Operation OVERLORD (1944)

[NormanStewart]

The Pittsburgh Press (July 13, 1944)

YANKS STORMING INTO SAINT-LÔ
U.S. advance threatens two other bases

Americans nearing Lessay and Périers
By Virgil Pinkley, United Press staff writer

U.S. attack on Saint-Lô highlighted the news from Normandy today. The westernmost U.S. forces threatened Lessay and Périers after capturing a height commanding approaches to those towns (1), while advance patrols of Americans battled into the outskirts of Saint-Lô (2). Another U.S. column outflanked Saint-Lô with capture of Saint-Pierre-de-Semilly. In the Caen sector (3), the British recaptured Maltot.

Nazis reported using robots against Yanks

With U.S. forces in France (UP) – (July 1, delayed)
The Germans were reported today to have used pilotless planes against U.S. troops in the frontlines for the first time.

The first reports of the German use of pilotless planes said a few had been in action against the Americans fighting alongside the British flank at the center of the Normandy line.

The above dispatch from United Press writer James McGlincy lacked immediate amplification. The dispatch was filed July 1, but as received in New York, it bore no explanation of the delay.

SHAEF, London, England –
The U.S. 1st Army blasted and bayonetted its way to the outskirts of Saint-Lô today and hammered out general advances of about a mile all along the Normandy front to threaten the German keystone defense bases of Lessay and Périers.

While Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley’s left wing closed on Saint-Lô in some of the bloodiest fighting of the French campaign, his assault forces battered forward in at least seven sectors, cleared the entire La Haye-du-Puits–Carentan railroad and highway, and completed the conquest of the sprawling swamp area called Prairies Marécageuses de Gorges.

Lessay under fire

In the west coast sector, U.S. forces overrun the strategic Hill 92, commanding the entire area of Lessay and bringing that key transport junction under direct fire.

The last “bloody mile” into the heart of Saint-Lô, hinge of the German defenses on the Normandy front, shook under a thunderous artillery and infantry attack as the doughboys drove spearheads to the east and northwest of the city, setting the stage for a possible encirclement of the stubbornly-defended hilltop citadel.

As the foremost elements slugged to the outskirts, a column striking upstream along the west bank of the Vire from Pont-Hébert advanced a mile south of that village to a point three miles northwest of Saint-Lô.

Straightening U.S. line

The advances of 300 yards, to more than a mile, were gradually straightening out the American line and eliminating the marshland salient, with the battlefront now stretching along a line running northwest to southeast from Lessay to Saint-Lô.

The Americans captured Nay (three and a half miles northeast of Périers), Saint-André-de-Bohon (four and a half miles south of Carentan) and Gornay (north of the woods known as Bois de Hammet, through which U.S. troops were advancing after squeezing out the last of the Germans.

Between Saint-André-de-Bohon and Sainteny, gains of 500 yards on a one-mile front carried to the edge of inundated territory and broadened the U.S. front about half a mile westward near Pont-Hébert.

Set for frontal assault

After rushing the Germans off Hill 92, dominating the approaches to Lessay, the Americans pushed some 300 yards down its south slopes and drew into position for a frontal assault on the town anchoring the German coastal positions.

The Germans still showed no signs of any large-scale withdrawal anywhere along the Normandy front. Headquarters sources expected that if and when such a withdrawal comes, it is more likely to be on the American front than the British, because Gen. Bradley’s forces were chopping gradually but steadily through the enemy communication system.

Everywhere along the American line, the battle was a story of relentless chopping away at entrenched Germans under cold, drab skies that almost grounded the Allied air arm again today.

British sector quiet

The British-Canadian end of the Normandy front was relatively quiet as Lt. Gen. Sir Miles C. Dempsey regrouped his forces for another blow to shatter Marshal Erwin Rommel’s tightly stacked defenses northeast and southwest of Caen.

