzing of rail and road traffic and the interruption of telegraph and telephone communications. In the majority of cases their objectives have been attained. The destruction of railways has been most effective. Bridges have been destroyed, derailment effected and at least 70 locomotives have been sabotaged. It is reported that both road and rail traffic is completely stopped in the Rhône River Valley. Canals have not been spared. One has been damaged, one cut and another has been put out of action. Four consecutive locks of another have been destroyed. Subterranean cables have been cut in many places, and although some were well defended, they have been attacked and destroyed. Many acts of sabotage have been carried out against transformer stations.
It is neither possible nor desirable to enumerate all of the many effective acts of destruction which have been carried out. However, these multiple and simultaneous acts of sabotage, coordinated with the Allied air effort, have delayed considerably the movement of German reserves to the combat zone. Direct action also has been taken against the enemy. The Maquis are reported to have taken 300 prisoners. German garrisons have been attacked. In some areas, villages have been occupied. Street fighting has occurred elsewhere. Enemy detachments have been destroyed. Guerrilla operations against the enemy are in full swing and in some areas the Army of the French Forces of the Interior are in full control. At the end of the first week of operations on the shores of France, the Army of the French Forces of the Interior has, with its British and American comrades, played its assigned role in the Battle of Liberation.
Communique Number 24 – 17 June 1944
Allied forces have pushed deeper into Normandy. Villages east and west of Tilly-sur-Seulles have been freed of the enemy. Advancing two miles south of Isigny, our troops have reached the Vire et Taute Canal. In the Cherbourg Peninsula, St Sauveur le Vicomte has been liberated. Air operations were sharply curtailed from dawn to midday, when bad whether obscured much of the battle area. Nevertheless, fighter bombers and rocket-firing fighters attacked railway yards, motor convoys and bridges leading to the Cherbourg Peninsula. A Convoy of horse-drawn vehicles was destroyed at La Traversiere and enemy machine gun nests at Folligny were strafed. No enemy fighters were encountered during these operations. Shortly after noon, medium forces of heavy bombers, with fighter escort, attacked seven enemy airfields in southern Normandy. Three enemy aircrafts were destroyed. Two of our bombers and one fighter are missing. Other fighters destroyed a railroad bridge across the Somme Canal. Early this morning, coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping in the Channel.
Communique Number 25 – 18 June 1944
Allied forces in the area of St Sauveur le Vicomte have made further progress westwards. Local clashes continue in the Tilly – Caen sectors. Clearing weather in the late afternoon yesterday permitted the resumption of our tactical air operations on a considerable scale. Enemy air opposition was sporadic. Heavy day bombers struck at five enemy airfields and landing strips in the Tours – Nantes Area. Their fighter escort later strafed targets of opportunity. Our medium and light bombers were brought into action with good results against fuel dumps in the Bois du Homme, south of Caumont, and in the Senonches – La Loupe area, w
Communique Number 26 – 18 June 1944
Allied troops have cut off the Cherbourg Peninsula from the rest of Normandy, reaching the west coast near Barneville-sur-Mer. In the center, a steady advance east of the Vire River has brought us within six miles of St Lô. The strong point at Douvres, which had been holding out, was captured yesterday with over 150 prisoners. We lost one man killed in the final assault. More than 15.000 prisoners have been counted so far. Low clouds over many parts of the battle area again restricted Allied air activity from midnight until noon today. Last night, ten enemy aircrafts were destroyed by our fighters protecting the beaches. This morning, medium and light bombers successfully attacked railway yards at Rennes. They also bombed objectives in the Forêt d’Andaine, east of Domfront, and other military and transport targets behind the enemy lines. All our bombers returned safely. Fighter bombers struck at Montreuil, Bellay and Saumur, damaging trains, locomotives, railway bridges and highways. Fighters maintained a widespread armed reconnaissance beyond the battle zone and attacked road and rail transport on the move at many points.
