Document Source: Supreme Allied Headquarters Archival Document, Original Communiques of the Supreme Commander, European Theater of Operations
Communique Number 51 – 1 July 1944
Allied troops are strengthening their positions on both banks of the Odon River. All enemy attempts to break in were frustrated in the Caen-Evrecy sector. There is nothing to report on the rest of the front. Enemy supply lines to the immediate battle area were constantly under attack by our aircraft yesterday. Further afield focal communication points where enemy troops were on the move, at Chartres, Dreux, Alençon, L’Aigle, and Argentan, were also bombed. There were scattered encounters with enemy fighters throughout the day. Five airfields in France and Belgium were targets for some of our heavy day bombers while others attacked armored vehicles around Villers le Bocage. Last night, our heavies bombed the rail centers at Vièrzon, South of Orléans. Sixteen heavy bombers are
missing from these operations.
Communique Number 52 – 1 July 1944br>
No further gains have been made in the strong Allied bridgehead across the Odon River. Local enemy movement in the vicinity of Esquay and attempts by the enemy to infiltrate our positions from the East were unsuccessful. In the Cherbourg Peninsula a small area of enemy resistance in the Cap de la Hague has been further reduced. Bad weather minimized air activity during the afternoon.
Communique Number 53 – 2 July 1944
The liberation of the Cherbourg Peninsula is now complete. The last enemy resistance in the Cap de la Hague ceased early yesterday morning. In the area South of Tilly-sur-Seulles the enemy has made repeated counter-attacks against the Western flank of the Odon River bridgehead. The Allied positions remain firmly intact and the enemy has incurred serious losses in infantry and armor. Unfavorable flying weather continued to restrict air activity from noon to midnight yesterday but in spite of low clouds our fighters attacked targets of tactical importance to our ground forces in the Caen-Evrecy sector. Enemy guns and mortar positions near Carpiquet and military transport near Coudres, Harcourt, Argentan, and Falaise were hit with good results by fighters based in Normandy. Other fighters and fighter bombers operating form Britain, bombed and strafed moving targets East of the battle area and at Chartres and beyond Paris. Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed. Three of our fighters are missing.
Communique Number 54 – 2 July 1944
The Allied bridgehead across the Odon River stands firm despite continuous enemy assault. All day, Saturday, there was fierce fighting, particularly on the West of the deep salient. The enemy made repeated counter-attacks in a vain effort to cut off our wedge at it’s base. During the afternoon the enemy managed once to effect some penetration, but this temporary success was vigorously beaten back with heavy loss to the enemy of men and tanks. Enemy units forming up for a major attack were broken up by a concentration of Allied artillery fire and the attack collapsed. Attacks by smaller forces, supported by a few tanks, have continued to prove very costly to the enemy. At least forty enemy tanks were knocked out. The official count of prisoners taken since the initial landing now exceeds forty thousand. From midnight until noon today air operations were confined to patrols over the area occupied by our forces.
Communique Number 55 – 3 July 1944
During yesterday morning, our Odon River bridgehead was further strengthened. The enemy’s activity was on a reduced scale owing probably to the severe mauling he received on Saturday. There were some enemy attacks but they were firmly repulsed. There is nothing to report from the remainder of the front. Bad weather continued to restrict air activity yesterday, but fighter bombers attacked bridges over the Orne River and fighters attacked vehicles on the roads behind the enemy lines. Twenty one enemy aircraft were shot down. Three of ours are missing. One enemy aircraft was shot down over Normandy last night.
Communique Number 56 – 3 July 1944
During Sunday afternoon, there were only local clashes in the Caen area. Our patrols penetrated deep into the enemy positions in some parts of the Evrecy sector. Contact was maintained along the whole front. Today, Allied forces gained some ground to the South in the Cotentin Peninsula. Air activity from midnight until noon today was again reduced by bad weather. Our fighters destroyed eight enemy aircraft for the loss of two during the forenoon over the battle area.
Communique Number 57 – 4 July 1944
Allied troops in the neck of the Cherbourg Peninsula advances at several points yesterday morning. Gains of up to two and one half miles were made in spite of heavy rains which severely restricted air support. The weather improved somewhat yesterday evening and defended localities, gun positions and a fuel dump in the Lessay area were effectively attacked by fighter bombers. Our positions in the Odon River salient remain firm. Other air activity yesterday included successful attacks by medium bombers on a fuel dump near Argentan and by rocket firing aircraft on an electric power station near Mur de Bretagne in the Brest Peninsula. The enemy railway system South of the battle area was further damaged during the night when a number of trains were bombed in the Orléans, Colyes-Monfort area.