The main blow on Saint-Lô was aimed down the highway running into Saint-Lô from Bayeux, to the northeast, but other columns were converging from the north and northwest and still another force outflanked the city with a push through Saint-Pierre-de-Semilly, three and a half miles to the east.

Seventeen towns and villages were seized by the Americans yesterday while the British 2nd Army recaptured Maltot, five miles southwest of Caen, and hurled back 90 tanks which threw themselves against the salient between Odon and Orne Rivers in two futile counterattacks yesterday.

The Germans counterattacked northwest of Saint-Lô, but were beaten off and the American advance resumed.

Surrender appeal made

Last night, Allied transmitters and sound trucks in the Saint-Lô area broadcast an appeal to the Germans to lie low in the grass when the American attack was launched and then surrender as U.S. troops came abreast of them. in this way, the broadcasts said, the Germans could shield themselves from the fire of their own forces.

So far there were no reports indicating the success of the maneuver.

German paratroopers, among the toughest Nazi units, fiercely resisted the advance and fighting raged at such close quarters that at some points the Americans were on one side of a hedgerow and the Nazis on the other.

Grenade over hedge

A dispatch said:

At one place, a German reached over a hedge and tossed a hand grenade at a company commanding officer and killed him. That’s how close the fighting is.

Once Lessay, Périers and Saint-Lô have been captured, the Germans must fall back as much as 12 miles to a new line anchored off Coutances because of the lack of natural defenses in the intervening terrain.

British forces were reported to have knocked out a large percentage of the 90 tanks which German Marshal Erwin Rommel hurled against them in two counterattacks southwest of Caen. At least 84 German panzers were destroyed or damaged by Allied planes and ground forces Tuesday and the British successes yesterday probably boosted the total for the 48-hour period to more than 100 and for the past five days to nearly 200 – well over the equivalent of a full German armored division.

Heavy fighting was also reported around Hottot, two miles below Tilly-sur-Seulles at the hinge of the British salient across the Odon River.

---

German ace killed

London, England –
Lt. Eugen Zeigert, one of Germany’s leading air aces who claimed to have shot down 69 Allied planes, has been killed on the Western Front, the German radio reported today.

[NormanStewart]

Seven U.S. warships, eight British vessels sunk during invasion

Three U.S. destroyers are included; six of seven commanders rescued

London, England (UP) –
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s headquarters revealed today that the invasion of France cost the U.S. Navy three destroyers and four other warcraft.

The destroyers lost were the USS Corry, USS Meredith and USS Glennon.

The other U.S. losses were the transport USS Susan B. Anthony, the minesweeper USS Tide, the destroyer escort USS Rich and the fleet tug USS Partridge.

This list of losses includes the two destroyers which Mr. Roosevelt mentioned as having been lost shortly after D-Day.

British losses were three destroyers, three frigates and two other smaller craft. This was the first announcement the British have made of their naval losses during the invasion of France.

The Susan B. Anthony was the former passenger liner Santa Clara. The ship was fully loaded with troops, but only six men were lost.

Through the first days of the invasion, more than half a dozen British and U.S. battleships and about double that number of cruisers worked the Channel, bombarding German positions and protecting Allied convoys.

All of the big ships were afloat and operating at the end of the naval phase of the invasion, although some were damaged to some degree.

Six of seven U.S. commanders saved

Washington (UP) –
The Navy revealed today that six of the commanding officers survived on the seven U.S. naval vessels lost in the landings in France, although two of them were wounded.

The only U.S. skipper lost was LtCdr. Allard Barnwell Heyward of the 890-ton minesweeper USS Tide. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs. I. K. Heyward of Charleston, South Carolina.

The wounded officers were: LtCdr. Edward A. Michel Jr. of Jamestown, New York (who commanded the 1,400-ton destroyer escort USS Rich), and Lt. James C. W. White of San Diego, California (who commanded the 400-ton minesweeper USS Partridge).

