Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 2, 1944)
Communiqué No. 53
The liberation of the CHERBOURG PRNINSULA is now complete. The last enemy resistance in the CAP DE LA HAGUE ceased early yesterday morning.
In the area south of TILLY-SUR-SEULLES the enemy has made repeated counterattacks against the western flank of the River ODON bridgehead. The Allied positions remain firmly intact and the enemy has incurred serious losses in infantry and armor.
Unfavorable flying weather continued to restrict air activity from noon to midnight yesterday but in spite of low clouds, our fighters attacked targets of tactical importance to our ground forces in the CAEN–ÉVRECY sector. Enemy guns and mortar positions near CARPIQUET and military transport near COUDRES, HARCOURT, ARGENTAN, and FALAISE were hit with good results by fighters based in NORMANDY. Other fighters and fighter bombers operating form Britain, bombed and strafed moving targets east of the battle area and at CHARTRES and beyond PARIS.
Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed. Three of our fighters are missing.