Operation OVERLORD (1944)

348

The Free Lance-Star (July 3, 1944)

AMERICANS LAUNCH ATTACK SOUTHWARD FROM CHERBOURG
Heavy artillery barrage starts drive at dawn

Nazis repulsed in fighting at Caen

SHAEF, England (AP) –
American G.I.s turning from the mop-up of Cherbourg burst southward on the peninsula in a dawn attack today after a heavy artillery barrage, fighting on mud-bogged French battlefields reminiscent of World War I.

The assault jumped off near the west coast of the peninsula, from the line flung across it just two weeks ago that sealed off the upper half of the land neck.

A front dispatch said the drive pushed from the area below Barneville-sur-Mer on the coast east of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. The doughboy line dips below and between those towns to Saint-Lô-d’Ourville.

The assault opened after local advances which Supreme Headquarters said had won favorable “jump-off” positions.

U.S. infantrymen were supported by heavy artillery including some of the most powerful guns used in the French campaign, but rain and cloudy skies hampered Allied aerial aid.

The new offensive came after Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley, commanding the U.S. 1st Army in Normandy, hailed the Cherbourg victory as “an indication to the enemy as to what he can expect from now on to the end.”

SHAEF, England (AP) –
Troops of the U.S. 1st Army have advanced in widely-separated local attacks and seized favorable “jump-off positions south of Saint-Lô-d’Ourville and west of Caumont, while British artillery has smashed a 25th German counterthrust at the Odon River bridgehead in the bitterly-fought Caen sector.

The activity of Gen. Omar N. Bradley’s forces in the southern part of the Cherbourg Peninsula was the first since the drive on the port of Cherbourg was launched two weeks ago.

German salient thrusting into U.S. lines near Saint-Lô-d’Ourville were wiped out, and the Americans advanced short distances toward La Haye-du-Puits, rail and highway junction, seizing high ground which was described by Supreme Headquarters as probably “good jump-off spots” for an eventual attack toward the south.

West of Caumont, Bradley lashed out with similar local attacks with the same object in mind. This sector is roughly 17 air miles southwest of the British Odon River bridgehead.

Prepare new attack

Activity dwindled in the Caen sector, where Field Marshal Gen. Erwin Rommel appeared to be regrouping his seven panzer and four infantry divisions which had taken a terrific mauling in three days of furious but futile attacks against the British. Indications were that Rommel was readying an all-out counterattack against the British. “We are ready,” said one British officer.

Clouds so dense that the airmen called them “ten-tenths” cloaked the entire bridgehead in Normandy. The weather was getting to be known as the worst for June and July in the past 40 years. Allied air forces were able to fly only about 400 sorties over the battle area yesterday, but they managed to shoot down 22 enemy aircraft against a loss of three of their own, Communiqué No. 55 disclosed.

Take more prisoners

In the Cherbourg area, U.S. 1st Army units were in the process of reorganization for “offensive action” after the mopping up of the last German resistance in Cap de la Hague over the weekend. Between 2,000 and 3,000 more prisoners were taken in the process. An Associated Press dispatch from Cherbourg said the American bag of prisoners had reached 40,000, which would indicate the total since D-Day had reached more than 55,000.

Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery’s superiority in artillery in the crew fighting smashed every attempt of the Germans to infiltrate into the Odon River bridgehead. The Nazis made 25 attacks in 72 hours, the latest shortly before dawn yesterday. A barrage from British heavy guns broke it up before it even reached infantry positions.

British patrols expanding the Caen salient found Brettevillette, two miles south of Tessel-Bretteville, unoccupied by the Germans, although heavily mined and boobytrapped.

Continual heavy rain greatly handicapped the Allies. Clouds hung tree-high over many acres of the battlefront.

Last night, the London radio in a broadcast recorded by CBS declared “gigantic Allied landing operations” took place Sunday on the coast behind the British forces while armored vehicles, tanks, troops and ammunition also landed on the southeastern side of the Cherbourg Peninsula.

Enemy confused

Associated Press correspondent Roger Greene reported from the field last night that the enemy was “lying silent and apparently bewildered as to what to do next against the explosive violence of Montgomery’s strongbox defenses.”

The job of making the Cherbourg Harbor ready to receive great quantities of supplies and thousands of men went forward rapidly. German demolitions were termed “a clever job,” but no worse than expected.

One officer said Rommel’s attempt to erase the British salient at Caen was a major action which had cost the enemy “elaborate losses and a terrific mauling.”

A senior British staff officer said the situation on the whole Normandy front was “extremely satisfactory.” He remarked that German tactics thus far “are unlikely to serve as a textbook for repelling invasions.” Rommel’s tactical reserves had failed to hold the British and he had been forced to bring up strategic reserves from the rear – which he likewise wasted away in costly but fruitless attacks on the British.

349

Germans combat French patriots

Troops sent to smash strong underground resistance

London, England (AP) –
German troops were reported today to be pressing a large-scale drive in southwestern France in an effort to smash underground resistance, described by one French collaborationist source as “a real civil war directed from abroad.”

At the same time, advices from Stockholm indicated the Germans were making desperate efforts to placate striking Danish patriots who had barricaded themselves to the streets of Copenhagen and threatened to fight to the death in protest against repressive measures.

A new and disturbing situation, meanwhile, was rising to plague the Germans at home where – according to dispatches from Madrid – some 50,000 foreign prisoners have escaped since the Allied invasion of France and are causing deep concern by their activities.

Reports from the Spanish-French frontier, relayed here by way of Madrid, said the Germans had thrown tanks and bombers as well as infantry into their drive against French patriots in the Dordogne region of southwestern France.

After two days of fighting, the Nazis were said to have recaptured Bergerac and advanced to Saint-Cyprien, where they freed 150 collaborationists who have been held as prisoners in that town. The retreating Maquis were reported to have transferred their activities 50 miles south of Bergerac, taking over the rail junction at Armande and cutting the important Cahors–Bordeaux railroad line.

An article in the Bordeaux newspaper, Petite Gironde, said authorities in southwestern France were faced with real civil war.

In Denmark, Stockholm dispatches said, the Germans last night broadcast an appeal to striking Danish patriots to return to work today.

The Germans announced that gas, water and electric services cut off in Copenhagen since the start of the strike were expected to resume today, but announced no relaxation in the 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew which has been a sore point with the Danes.

Madrid advices, quoting travelers arriving there from Germany, estimated 30,000 of the 50,000 escaped war prisoners reported at large in the Reich were Russians – many of whom had been forced into German military units and who are well-armed. They were reported moving in small groups trying to work their way out of Germany.

350

Völkischer Beobachter (July 4, 1944)

Trotz Jäger, Bomber, Flak:
‚V1‘ schlägt in den Aufmarschraum Südengland

An der Kanalküste, 3. Juli –
Während Eisenhower und Montgomery an der Normandiefront auf einen ungleich härteren Widerstand gestoßen sind, als es ihrem voreilig verkündeten „Invasionsfahrplan“ entsprach, hat sich zur Überraschung der Invasoren weit in ihrem Rücken im wichtigsten Nachschubgebiet die „V1“-Front aufgetan. Sie beansprucht in zunehmendem Maße militärische und rüstungswirtschaftliche Kräfte des Feindes.