Communique Number 58 – 4 July 1944
Allied forces made two major attacks this morning. In the Caen area, our troops, driving Southeast astride the railway and main road from Bayeux to Caen, have captured Carpiquet. Fighting is in progress on the airfield there. Other Allied units, moving from the Eastern flank of the Odon River bridgehead, advanced several miles, capturing Verson and joining with our troops on their left. In the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula, Allied forces moving South captured the high ground north of La Haye du Puits this morning. The successful assault of this dominating feature followed earlier advances near St Rémy des Landes, Blanchelande and La Poterie where substantial gains have been made. Weather continued to interfere with air operations from midnight until noon today but during the entire period our aircraft, taking advantage of favorable intervals, attacked a variety of targets in support of our troops.
All types of our fighters joined in supporting ground operations in the Caen-Evrecy and Cherbourg Peninsula sectors. Fighter bombers made low level attacks on artillery positions, supply dumps, trenches and railways between Coutances and Lessay. Troop concentrations on the railways at Villedieu, Vire, Le Mans and Southeast of Argentan were bombed and strafed in spite of poor visibility. Motor convoys and towing guns were effectively hit near Bethon (South of Alençon) as were railway targets and oil storage tanks in the Brest Peninsula. Reports so far received show that twelve of our fighters are missing. Heavy day bombers, escorted by fighters, this morning attacked a number of airfields in North and Northwest France, bombing by instruments. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Two of our bombers are missing. Escorting fighters also bombed and strafed two Seine River bridges and trains at Lilly.
Early this morning, light coastal forces intercepted a small enemy convoy to the Northwest of St Malo. Two of the enemy were sunk, and damage inflicted on others. Unsuccessful attempts were made by a number of enemy E-Boats to break into our lines of communication from the Eastward during the night. The enemy was finally driven off by light coastal forces after a succession of engagements which lasted throughout the night.
Communique Number 59 – 5 July 1944
The Allied advance Southwards in the Cotentin Peninsula made further progress during the day, particularly in the vicinity of St Rémy des Landes and Blanchelande. Our troops to the west and North of La Haye du Puits, and now within four miles of the town. A small gain was also made Southeast of St Jores. In the Caen area, Allied forces were engaged in fierce fighting South of the village of Carpiquet. There was a considerable increase in air activity yesterday. The principal effort was directed by our fighter bombers against enemy communications road, rail and water over a mile wide area extending from Nantes in the west to Cambrai in the east. Considerable damage was caused to trains, tracks, barges, motor transport and flak towers, in the Angers – Tours – Laval area. In the immediate battle zone South of Caen, and at Lessay on the extreme Western flank, targets were attacked in direct support of our ground forces.
There was a series of encounters with enemy fighters during these small operations and a number were destroyed. Our losses were small. Last night the railways at Villeneuve St Georges and Orléans were attacked by heavy bombers, fourteen of which are missing. Light bombers also attacked successfully enemy reinforcements, particularly in the Western battle sector. They also hit rail targets South of Paris. Coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping off Brittany during the afternoon and in the Channel last night.
Communique Number 60 – 5 July 1944
Further advances have been made by Allied forces in the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula although resistance is strong and the enemy is well-positioned on high ground. Most progress was made in the coastal sector. St Nicolas de Pierrepont and Neuf-Mesnil have been liberated and some units are now approaching La Haye du Puits. In the Caen area the enemy is counter-attacking strongly. Our position at Carpiquet remains firm. During the night, coastal aircraft heavily attacked concentrations of E-Boats and other vessels between Dieppe and Gravelines. One armed auxiliary vessel blew up and several other craft were damaged. Bad weather again interfered with air operations this morning.
Heavy bombers attacked airfields in Belgium and Holland. They were escorted by fighters which subsequently strafed a variety of ground targets, including railway yards, power stations and airfields. Medium bombers escorted by fighters bombed two bridges over the Orne River, a fuel dump at Senonches, a rail junction at L’Aigle and a supply depot in a wood twenty five miles southwest of Dreux. Two of the medium bombers are missing. Fighter bombers attacked flak positions in the Caen area and railway targets near Laval.
