Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 12, 1944)
Communique No. 14
The fusion of our beachheads is now complete and a coastal strip some 60 miles long is firmly in our hands. Its depth is being increased steadily.
Slight advances were made east of CAEN.
U.S. 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 SAINT-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 16 airfields, from DREUX to LILLE, and at six rail bridges in the SAINT-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 BERVILLE-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 at JOULIME, 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.