Es war ein erregender Augenblick, als wir an der Kanalküste zum ersten Male das dumpfe Tosen der „V1“-Sprengkörper vernahmen, die über unseren Köpfen in wolkiger Nacht gegen England flogen. Wir sahen sie nicht, doch der herrische Ton der neuen Waffe prägte sich mit einer Eindringlichkeit sondergleichen in das Gehör ein. Aus der Ferne schwoll das Brausen an, erreichte über uns gewaltige Lautstärke und verhallte dann weit über der See. Gleich vielen Kameraden lauschten wir Stunde um Stunde diesem bis dahin ungekannten Klang, der einen ganz neuen Abschnitt der Kriegführung einleitete.

Von selbst gingen die Gedanken in die Heimat. Sie erinnerten uns an grelle Brandnächte und rauchgetrübte Tagesstunden, in denen unsere Frauen und Kinder mit zusammengebissenen Zähnen den Hagel der englischen und amerikanischen Terrorbomben erdulden und ihre Heimstätten in Trümmer und Asche aufgehen sehen mußten. Nun wussten wir: Deutschland schlägt zurück.

Dann kam ein klarer Junitag, an dem auch unsere Augen zum ersten Male eine der geflügelten Bomben erblickten. Nun war uns der vibrierende harte Ton ihres Antriebs schon bekannt, doch das Herz schlug dennoch schneller, als der Sprengkörper mit stählerner Folgerichtigkeit seinen Kurs hoch über den Wogen des Kanals zu jener Insel nahm, die sich rühmt, das Flugzeugmutterschiff des schrankenlosen Luftterrors zu sein. Wir wussten ja, daß auf den fliegenden Bomben niemand an Bord war, aber wir konnten nicht anders und rissen unsere Feldmützen vom Kopf, um ihnen unsere Grüße und unsere Erfolgswünsche zuzuwinken. Sie galten den Männern, die in der Stille die neue Waffe geschaffen haben, deren Donner das Strafgericht gegen einen hassvollen Feind verkündet, der alle Mahnungen in den Wind geschlagen hat, daß die zerbombten deutschen Städte und Dörfer eines Tages mit harten Schlägen gerächt werden würden.

Dabei waren wir uns alle im Klaren, daß mit „V1“ nicht nur die erste Waffe der Vergeltung entstanden ist, sondern vor allem ein neuartiges militärisches Werkzeug von umwälzender kriegstechnischer Bedeutung. Mit „V1“ ist ein Weg betreten worden, der in einer anderen als der bisherigen artilleristischen Form die Wirkungsmöglichkeit und Reichweite des Fernbeschusses außerordentlich gesteigert hat. Wie diese kriegstechnischen Neuerungen beschaffen sind, darüber mag sich der Feind den Kopf zerbrechen. Jeder Deutsche weiß, daß mit der Wahrung des Geheimnisses um „V1“ und andere neue Waffen ihre Erfolge gesteigert und die feindlichen Gegenmaßnahmen behindert werden. Deshalb muß über die Einzelheiten auch weiterhin ein ehernes Schweigen herrschen.

Der Feind seinerseits bemüht sich mit allen Mitteln, die Wirkungen der neuen Waffe in ihrem jetzigen Zielraum London und Südengland zu verschleiern. Aber aus seinen ablenkenden Kommentaren und ihrem auffälligen Wandel lassen sich bezeichnende Schlüsse ziehen. In den ersten Tagen versuchte die englische Presse bekanntlich die „fliegenden Bomben“ mit einem krampfhaften Lächeln abzutun. Dann mußte sorgenvollen Stimmen Raum gegeben werden, denen aber gleich zum Trost entgegengehalten wurde, die Gegenmaßnahmen würden das „V1“-Feuer schon in wenigen Tagen zum Abflauen bringen. Als einmal in den Rhythmus des Störungsfeuers eine Pause von einigen Stunden eingelegt wurde, ließ Churchill bereits die Vermutung aussprechen, den Deutschen sei wegen der Bombardierung der Vorratsplätze die Munition ausgegangen. Doch kaum waren die Zeitungen mit diesen Beschwichtigungsmitteln auf den Straßen, wurde das „V1“-Feuer mit verstärkter Wucht fortgesetzt. Jetzt, da das „V1“-Feuer nun bald drei Wochen unablässig weitergegangen ist, ruft man in London auf einmal die dort längst vergessene Humanität an. Es steht den Engländern, die durch die Erfindung der „Wohnblockknacker“ und die Menschenjagd der Staffeln der „Murder incorporated“ so viel barbarischen „Mut“ bekundet haben, sehr schlecht zu Gesicht, wenn sie heute mit humanitären Phrasen kommen. Darüber können wir hinweggeben und in solchen Ablenkungsmanövern nur einen Beweis der nachhaltigen militärischen Wirkung des „V1“-Feuers erblicken.

Seit England und die USA sich in Teheran den Bolschewisten gegenüber endgültig verpflichtet haben, in Westeuropa zu landen, war die englisch-amerikanische Presse nicht müde geworden, ganz Südengland als ein einziges Arsenal und Heerlager der Invasionsarmeen zu preisen. Unzählige Bilder wurden verbreitet, um aller Welt zu beweisen, daß nicht nur London, sondern jede Stadt und jedes Dorf in Südengland mit so großen Truppen- und Kriegsmaterialmassen vollgepfropft seien, daß es oft an dem nötigen Umbautenraum fehle. Das soll nun plötzlich nicht mehr wahr sein, und nach den jetzigen englischen Stimmen soll Südengland nur noch aus Altersheimen, Kinderasylen und Kirchen bestehen – Mit derartigen plumpen Mätzchen verschwendet das Reuter-Büro nur sein Papier.

Von den 44 Millionen Bewohnern der Insel leben über acht Millionen in dem Nervenzentrum London und weitere zehn Millionen in Südengland. Sie wissen sehr wohl, daß in ihrem Gebiet ein erheblicher Teil der englischen Rüstungsindustrie liegt und daß durch Südengland die Versorgungslinien der Invasionsarmeen führen. In diese militärischen und kriegswirtschaftlichen Ziele hauen die fliegenden Bomben unerbittlich hinein, einmal hier, ein andermal dort, gelegentlich auch als Streufeuer, oft in heftigen Feuerschlägen.

Wer das aufpeitschende Dröhnen der fliegenden Bomben auf ihrem Kurs nach England erlebt hat, braucht nicht viel Phantasie, um sich den Druck auf die Nerven der Engländer vorzustellen, die in den Zielräumen nun schon wochenlang Tag und Nacht das gleiche Dröhnen hören, nur mit dem Unterschied, daß niemand weiß, ob der Einschlag nun an dieser Stelle erfolgt oder an einer anderen. Die „V1“-Angriffe kennen keine Atempausen. Unter dem nicht abreißenden Störungsfeuer der fliegenden Bomben sind Aufräumungs- und Wiederherstellungsarbeiten ständig bedroht. Sie können auch nicht jeweils auf bestimmte Gebiete gelenkt werden, was einen zusätzlichen Kräfteverbrauch mit sich bringt.

Alles dies hat den Feind zu einem beträchtlichen Einsatz von Menschen und Kriegsmaterial für den Versuch einer Bekämpfung der Waffe „V1“ genötigt, der wiederum weitere Kräfte fesselt, die Eisenhower sonst für die Invasionsfront oder ergänzende Unternehmungen verwenden könnte.