Communique Number 61 – 6 July 1944
Allied troops have taken the railway station at La Haye du Puits, and are pushing on to the South, with the enemy contesting every foot of ground. Our positions at Carpiquet have been held. Enemy attacks continue. Fierce combats with strong formations of enemy fighters, which were engaged in varying weather over the battle area and to the South and East, marked out air operations yesterday afternoon and evening. Considerable numbers of our fighters and fighter bombers, vigorously supporting our ground forces, joined in the air battles which took place along the entire front. Notable air victories were scored in the area bounded by Chartres, Rouen, Caen and Argentan, by fighters out to attack road and rail transport. They also attacked tanks at the Carpiquet airfield and special targets indicated by ground commanders close behind the enemy lines and at St Lô, Vire, Falaise, Périers, and Dreux. At least thirty five enemy aircraft were shot down during the day and four of ours are missing.
During the night, heavy bombers attacked the railway yards at Dijon. All our bombers returned safely. Light bombers also hit railway junctions and bridges at Villerdieu, Hyenville and Granville. During Tuesday night, a considerable force of enemy E-Boats and R-Boats attempted to enter the Eastern Anchorage. The enemy was intercepted, brought to action, and finally driven off by light coastal forces. Two enemy R-Boats were sunk and a third severely damaged.
Special Communique Number 4 – 6 July 1944
From June 22 to July 3 (1944), the French Forces of the Interior have continued their attacks on lines of communication. Previous cuts have in almost all cases been maintained. During this period, the FFI troops have been occupied in regrouping and reorganizing. The Vercors, part of the Gers, the Doubs, and the Ardèche have been liberated, in spite of violent reaction on the part of the German troops, who were supported by fighter and bomber aircraft and armor. The enemy has suffered severe losses both in men and material. Two aircraft have definitely been destroyed, several armored vehicles have been captured, and in one engagement alone 150 Germans were killed and 15 taken prisoner.
The destruction of the lines of communications continues with considerable effect. In the Meurthe et Moselle, the FFI have, in ten days, caused 24 derailments, thereby destroying five locomotives and 54 trucks. Traffic on the line Narbonne – Sète – Béziers and Bédarieu was intercepted as a result of numerous attacks, in particular the destruction of two tunnels. Derailments have been caused in the marshalling yards at Luneville and Blanvile, causing serious dislocation in traffic. The movement of a train of tracks loaded with Mark VI Tiger Tanks was held up in the Aurillac Railroad Station as a result of the destruction of bridges.
In the neighborhood of the bridgehead, renewed sabotage of the railway lines and the enemy’s telecommunications has been reported. The underground long distance lines have been cut in more than 100 places. In particular, the important German cable, used by the Luftwaffe in the Haute-Saône has been destroyed. The repeated station at Limoges has been rendered useless. In the Roussillon on the Plateau de Maimaison, in the Toulouse area, at Cholet, in the Gers, many high tension cables have been cut. An important oil refinery has been put out of action by the FFI. There has been further sabotage of canals.
Communique Number 62 – 6 July 1944
Allied troops advancing east of La Haye du Puits have reached the edge of the Forêt de Mont-Castre and are threatening the last area of high ground which dominate the town. Our progress is maintained down the road Southwest from Carentan in spite of enemy counter-attacks. In the Caen area the battle at Carpiquet airfield continues with fierce armored and infantry fighting. A number of enemy tanks have been destroyed. The enemy’s rail and road supply system in the huge triangle Paris – Dol – La Roche-sur-Yon, was mauled severely today by our air forces operating in strength and without interruption. Our fighter bombers maintained armed reconnaissance patrol in this triangle throughout the morning, severing rail lines at many points. Enemy troop concentrations Southwest of Carentan and a road causeway near Lessay were also dive-bombed. Medium bombers attacked several rail bridges in the combat area with good results. Fuel dumps at Chartres, Argentan, and Cérences were set afire. Early this morning during an offensive sweep towards Brest, an enemy force of four armed trawlers was intercepted by destroyer patrols. Three of the enemy were left burning fiercely.
Communique Number 63 – 7 July 1944
The battle for La Haye du Puits continues. East of the Carentan-Périers road we have advanced towards Sainteny. There is no change in the Caen sector. The enemy’s supply system was again the principal target for our air forces, which operated in strength throughout yesterday afternoon and evening. The attacks were mainly between Paris and Vierzon in the East reaching West and Northwest into Brittany and towards the battle area. Heavy bombers, escorted by fighters, bombed railway bridges over the Loire River, while medium and light bombers struck at other rail targets West of Paris. Fighter bombers and fighters continued their armed reconnaissance, medium bombers joining them in attacks on fuel dumps and rail facilities. Preliminary reports show that twelve enemy aircraft were shot down. Six of ours are missing. During the night, light bombers attacked rail targets behind the enemy line and in the neighborhood of Le Mans.
