Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 18, 1944)
Communiqué No. 26
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 has brought us within six miles of SAINT-LÔ.
The strongpoint 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 aircraft 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.