Communique Number 77 – 14 July 1944
On a ten-mile front South of La Haye du Puits, Allied forces have made good progress in an attack which brought our troops astride the main road to within two miles of Lessay. Units on the right advanced about 2000 yards near Bretteville and, on the Left, the attack has overrun the village of Vesly. In the Carentan sector the earlier advance has continued up both banks of the Taute River. Our troops have reached the outskirts of the village of Tribehou and have pushed on two miles to the South and East through the Bois du Hommet reaching the road near Le Hommet-d’Arthenay. Air operations were limited by weather from noon to midnight yesterday but Allied fighters and fighter bombers continued their widespread attacks on enemy communications and flew many missions in direct support of our ground forces.
Gun positions and enemy headquarters near Lessay, machinery loaded on trains near Noyant and a train loaded with armored vehicles in the Laval – Angers area were bombed and strafed with good results. Railway tracks were cut West and Southeast of Chartres, and elsewhere deep behind the enemy lines. Successful attacks were made on locomotives, tanks, armored vehicles and loaded fuel and freight cars near Tours and Mantes-Gassicourt (Mantes-la-Jolie). Bridges at Châteauneuf-en Auxois and St Florentin and a bridge and dam Southwest of Mayenne were hit. Near Montargis and Meaux, a number of freight cars were destroyed. A rail center at Nantes was bombed. Six enemy aircraft were destroyed during the day. Seven of our aircraft are missing.
Communique Number 78 – 14 July 1944
The Allied advance towards the Lessay – St Lô road continued, and several small salients have been driven into the enemy’s defenses. Laulne, Northeast of Lessay, has been taken. Between La Martinerie and Auxais we have made additional gains on both sides of the Taute River. We are across the Tribehou – Les Champs-de-Losque road, Southwest of Le Bois du Hommet. On the West bank of the Vire River, North of St Lô, another thrust has taken us to the outskirts of the village of Le Mesnil-Durand. There is no change on the remainder of the front. Our fighter bombers operated in small force in difficult weather this morning against transportation targets at Montdidier and Beauvais and in the Lisieux – Bernay area. Supporting the land forces, Normandy-based aircraft dive-bombed and strafed defended localities near St Lô.
Communique Number 79 – 15 July 1944
More ground was gained by the Allies in the base of the Cherbourg Peninsula. West of Lessay, our patrols have advanced through St Germain-sur-Ay against light opposition to Les Mézières. We have approached more closely to Lessay by taking Beauvais and La Jourdainerie. A few miles further East, we have taken La Londe and have reached the flooded basin of the Ay River. Driving south through Gorges and St Germain, our units reached Les Granges and linked up south of Le Hommet with troops advancing around the East of the Gorges marshes. Between Sainteny and the Vire River, and in the area east of St Lô, a number of local advances were made. There is nothing to report from the remainder of the front.
Yesterday afternoon, heavy bombers attacked targets in the Amiens area and medium bombers attacked bridges at Bourth and Merey. Fighters and fighter bombers continued their attacks on transportation targets. Rail lines were cut in the Argentan, Le Mans and Alençon areas and La Ferté was attacked. Other targets included motor transport South of Caen, enemy positions in the St Lô area and a radio installation near Le Havre. During yesterday, 25 enemy aircraft were shot down. Seven of ours are missing. Last night the railway center of Villeneuive St Georges was attacked by heavy bombers, while light bombers attacked barracks northeast of Poitiers. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed last night, one by intruders over Belgium and the other over the battle area.
Communique Number 80 – 15 July 1944
Allied troops, continuing their progress on the right of our front, have pushed forward to the immediate outskirts of Lessay and reached the line of inundations of the Ay River on a front of several miles. The enemy was cleared from the villages of Ste Opportune, Pissot and St Patrice-de-Claids. Further East we have advanced through Gonfreville and Nay to the banks of the Sèves River. Enemy artillery fire was heavier yesterday and during the night. Fighter bombers at minimum altitude bombed and strafed enemy troops and artillery positions in the St Lô area early this morning. Others, on reconnaissance patrols near Caen, met a force of over thirty enemy aircraft and destroyed two of them without loss.
During the increased enemy air activity yesterday, anti-aircraft gunners in the Eastern sector shot down five enemy aircraft and damaged others. Early this morning, enemy E-Boats were intercepted in the Seine River Bay while attempting to break out to the westward from Le Havre. The enemy force was driven off and pursued. During the chase, one E-Boat was set on fire. Patrol craft were later engaged off the harbor entrance and damage was inflicted on them. Contact was also made with enemy E-Boats off Cap de la Hève, and a short engagement took place before our force withdrew under fire from the shore batteries.
