Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 30, 1944)
Communiqué No. 49
The Allied bridgehead over the river ODON has been extended on both flanks.
Elsewhere the situation remains generally unchanged.
Fighting continued north of ÉVRECY, where the enemy brought up fresh troops.
The forts in the CHERBOURG breakwater have surrendered, and mopping up continues in the CAP DE LA HAGUE area.
Rail and road transport, bridges, railway tracks and crossings behind the battle line were attacked by our aircraft yesterday afternoon and evening.
Fighter-bombers, on armed reconnaissance in the DREUX, CHARTRES, and ARGENTAN areas, destroyed more than 100 railway cars. Other fighter-bombers strafed junctions and rolling stock near PARIS, at ÉVREUX and at BOLBEC, 20 miles east of LE HAVRE. The rail line at VITRY, 100 miles east of PARIS, was severed.
Medium and light bombers attacked the viaduct between SAINT-HILAIRE and VITRÉ, and bridges in the RENNES area.
Coastal batteries on the CAP DE LA HAGUE were attacked by medium bombers.
Communiqué No. 50
Allied forces, driving their salient towards the ORNE River in the CAEN sector, have completed the enemy to throw in strong armored reserves in an effort to halt our advance. In spite of repeated counterattacks by these formations, our positions have not only been held, but improved.
Farther west, ground has been gained near SAINT-JEAN-DE-DAYE.
Resistance in the CAP DE LA HAGUE area of the CHERBOURG Peninsula has continued.
Weather severely restricted air operations between midnight and mid-morning, but improving conditions over the battle area, and southward, permitted Allied forces to complete some 1,000 sorties by early afternoon.
Flying through clouds or under low ceilings, small forces of medium bombers before dawn attacked main thoroughfares in use by the enemy in the VILLERS-BOCAGE area.
From first light, fighter-bombers and fighters, based both in BRITAIN and NORMANDY, harassed enemy movements in the area bounded by DREUX, CHARTRES, ALENÇON and ARGENTAN, and carried out armed reconnaissance as far south as TOURS.
Small forces of medium bombers attacked road and rail junctions between MÉZIDON and FALAISE. Fighter-bombers hit large warehouses at ARVILLE, east of LE MANS, and an important bridge at BEAUGENCY, as well as rail lines and machine-gun emplacements in the ORLÉANS area.
One of our fighters is missing.