Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 15, 1944)
Communiqué No. 19
On all parts of the front, Allied forces continue to carry the fight to the enemy.
The heaviest fighting has taken place in the CARENTAN, MONTEBOURG and CAEN areas. Airborne troops have successfully beaten off attempts made by the Germans to retake CARENTAN, and are again pushing southward from the town. They have also advanced further to the west in the LES SABLONS-BAUPTE vicinity.
Heavy armored attacks and counterattacks persist in the CAEN-TILLY-SUR-SEULLES areas.
The development of the beaches is making good progress and the unloading of troops and stores is steadily increasing.
The Allied air forces continued their attacks yesterday afternoon and evening on communications and road convoys in CHERBOURG PENINSULA in support of our ground forces. Rail traffic was also bombed and in a surprise attack on the enemy airfield at LE MANS about a dozen enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
Before dusk, heavy night bombers, with fighter escort, attacked E-boats and the dock side at LE HAVRE. During the night, they bombed railway centers at DOUAI, CAMBRAI and SAINT-POL and troop concentrations at ÉVRECY and AUNAY-SUR-ODON. Five bombers are missing from these operations.
Light bombers made night attacks on enemy convoys and concentrations moving on the roads towards the battle area.
Reports, as yet incomplete, show that 17 enemy aircraft were destroyed in air combat since noon yesterday. Fourteen of our fighters are missing. Seven more enemy aircraft were shot down over NORMANDY during the night.