The other survivors were: LtCdr. George D. Hoffman of Washington (USS Corry), Cdr. Clifford A. Johnson of Baltimore (USS Glennon), Cdr. Thomas L. Gray of Teaneck, New Jersey (USS Susan B. Anthony) and Cdr. George Knuepfer of Boston (USS Meredith).

The Navy revealed that the destroyer Meredith was the second of that name lost in this war. The other USS Meredith was lost in action in the Solomons in October 1942.

The Corry had a record as one of the scrappiest small ships in the Atlantic. Shortly before she joined the Western European invasion fleet, she played an important part in destroying a German U-boat.

The Susan B. Anthony participated in the North African expedition and the Sicilian operation.

[NormanStewart]

1,000 Flying Fortresses pound Munich for 3rd day

Saarbrücken, on French-German border, also hit as Allies push air blitz

London, England (UP) –
A fleet of more than 1,000 U.S. heavy bombers accompanied by 500 or more fighter planes smashed through feeble opposition from the Luftwaffe today to bomb the Munich area for the third successive day and Saarbrücken on the French border.

Other U.S. heavy bombers, meanwhile, roared up from southern Italy to attack two oil storage installations in German-occupied northern Italy and four railway yards between Milan and Venice.

In the Munich attack, a force of German fighters estimated at 125 planes rose to harass the huge fleet of Flying Fortresses and Liberators.

Third day of attack

For the most part, they confined their activities to flash attacks on the bomber formation, making quick passes at the Fortresses with guns blazing.

The three-day intense bombing of Munich gave rise to the possibility that the Americans were after a specific target, probably the city’s aero engine works, at least one of which is known to be turning out new model engines.

Whether they are the robot bomb’s jet-propelled motors was a matter of speculation.

‘Not a retaliation’

A high Air Force officer said today the Munich bombing, during which the city has received nearly 10,000 tons of bombs, was definitely part of the strategic air pattern and “not in any sense a retaliation for the robot attacks.”

Munich, like Saarbrücken, is also an important rail hub for movement of troops and supplies.

The Luftwaffe attacks came after the bombers had turned back from Munich, where they encountered a heavy barrage of flak.

The Air Ministry announced today that the RAF Bomber Command had dispatched 1,300 aircraft, all in the six-hour period between 8:00 p.m. last night and 2:00 a.m. today, against flying bomb installations on the French coast, industrial targets in the Ruhr, and railways in France.

Yesterday’s raid on Munich was the largest attack on a single target of the war by U.S. bombers, with over 1,200 Flying Fortresses and Liberators and 750 escorting fighters taking part.

Nine Germans downed

Normandy-based fighters closely supported the ground forces yesterday, dropping bombs and rockets on German convoys, occupied buildings, armored vehicles and a tank repair depot.

At one point, the Allied planes at the request of the Army attacked and silenced several gun emplacements and mortars.

Despite the inclement weather, Supreme Headquarters said that at least nine German planes were destroyed in combat yesterday.

It was announced that since D-Day, the Allied Air Forces have attacked 313 bridges in France, including 144 railroad, 97 highway and 72 river bridges; 193 rail centers and 96 airfields.

[NormanStewart]

McQuaid: Pitiful sights found in La Haye

By B. J. McQuaid

La Haye-du-Puits, France – (July 11, delayed)
The beautiful big church, which was practically the only sizeable structure here to maintain recognizable architectural lines through the bombing and shelling of the town, is going to be demolished this afternoon by the high explosives of an American engineer battalion.

Characteristically, the withdrawing Germans left it so full of mines and booby traps that there just isn’t any other way to deal with the problem.

No townspeople remain to witness this sorry sight, however. The last of them were passing by the church yesterday on their way to a nearby refugee camp.

I think this small column was the most pitiful sight I have seen, in a France full of pitiful sights.

There were only about 150 of them. They were straggling along on foot, carrying their belongings in pushcarts and hand wagons.

