Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 19, 1944)
Communiqué No. 27
The wedge across the base of the CHERBOURG PENINSULA is being strengthened and widened.
In the TILLY-SUR-SEULLES area, attacks by our troops have met strong opposition from enemy armor and infantry supported by heavy artillery fire.
Further east, a small counterattack was thrown back.
The enemy battery at HOULGATE, east of OUISTREHAM, has been silent for 36 hours after an accurate bombardment by HMS RAMILLIES.
Weather again retarded air activity over the battle zone from noon yesterday until day break today. Nevertheless, fighters and fighter bombers ranged from the CHERBOURG PENINSULA to LISIEUX in the east and to ALENÇON in the south, striking at communications and transport.
Bridges, railway cars, locomotives and troops were attacked by fighters between VALOGNES, BRICQUEBEC and CARTERET.
Rocket-firing planes and dive bombers attacked enemy ammunition dumps hidden in a forest; also canal bridges, ferries, motor lorries and a heavy concentration of troops between CAEN, FALAISE and MONTIGNY.
Sweeping from ARRAS and AMIENS to the outskirts of PARIS, long-range fighters searched out targets of opportunity throughout the day. They were unmolested by enemy aircraft. Attacks on road and rail targets were continued after dark by light bombers. Night fighters destroyed two enemy bombers over the beach.
Communiqué No. 28
The Allies’ stranglehold on the CHERBOURG PENINSULA has been strengthened by a series of the local advances.
An enemy attack was repulsed near TILLY where heavy fighting continues. In the CAEN area, enemy shelling has increased considerably.
Allied warships continued to give support in the eastern flank yesterday by engaging enemy mobile batteries. North of CAEN, successful shoots were carried out by HMS DIADEM against a concentration of enemy armor.
Bad weather severely restricted the activity of the Allied Air Forces this morning.
Heavy bombers escorted by fighters attacked pilotless aircraft emplacements in the PAS-DE-CALAIS and airfields in Southwest FRANCE. Among the airfields were BORDEAUX-MÉRIGNAC, CAZAUX, LANDES-DE-BUSSAC, and CORME-ÉCLUSE. Seven bombers and 16 fighters are missing.
Fighter bombers attacked an airfield near RENNES and fighters flew patrols over the beaches and the Channel.