Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 5, 1944)
Communiqué No. 59
The Allied advance southwards in the COTENTIN Peninsula made further progress during the day, particularly in the vicinity of SAINT-RÉMY-DES-LANDES and BLANCHELANDE. Our troops to the west and north of LA HAYE-DU-PUITS, and now within four miles of the town. A small gain was also made southeast of SAINT-JORES.
In the CAEN area, Allied forces were engaged in fierce fighting south of the village of CARPIQUET.
There was a considerable increase in air activity yesterday. The principal effort was directed by our fighter bombers against enemy communications – road, rail and water – over a mile wide area extending from NANTES in the west to CAMBRAI in the east. Considerable damage was caused to trains, tracks, barges, motor transport and flak towers, in the ANGERS-TOURS-LAVAL area.
In the immediate battle zone south of CAEN, and at LESSAY on the extreme western flank, targets were attacked in direct support of our ground forces.
There was a series of encounters with enemy fighters during these small operations and a number were destroyed. Our losses were small.
Last night, the railways at VILLENEUVE-SAINT-GEORGES and ORLÉANS were attacked by heavy bombers, 14 of which are missing. Light bombers also attacked successfully enemy reinforcements, particularly in the western battle sector. They also hit rail targets south of PARIS.
Coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping off BRITTANY during the afternoon and in the Channel last night.
Communiqué No. 60
Further advances have been made by Allied forces in the base of the CHERBOURG Peninsula although resistance is strong and the enemy is well-positioned on high ground.
Most progress was made in the coastal sector. SAINT-NICOLAS-DE-PIERREPONT and NEUF-MESNIL have been liberated and some units are now approaching LA HAYE-DU-PUITS.
In the CAEN area, the enemy is counterattacking strongly.
Our position at CARPIQUET remains firm.
During the night, coastal aircraft heavily attacked concentrations of E-boats and other vessels between DIEPPE and GRAVELINES. One armed auxiliary vessel blew up and several other craft were damaged.
Bad weather again interfered with air operations this morning.
Heavy bombers attacked airfields in BELGIUM and HOLLAND. They were escorted by fighters which subsequently strafed a variety of ground targets, including railway yards, power stations and airfields.
Medium bombers escorted by fighters bombed two bridges over the River ORNE, a fuel dump at SENONCHES, a rail junction at L’AIGLE and a supply depot in a wood 20 five miles southwest of DREUX. Two of the medium bombers are missing.
Fighter-bombers attacked flak positions in the CAEN area and railway targets near LAVAL.