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, R.N.) 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, and 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 Vireo 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 Quinville 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., R.N.) 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, U.S.N.) wearing the flag of RAdm Alan Goodrich Kirk, U.S.N. 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 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 Coltinville, 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., R.N.) 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., R.N.) 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, U.S.N.), wearing the flag of RAdm Carleton F. Bryant, U.S.N., the USS Nevada (Capt P. M. Rhea, U.S.N.) and the USS Arkansas (Capt F. G. Richards, U.S.N.) 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 armo Northeast of CAEN were bombarded by the HMS Ramillies (Capt G. H. Middleton, C.B.E., A.D.C., R.N.) 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 Valley of the Rhone. 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 Marquis 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 Traverserie 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 and 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, West of Chartres. Other medium bomber formations attacked the railway yards at Mézidon and a forty-mile stretch of track between Le Merlerault and St Lubin on the Paris – Granville line. Five gun emplacements were attacked by fighter bombers which were active during the afternoon against a variety of targets in the area from Coutances the Les Pieux and Eastward across the Cherbourg Peninsula to Quettehou. Constant armed reconnaissance patrols were flown over the combat zone in front of out troops. Other formations of fighter bombers attacked military objectives elsewhere in northern France. Enemy communications were attacked at many points by light bombers on offensive patrols last night.
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 ot 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 Briquebec, 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 Briquebec. 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. Monteboug 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.
Communique Number 31 – 21 June 1944
Allied troops advancing on Cherbourgh have reached prepared positions defending the deep-water port. Valognes, Les Pirex, Couville and Rauville la Bigot have been liberated. In the Tilly area three German attacks have been held. There has been active patrolling on all other sectors of the front. V1 Flying-bomb sites in the Pas de Calais, a coastal battery at Houlgate and gun positions in the Cherbourg Peninsula were targets for medium and fighter bombers yesterday afternoon and evening. Other fighter bombers struck at locomotives, troop trains and railway installations in widespread areas of Northern France. Preliminary reports show that 11 enemy aircrafts were destroyed, while four of ours are missing. Last night light bombers attacked railway centers at Mézidon and Chartres and other enemy communications. Night fighters destroyed two enemy aircraft.
Communique Number 32 – 21 June 1944
Allied forces have made further progress in the battle for Cherbourg and the area held by the enemy is steadily diminishing. Our advance up the entire peninsula has been rapid. On the east we have driven forward astride the main road north from Valognes. To the West, a broad thrust has taken us to within five miles of the sea, liberating the villages of Teurthéville-Hague and Acqueville. Heavy fighting continues in the Tilly-Caen area, where attacks and counter-attacks have left the front generally unchanged. In other sectors, there has been patrol activity. Dense cloud over the battle area limited air operations this morning. Five flying-bomb sites between Calais and Amiens were attacked by medium and light bombers.
Communique Number 33 – 22 June 1944
The Allied drive on Cherbourg has continued to make good progress with advances of two to three miles along the entire front. On the right, Allied forces have reached the Saire River near the village of Le Theil. On the left, they penetrated to within three miles of the sea in the vicinity of St Croix-Hague. In the center, substantial gains have been made along the main road from Valognes to Cherbourg. In the Tilly sector enemy artillery and mortar fire was unusually heavy. Patrol activity continued in other areas. Fighter bombers operated successfully against the rail system leading West from Paris, scoring hits on bridges at Chartres, Coltainville, Conches and Cherisy. Slight enemy opposition was encountered in attacks on rail targets in the Aunay and Évreux areas. At least, five enemy aircrafts were destroyed without loss. Flying-bomb bases across the Channel were attacked by forces of heavy and medium bombers. Fighter escorts later strafed railway yards and canal bridges at Ribecourt, Montdidier and Chauny. The bombing and strafing missions were without loss. Six oil storage tanks at Niort were in flames after a low-level attack.
Communique Number 34 – 22 June 1944
The encirclement of the fortress of Cherbourg is now almost complete. We have crossed the road leading east from the port to St-Pierre-Église and have liberated the town. There is nothing to report from other sectors of the front. In better weather hundreds of Allied fighter aircraft, many of them armed with rocket projectiles and bombs, swarmed over Northwestern France from dawn to midday to harass enemy reinforcements moving Westward from the Paris area. Strong points in Cherbourg were included in bombing and strafing missions in close support of ground forces. Heavy day bombers continued the assault on flying-bomb installations across the Channel. After escorting the bombers, fighters attacked locomotives, loaded freight and oil cars, barges and motor transport. Except for heavy anti-aircraft fire in many areas, our aircraft encountered little opposition.