Communique Number 27 – 19 June 1944
The wedge across the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula is being strengthened and widened. In the Tilly-sur-Seulles Area attacks by our troops have met strong opposition from enemy armor and infantry supported by heavy artillery fire. Further east, a small counter-attack was thrown back. The enemy battery at Houlgate, east of Ouistreham, has been silent for 36 hours after an accurate bombardment by the HMS-Ramillies. Weather again retarded air activity over the battle zone from noon yesterday until day break today. Nevertheless, fighters and fighter bombers ranged from the Cherbourg Peninsula to Lisieux in the east and to Alençon in the south, striking at communications and transport. Bridges, railway cars, locomotives and troops were attacked by fighters between Valognes, Bricquebec and Carteret. Rocket-firing planes and dive bombers attacked enemy ammunition dumps hidden in a forest; also canal bridges, ferries, motor lorries and a heavy concentration of troops between Caen, Falaise and Montigny. Sweeping from Arras and Amiens to the outskirts of Paris, long-range fighters searched out targets of opportunity throughout the day. They were unmolested by enemy aircraft. Attacks on road and rail targets were continued after dark by light bombers. Night fighters destroyed two enemy bombers over the beach.
Communique Number 28 – 19 June 1944
The Allies’ strangle hold on the Cherbourg Peninsula has been strengthened by a series of the local advances. An enemy attack was repulsed near Tilly where heavy fighting continues. In the Caen area enemy shelling has increased considerably. Allied warships continued to give support in the eastern flank yesterday by engaging enemy mobile batteries. North of Caen, successful shoots were carried out by HMS-Diadem against a concentration of enemy armor. Bad weather severely restricted the activity of the Allied Air Forces this morning. Heavy bombers escorted by fighters attacked V1s pilot-less aircraft emplacements in the Pas de Calais and airfields in southwest France. Among the airfields were Bordeaux-Mérignac, Cazaux, Landes de Bussac, and Corme-Écluse. Seven bombers and 16 fighters are missing. Fighter bombers attacked an airfield near Rennes and fighters flew patrols over the Beaches and the Channel.
Communique Number 29 – 20 June 1944
Coordinated attacks all along the north front in the Cherbourg Peninsula have brought the port under artillery fire. After liberating the town of Bricquebec, Allied troops made further advances toward the village of Rauville-la-Bigot. East of Valognes our troops gained some ground. Another advance reached to within two miles of Valognes and cut the road from there to Bricquebec. Further east, the enemy was once again driven from Tilly-sur-Seulles after fierce fighting. Heavy day bombers attacked the Pas de Calais yesterday afternoon striking through thick clouds at the V1s pilot-less aircraft launching sites. From this second attack of the day, three bombers are missing. Small formation of medium bombers and fighter bombers also attacked these targets. In spite of bad weather, light aircraft escorted shipping and patrolled the beaches. Some fighters broke through the cloud screen to bomb and strafe locomotives, motor vehicles, barges and warehouses behind the lines. They encountered intense flak at low level. From these operations two medium bombers and 15 fighters are missing.
Communique Number 30 – 20 June 1944
Allied troops are attacking the outer defenses of Cherbourg. Montebourg has been liberated and our forces are on the three sides of Valognes, where heavy fighting is in progress. Our positions in the area of Tilly are firm. Very heavy fighting continued near Hottot-les-Bagues yesterday. Bad weather in the battle area limited air operations until mid-day today. Fighter bombers and bombers with fighter escort attacked flying-bomb bases in the Pas de Calais area during the morning. Several hits were scored on these and other military installations. Other formations of fighter bombers hit a bridge over the Loire River near Nantes, destroyed a railway bridge at Granville, and bombed rolling stock and motor transport at Trappes, southwest of Paris. Fighter bombers also successfully attacks railway tracks at a number of places both north and south of Chartres. Twelve German FW 190’s attempted to interfere with operation. Five of them were destroyed in the air combat for the loss of three of our aircraft.