Their bent postures and the heartbroken looks on their faces told the story of La Haye with the same sort of eloquence as the chunks of broken masonry that clutter the village square.

[NormanStewart]

Völkischer Beobachter (July 14, 1944)

Zeugnisse deutscher Kampfstärke –
Fanatismus gegen Material

Die Ursachen der schweren Verluste der Eindringlinge in der Normandie

dr. th. b. Stockholm, 13. Juli –
„Sie sind knochenharte Fanatiker alle zusammen und kennen nichts anderes als den Nationalsozialismus.“ Es war ein amerikanischer Feldgendarm, der diese Worte sprach, als eine kleine Zahl deutscher Grenadiere, die bei den harten Kämpfen bei La Haye du Puits in feindliche Gefangenschaft gefallen war, an ihm vorübergeführt wurde. Ein amerikanischer Berichterstatter fing diese Worte auf und fügte hinzu: „Die Deutschen beißen sich in jedem Haus und in jeder Baumkrone fest und ergeben sich nicht.“

Die feindliche Kriegsberichterstattung würde der beispiellosen Tapferkeit der deutschen Soldaten kaum solche Anerkennung zollen, wenn sie es nicht nötig hätten, der eigenen Öffentlichkeit die ungeheuer schweren Verluste begreiflich zu machen, die die amerikanischen, britischen und kanadischen Truppen bei ihrem sturen Anrennen gegen den deutschen Verteidigungsring in der Normandie stündlich erleiden. Ein Bericht der United Press erwähnt beispielsweise den Straßenkampf in einem normannischen Städtchen, bei dem ein amerikanischer Oberst mit- seinem gesamten Stabe und großen Teilen seines Regiments von wenigen deutschen Maschinenpistolen und Maschinengewehren niedergemäht wurde.

In Erstaunen setzt den Feind dabei immer wieder die besondere Härte der jungen deutschen Soldaten. Die deutschen Truppen, die sich aus der Hitlerjugend zusammensetzen, heißt es in einem Bericht der Nya Dagligt Allehanda, kämpfen fanatisch und mit einer beispiellosen Rücksichtslosigkeit. Diesem Fanatismus hat der Feind, auch wo er verbissen kämpft, in erster Linie doch nur seine materielle Überlegenheit entgegenzusetzen.

Zum Kampf um Caen schreibt der Kriegskorrespondent der News Chronicle, der mit dabei war, daß es ein teuer errungener Sieg sei. Inwieweit Gewinn und Verlust einander die Waage hielten oder die Verluste den Gewinn übersteigen, darüber sei man sich im alliierten Lager überhaupt noch nicht klar.

Die Deutschen hätten eine ausgesprochen geschickte Verteidigung angewandt und nach fünfwöchigem Festhalten an dem einen Teil von Caen sich ebenso geschickt auf ihre gegenwärtige Position zurückgezogen. Auf der anderen Seite der durch Caen fließenden Orne, im Vorort De-Vaucelles, erwarteten die alliierten Soldaten weitere erbitterte Kämpfe. Bis jetzt besäßen die Verbündeten nur die Hälfte von Caen, ohne jedoch Fluss und Kanal, die Caen eine besondere Bedeutung verleihen, in Kontrolle gebracht zu haben.

Er habe sich den deutschen Verteidigungsraum um Caen angesehen, fährt der Korrespondent fort, und trotzdem sei eine Anzahl unbeantworteter Fragen in seinem Kopf zurückgeblieben. So zum Beispiel gingen die Alliierten mit ihrer Artillerie geradezu verschwenderisch um. Nichts Entsprechendes aber habe ihnen dieser unerhört starke Artilleriebeschuss eingebracht. Vor allem seien die Kampfkraft und die Fähigkeiten der gegnerischen Soldaten nicht im Geringsten geschwächt worden. Die Deutschen verständen es, sich derart einzugraben, daß das Artilleriefeuer sie kaum Verluste koste. Aus diesem Grunde zweifle er daran, daß die Artillerie der Alliierten zur Unterstützung der Infanterie jenen großen Wert besitze, den man ihr beimesse. Alle möglichen Stadien der Übertreibung hätten die Alliierten in ihrer Kriegführung schon durchgemacht. So sei von ihnen der Wert der Luftwaffe, dann der der Tanks überschätzt worden, und jetzt habe es ganz den Anschein, als überbewerte man den Artilleriebeschuss.