Nicht allein die bisherigen ungewöhnlich starken Luftverteidigungskräfte des Londoner Raums sind gegen die „Robotflugzeuge“ eingesetzt. Vor der Küste sind zahlreiche Kriegsfahrzeuge ausgelegt worden, um schon auf dem Kanal Flaksperrfeuer gegen die „V1“ zu schießen. An der Küste sind außer Hunderten von Sperrballonen zahlreiche Flakbatterien zusätzlich aufgestellt worden. Diese und die Londoner Flak feuern auf die fliegenden. Bomben mit einem Munitionsverbrauch, den das englische Reuterbüro „ungeheuer“ nennen mußte. Jagdflugzeuge sind, wie der Feind berichtet, ständig in der Luft, um die fliegenden Bomben zu beschießen. Da die englischen Meldungen erklären, die deutschen Sprengkörper seien schneller als die Jäger, muß es sich schon um einen Masseneinsatz von Jägern handeln, die sonst an anderer Stelle verwendet werden könnten.

Ferner war der Feind gezwungen, dauernd starke Bomberverbände abzuzweigen, um die Räume anzugreifen, aus denen nach seiner Meinung die „V1“-Sprengkörper herkommen. Aber da die 7.200 Bombenangriffe, die der Feind nach seinen Berichten in den letzten Monaten vor Beginn des „V1“-Feuers auf die vermuteten Baustellen gerichtet hat, den planmäßigen Ablauf der deutschen Maßnahmen nicht haben stören können, setzt die englische Presse offensichtlich keine hochgespannten Erwartungen auf die jetzigen Aktionen der Bombengeschwader, die dem Luftaufmarsch der Invasionsfront entzogen werden mußten. Trotz Jäger, Bomber und Flak geht der „V1“-Strom weiter, wie der Feind in jeder seiner Tagesmeldungen bestätigen muß.

Die „V1“-Front im Rücken der Invasoren zieht jedoch nicht nur beträchtliche Mengen an Soldaten, Rüstungsarbeitern und Kriegswerkzeugen aller drei Wehrmachtteile Englands von anderen Aufgaben ab, sie engt gleichzeitig auch die strategische Handlungsfreiheit der feindlichen Führung ein. Der Ernst der deutschen Feststellung, daß „V1“ nur die erste der neuen Waffen ist, wird heute nicht einmal von den arrogantesten Londoner Politikern angezweifelt.

Auf deutscher Seite werden die militärischen Auswirkungen des „V1“-Feuers gegen London und Südengland in aller Nüchternheit und ohne jede Übertreibung registriert. Wir stehen erst am Anfang, jedoch kein Deutscher verläßt sich darauf, daß technische Wunder uns den Sieg einfach in den Schoß werfen. Das deutsche Volk weiß, daß neue Waffen nur aus zähester Arbeit entstehen und erst in der Hand unbeugsamer Kämpfer ihren eigentlichen Wert gewinnen. Die stärkste unserer Geheimwaffen ist und bleibt der Selbstbehauptungswille des deutschen Volkes, der vor keiner Schwierigkeit zurückschreckt, bis der Sieg errungen ist.

ERICH GLODSCHEY

351

Eichenlaub für Rundstedt und Generaloberst Dollmann

Berlin, 3. Juli –
Der Führer verlieh ferner am 2. Juli 1944 das Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes als 518. Soldaten der deutschen Wehrmacht dem Oberbefehlshaber der VII. Armee, Generaloberst Friedrich Dollmann, nach dem Tode, und als 519. Soldaten der deutschen Wehrmacht dem Oberbefehlshaber West, Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt.

352

Innsbrucker Nachrichten (July 4, 1944)

Zunehmende harte Abwehrkämpfe im Osten

Starke Feindangriffe in der Normandie – In der Bretagne Terroristen und Fallschirmjäger niedergemacht

dnb. Aus dem Führerhauptquartier, 4. Juli –
Das Oberkommando der Wehrmacht gibt bekannt:

In der Normandie griff der Feind gestern, von starker Artillerie und Panzern unterstützt, am Westflügel des Landekopfes an. Er wurde im Wesentlichen abgewiesen und konnte nur an einigen Stellen nach hartem Kampfe in unsere Linien eindringen. An der übrigen Front verlief der Tag ohne besondere Ereignisse.

In der Bretagne wurden 20 Terroristen und 58 in Zivilkleidung abgesprungene feindliche Fallschirmjäger im Kampf bis zum letzten Mann niedergemacht.

Schwere deutsche Kampfflugzeuge griffen in der vergangenen Nacht feindliche Schiffsansammlungen vor der normannischen Küste an. Zwei Landungsspezialschiffe erhielten Volltreffer. Weitere Treffer in Ausladungen wurden beobachtet. Sicherungsfahrzeuge eines deutschen Geleites schossen vor der niederländischen Küste ein britisches Schnellboot in Brand.

Schweres Vergeltungsfeuer liegt auf London.

In Italien ließ die Wucht des feindlichen Großangriffes gestern etwas nach. Nur im westlichen Küstenabschnitt, im Raum von Siena und an der adriatischen Küste wurde heftig gekämpft. An der Westküste konnte der Gegner geringen Geländegewinn erzielen. In allen anderen Abschnitten wurde er blutig abgewiesen.

An der mittleren Ostfront hat die Härte der Kämpfe weiter zugenommen. Westlich Ssluzk wechselten feindliche Angriffe mit unseren Gegenangriffen. Der bis an die Bahnlinie Baranowicze-Minsk vorgedrungene Feind wurde von unseren Panzerdivisionen in schneidigen Gegenangriffen unter hohen blutigen Verlusten zurückgeworfen. Bolschewistische Panzerkräfte drangen in Minsk ein und stießen weiter nach Westen vor. Südöstlich der Stadt leisten unsere Verbände den von allen Seiten anstürmenden Sowjets erbitterten Widerstand und kämpfen sich nach Westen zurück. Bei Molodeczno wurden feindliche Angriffsspitzen im Gegenstoß geworfen. Im Raum westlich Polozk schlugen unsere Truppen an der Düna wiederholte Angriffe der Bolschewisten ab. Die Stadt wurde nach wechselvollen Kämpfen aufgegeben.

In den Kämpfen der letzten Tage hat sich der Kommandeur eines Grenadierregiments, Oberst Reimann, durch beispielhafte Tapferkeit ausgezeichnet. Er fand im Nahkampf inmitten seiner Grenadiere den Heldentod.

Die Luftwaffe griff mit Schlachtfliegerverbänden wirksam in die Erdkämpfe ein, zersprengte zahlreiche feindliche Kolonnen und vernichtete mehrere Panzer, Geschütze und einige hundert Fahrzeuge.

In der Nacht führten Kampfflugzeuge Angriffe gegen mehrere sowjetische Bahnhöfe und zerstörten umfangreiches Nachschubmaterial. Besonders im Bahnhof Borissow entstanden ausgedehnte Brände und starke Explosionen.

Nordamerikanische Bomber warfen verstreut Bomben im Raum von Belgrad und auf mehrere Orte in Rumänien. Deutsche und rumänische Luftverteidigungskräfte brachten hierbei 19 feindliche Flugzeuge zum Absturz. Einzelne britische Flugzeuge griffen in der vergangenen Nacht Orte im rheinisch-westfälischen Gebiet mit Bomben an.