Communique Number 81 – 16 July 1944
Hard infantry fighting in close country continued yesterday all along the Western sectors of the Allied front. Limited advances were made at a number of points notably South of the Sainteny – Périers road and on the Northern and Eastern approaches to St Lô. In a dusk attack in the Evrecy area, the village of Esquay was captured and at midnight our troops had advanced some little distance beyond it. Fighter bombers penetrated 150 miles South of Paris yesterday evening to attack transportation and supply targets in the Nevers, Bourges, Orléans and Tours area. Last night, the rail centers at Nevers and Chalons-sur-Marne were attacked by a force of heavy bombers. Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air during yesterday’s operations. Fourteen of ours are missing.
Communique Number 82 – 16 July 1944
Allied advances have continued on the Western sector of the front. Troops moving south on the Carentan – Marigny road have taken the village of La Tiboterie. Gains have been reported South of Le Hommet d’Arthenay. Attacking towards St Lô from the Northeast, our troops have advanced more than a mile, taking the village of Emelie. They have reached a point within 1500 yards of St Lô itself, where enemy infantry today was also subjected to attack by our medium bombers. Further East, in the Tilly – Evrecy area, our troops have occupied Brettevillette. Last night’s attack through Esquay was developed to the West some 4000 yards along high ground North of Evrecy. The enemy salient created by this attack was eliminated this morning with the occupation of Gavrus and Bougy. In addition to attacking enemy front line positions, our medium bombers, escorted by fighters, struck at rail targets at Paris, Dreux, Granville and near Argentan. Bridges at Boissei-la-Lande, Ambrières-les-Vallées and near Dreux were also attacked. None of our aircraft is missing. Fighters which had escorted heavy day bombers to Germany this morning, attacked rail traffic at Luneville and strafed airfield installations in Belgium. Coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping in the Eastern Channel early this morning.
Communique Number 83 – 17 July 1944
Allied forces have made progress in the south of Le Hommet-d’Arthenay and Pont-Hébert. Our troops have established and widened a bridgehead across the Lozon River. Other small gains have been made against heavy enemy resistance. Allied pressure North and East of St Lô continues. The village of Cahier in the Tilly – Evrecy sector has been taken. About three miles West of Cahier, our forces have advanced southward, against fierce enemy resistance, to the vicinity of Noyers on the Caen – Villers-Bocage railroad. Communications were principal targets for the Allied air forces from noon yesterday until dawn. Medium bombers severed the steel rail bridge at Nantes and fired a fuel dump in the Forêt de la Guerche, South of Rennes. Bridges at St Hilaire-du-Harcouët and at L’Aigle were attacked by light bombers. Rail facilities in the Paris area were hit by fighter bombers which inflicted considerable damage to rolling stock and tracks.
Communique Number 84 – 17 July 1944
Pressure by the Allied Forces has led to further minor penetrations in the enemy positions in Normandy. Some of our patrols are across the flooded basin of the Ay River near Lessay, and to the East, just North of Périers, Les Milleries has been taken after a short advance. We are threatening the lateral Périers – St Lô road in the vicinity of Le Mesnil-Vigot after taking Remilly-sur-Lozon. Our patrols are now East and Southeast of Evrecy, although we have not occupied the town. Strong forces of heavy bombers this morning attacked railway yards at Belfort and more than a dozen river bridges in a wide circle around Paris, including bridges over the Loire River, the Yonne River, the Ailette River and the Somme River. Fighters which escorted the heavy bombers also attacked locomotives, railway cars and motor transport. Medium bombers, one of which is missing, bombed a fuel dump at Rennes while fighters and fighter bombers attacked rail facilities in the Alençon, Argentan, Domfront, and Nonant areas and troops behind the enemy lines.
Communique Number 85 – 18 July 1944
Sporadic fighting from Lessay to Noyers has brought further gains of important and commanding ground for the Allies. North of Remilly-sur-Lozon we overran the villages of La Sansonerie and L’Abbaye and they are now firmly in our hand. On the West bank of the Vire River there was a mile-deep advance south of Le Mesnil-Durand. Martinville, on one of the approaches to St Lô, has been taken. There has been heavy fighting North of Noyers and Evrecy. Haut des Forges has been captured. Enemy airfields, troops, gun positions, rail centers, and fuel and ammunition dumps were targets yesterday afternoon and evening for Allied aircraft which ranged through comparatively clear skies Southward to the Loire River as well as Eastward to the Somme River.
