Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 13, 1944)
Communiqué No. 75
The Allies continue to drive the Germans back in the base of the CHERBOURG Peninsula, and are now three miles south of LA HAYE-DU-PUITS.
LA SALMONIÈRE, southeast of FORÊT DE MONT-CASTRE, was taken. South of SAINTENY, our units hold LA MAUGERIE and LA ROSIÈRE. Allied troops converging on SAINT-ANDRÉ-DE-BOHON have met across the LA TAUTE River, and most of the village is in our hands.
LA MEAUFFE, bypassed in the advance north of SAINT-LÔ, has been mopped, and SAINT-PIERRE-DE-SEMILLY was occupied after we crossed the SAINT-LÔ–BERIGNY road.
German counterattacks, thrown repeatedly against our positions on the CAEN–ÉVRECY road, were beaten off by our forces.
Attacking targets in close support of the land battles yesterday, our NORMANDY-based fighters, carrying bombs and rockets, scored many successes on convoys, enemy occupied buildings, armored vehicles and a tank repair depot. Gun emplacements and mortar fire were silenced at army call.
Rail bridges at PONTORSON and CRAON were successfully attacked by fighter-bombers. At least nine enemy aircraft were destroyed in combat.
Despite unfavorable weather our medium bombers smashed the bridge at CINQ-MARS, 30 miles east of SAUMUR and the span crossing the EURE River at NOGENT-LE-ROI.
The railway centers of TOURS and CULMONT-CHALINDREY were attacked by our heavy night bombers.
Communiqué No. 76
Allied forces are making slow but steady progress in the sector north of LESSAY.
South of CARENTAN, we have advanced 1,500 yards and driven the enemy from the village of SAINT-ANDRE-DE-BOHON.
Further gains have been made along the BAYEUX–SAINT-LÔ road near LA BARRE-DE-SEMILLY.
Coastal aircraft this morning attacked two small forces of enemy shipping in the eastern Channel area. Two of our aircraft are missing.
Fighter-bombers attacked a fuel dump at SENS southeast of PARIS, and bombed railway tracks and yards in the area around CHARTRES.