353

Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 4, 1944)

Communiqué No. 57

Allied troops in the neck of the CHERBOURG Peninsula advances at several points yesterday morning. Gains of up to two and a half miles were made in spite of heavy rains which severely restricted air support. The weather improved somewhat yesterday evening and defended localities, gun positions and a fuel dump in the LESSAY area were effectively attacked by fighter-bombers.

Our positions in the ODON salient remain firm.

Other air activity yesterday included successful attacks by medium bombers on a fuel dump near ARGENTAN and by rocket-firing aircraft on an electric power station near MÛR-DE-BRETAGNE in the BREST Peninsula.

The enemy railway system south of the battle area was further damaged during the night when a number of trains were bombed in the ORLÉANS–CLOYES-MONTFORT area.

Communiqué No. 58

Allied forces made two major attacks this morning.

In the CAEN area, our troops, driving southeast astride the railway and main road from BAYEUX to CAEN, have captured CARPIQUET. Fighting is in progress on the airfield there.

Other Allied units, moving from the eastern flank of the ODON bridgehead, advanced several miles, capturing VERSON and joining with our troops on their left.

In the base of the CHERBOURG Peninsula, Allied forces moving south captured the high ground north of the LA HAYE-DU-PUITS this morning. The successful assault of this dominating feature followed earlier advances near SAINT-RÉMY-DES-LANDES, BLANCHELANDE and LA POTERIE where substantial gains have been made.

Weather continued to interfere with air operations from midnight until noon today, but during the entire period, our aircraft, taking advantage of favorable intervals, attacked a variety of targets in support of our troops.

All types of our fighters joined in supporting ground operations in the CAEN–ÉVRECY and CHERBOURG Peninsula sectors. Fighter-bombers made low-level attacks on artillery positions, supply dumps, trenches and railways between COUTANCES and LESSAY. Troop concentrations on the railways at VILLEDIEU, VIRE, LE MANS and southeast of ARGENTAN were bombed and strafed in spite of poor visibility. Motor convoys, towing guns, were effectively hit near BETHON (south of ALENÇON) as were railway targets and oil storage tanks in the BREST Peninsula. Reports so far received show that twelve of our fighters are missing.

Heavy day bombers, escorted by fighters, this morning attacked a number of airfields in north and northwest France, bombing by instruments. No enemy aircraft were encountered. Two of our bombers are missing. Escorting fighters also bombed and strafed two Seine bridges and trains at LILLY.

Early this morning, light coastal forces intercepted a small enemy convoy to the northwest of SAINT-MALO. Two of the enemy were sunk, and damage inflicted on others.

Unsuccessful attempts were made by a number of enemy E-boats to break in to our lines of communication from the eastward during the night. The enemy was finally driven off by light coastal forces after a succession of engagements which lasted throughout the night.

354

The Evening Star (July 4, 1944)

Canadians seize town near Caen

Yanks converging on La Haye from three sides

Action on both ends of Normandy front

map.070444.tes
Arrows indicate Allied drives at both ends of the French front today, with U.S. troops pushing down the Cherbourg Peninsula to close in on La Haye. At the other end of the front, Canadians captured Carpiquet, three miles west of Caen. (AP)

SHAEF, England (AP) –
The Normandy bridgehead roared into action at both ends at dawn on this American Independence Day, with Canadian troops, capturing Carpiquet, three miles west of Caen, matching the Yanks’ offensive down the Cherbourg Peninsula, which was closing in on La Haye-du-Puits on a 20-mile front.

The Americans drove to within one and three-quarter miles of La Haye.

Field dispatches said the Canadians were fighting at close quarters for the Carpiquet Airfield.

British troops joining the Canadians in the new attack advanced one and a half miles and captured Verson, south of Carpiquet.

The British and Canadians now have advanced about one and a half miles on a two-and-a-half-mile-wide front, headquarters said tonight.

The Canadian attack chopped at the heart of the German defenses about Caen, but there was as yet no indication that Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery had ordered a general all-out offensive on the city.

Called a key to Caen

Canadian Press correspondent Ross Munro in a front dispatch said:

This was the first major Canadian action since mid-June and it was a great achievement to have cracked into Carpiquet. considering it is one of the strongest points on the Caen perimeter and one of the keys to Caen itself.

Mr. Munro wrote:

From a slope in our forward gun lines, I watched the attack as a bed lam of firing shook the front. The guns drummed with a steady rhythm as they beat up the objective, and rocket-firing Typhoons dived like black meteors right on the German positions, blasting them at point-blank range.

"German guns and mortars are hitting the Canadians now. The fighting is far from over and German counterblows against Carpiquet may be expected.”

Converge on La Haye

U.S. columns were converging on La Haye from the north, east and west. One column reached high ground controlling communication arteries two and a half miles from the town.

Today’s German communiqué acknowledged the Allies had made several penetrations on the western wing of the Normandy bridgehead, but claimed most assaults in that area were repelled.*

In many places, the American doughboys fought their way through water waist-deep. Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley’s forces were pushing forward in a rough semicircle from Saint-Lô-d’Ourville to a point near Carentan, a sector roughly 20 airline miles wide.

There were no reports of any advances from Carentan south to Saint-Lô.

The Germans admitted possibly deeper penetrations than the Allies announced officially, the Nazi International Information Service saying in a Berlin broadcast: “During American attacks launched yesterday between Carentan and the west coast of Normandy, German positions were withdrawn several miles at some points.”

Allied Communiqué No. 57 said this morning that heavy rains severely restricted air support.

Until last evening, the American drive had no air support, but then clearing weather allowed fighter-bombers to hit German concentrations in the Lessay area, five miles due south of La Haye.

La Haye appeared the next objective of the drive which Gen. Bradley launched yesterday, a thrust which got under way in the surprisingly short time of a week after the conquest of Cherbourg. Should the Germans lose La Haye, they would be forced back perhaps 10 miles to the next natural defense line along the River Ay, which runs into the sea at Lessay.

The U.S. column closest to the town captured the highest ground in the center of the peninsula near Les Rouland, two and a half miles northeast of La Haye. La Poterie in this section was captured. Other advancing troops reached Saint-Nicolas-de-Pierrepont, three miles to the northwest of La Haye, and still others reached Saint-Rémy-des-Landes, three miles west of La Haye.

Advance from Saint-Jores

U.S. infantry also pushed out an inquiring tenacle from newly-captured Saint-Jores, five miles to the east.

Already the American offensive had pushed into German defenses which Marshal Erwin Rommel himself inspected two months ago and was reported to have pronounced adequate. The advance for the doughboys was prepared by a thundering artillery barrage.

In addition to facing sniper and mortar fire, the American doughboys had to fight through some of the most disagreeable country in France. It is crisscrossed with canals and rivers running through swampy land.

Under torrential rains, only the roads remained above water, aiding the defense. The swamps extend south from La Haye to a line from Saint-Lô to Coutances.

Meanwhile, the Allied Navy disclosed some of the details of the weather in June, the month of the invasion, calling it the worst in 12 years for unloading on the Normandy beaches.

Moderately strong onshore wind which hampers unloading, blew nine days out of the 24 from June 6 to June 30, the 12-year average for the sake period is four days of such wind.

The two worst years for the same period were 1929 and 1933 when the wind blew seven days onshore with moderately strong force.

The German radio reported several clashes between Allied motor boats and a German convoy off the Dutch coast, but these reports lacked confirmation immediately at Supreme Headquarters.