Daß der Feind dabei die schöne Normandie in einen Trümmerhaufen verwandelt, muß er selbst zugeben. Von einem der Städtchen, die in der Kampfzone liegen, heißt es in dem Bericht des amerikanischen Berichterstatters Robert Miller:

Das Städtchen ist, militärisch gesehen, ohne Bedeutung, es ist nur eine der hundert normannischen Ortschaften, die die Alliierten bei ihrem Vormarsch durch Frankreich durchstoßen müssen, die also durch den totalen Krieg umgepflügt werden. Die Bedeutung, die das Städtchen einmal für das zivile Leben besaß, ist wahrscheinlich für immer dahin, denn man kann die Häuser, die noch einigermaßen bewohnbar sind, an den Fingern abzählen.

Hier wird also offen zugegeben, daß über die Normandie von den Aggressoren Europas Tod und Vernichtung gebracht wird, obwohl ihre Städte und Dörfer „militärisch bedeutungslos“ sind. Können sich diese Aggressoren, die sich auch „Befreier“ nennen, wundern, daß sie bei den deutschen Truppen, deren Heimatstädte gleichfalls in Schutt und Asche gelegt wurden, auf solchen fanatischen Widerstand stoßen?

[NormanStewart]

Düstere Zukunftsaussichten der Anglo-Amerikaner

Von unserem Lissaboner Berichterstatter

v. m. Lissabon, 13. Juli –
Nachdem auch die beiden Interviews mit Eisenhower über die fliegenden Bomben und die Lage an der normannischen Front pessimistisch ausfielen, machen die Londoner Zeitungen immer größere, vergeblichere Anstrengungen, die Bevölkerung über das anhaltende Feuer von „V1“ zu beruhigen. Sie berichten immer wieder von Angriffen der anglo-amerikanischen Luftwaffe gegen die vermeintlichen Abschußstellen der deutschen Luftwaffe, bei denen sogenannte „Erdbebenbomben“ und ein besonderes. geheimes Zielgerät, welches angeblich den Bombern gestatten soll, Ziele in der Größe einer Briefmarke zu treffen, verwandt werden sollen.

Die „Erdbebenbombe“ und der „Briefmarkentreffer“ sind Englands größte Hoffnung im Kampf gegen „V1.“ Wie wenig sie jedoch in der Lage sind, die über der Insel lastende Bedrohung wirksam zu beseitigen, zeigten drei nacheinander folgende Reportagen des Luftfahrtkorrespondenten der Daily Mail, Colin Bednall, über Angriffsflüge gegen die „Nester“ der fliegenden Bomben. Bednall schrieb diese Berichte als Teilnehmer und Augenzeuge dieser Angriffe. Umso bemerkenswerter ist es, daß er klipp und klar ihre Erfolglosigkeit zugibt und durchblicken läßt, daß eine Einschränkung der „V1“ höchstens durch die Eroberung von ganz Frankreich erzielt werden könnte. Doch selbst das sei unsicher.