In operations in close support of our ground forces, fighters and fighter bombers hit many pin point targets in the path of our troops near St Lô and blocked a highway in use by the enemy south of the town. Others successfully attacked guns and an ammunition dump near Périers. Airfields at Le Mans and at Corne and Valade, on the outskirts of Aangers, were bombed and strafed with good results. Railway tracks were cut at Sablé-sur-Sarthe and near Chartres and a railway bridge Northeast Maners was severed. Our fighters attacked an enemy headquarters South of Caen destroyed motor transport South of Hottot, and made a number of sweeps deep into France. Medium bombers in the afternoon attacked a fuel dump on the outskirts of Alençon and bombed trains and a transformer station near Argentan.
Communique Number 86 – 18 July 1944
Allied forces have broken through the enemy positions East of the Orne River. In an attack which commenced early this morning supported by a terrific and accurate air bombardment, our troops have driven along the East bank of the river into the open country Southeast of Caen, where armored and mobile forces are now in action against strong enemy forces. Along the Orne, our troops are steadily clearing the enemy out of the area, including the town of Vaucelles on the South bank of the river opposite Caen. Heavy fighting continues.
In preparation for the advance, the massive weight of Allied air power was concentrated in the heavily defended Caen sector at dawn today. Waves of escorted heavy medium and light bombers, numbering more than 2200, showered enemy troops, artillery and strong points South and Southeast of Caen with 7000 tons of high explosive and fragmentation bombs. The attack continued for almost four hours with the bomb line moving gradually Southward ahead of our troops on prearranged schedule. Fighter bombers operating in great strength, in even more direct support of our advancing troops, sought out individual targets which might have impeded their progress. Others stabbed to the East and Southeast of the target area to interfere with enemy air and ground movement. No enemy aircraft appeared during the entire bombardment. Nine of our bombers are missing. On the Western sector, Allied troops have made another important advance at St Lô. The high ground to the East of the town was captured by our forces this morning after very stiff resistance. Fighting continues in the vicinity of St Lô itself.
Communique Number 87 – 19 July 1944
Fierce fighting is going on in the outskirts of Vaucelles and in the plain South and East of Caen. Enemy armored formations have been thrown in in an attempt to block the breach made in the German positions in this area. In the Juvigny area, South of Tilly, our troops have advanced about half a mile and the enemy is fighting desperately to retain his hold on Noyers. St Lô was finally cleared of the enemy during the evening yesterday. The road from St Lô to Périers has been cut between the Taute and the Vire Rivers South of the village of Amigny, which is in our hands. Allied aircraft, in great strength, continued their support of out ground forces throughout yesterday afternoon.
Bridges across the Seine and the Eure Rivers and railway lines in the Rouen area were attacked during the afternoon by medium and light bombers. Fighters and fighter bombers, in great force, attacked enemy batteries mortar positions, strong points and troop concentrations near the battle zone. Farther afield they struck at communications, airfields, supply dumps and transport from Amiens in Northeastern France to the West coast of the Cotentin Peninsula. During the day, first reports show 15 enemy aircraft were shot down and a number destroyed on the ground. Twenty-four of our aircraft are missing.
In the evening, the rail yards at Vaires, on the Eastern outskirts of Paris, were successfully attacked by escorted heavy bombers. Two bombers are missing. During the night, heavy bombers, 29 of which are missing, attacked the railway junction at Revigny, about 100 miles due East of Paris, and Aulnoye-Aymeries, about 20 miles West of the Franco-Belgian frontier. Preliminary reports indicated that both attacks were well concentrated. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed over the battle area and one by our intruders over Germany during the night. Early Tuesday morning, light coastal forces fought three brief gun actions close to the enemy coast between the Cap Gris-Nez and the mouth of the Authie River. The enemy received considerable punishment. Two of his craft were last seen on fire.