Salvage crews worked at top speed to clear Cherbourg Harbor, which was still being swept by minesweepers. Front dispatches reported there were already several clear beaches at Cherbourg where small craft could unload.

Nazis say Roosevelt will visit France soon

London, England (AP) –
A German Transocean broadcast recorded by Reuters today said President Roosevelt “is expected to arrive at Cherbourg within the next few days” and “will attend the hoisting of an American flag on the citadel of Cherbourg.”

The broadcast said:

Then he will go to Scotland where he will meet Mr. Churchill. The two will then probably proceed to Rome to meet Stalin.

The broadcast was totally without confirmation from Allied sources.

355

De Gaulle’s plans for visit here complete; due late this week

Has outlined subjects for discussion in note; U.S. officials optimistic
By the Associated Press

Gen. Charles de Gaulle has made definite and final arrangements for his visit here, it was learned today. He is expected late this week.

The French leader in previous discussions about the trip had qualified his plans with a big “if” – as to whether he found he could make it.

Gen. de Gaulle is understood to have sent a note on the subject of the talks with President Roosevelt and others, which are to be on general policy rather than specific issues.

The U.S. government had already messaged Algiers its views on the conversations, stressing military topics bearing “on the conduct of the war.”

Washington officials look to the visit with increased optimism, following the marked strain between this government and Gen. de Gaulle’s French committee two weeks ago.

A factor which has helped clear the atmosphere was completion of negotiations between Britain and Gen. de Gaulle’s Committee of Civil Administration and Currency Agreements for France.

American adherence to the agreements, which have not reached Washington yet, probably will be taken up with French diplomats after Gen. de Gaulle has finished his brief discussions of the general situation.

Talk of recognition of Gen. de Gaulle’s Algiers committee as provisional government of France has subsided, and this may help considerably in obtaining concrete results from Gen. de Gaulle’s talks with Mr. Roosevelt because the Frenchman previously had taken the stand that the question of authority should be settled before other topics could be taken up.

There is no sign of any change in the American policy against according full recognition to any French government before the French people are able to speak for themselves from metropolitan France.

U.S. spirit of freedom extolled by de Gaulle

Algiers, Algiers (AP) –
Gen. Charles de Gaulle praised American idealism, industrial power and courage today on the eve of his departure for a visit to the United States.

He declared:

Independence Day is freedom day. All the peoples of the earth know and respect America’s idealism, her industrial power, the courage of her sons whose blood is being shed on the shores of Europe and Asia.

The people of France will observe Independence Day because the same love of independence has always brought us together in the days of gloom as in the days of glory.

May these common sentiments inspire in the future as they did in the past the traditional friendship binding our two peoples and our two republics.

Algiers was festooned this July 4 with French, American and other Allied flags.

Gen. de Gaulle, who expects to visit Washington, New York and Canada, will be accompanied by his personal staff and Gen. Marie Émile Béthouart, Chief of Staff of National Defense.

356

Eisenhower pins medals on 24 from Fighting 1st Division

By Don Whitehead, Associated Press war correspondent

1st Infantry Division command post, France – (July 2, delayed)
Heroes of the Fighting 1st Division, who led the American assault on France and lived to cross that hellish strip of beach where so many fell, stood in the shade of the tall Normandy elms today and received an accolade from Gen. Eisenhower.

They had tried to clean the stains of battle from their clothing for the occasion, but still their uniforms showed they had just returned from the front, not far away.

No one cared about spit and polish with these men – least of all Gen. Eisenhower, who pinned Distinguished Service Crosses on the chests of 22 and gave the Legion of Merit award to two others.

These were the elite of the infantry regiment. They had come through a test as great as any soldier ever faced and by their courage and leadership had opened the way for thousands of troops to follow.

On lawn of old chateau

They stood at attention on the lawn of an old gray chateau when jeeps carrying Gen. Eisenhower, Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley and Maj. Gen. Leonard T. Gerow halted before their ranks.

Gen. “Ike” jumped out, smiling. He wore a garrison cap. an air force jacket belted at the waist, and his trousers stuffed into parachute trooper boots.

The three generals shook hands with Maj. Gen. C. R. Huebner, commanding the 1st Infantry Division, and an officer began reading the names of men receiving the awards.

“Brigadier General––”

I remembered that thunderous morning of D-Day when this tall, square-jawed man moved up and down the beach with absolute disregard for his own safety organizing the troops and moving them inland against strong points which were pouring murderous lire into our ranks.

“Colonel––”

The colonel had stood on the beach where thousands of men were pinned down by enemy fire and said in a quiet drawl: “Gentlemen, we are being killed on the beaches – let’s move inland and be killed.” His men surged forward and broke the German defenses.

Spearhead of assault

“Lt. Col. Herbert C. Hicks of Spartanburg, South Carolina…”

Troops of his command spearheaded the assault on the Atlantic Wall, and his gallantry and that of his men contributed greatly to D-Day’s success.

“Maj. Charles E. Tetgmeyer of Hamilton, New York…”

Under heavy fire, Maj. Tetgmeyer covered the length of the beach administering to wounded, then went repeatedly into the mine-strewn water to pull out wounded.

“Capt. Victor R. Briggs of New York…”

His unit was the first to come off the beach and he deliberately walked away across a minefield alone to draw enemy fire and give his men a chance to move up behind him.

“Capt. Kimbell R. Richmond of Ventnor, New Jersey…”

His assault boat ground 400 yards from the beach. He and his men swam on in through artillery and machine-gun fire and then attacked.

“Capt. Thomas M. Marendino of Ventnor, New Jersey…”

He led his men in a charge up a slope and overran a German strongpoint under heavy fire.

Took over command

“Lt. Carl W. Giles, Jr. of Gest, Kentucky…”

His landing craft was sunk by enemy fire. He swam ashore, pulled to safety three men hit in the water, and with most of the officers of his unit casualties he assumed command and carried out the mission.

And so on down the list to Pfc. Peter Cavaliere, Bristol, Rhode Island, who went forward to set up an observation post, was surrounded by Germans, shot eight and clung to the position.

As Gen. Eisenhower moved down the double rank, he spoke a few words to each man, asking him his job and where he was from in the United States. After pinning on the medals, he called the group around him.

He said:

I’m not going to make a speech, but this simple little ceremony gives me opportunity to come over here and through you say thanks. You are one of the finest regiments in our Army.

I know your record from the day you landed in North Africa and through Sicily. I am beginning to think that your regiment is a sort of Praetorian Guard which goes along with me and gives me luck.

I know you want to go home, but I demanded if I came up here that you would have to come up with me, You’ve got what it takes to finish the job.

If you will do me a favor when you go back, you will spread the word through the regiment that I am terrifically proud and grateful to them. To all you fellows, good luck, keep on top of them, and so long.

Eisenhower chats with young sergeant, his Kansas cousin

At the 2nd Infantry Division command post in Normandy, France (AP) –
Two kinsmen and soldiers – one a four-star general and the other a sergeant – met along the front recently and swapped Kansas hometown gossip.

They were Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and a relative who works in his expeditionary force – George T. Etherington, 24, of Abilene, Kansas.

During a tour of the Normandy battlefront, the commander’s English aide brought up the sergeant, who saluted and then shook the general’s hand while bystanders looked on curiously. In a moment they were trading the latest news from relatives.