Die Londoner Berichte besagen großspurig, daß das Briefmarkentrefferzielgerät schon seit einem Jahr von der anglo-amerikanischen Luftwaffe verwandt werde. Wenn es wirklich die Eigenschaften hat, die ihm die Agitation zuschreibt, dann ergibt sich ein weiterer, schwerwiegender Anklagepunkt gegen den Bombenterror der Engländer und Yankees auf deutsche Städte. Die Luftgangster können sich nicht auf die Streuung der Bomben berufen, können nicht sagen, daß sie Wohnviertel der europäischen Städte „aus Versehen“ getroffen hätten, wenn sie wirklich ein Zielgerät haben und seit Monaten verwenden, welches genaue Punktwirkungen ermöglicht. Drücken sie sich aber vor dieser Selbstanklage, dann geben sie anderseits zu, daß die Bezeichnung „Briefmarkentreffer“ irreführend und damit das Angreifen der vermeintlichen, gutgetarnten Nester der „V1“ ein vergebliches Unterfangen ist, bei dem es nicht gelingen kann, die deutsche Waffe so schnell zum Schweigen zu bringen, wie die englische Bevölkerung es sich wünscht.

Die Schnelligkeit in der Bekämpfung der „V1“ scheint der höchste Wunsch der Inselbewohner zu sein. Im News Chronicle schreibt der bekannte Kommentator Cummings:

Was das Volk von London und Südengland in der Hauptsache festzustellen wünscht, ist, wie lange es dauern wird, bis es gelingt, das Roboterbombardement zum Schweigen zu bringen. Mr. Churchill, der inzwischen zum vorsichtigsten aller Propheten geworden ist, gab keinerlei Garantie, ja nicht einmal Hinweise auf unsere Gegenmaßnahmen.

Cummings vergaß hinzuzufügen, daß weder Churchill noch sein Schwiegersohn Duncan-Sandys (der jetzt Leiter des Bekämpfungsausschusses geworden ist), noch die Luftabwehr und die englisch-amerikanische Generalität, wie die Unterhauserklärung des Premiers, die von ihr gebilligte Evakuierung Londons und der von ihm befohlene Eilbau von Bunkern zeigen, noch keinerlei Vorstellung haben, wie man „V1“ wirksam begegnen könne, und daß gerade deshalb, wie Daily Telegraph zugeben mußte, in englischen Abgeordnetenkreisen die Ansicht weiter vertreten wird, Churchill habe mit seiner Erklärung zwar vielleicht vorübergehend psychologisch, niemals aber physisch die Atmosphäre zu klären vermocht, weil die geflügelten Bomben ununterbrochen weiter auf die Insel hageln.

Unter demselben Eindruck steht die Daily Mail, welche wieder einmal Anlass findet, Churchills Maßnahmen heftig zu kritisieren. In ihrem Leitartikel klagt das konservative Blatt die Regierung an, ihre Evakuierungsorder einseitig abgefasst zu haben. Das konservative Blatt so meint:

Außer den Müttern mit Kindern unter fünf Jahren, gebe es sehr viele Leute, die heimatlos geworden wären, und aus sonstigen guten Gründen, wohl im Zusammenhang mit dem neuen Blitz, London verlassen müßten. Es gebe sehr viele Ehemänner, die ihre kinderlosen Frauen aus der Hauptstadt entfernt zu wissen wünschten. An diese Fälle sei nicht gedacht worden. Inzwischen seien obendrein auch die Gründe für die Absperrung Südenglands hinfällig geworden.

Diese Maßnahme habe zur Überfüllung anderer Gebiete geführt, die wiederum von den Hoteliers, Gastwirten und Quartiergebern benutzt worden wären, und benutzt würden, um horrende Gewinne herauszuschlagen. Der Abgeordnete Sir Herbert Williams habe im Unterhaus die Regierung auf einen besonders krassen Fall aufmerksam gemacht. Ein Mann aus Südengland, der seine Frau und seine Kinder in ein mittleres Hotel des englischen Nordwestens habe einquartieren wollen, hätte darauf verzichten müssen, weil der Hotelier drei Guineas für den Tag und einen Monat Vorauszahlung verlangt habe.