Communique Number 88 – 19 July 1944
Fierce armored and infantry fighting continued this morning in the area South and East of Caen. Vaucelles is now entirely in our hands and the enemy has been cleared from the villages of Louvigny on the West bank and Fleury on the East bank of the Orne. The breach in the enemy defenses has been widened and Allied troops have occupied the villages of Touffreville, Démouville and Giberville. Pockets of enemy resistance which had been by-passed have been eliminated. Progress continues in spite of stubborn enemy opposition. Throughout yesterday and today, Allied warships and landing craft have been engaging enemy batteries on the eastern flank in support of the Army. Allied aircraft based in Normandy maintained their patrols and close support of our troops this morning. One thousand, two hundred fifty prisoners were taken yesterday in the Caen area, and the total taken since the beginning of the campaign is now over 60.000. Allied troops have made local advances in the Hottot area and North of Remilly-sur-Lozon.
Communique Number 89 – 20 July 1944
The battle South and East of Caen continues. Allied troops striking towards Troarn have reached the railway half a mile from the town while other forces which had taken part in the clearing of Louvigny and Vaucelles have driven the enemy from the villages of Cormelles-le-Royal and Ifs. To the South and East of these villages our armor has been in action against enemy armor and anti-tank defenses based on villages and farmsteads. Further West, a systematic advance has been made along the front between Grainville and St Germain-d’Ectot. Seven bridges and enemy fuel dumps at Orléans and Bruz were the principal objectives for our medium bombers yesterday. Loire River bridges at Les Ponts-de-Cé, at La Riche (Tours), at La Possonnière, and at Nantes, as well as other bridges at Mantes-Gassicourt, Combourg and St Hilaire-du-Harcouët were attacked. Results could not be observed in all cases but three of the bridges attacked are believed to have been impassable. Armed reconnaissance patrols ranged Southward to Bordeaux and Eastward from Normandy to the Paris area to attack rail traffic. Many locomotives and goods wagons were damaged during widespread strafing and bombing of trains and rail yards.
Periodical Communique Number 1 – 20 July 1944
France: During the period of July 4/5, the French Resistance Forces continued their operations in the face of the violent German attacks which were frequently supported by tanks, artillery and aircraft. In the majority of the attacks, either the enemy was repelled with serious losses or the French Forces of the Interior were able to retire successfully. As a result of their activities, the movement of enemy troops and supplies to Normandy has been effectively delayed.
In the Department of the Ain, important zones remain liberated, though resistance forces have been forced temporarily to abandon three towns. In two departments of central France where repeated assaults of the enemy have been repelled, the Germans have suffered many casualties. Enemy losses are also considerable in the Southeast, Saône et Loire, in Brittany and in the region of Paris. A Panzer Division moving towards Normandy was detained for 30 hours, and lost 80 killed and 300 wounded.
On the whole railway system, but particularly on the more important lines, traffic has been considerably slowed down and often completely suspended by the cutting of tracks. Many derailments have resulted and at several points immobilised trains and material destroyed is considerable. A train carrying flying bombs in eastern France has been reported completely destroyed. Twenty-six bridges, most of which were on strategic routes, were destroyed or seriously damaged between June 24 and July 6.
The canals through which the Germans attempt to move part of their traffic have also been dealt with efficiently. Traffic has been interrupted by destroying locks on numerous canals including the Marne and the Rhine Canals. Electric power grids have been frequently attacked. High tension lines supplying the railroad systems in the South have been cut. Transformers and converters supplying important war factories have been destroyed. The enemy system of telecommunications has also suffered serious disturbance. The Paris-Berlin cable and many underground long distance lines in the departments of the East, Center and North have been cut periodically.
The activity of the French Forces of the Interior is also employed against the German war industry in France. In the Mediterranean region, railroad machine shops had to abandon work for at least a month. An engine depot has been destroyed in the Alps. A surprise attack by the French Forces of the Interior liberated interned patriots and the camp of Évaux-les-Bains.
Belgium: Resistance groups in Belgium have, since the Allied landings, been engaged in the systematic destruction of railways, road bridges, telecommunications, railway turntables and signaling apparatus, throughout the entire country. Results obtained have been highly satisfactory. The Belgian network of rail and road communications has been largely disrupted and thus has contributed substantially to delaying the movement of the enemy reinforcements to the battle area.
Communique Number 90 – 20 July 1944
A series of infantry thrusts to the East and South of Caen have steadily extended the area, which is firmly in our hands. Bourguébus and Frénouville have been freed of the enemy and we are in possession of the villages of Bras and Hubert-Folie and of the ridge to the North of St André-sur-Orne. Enemy attempts to counter-attack were repulsed and our threat to Troarn was increased by an advance towards St Pair on the high ground to the south of the town. Northwest of St Lô, Allied troops advanced to the line of the Vire and also improved their positions to the south of the town. Visibility limited air operations over the immediate battle area from midnight until noon, but several successful attacks were made in Northeast France.
