Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 13, 1944)
Communique No. 15
After two days of hard fighting, U.S. troops have liberated CARENTAN, the possession of which materially strengthens the link established between our two major beachheads.
In the TILLY sector, strong enemy resistance continues. Steady progress has been made in other areas although there have been no marked advances.
The buildup is progressing satisfactorily.
Railway targets and enemy troops and vehicles were the main objectives of our aircraft which struck again in great strength throughout the afternoon and evening yesterday.
Attacks were made by medium fighter bombers at various points on the railway system behind the enemy. The railway bridge over the SEINE at MANTES-GASSICOURT was attacked. Tracks radiating from NOGENT-LE-ROTROU and LE MANS were cut at several places and oil tank cars and goods wagons were destroyed.
Other targets included troops and motor transport in the battle zone, radio installations and gun positions. A tank concentration in the FORÊT DE GRIMBOSQ, southwest of CAEN, was heavily bombed; in the course of this attack, an ammunition dump blew up.
Fighters patrolled the beach areas and the Channel; other fighters destroyed a number of enemy aircraft on the ground.
Last night, heavy bombers in great strength attacked the railway centers of AMIENS, ARRAS, CAMBRAI and POITIERS and bridges at CAEN. Twenty-three of these aircraft are missing, medium and fighter bombers bombed ferry installations over the SEINE and CAUDEBEC, the rail center at MÉZIDON, and other rail and road targets in the same area during the night. Four of these aircraft are missing.
Our night fighters destroyed nine enemy aircraft over the beachhead and battle area.
Communique No. 16
Allied troops have advanced generally in all sectors, particularly south of BAYEUX between the FORÊT DE CERISY and TILLY-SUR-SEULLES.
Two more towns have been liberated. They are TROARN, on the left, and LE HAM in the CHERBOURG PENINSULA.
More than 10,000 prisoners have now been taken.
Attempts by enemy light craft were made last night to approach our lines of communication. The enemy was intercepted and driven off by our naval patrols.
Deteriorating weather today slowed down our air offensive. Nevertheless, escorted heavy day bombers continued their attacks on airfields to the west of PARIS at ÉVREUX-FAUVILLE, DREUX and ILLIERS-L’ÉVÊQUE. A fuel dump at DREUX was set afire. Medium bombers were also active and again attacked the RENNES Airfield.
Ranging from the Channel to TOURS, fighter bombers swept the area for two and a half hours, destroying seven locomotives and some 50 vehicles, and strafing encampments.
E-boats, which had been attacked off BOULOGNE early in the morning by coastal aircraft, were again hit later in the day by rocket and cannon-firing fighters. In these engagements, at least three enemy ships were sunk and others were left on fire or badly damaged.
Reconnaissance photographs show that severe damage was done to the railway centers of ORLÉANS and RENNES, which were attacked by heavy bombers on the nights of June 10 and 11.