Daily Mail erklärt:

Dieser Skandal des Profitierens an möblierten Zimmern in Hotels und Gasthäusern ist nicht neu. Die Minister müßten dafür verantwortlich gemacht werden, weil sie noch keine Regelung getroffen hätten, die den augenblicklichen Notwendigkeiten entsprächen.

Die Verantwortung fällt auf den Board of Draea, das Gesundheitsministerium, das Sicherheitsministerium und das Ernährungsministerium. Diese versuchen sie aber sich gegenseitig zuzuschieben. Dies wiederum schaut nach Chaos in der Verwaltung aus, und es ist an der Zeit, jemand verantwortlich zu machen und etwas zu unternehmen.

Diese Zustände sind typisch für die geistige Haltung in der britischen Plutokratie. Selbst aus der kriegsbedingten Evakuierung von Frauen und Kindern aus bedrohten Gebieten versteht man auf der Insel Geschäfte zu machen. Mit einer derartigen Moral gehen sie in eine Phase des Krieges hinein, von der die New York Herald Tribune schreibt: „Die zweite Schlacht um London hat begonnen. Sie wird grimmig und blutig sein.“

Der Londoner Korrespondent des gleichen amerikanischen Blattes Barsons befasst sich ausführlich mit „V1“ und schließt sich dem Urteil der englischen Blätter an. Es sei verwunderlich, daß Churchill so lange gewartet habe, um der Welt etwas zu erklären, was die Deutschen sicherlich längst gewusst hätten. Derselbe Berichterstatter schildert die Wirkung der fliegenden Bomben ausführlich und gibt einen Vorfall wieder, der eine sehr deutliche Sprache über die Wucht der „V1“-Hammerschläge redet. Sein Mitarbeiter Josef Gristoll, der für die New York Herald Tribune als Frontberichterstatter in der Normandie eingesetzt gewesen sei, habe sich bei seiner Rückkehr wegen Krankheit bei ihm gemeldet und ihm erklärt: „Bitte, schicken Sie mich nach Frankreich zurück. Meine Frau in Amerika wird entsetzt sein, mich in London zu wissen.“ Demnach ist es heute unter den Nordamerikanern bereits eine ausgemachte Sache, daß es weniger gefährlich ist, an der Front zu stehen als im Zielbereich der „V1.“

Der Berichterstatter schildert weiter eine Szene bei einer Stabsbesprechung englisch-amerikanischer Offiziere. Eine fliegende Bombe heulte herab. Die Offiziere verloren völlig ihre Würde, warfen «ich flach auf den Boden und krochen unter die Schreibtische „Ich habe die vergangenen zwei Jahre und acht Monate in London gelebt,“ erklärte der Berichterstatter, „und bis zum ersten Angriff der fliegenden Bomben auf London habe ich niemals das Gefühl gehabt, in der Nähe des Krieges zu sein und fühlte mich vor den Kollegen an der Front beschämt. Ich kann nicht behaupten, daß ich heute ähnlich denke… Ich gebe zu, daß ich ein wühlendes Gefühl in der Magengegend verspüre, wenn ich eines Dieser Dinger heranbrausen höre. Ich stecke dann gern den Kopf unter ein Kissen. Vielleicht dumm, aber eine Menge Legte retteten auf diese Weise ihre Augen und Ohren.

Im gleichen Ton fährt Mr. Barsons in seinen Schilderungen fort und sieht bisher nur einen positiven Punkt. Er glaubt, daß die fliegenden Bomben zu einer Verbesserung der englisch-amerikanischen Beziehungen beitragen. Um diese kühne Behauptung zu erklären, führt er einen weiteren Vorfall an. In der Nähe einer Arrestanstalt, in welcher die Engländer „Betrunkene und andere schlechte Kerle der US-Armee“ untergebracht hatten, schlug eine „V1“ ein. Diese Männer sind dann sofort entlassen worden, um an den Aufräumungsarbeiten teilzunehmen. Dabei hätten die Engländer ihnen sogar Bier gereicht. Interessant an diesen Beispielen ist, daß darin überwiegend von Einschlägen in der Nähe militärischer Ziele wie Stabsgebäude und Soldatenunterkünfte gesprochen wird. Ein weiterer Beweis dafür, daß „V1“ im Gegensatz zur blinden Bombentechnik der Terrorflieger gegen militärische Punkte eingesetzt wird.

