Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 25, 1944)
Communiqué No. 39
Allied troops are in the outskirts of CHERBOURG and the final assault has begun. On a 10-mile front extending east and west of the city, our forces have advanced to within three miles of the sea. The enemy continues to fight desperately but relentless Allied pressure is steadily overcoming the defenses throughout the entire length of the narrow coastal strip.
In other sectors, local fighting has left the front almost unchanged.
Taking advantage of the improved weather, our Air Forces were out in great strength yesterday afternoon and evening, concentrating largely on the enemy communication system.
Fighters and fighter-bombers attacked railway yards, tracks, bridges, tunnels and rolling stock in a belt at the base of the CHERBOURG PENINSULA ranging from GRANVILLE and AVRANCHES in the west to SAINT-LÔ on the river VIRE. Similar attacks were made on targets more distant from the battle zone, including rolling stock in the yards at DREUX and at various points in the region of CHARTRES. Fighter-bombers also bombed the steel works at IJMUIDEN in HOLLAND.
Our fighters destroyed at least 30 enemy aircraft on airfields in the area of ANGERS.
Medium bombers attacked a railway bridge over the SEINE at MAISONS-LAFFITTE, and the railway centers at BEAUVAIS and HAZEBROUCK. They also bombed dumps in the FORÊT DE CONCHES and at BRUZ and BAGNOLES-DE-L’ORNE.
Heavy bombers attacked a number of electrical switching stations near BOULOGNE. Attacks were continued on flying bomb sites.
According to reports so far received, 20 enemy aircraft were shot down. Nineteen of our aircraft are missing.
Last night, light bombers attacked railway and road transport behind the battle area including the railway yards at MÉZIDON.
Our night fighters, one of which is missing, destroyed five enemy aircraft over northern FRANCE.
Communiqué No. 40
The Allies now hold high ground overlooking CHERBOURG and are gradually pressing forward into the suburbs. The enemy is resisting bitterly, but is unable to stem our steady advance.
Targets in the CHERBOURG area were subjected to a bombardment from seaward this afternoon by a force of Allied warships.
Local attacks have improved our positions in the eastern sector of the bridgehead after fierce fighting.
Air bombardment has given invaluable aid to ground units.
Continuing the obstruction of enemy movements towards the battle zone, our fighter-bombers today attacked a series of rail targets including bridges, fuel tanks and rolling stock in the CHARTRES-DREUX-MANTES area and the rail crossings at CONCHES and MÉZIDON.
On the railroad between CHARTRES and MANTES the tracks were severed at four points, and direct hits were registered on a tunnel.
The bridge at MAISONS-LAFFITTE and a radio installation at SAINT-SAUVEUR were damaged.
There was an increase in enemy air activity. On one occasion a formation of German fighters gave battle, and nine were destroyed; seven of ours are missing.
Four airfields in southern FRANCE at FRANCAZAL, BLAGNAC, AVORD and BOURGES were targets for our heavy bombers. Escorting fighters destroyed locomotives, freight cars and vehicles. Medium bombers operating closer to the battleline hit fuel dumps in the FORÊT D’ECOUVES.
Coastal aircraft attacked E-boats in the eastern Channel early this morning.