Near Amiens two trains loaded with enemy tanks were effectively bombed by our fighter bombers which also damaged a bridge over the Somme River and destroyed railroad rolling stock at Abancourt and at Sable-sur-Sarthe, Northeast of Angers. A highway bridge at Gisors was attacked and rail lines were cut in several places North of Laval and Le Mans and Southwest of Dreux. Escorted light bombers hit the rail centers at Chaulnes, near Amiens, destroying much rolling stock. Coastal aircraft attacked enemy surface craft in the Channel. One enemy aircraft was shot down near St Quentin. Two of our fighters are missing.
Communique Number 91 – 21 July 1944
Attacking from the ridge North of St André-sur-Orne, Allied Infantry have captured the village. Between there and Bourguébus we have extended our hold on the high ground from the Orne River to the vicinity of Verrières. Air operations over the immediate battle area yesterday were limited by poor visibility. A strong force of heavy bombers, nine of which are missing, made an accurate and concentrated attack last night on the railway yards at Courtrai, in Belgium.
Communique Number 92 – 21 July 1944
Allied troops yesterday continued the advance South of St André-sur-Orne against heavy enemy resistance, which developed into an enemy counter-attack near St Martin-de-Fontenay. This counter-attack, which was supported by armor, was repulsed with loss to the enemy. In the area East of Caumont, our troops have made a slight advance. Allied forces in the Western sector have made small local gains North of Périers and along the Périers – St Lô road South of Remilly-sur-Lozon. An enemy counter-attack near Raids was repulsed. Bad weather severely restricted air activity this morning.
Communique Number 93 – 21 July 1944
There is nothing to eport.
Communique Number 94 – 22 July 1944
A number of enemy counter-attacks on both Western and Eastern sectors of the front have been repulsed with a total of at least 14 enemy tanks knocked out. A limited number of aerial patrols were operated during the period from midnight to noon today.
Communique Number 95 – 23 July 1944
In the Caen sector, East of the Orne, Allied troops have cleared the enemy from the village of Étavaux. Our forces advanced southeast of Éterville and Maltot is in our hands. North of Périers, we have crossed the Sèves River in the vicinity of the village of Sèves. Fuel dumps in the Forêt de Conches, Messei and Château de Tertu were attacked by medium bombers early yesterday evening. Escorted night bombers attacked rail lines at Bourth and military buildings near Vannes. Bridges near Brest and Cholet were hit by fighters and fighter bombers. Locomotives were attacked, tracks severed and trucks destroyed in the areas of Lorient, Chartres and Angers. Two of our aircraft are missing.
Communique Number 96 – 23 July 1944
Allied troops East of CAEN have cleared the enemy from the village of Émiéville. Enemy counter-attacks were repulsed in the regions of yesterday’s advance near Maltot and near Sèves in the Western sector. Medium and light bombers, this morning, attacked six rail targets leading to the battle zone. Results were unobserved. Other bombers, before dawn, harassed enemy communications at Rouen, Vierzon and a number of the Seine River crossings.
Communique Number 97 – 24 July 1944
Sharp local engagements took place South of the Sèves River, in the area North of the Esquay and on the Orne River South of Maltot. Our forward positions remain substantially unchanged. Enemy supply system and airfields Northeast of Paris were attacked by our air forces during yesterday. In addition, close support was given to the land forces in Normandy. Medium bombers attacked a railway bridge North of the Seine River at Mirville and a railway crossing at the Risle River Southwest of Rouen, and the Charentonne River at Serquiny. Other targets were fuel dumps in the Forêt de Conches and a railway yard near Monfort. Direct hits were registered by our fighter bombers on two double span highway bridges crossing the Sienne River at Coutances. Other fighter bombers, patrolling Southward below the valley of the Loire, severed rail lines in many places and damaged numerous railroad cars and locomotives. Last night heavy bombers attacked oil storage depots at Donges, near St Nazaire.