Communique Number 64 – 7 July 1944
Allied forces have made some progress Southwest along the Carentan-Périers road. West of Airel our troops have captured a small bridgehead over the Vier River. Air activity over the beaches and battle area up to noon today was confined to reconnaissance patrols.
Communique Number 65 – 8 July 1944
In the Carentan sector, our troops advancing from the East have extended the bridgehead over the Vire River. Further North, other Allied units have pushed down the road from Carentan towards St Jean de Daye. These two converging forces are now within two miles of the town. Our air forces were active in close support of the land fighting yesterday afternoon and evening. Machine gun nests and road junctions were under intermittent dive-bombing attacks throughout the period. A strong force of heavy bombers effectively attacked a concentration of troops, tanks, guns, and strong points North of Caen before darkness last night. Two thousand three hundred tonds of explosives hit the target area.
Further damage was inflicted on the enemy’s transport system from Saintes and Angoulème, 200 miles South of Normandy, to Meaux East of Paris. The Tours – La Riche railway bridge over the Loire River was attacked by medium bombers, and fighter bombers struck at railway yards, tracks, and motor convoys. An ammunition trains on the Niot – Saumur Line exploded after a dive-attack. Early this morning, heavy night bombers attacked the railway yards at Vaires in the Eastern outskirts of Paris.
Communique Number 66 – 8 July 1944
Steady gains have been made on all active portions of the front. Our patrols now are in the town of La Haye du Puits and we command all of the high ground in the area. The bridgehead over the Vire River has been extended beyond St Jean de Daye, and between that village and Carentan, Allied troops have advanced to the Vire and Taute Canal. North of Caen, in heavy fighting, the enemy has been driven from the villages of St Contest, Épron, and Hérouville. Our progress everywhere owes much to the Allied Air Forces which operated in strength. Medium and light bombers delivered low-level attacks with good results on troops concentrations, batteries and strong points just ahead of our troops near Caen, and on communication targets as far North as Nantes. Others reported hits on a railway bridge over the Eure River at Nogent le Roi and another spanning the Loire at Saumur. One medium bomber is missing. Escorting fighters destroyed three enemy aircraft.
Heavy day bombers, with a strong escort of fighters, searched for openings in the clouds and bombed targets of opportunity East of the Seine River. Early Friday morning a force of enemy E-Boats and R-Boats with two M-class minesweepers, and one other unidentified vessel, was intercepted in an attempt to enter the Eastern anchorage and was brought to action. One German vessel was seen to blow up, one E-Boat or R-Boat was sunk and another set on fire.
Communique Number 67 – 9 July 1944
The attack on Caen continues, with our infantry making steady progress covered by heavy artillery and air support. Every house and farm has been made into a center of resistance which is defended stubbornly. On the West, further gains have been made on both sides of La Haye du Puits. Allied forces have advanced two miles Southwest of St Jean de Daye. Our fighters and fighter bombers ranged from the Loire River to the channel, and from Paris to Nantes, attacking enemy transportation. Tracks were severed on the main rail lines from Paris to both, Le Havre and Orléans. More than 150 railroad cars were destroyed. Near Evreux, direct hits were registered on the mouth of a rail tunnel.
Small formations of heavy day bombers struck at railway choke points at Etaples, junctions at L’Aigle and the Mantes-Gassicourt bridge, while medium and light aircraft hit a large railway bridge at Nantes. Normandy-based aircraft, in close support of our troops, attacked earthwork fortifications and gun and mortar positions before our lines. Others strafed troops moving by rail towards the front and destroyed three tanks and other military vehicles. During yesterday, 24 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and six in the air. Our losses were 12 heavy bombers and five fighters.
Communique Number 68 – 9 July 1944
The town of Caen has been liberated. Many pockets of enemy resistance remain but these are being systematically dealt with. Local gains have been made in the Odon bridgehead and in the Caumont-Tilly sector. In the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula, German resistance in La Haye du Puits was crushed after the town had been by-passed on both sides. Some ground has also been gained towards Sainteny although enemy resistance is intense in both this area and beyond St Jean de Daye.