Gen. Eisenhower said:

Let’s see, you’re my first cousin once removed. I had a letter from Florence (the sergeant’s mother) three weeks ago saying I’d run into you somewhere over here.

“Yes, sir,” replied Sgt. Etherington, who let the general do most of the talking.

He showed Gen. Eisenhower a copy of the Abilene Reflector Chronicle which had a picture of the general and his brother on the front page.

“I will send a message telling your mother about you,” Gen. Eisenhower promised. “How about your Uncle Will?”

After Gen. Eisenhower drove away in a jeep following a farewell handshake, someone asked Sgt. Etherington, “Why didn’t you ever tell anyone you were related to Gen. Eisenhower?”

The sergeant looked about in frustration before replying, “I did, but nobody would believe me.” Then he wheeled about on a small group of his buddies and demanded: “Well, now will you all believe I am related to him?”

357

Gen. Quesada leads flight opening drive

An advanced U.S. 9th Air Force fighter base, France – (July 2, delayed)
A dive-bombing mission of such unusual importance that the commander of the 9th Tactical Air Force, Maj. Gen. Elwood Quesada of Washington, DC, led the flight, was carried out late today by a dozen fighter pilots in advance of the big American push.

The 39-year-old general led the flight down to the deck, flying within a few feet of the ground to loose 500-pound delayed-action bombs. He said details of the mission could not be disclosed for several days.

Gen. Quesada said:

It was a fair flight. We really beat up the place. On the way back we went down and strafed a concentration of troops and supplies near Saint-Lô.

With him on the mission was Col. Dyke Meyer of Kirkwood, Missouri. There was a tense air of expectancy at this base when it became known the general was coming in on a special mission.

“This is really going to be hot,” he told the other pilots. “We are doing a job of extreme importance – unusual importance.”

A few minutes later, they took off. Quesada said on their return:

We beat hell out of the objective. It was bad weather and our bombing could have been better, but they landed close enough. Man, it’s good to get away from the desk for a change. Meyer and I are old men compared to the youngsters, but we’re not too old to get in a lick.

358

U.S. heavy bombers attack Romania and airfields in France

London, England (AP) –
Up to 500 U.S. heavy combers from Italy struck Romanian oil targets for the second consecutive day today, while an equal force from Britain smashed anew at German airfields in France.

Improving weather permitted the first heavy air action in France in several days. Airdromes in northern and Northwest France were bombed by instrument through heavy cloud layers. Headquarters did not specify targets. Lightnings, Thunderbolts and Mustangs flew with the bombers through varying intensities of flak, which felled two bombers and four fighters.

Refinery left in flames

Objectives of the Mediterranean forces were at Brașov, 85 miles north of Bucharest, and at Pitești, due west of Ploești, the Romanian oil capital. Flying Fortresses bombed the Photogen refinery at Brașov, leaving it enveloped in smoke.

Liberators bombed railroad repair shops and a rail bridge at Pitești on the Bucharest-Belgrade trunk line. Convoying Mustangs and Lightnings destroyed an undesignated number of interceptors over Brasov. The other U.S. formations encountered few fighters.

Patches of clouds hung over the Normandy battle area and the ceiling was no more than 3,000 feet in some places, but still the day brought the Allies their best flying weather in four days.

Airfields near Paris hit

Clouds forced most bombardiers to use the overcast bombing technique. One Fortress formation bombed two airfields in the vicinity of Paris. Returning crewmen from that group said they encountered no German planes and only light flak.

The new daylight operations were launched after a night of increased activity which saw RAF Mosquito bombers spread havoc among German rear-line communications south of Paris and attack targets in the German Ruhr Valley for the first time since June 30. Mines were also laid in enemy waters during the overnight forays, which were carried out without loss.

The first improvement in the weather was noted last evening, when tactical air formations based in both Britain and Normandy were able to step up their operations, bringing to 600 the total number of sorties flown during the day.

359

Four with sound truck talk 1,000 Nazis into quitting

SHAEF, England (AP) –
Four British non-commissioned officers, who captured 1,000 Germans in the Cherbourg Peninsula with nothing more than a sound truck, have been awarded the Bronze Star, the first American decoration presented to British soldiers in Normandy.

The quartet, from a British signal unit, had a truck equipped with loudspeakers. They were loaned to the Americans for a particular task.

Trained in this type of work – one spoke German – the four moved forward, telling the Germans in their last resisting stronghold that their positions were hopeless.

360

Editorial: Driving into France

With the great port of Cherbourg won, Gen. Bradley has lost no time in turning about with the American 1st Army to smash southward in a heavy new offensive designed to place the Normandy Peninsula entirely in Allied hands.

Preceded by a mighty artillery barrage, the attack is pressing the Nazis on a 40-mile front stretching from the La Haye area on the west coast southeastward to the Saint-Lô and Caumont sectors. Meanwhile, at the eastern end of the front, around Caen, the British have smashed no fewer than 25 savage counterattacks by Rommel who is reported to be grouping 11 divisions for an all-out counteroffensive in this region. It is a question, however, whether he can strike such a blow, not only because his forces have already been severely mauled but also because the British may beat him to the punch and because he must reckon with our fresh American assault.

In any event, no matter how much strength Rommel may be able to throw Into the developing battle, all the reports from Normandy confidently suggest that It will not be enough. Apparently our British and American forces have everything they need to win over the whole peninsula, so that if the Nazis really commit themselves to a showdown test of arms in an effort to contain us, they may be so shattered as to make possible a swift Allied advance deep Into France toward such great objectives as Le Havre and Paris.

Lacking appreciable air support and having to worry about possible Allied landings elsewhere, the Nazis appear to have more than they can handle in the British around Caen and in our new American offensive. The battle of the Normandy Peninsula, in fact, seems to be shaping up rapidly into the battle of France. Once our forces are able to pour out of their present confined combat area into the big broad maneuverable country, events are likely to move very fast and decisively.

361

Völkischer Beobachter (July 5, 1944)

Ein ‚deklassierter‘ Kriegsschauplatz

Normandie-Landekopf soll angeblich nur deutsche Kräfte binden

dr. th. b. Stockholm, 4. Juli –
Zu Beginn der fünften Invasionswoche beginnt sich der englischen Öffentlichkeit angesichts der gescheiterten Offensive Montgomerys eine gedrücktere Stimmung zu bemächtigen. Die Erfolge der bolschewistischen Armeen im Mittelabschnitt der Ostfront bieten, obwohl sie im Mittelpunkt des Interesses stehen, keinen Trost. Denn politisch könnten diese Erfolge nur bedeuten, daß England noch zu weiteren Zugeständnissen gezwungen wird.

Mit der üblichen Übertreibung schreibt der militärische Mitarbeiter des Daily Telegraph, Generalleutnant Matin, die „Hauptaufgabe der Westmächte sei es jetzt, soviel deutsche Kräfte wie möglich im Westen zu binden, während die Russen nach Berlin stürmen.“ In dieser Übertreibung steckt ein Körnchen Wahrheit. Der Sinn der Invasion, ohne den sie sich gar nicht gelohnt hätte, war ja, durch eigenen militärischen Einsatz endlich einen politischen Kräfteausgleich zu schaffen. Wenn es jetzt in der englischen Presse heißt, „Weißruthenen sei die ‚dynamische Arena der Entscheidung‘ und im Osten werde sich das Schicksal des Krieges vollziehen,“ so drückt man wider besseres Wissen aus rein agitatorischen Gründen den Brückenkopf in der Normandie, um den bereits so viel englisches Blut vergossen wurde und der bereits so viel wertvollstes Kriegsmaterial einschließlich unersetzlichen Schiffsraumes kostete, zu einem Nebenkriegsschauplatz herab, was auf die englische Öffentlichkeit nur eine tief enttäuschende Wirkung ausüben muß Ein Bericht der Stockholms Tidningen aus London spricht denn auch von der deprimierenden Wirkung des ersten Invasionsmonats.