Communique Number 98 – 24 July 1944
Early today, Allied light bombers harried enemy troops and attacked rail movements in a broad belt behind the enemy line from the East of the Seine to the battle area. A supply dump in the Forêt de Cinglais was bombed. Two of our aircraft are< missing. Enemy coastal craft were intercepted and engaged off the Cap d'Antifer by our naval patrols early yesterday. Three enemy R-Boats were severely damaged and one was set on fire. There is nothing to report from our ground forces. Communique Number 99 – 25 July 1944
An Allied attack began early this morning astride the Falaise road South of Caen. First reports indicate that some progress already has been made. Rail bridges and other communications facilities North of the Loire River and West of Tours were successfully attacked yesterday by our medium and light bombers. Ammunition and fuel dumps Southeast of Caen and rail targets in the Arras and Le Mans areas were attacked by low-flying fighter bombers. An enemy cargo ship was damaged by coastal aircraft last evening off the Isle of Guernsey. Last night, an oil storage depot at Donges, near St Nazaire, was attacked by our heavy bombers, two of which are missing.
Communique Number 100 – 25 July 1944
Heavy fighting has followed our attack South of Caen this morning. In spite of stubborn enemy resistance with armor and infantry, the advance has been maintained and fighting is in progress in the area of May-sur-Orne and Tilly-la-Campagne. In the Western sector an attack was launched at noon West of St Lô. A great weight of Allied air power was employed in conjunction with our ground troops. Very large forces of heavy, medium, light and fighter bombers joined in a concentrated attack preceding the ground operations near St Lô, dropping very great numbers of fragmentation and high explosive bombs. More medium and fighter bombers attacked targets in the zone beyond Caen. Fighters provided escort and carried out offensive sweeps. At least 12 enemy aircraft were shot down in these operations. According to reports so far received six of our bombers and three fighters are missing. Coastal aircraft this morning attacked enemy surface craft in the Channel.
Communique Number 101 – 26 July 1944
In the area West of St Lô, Allied troops have advanced up to 3000 yards on a wide front and have crossed the Périers – St Lô road at a number of places. South of Caen, fighting has been very bitter and enemy counter-attacks, ome supported by armor, have continued all day. Our initial gains have been held and fighting continues in the area of May-sur-Orne, Verrières and Tilly-la-Campagne. Following yesterday morning’s operations in support of ground forces in both the Caen and St Lô sectors, smaller formations of Allied aircraft continued close support of our ground forces throughout the day. Numerous tanks, gun positions, strong points and motor transport just forward of our line and an enemy headquarters West of St Lô were among targets attacked by fighter-bombers and fighters. Other formations of both fighters and medium bombers attacked communications targets, including bridges, fuel dumps, supply depots, rail yards and trains behind the enemy lines. At least 25 enemy aircraft were destroyed yesterday. Seventeen of ours are missing.
Communique Number 102 – 26 July 1944
In the Western sector the Allied advance has continued to make steady progress and the battle area has been extended. East of the Orne the enemy is making every effort to block our entry to the open country Southeast of Caen, and additional enemy reinforcements have been brought into the area. Allied attacks have been heavily engaged by defensively-sited armor, artillery and mortar fire. In one locality our forces have repulsed a heavy enemy counter-attack which was strongly supported by tanks. Small forces of medium bombers operating in poor weather bombed enemy positions in the St Lô area and a fuel dump near Alençon this morning. Formations of fighter bombers struck at enemy bivouac areas, machine gun positions and other tactical targets which were indicated by our land forces.
Communique Number 103 – 27 July 1944
In the area West of St Lô, Allied forces have made good gains through enemy positions. One armored column has driven South some five miles from the Périers – St Lô road to take Marigny. Another armored prong thrust across the St Lô – Coutances road through St Gilles. The advance is continuing. Elsewhere in the western sector local gains have been made. South of Caen there has been heavy fighting, with the enemy continuing a stubborn defense. All attacks by our forces in this sector have met strong concentrations of enemy tanks, artillery and mortars. Several enemy counter-attacks have been repulsed.
Yesterday afternoon and evening fighter bombers attacked enemy gun positions, strong points, tank and troop concentrations in and around the battle area. Other fighter bombers and fighters kept up the attack on transportation targets over a wide area from Douai to Vendome, cutting railway tracks and strafing locomotives, rolling stock and vehicles. Sixteen enemy aircraft were shot down. Thirteen of ours are missing. Fuel dumps at Fontainebleau and Senonches and railway bridges at Épernon and L’Aigle were attacked early yesterday evening by medium bombers. Heavy bombers, six of which are missing, attacked the railway center of Givors, 12 miles South of Lyon, last night. Three enemy aircraft were shot down during the night, two over Normandy and one by Intruders.