Communique Number 35 – 23 June 1944
Operations against the fortress of Cherbourg are proceeding satisfactorily. Offensive action and local attacks have effectively pinned down enemy formations in the eastern sectors. In preparation for our ground operations, waves of fighter bombers attacked the strongly fortified German positions encircleing Cherbourg during the day and again at dusk yesterday. They went in, often at pistol range, to bomb forts, concrete pill boxes, ammunition dumps, oil stores and troop concentrations. Medium bombers also took part. Our aircraft flew through intense ground fire. Strong forces of heavy bombers attacked rail and road transport, barges, and oil containers between the coast and Paris, and the rail junctions at Lille and Ghent (Belgium). During these operations, six enemy aircrafts were destroyed. Ten of our bombers and nine fighters are missing. Light and medium bombers destroyed a steel works near Caen. Fighter combers attacked bridges northeast of Paris.
In Alderney, one of the Channel Isles, gun posts and barracks were the target for bombers and fighters. During the evening other formations raided fuel dumps at the Forêt de Conches and Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, railway yards at St Quentin and Armentières and tracks and fuel tanks at Dreux and Verneuil. After dark heavies attacks the rail centers at Rheims and Laon in force thus completing the biggest air effort for some days. Seven bombers are missing. Rail targets at Lisieux, Dreux, and Evreux were the night targets for our light bombers. Last night our fighters and intruders destroyed seven enemy aircraft over northern France. The weather over the beachhead has moderated and unloading is proceeding.
Special Communiqque Number 2 – 23 June 1944
Since June 10, 1944, the French Forces of the Interior, in association with the Allied plans, have continued to harass the Germans by increasing acts of warfare and sabotage in the rear of the German lines. In many regions, fighting has reached such proportions that the enemy has been forced to send considerable forces against the Maquis, without succeeding in overcoming them. The enemy has attacked the Maquis of the Vercors as well as the Maquis of the Ain with armored forces, artillery and aircraft. Resistance forces have been compelled to withdraw at various points after inflicting losses on the enemy. In addition, numerous engagements are reported from the Pyrennées, the Vosges, the Marne, the French Ardennes, the Aisne and the Creuse. Elements of several German divisions and a large number of local defense troops are estimated to have been contained inside France by the action of the resistance forces. Many cuts on the railways, and numerous obstacles on the roads have effectively hindered the passage of German reinforcements to the beachhead. In this way two armored divisions have been seriously delayed in Southwest France.
In the Bordeaux region, the railway lines Bordeaux-La Rochelle, La Réole-Périgueux, Bayonne-Angoulème have been sabotaged. A large number of small bridges of the route Nationale (RN-10) Bordeaux-Poitiers have also been destroyed. Railway cuts have also been reported throughout the Rhone Valley and in Brittany, the Loiret, Aisne and the area North of Paris. The railway depot at Ambérieux has been sabotaged for the second time. Strong resistance groups have occupied several localities in the departments of the Jura, Ain and Haute-Savoie, and have taken over the administration and the supply of the civil population. After four days of hard fighting, the Forces of the Resistance were compelled to evacuate one of those towns, after blowing up the railway bridges, the locomotives and the telephone lines. German losses were heavy. In many regions, the enemy telecommunication installations, both underground and overhead, have been cut. Many canals, in particular in the Canal du Nivernais, the lateral Canal of the Marne, have been made unusable. This systematic disorganization of enemy transport by the FFI has contributed directly to the success of Allied operations in Normandy.
Communique Number 36 – 23 June 1944
Pressure on the Cherbourg defenses is increasing. Patrols East of Cherbourg are finding little opposition in the sector between Cap Levy and St Vasst. Local fighting continues in the Caen – Tilly area. Early this morning an escorted enemy convoy was intercepted south of Jersey by light coastal forces. One enemy armed trawler was sunk. One of the convoy was left ablaze and damage inflicted on the remainder by gun fire. Weather restricted air operations this morning. Fighters and fighter bombers attacked varied rail targets beyond the battle area including the yards at Mézidon and a junction north of Le Mans. Rail lines south of Tourts and Orléans were cut. Bridges and tracks at Nantes, La Rouche, Saumur and Niort and to the East and Southeast of Granville were attacked. Locomotives and other rail targets in the Paris and Châteaubriant areas were shot up. Preliminary reports show eleven enemy aircrafts destroyed. None of ours is missing. Heavy day bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked, without loss, flying-bomb installations in the Pas de Calais. Coastal aircraft attacked E-Boats in the eastern Channel, sinking two, probably sinking three more and damaging several others. A minesweeper was also damaged. Reconnaissance photographs show much rolling stock destroyed in attacks by heavy night bombers on railway yards at Laon and Rheims last night. Main lines were effectively blocked at many points by direct hits.