Zu der niedergedrückten Stimmung haben die fliegenden Bomben natürlich nicht weniger beigetragen als die Meldungen von der Invasionsfront. „Fliegende Bomben,“ so lautete der letzte Reuters-Bericht, sind in dichter Folge über England niedergegangen. Außerdem sind gewöhnliche Flugzeuge den Bomben gefolgt. In einem Gebiet haben die Bomben erheblichen Schaden angerichtet, wenige Minuten später hörte man das Brummen von Flugzeugmotoren, dem kurz darauf vier Explosionen folgten. „In dem Reuters-Bericht wird diesmal nicht ein einziger Abschuß erwähnt. Die englische Abwehr steht also ‚V1‘ immer noch machtlos gegenüber.“

362

Generaloberst Dollmann beigesetzt

Generalfeldmarschall von Rundstedt hielt die Gedenkrede

Paris, 4. Juli –
Auf dem Pariser Heldenfriedhof Ivry wurde am Sonntag der am 27. Juni plötzlich verstorbene Oberbefehlshaber der 7. Armee, Generaloberst Dollmann, feierlich beigesetzt. Der Oberbefehlshaber West, Generalfeldmarschall von Rundstedt, nahm mit den Feldmarschällen Rommel und Sperrle sowie anderen hohen Offizieren an der Feier teil. Generalfeldmarschall von Rundstedt, der im Aufträge des Führers einen Kranz an der Gruft niederlegte, würdigte in seiner Ansprache die großen soldatischen Leistungen des Verstorbenen und betonte, daß es das Verdienst des Generalobersten Dollmann gewesen sei, wenn der Feind seit den Tagen seiner Landung um den von ihm erhofften Erfolg gebracht wurde.

363

Innsbrucker Nachrichten (July 5, 1944)

Feind in der Normandie blutig abgewiesen

Schweres Vergeltungsfeuer auf London – Feindliche Durchbruchsversuche in Italien gescheitert – Hartes Ringen im Mittelabschnitt der Ostfront

dnb. Aus dem Führerhauptquartier, 5. Juli –
Das Oberkommando der Wehrmacht gibt bekannt:

In der Normandie trat der Feind beiderseits der Straße Bayeux–Caen in den gestrigen Morgenstunden nach schwerem Vorbereitungsfeuer mit starken Infanterie- und Panzerkräften zum Angriff an. Es entwickelten sich heftige Kämpfe, in deren Verlauf der Feind überall blutig abgewiesen wurde. Auch südwestlich Tilly brachen mehrere feindliche Vorstöße in unserem Abwehrfeuer zusammen. Am Westflügel des Landekopfes dauerten die schweren Abwehrkämpfe auch gestern den ganzen Tag über an. Alle Angriffe scheiterten unter hohen blutigen Verlusten für den Feind. Wo der Gegner in unsere Linien eindringen konnte, wurde er durch Gegenstöße sofort wieder auf seine Ausgangsstellungen zurückgeworfen.

Schwere Kampfflugzeuge griffen in der Nacht feindliche Schiffsansammlungen vor der normannischen Küste an und versenkten einen Zerstörer und ein Handelsschiff von 5.000 BRT. Ein Kreuzer wurde schwer beschädigt.

Über dem Landekopf und den besetzten Westgebieten wurden 62 feindliche Flugzeuge, darunter 45 viermotorige Bomber, abgeschossen.

In Mittelfrankreich wurde ein durch Fallschirm abgesetzter britischer Sabotagetrupp in Stärke von 43 Mann liquidiert, weitere 108 bewaffnete Terroristen wurden erschossen.

Schweres Vergeltungsfeuer liegt auf London.

In Italien lag der Schwerpunkt der Kämpfe gestern im Raum südlich Arezzo und nördlich Siena. Nach erbitterten wechselvollen Kämpfen konnte der Feind dort einige Kilometer nach Norden vorrücken. Seine Versuche, einen Durchbruch zu erzielen, scheiterten. An der westlichen und östlichen Küstenstraße zerschlugen unsere Grenadiere, von Artillerie und schweren Waffen hervorragend unterstützt, alle auch mit Panzern geführten feindlichen Angriffe.

Im Südabschnitt der Ostfront wurde die Stadt Kowel zur örtlichen Frontverkürzung planmäßig und ohne feindlichen Druck geräumt.

Im Mittelabschnitt dauert das harte Ringen um die Landengen zwischen den Sümpfen im Raum von Baranowlcze und Molodeczno an. Östlich und nördlich Baranowlcze wurden die Sowjets nach schweren Kämpfen in Riegelstellungen aufgefangen. Südlich Minsk kämpfen sich unsere Verbände weiter zurück. Nordwestlich der Stadt wurden heftige Angriffe der Bolschewisten abgewiesen. Hier schoss eine Panzerkampfgruppe unter Führung des Generalleutnants von Saucken in beweglicher Kampfführung in der Zeit vom 27. Juni bis 3. Juli 232 feindliche Panzer ab. Um Molodeczno wird erbittert gekämpft. Auch nordöstlich Wilna sind heftige Kämpfe mit sowjetischen Angriffsspitzen im Gange. Westlich und nordwestlich Polozk brachen zahlreiche, von Panzern unterstützte Angriffe des Feindes unter hohen blutigen Verlusten zusammen.

Schlachtfliegergeschwader unterstützten den Abwehrkampf des Heeres und fügten den Sowjets hohe Verluste zu.

Ein Verband schwerer Kampfflugzeuge führte in der Nacht einen zusammengefassten Angriff gegen Minsk. Zahlreiche Großbrände wurden beobachtet.

Bei einem Angriff sowjetischer Flugzeuge auf Kirkenes wurden 26 feindliche Flugzeuge im Luftkampf abgeschossen.

Nordamerikanische Bomber flogen nach Rumänien und warfen Bomben auf Kronstadt. Es entstanden Schäden und Personenverluste. Fünf viermotorige Flugzeuge wurden abgeschossen.

Einzelne britische Störflugzeuge warfen in der letzten Nacht Bomben im rheinisch-westfälischen Gebiet.

364

Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 5, 1944)

Communiqué No. 59

The Allied advance southwards in the COTENTIN Peninsula made further progress during the day, particularly in the vicinity of SAINT-RÉMY-DES-LANDES and BLANCHELANDE. Our troops to the west and north of LA HAYE-DU-PUITS, and now within four miles of the town. A small gain was also made southeast of SAINT-JORES.

In the CAEN area, Allied forces were engaged in fierce fighting south of the village of CARPIQUET.

There was a considerable increase in air activity yesterday. The principal effort was directed by our fighter bombers against enemy communications – road, rail and water – over a mile wide area extending from NANTES in the west to CAMBRAI in the east. Considerable damage was caused to trains, tracks, barges, motor transport and flak towers, in the ANGERS-TOURS-LAVAL area.