Heavy bombers attacked the airfield at Châteaudun and bridges in the Tours area this morning. Escorting fighters shot down one enemy aircraft, and bombed and strafed ground targets including locomotives, rolling stock and motor transport. Medium bombers, one of which is missing, attacked a fuel dump at Rennes and a road bridge South of Orléans. They were escorted by fighters which also bombed gun positions South of Rennes and near St Malo. Naval patrols made contact with groups of enemy E-Boats off the mouth of the Seine River early on Saturday morning. During the actions which followed two enemy E-Boats were severely and one was set on fire before the enemy escaped into Le Havre. Early this morning, destroyers on patrol sighted and chased a force of five armed trawlers off the Cap Fréhel. The enemy force escaped inshore under shelter of shore batteries, but not before they had received serious punishment.
Communique Number 69 – 10 July 1944
Following the devastating bombing yesterday morning, armor and infantry thrusting down all roads leading into Caen from the North and West have forced the enemy out of the town back to the line of the Orne River. This advance was supported by naval gunfire and rocket-firing aircraft based in Normandy. Fighters from Britain ranged to the South and East of the town, effectively checking enemy attempts to bring up reinforcements. Reports received indicate that the enemy has suffered heavy casualties in this operation. Patrols have crossed the Odon River a short distance above its junction with the Orne River. In the West an advance on both sides of the Carentan – Périers road brought Allied troops close to the village of Sainteny. The bridgehead over the Vire River was further widened and strengthened in spite of stiff enemy resistance.
Small formations of fighters and fighter bombers on patrol in the area Paris to St Lô and to the South attacked bridges and transport at Mantes-Gassicourt, Montfort-sur-Risle and Lessay. Rail embankments at Bourth and bridges behind the enemy line were also attacked during the period from noon to midnight. Five enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of five of ours. During the late evening, light bombers attacked a bridge and a rail junction North of Poitiers, ferries between Quillbeuf and Duclair and bridges, trains and road transport East of the battle area. In yesterday morning’s operation by escorted heavy bombers, six enemy aircraft were destroyed by our fighters. Three of our bombers and three fighters are missing.
Communique Number 70 – 10 July 1944
In the Caen sector the fighting has extended to the area South of the Odon River. From the Odon bridgehead our troops have advanced through the villages of Éterville and Maltot. Enemy strong points, which were bypassed in our advance yesterday, are being systematically eliminated. Southwest of Carentan our troops advancing along the road toward Périers have liberated the village of Sainteny. South of Tilly and south of La Haye du Puits strong German armored counter-attacks have been repulsed and a number of their tanks destroyed. Widespread attacks on the enemy transportation system were carried out last night by our light bombers. Seventeen trains and associated targets on rail lines leading to the battle front were damaged or set on fire. Our fighter bombers operated in the Lessay and St Lô sectors this morning, attacking gun positions and strong points.
Communique Number 71 – 11 July 1944
Fighting has been particularly severe in the front of the Odon bridgehead where our advance to the high ground overlooking the Orne River was hotly contested. South of the Vire bridgehead, Allied troops pushed forward towards Pont Hébert, in the direction of St Lô. Further West, on the road to Périers an advance of more than a mile was made in the face of determined resistance. South of La Haye du Puits, local gains were made. The enemy has not repeated his counter-attacks in this area. Yesterday, fighter bombers and rocket-firing fighters attacked targets South of Caen, including tank and troop concentrations and motor transport. One aircraft is missing from these operations. Last night, light bombers attacked enemy transport facilities in Northeastern France.
Communique Number 72 – 11 July 1944
The enemy South of La Haye du Puits, is being pushed steadily Southward. He is taking advantage of the close country to delay our advance toward Lessay. Allied thrusts Southwest of Carentan and west from St Jean de Daye are converging on St André de Bohon. In the Odon bridgehead area, fierce fighting has been going on. North of Esquay, hill 112 has changed hands several times. An enemy counter-attack from Maltot towards Eterville was repulsed. A number of enemy tanks were destroyed. East of the Orne, Allied troops from the Ste Honorine area have advanced toward Colombelles in the face of intense opposition. In the area South of Tilly heavy fighting near Hottot-les-Bagues has resulted in local Allied gains.
During the forenoon today, fighters and fighter bombers operating from bases in Normandy attacked targets in close support of the ground forces. Allied troops, including French troops of the Special Air Service Regiments (SAS), have been operating well behind the enemy lines against communications and other military targets. Considerable success has attended their operations and a number of prisoners have been taken. These are being held pending transmission to this country.
