Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 29, 1944)
Communiqué No. 47
More Allied forces have crossed the river ODON and the width of the bridgehead has increased. Allied armor has been heavily engaged south of the river. There has also been heavy fighting, including armored clashes, north and northwest of CAEN.
Enemy resistance had ceased in the area of the MAUPERTUS Airfield east of CHERBOURG. A few strongpoints remain to be dealt with in the CAP DE LA HAGUE area.
Bad weather again restricted air activity during the afternoon and evening, but armed reconnaissance flights were carried out in the CAEN–LISIEUX–MÉZIDON area. Attacks were made on enemy road transport at several points and a railway bridge at the SAINTE-HONORINE-DU-FAY. According to preliminary reports, 26 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Six of ours are missing.
Last night, our heavy bombers, 20 of which are missing, attacked the railway centers of METZ and BLAINVILLE in eastern FRANCE.
During the night, two enemy aircraft were shot down over northern FRANCE.
Communiqué No. 48
Our hold on the crossings of the river ODON has been strengthened after further heavy fighting in the TILLY–CAEN sector.
Enemy forces which had been bypassed in the area of MONDRAINVILLE and TOURVILLE were eliminated and counterattacks against the base of our salient were firmly repulsed.
North of CAEN, Allied troops have achieved small local gains against fierce opposition.
Fighting continues in the CAP DE LA HAGUE area.
Since the landing in NORMANDY, 121 German tanks have been destroyed by our troops.
Thick cloud and rain squalls restricted air operation this morning.
Fighter-bombers, however, continued the attacks on enemy troops and transport moving towards the battle area. Their targets included road and rail bridges near MONTFORT-SUR-RISLE, CHERISY and SAINT-PAUL-DE-COURTONNE (west of BERNAY), locomotives and trains at ORLÉANS and near FLERS, and rail junctions at VIERZON.
Attacks were made on enemy R-boats and minesweepers off LE TRÉPORT and on self-propelled barges at CAUDEBEC near the mouth of the SEINE.
In a series of encounters, eleven enemy planes were shot down for the loss of four of our aircraft.