Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 26, 1944)
Communiqué No. 101
In the area west of SAINT-LÔ, Allied troops have advanced up to 3,000 yards on a wide front and have crossed the PÉRIERS–SAINT-LÔ road at a number of places. South of CAEN, fighting has been very bitter and enemy counterattacks, some supported by armor, have continued all day. Our initial gains have been held and fighting continues in the area of MAY-SUR-ORNE, VERRIÈRES and TILLY-LA-CAMPAGNE.
Following yesterday morning’s operations in support of ground forces in both the CAEN and SAINT-LÔ sectors, smaller formations of Allied aircraft continued close support of our ground forces throughout the day.
Numerous tanks, gun positions, strongpoints and motor transport just forward of our line and an enemy headquarters west of SAINT-LÔ were among targets attacked by fighter-bombers and fighters.
Other formations of both fighters and medium bombers attacked communications targets, including bridges, fuel dumps, supply depots, railyards and trains behind the enemy lines.
At least 25 enemy aircraft were destroyed yesterday. Seventeen of ours are missing.
Communiqué No. 102
In the western sector, the Allied advance has continued to make steady progress and the battle area has been extended.
East of the ORNE, the enemy is making every effort to block our entry to the open country southeast of CAEN, and additional enemy reinforcements have been brought into the area.
Allied attacks have been heavily engaged by defensively-sited armor, artillery and mortar fire.
In one locality our forces have repulsed a heavy enemy counterattack which was strongly supported by tanks.
Small forces of medium bombers operating in poor weather bombed enemy positions in the SAINT-LÔ area and a fuel dump near ALENÇON this morning.
Formations of fighter-bombers struck at enemy bivouac areas, machine-gun positions and other tactical targets which were indicated by our land forces.