Communique Number 73 – 12 July 1944
German counter-attacks were many and severe all along the Allied front on Tuesday, but they were held and we have made some gains. There was an Allied advance on the road south from La Haye du Puits towards Lessay and the bulge past Sainteny was slightly enlarged. Fighting in the vicinity of St Lô has been heavy and we now have Pont Hébert. The strongest German counter blow was in the area Colombelles – Ste Honorine. During the day, our aircraft in support of ground forces destroyed 28 enemy tanks and damaged 16 others. Fighter bombers destroyed or damaged 31 tanks in the Lessay – St Lô area while rocket-firing aircraft accounted for 13 near Hottot-les-Bagues and Vimont.
Enemy artillery positions along the entire front were under air attack yesterday afternoon. Batteries in the Périers – Lessay sector were attacked and direct hits registered on camouflaged gun positions. Our medium bombers attacked fuel dumps at Flers, Forêt d’Écouves, Tertu and the Forêt d’Andaine, and a railway bridge at Bourth yesterday afternoon. East of Paris, aircraft on armed reconnaissance attacked transportation targets.
Communique Number 74 – 12 July 1944
Steady Allied pressure in all the main areas of activity continues to force the enemy slowly back. Allied gains have been small but widespread, and the enemy has suffered considerable losses in abortive counter-attacks. The Forêt de Mont-Castre is in our hands, and Southwest of Carentan a further advance has been made down the road from Sainteny. Allied troops also gained some ground South of the village of St André de l’Épine. Further East, fighting continued around the village of Hottot-les-Bagues Southwest of Tilly, and in the Louvigny area near Caen. More than 40 enemy tanks were claimed knocked out Tuesday by ground action. From midnight until noon today, Allied aircraft ranged from Bruxelles (Belgium) to Bordeaux (France), attacking enemy transport and supply facilities and harassing troops. During the night, light bombers patrolled the Seine River crossings and the Orléans area, bombing power installation at Blois and the rail yards at Tours.
From first light, fighters and fighter bombers gave close support to ground forces, attacking many targets indicated by Army Commanders. They also dive-bombed enemy troops and choke points at Mantes-Gassicourt, Épernon, Chartres and Southwest of Rambouillet. A railway bridge near Cherisy was attacked. Rail lines at Tours, Saumur, La Flèche and Chérisy were cut. In the St Lô area, medium and light bombers destroyed a number of vehicles in a late morning attack on troop concentrations, fuel dumps and motor parks. Coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping off the coast, and bombs were seen to burst among enemy E-Boats and R-Boats.
Communique Number 75 – 13 July 1944
The Allies continue to drive the Germans back in the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula, and are now three miles south of La Haye du Puits. La Salmonnerie, Southeast of the Forêt de Mont-Castre, was taken. South of Sainteny, our units hold La Maugerie and La Roserie. Allied troops converging on St André de Bohon, have met across the Taute River, and most of the village is in our hands. La Meauffe, by-passed in the advance North of St Lô has been mopped, and St Pierre de Semilly was occupied after we crossed the St Lô – Bérigny road. German counter-attacks, thrown repeatedly against our positions on the Caen – Evrecy road, were beaten off by our forces. Attacking targets in close support of the land battles yesterday, our Normandy-based fighters, carrying bombs and rockets, scored many successes on convoys, enemy occupied buildings, armored vehicles and a tank repair depot. Gun emplacements and mortar fire were silenced at army call.
Rail bridges at Pontorson and Craon were successfully attacked by fighter bombers. At least nine enemy aircraft were destroyed in combat. Despite unfavorable weather our medium bombers smashed the bridge at Cinq-Mars, 30 miles East of Saumur and the span crossing the Eure River ar Nogent Le Roi. The railway centers of Tours and Culmont-Chalindrey were attacked by our heavy night bombers.
Communique Number 76 – 13 July 1944
Allied forces are making slow but steady progress in the sector North of Lessay. South of Carentan, we have advanced 1500 yards and driven the enemy from the village of St André de Bohon. Further gains have been made along the Bayeux – St Lô road near La Barre-de-Semilly. Coastal aircraft this morning attacked two small forces of enemy shipping in the Eastern Channel area. Two of our aircraft are missing. Fighter bombers attacked a fuel dump at Sens Southeast of Paris, and bombed railway tracks and yards in the area around Chartres.