In the immediate battle zone south of CAEN, and at LESSAY on the extreme western flank, targets were attacked in direct support of our ground forces.

There was a series of encounters with enemy fighters during these small operations and a number were destroyed. Our losses were small.

Last night, the railways at VILLENEUVE-SAINT-GEORGES and ORLÉANS were attacked by heavy bombers, 14 of which are missing. Light bombers also attacked successfully enemy reinforcements, particularly in the western battle sector. They also hit rail targets south of PARIS.

Coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping off BRITTANY during the afternoon and in the Channel last night.

Communiqué No. 60

Further advances have been made by Allied forces in the base of the CHERBOURG Peninsula although resistance is strong and the enemy is well-positioned on high ground.

Most progress was made in the coastal sector. SAINT-NICOLAS-DE-PIERREPONT and NEUF-MESNIL have been liberated and some units are now approaching LA HAYE-DU-PUITS.

In the CAEN area, the enemy is counterattacking strongly.

Our position at CARPIQUET remains firm.

During the night, coastal aircraft heavily attacked concentrations of E-boats and other vessels between DIEPPE and GRAVELINES. One armed auxiliary vessel blew up and several other craft were damaged.

Bad weather again interfered with air operations this morning.

Heavy bombers attacked airfields in BELGIUM and HOLLAND. They were escorted by fighters which subsequently strafed a variety of ground targets, including railway yards, power stations and airfields.

Medium bombers escorted by fighters bombed two bridges over the River ORNE, a fuel dump at SENONCHES, a rail junction at L’AIGLE and a supply depot in a wood 20 five miles southwest of DREUX. Two of the medium bombers are missing.

Fighter-bombers attacked flak positions in the CAEN area and railway targets near LAVAL.

365

I just finished reading the book, “The Dead and Those About to Die: D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach” by John McManass, this episode with General Eisenhower along with photos was in the book. The book was excellent and described the nitty gritty details of the assault by groups and individuals and the unfortunate deaths on the beach, The planning was far from perfect and success was on the shoulders of the individual soldiers and small groups.

1 Like
366

The Free Lance-Star (July 5, 1944)

YANKS REACH LA HAYE-DU-PUITS
Battling foe in city’s streets today

Actions flare up on British front

SHAEF, England (AP) –
Doughboys fought hand-to-hand late today through the streets of La Haye-du-Puits, German anchor on their western flank in France, after seizing the railway station 300 yards from the heart of that important junction town.

Besides battering into La Haye-du-Puits, Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley’s men scored advances of more than two miles along the entire front near the town, six miles inland from the western coast. A field dispatch said the railway station fell shortly after 9:00 a.m. (local time).

The Germans counterattacked with infantry and tanks, throwing in giant Tiger tanks for the first time on the U.S. sector in Normandy in a vain effort to save the town, the dispatch added.

Violent fighting also flared at the eastern end of the front near Caen. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel attacked heavily against the lower tip of the British wedge southwest of Caen, seeking to break through the Allied line. Canadian troops were forced back in the battle for Carpiquet Airfield, due west of Caen.

SHAEF, England (AP) –
The U.S. 1st Army has battled the Germans out of 17 villages and hamlets in its explosive assault down the Cherbourg Peninsula during the past 24 hours, driving the Germans back to within one mile of La Haye-du-Puits, western anchor of Nazi defenses in Normandy.

On the eastern extreme of the bridgehead front, Canadians fought hand-to-hand today with stubbornly resisting Germans for Carpiquet Airfield three miles from Caen, while the British to the south beat off new German tank attacks with heavy enemy losses.

Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley’s tireless U.S. doughboys, attacking in a jagged 20-mile arc from Carentan to the west coast of the Cherbourg Peninsula, advanced from a half-mile to two-and-a-half miles in swampy, canal-creased country.

Six-road junction

U.S. columns converging on La Haye-du-Puits, an important six-road junction, were within two miles of the town on the west, three miles on the north, a mile on the northeast and three miles on the east. Capture of the town appeared imminent.

Progress was far from easy. The Germans resisted heavily in all sectors, and a particularly violent engagement was going on a half-mile south of newly-captured Saint-Jores, east of La Haye.

The long-quiet Carentan sector erupted into bloody fighting when the Americans launched an attack down the Carentan–Périers road. The doughboys advanced half a mile in an attack starting at noon yesterday.

Each foot of the advance had to be covered with artillery. Swamps and canals channelized the fighting to the narrow area along the road.

On the Carentan–Tilly-sur-Seulles sector of the front, there was only patrol activity.

East of Gavrus, at the butt of the Odon River bridgehead, the Germans launched a night counterattack, but it was smashed by Gen. Bernard L. Montgomery’s big gun batteries. Another similar attack to the south three hours later was also smashed.

Light opposition

The British advance which captured Verson, two miles below Carpiquet and four miles southwest of Caen, encountered only light opposition. But to the north, where the Canadians captured Carpiquet, three miles west of Caen, the Germans resisted violently and beat back all attempts to capture the airfield.

Field Marshal Gen. Erwin Rommel had tanks dug in on a ridge overlooking the airfield. These tanks swept the field with fire and even rocket-firing Typhoons failed to dislodge them. Digging tanks in to the turret is a device the Germans used with considerable success in Russia and at Cassino in Italy during the past winter.

Slightly improved weather allowed the Allies to put up over 3,500 planes in support of the bridgehead yesterday and at least 23 German planes were shot down.

367

Smashing aerial raids on France

Troop concentrations and railroads are hit by British

Bulletin

London, England (AP) –
U.S. Fortresses and Liberators bombed airfields in Holland and Belgium, rocket bomb nests and other targets in the Pas-de-Calais Department of France today in swift continuance of devastating attacks by the RAF from the Channel coast to the German Ruhr.

Up to 500 U.S. planes, half heavy bombers and half convoying fighters, carried out the forenoon assault in cloudy weather with opposition as scant that all returned.

London, England (AP) –
In one of the most devastating series of night assaults since the Normandy invasion began, British heavy and light bombers smashed as railroads, troop concentrations and flying bomb nests in France last night, while Mosquitos struck anew at the enemy’s fuel supply by blasting a synthetic oil plant in the Ruhr.

Indications that Germany was getting another pounding today came from the German radio which said that bomber formations were approaching the northwestern part of the Reich.

During the sweeping overnight operations, which climaxed a July 4 display of aerial might in which nearly 5,000 planes ranged over the continent yesterday, RAF Lancasters and Halifaxes pounded railway yards at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges on the southeastern outskirts of Paris and at Orléans, 75 miles to the south.

The blows renewed a campaign – recently interrupted by bad weather – to disrupt the movement of enemy supplies and reinforcements to the Normandy battlefront.

Another formation of British heavies plastered launching ramps for flying bombs in northern France – the second heavy attack in less than 24 hours on the lair of the robot raiders which continued to drone across the Channel during the night.

Fourteen heavy bombers were reported lost in the attack on railyards below Paris while 13 planes were lost in raids on the Ruhr and the rocket bomb nests and in minelaying operations. The Germans asserted 40 four-engined bombers were downed during the night.

Mosquitos and Bostons of the 2nd Tactical Air Force also ranged over France during the night, making what Allied air headquarters described as a record number of attacks on German communications.