Dennoch besitzt die amerikanische Zeitschrift Philadelphia Inquirer, die zu den Blättern gehört, die am lautesten dem Bombenkrieg gegen deutsche Frauen und Kinder Beifall gezollt haben, die Dreistigkeit zu schreiben:

Der englische Premier hat der Welt das abschreckende Bild der Nazibestie in ihrer wahnsinnigen Orgie wahllosen Schlachtens vermittelt. Die düstere Zukunftsaussicht, die uns die fliegenden Bomben eröffnen und aus der wir entnehmen, daß selbst wir Amerikaner wohl kaum vor einer Auseinandersetzung mit diesem todausteilenden und von einem hasserfüllten Feind abgeschossenen Ungeheuer bewahrt bleiben werden, ist eine Bedrohung, der hauptsächlich bei der Konferenz am Friedenstisch begegnet werden muß.

In ohnmächtiger Wut drohen unsere Feinde mit einem „bösen Frieden,“ obwohl sie die Ausmaße der Gefahr, die in Gestalt der „V1“ über ihnen hängt, zu erkennen beginnen. Sie wollen heute nicht wahrhaben, daß sie die Erfinder der „wahnsinnigen Orgie wahllosen Schlachtens“ und damit die Bestien gewesen sind, die den Krieg gegen die Zivilbevölkerung einleiteten. Vor 14 Tagen meinte der Londoner Daily Sketch, „V1“ sei eine lächerliche Narrenwaffe, heute ruft das gleiche Blatt nach Rache – Immerhin eine bezeichnende Sinnesänderung!

[NormanStewart]

Luftgangster über Amiens –
150 Bomben auf ein Hospital

Paris, 13. Juli –
Das neue Hospital der Stadt Amiens wurde von der anglo-amerikanischen Luftwaffe mit etwa 150 Bomben belegt, wie der Petit Parisien mitteilt, Bisher sind 20 Tote unter den Trümmern geborgen worden. Das neue Hospital liegt völlig abgesondert auf einer Höhe im Norden der Stadt. „Von sämtlichen verbrecherischen Bombardements,“ schreibt hierzu das Blatt, „die bisher von der Stadt Amiens erlitten wurden, ist dieses jüngste das schändlichste.“

Amerikanische Fliegerverbände bombardierten außerdem zahlreiche französische Ortschaften und griffen wieder im Tiefflug Eisenbahnzüge sowie Kraftfahrzeuge mit Bordwaffen an. Dabei sind zahlreiche Personen getötet oder verletzt worden.

[NormanStewart]

Innsbrucker Nachrichten (July 14, 1944)

Weiter schwere Kämpfe in der Normandie

Der feindliche Durchbruch nicht gelungen – Hohe US-Verluste bei Saint-Lô – In Italien Feindangriffe nördlich Volterra – Die Besatzung von Wilna durchbrach in heldenmütigem Kampf den Einschließungsring – Neuer Terrorangriff auf München

dnb. Aus dem Führerhauptquartier, 14. Juli –
Das Oberkommando der Wehrmacht gibt bekannt:

Im Westteil des normannischen Landekopfes warfen die Nordamerikaner neue Verbände in die Schlacht und setzten ihre Angriffe mit dem Schwerpunkt in Richtung auf Saint-Lô fort. Im Verlauf erbitterter Kämpfe drängte der Feind unter Inkaufnahme hoher Verluste unsere Truppen in einigen Abschnitten unwesentlich zurück. Es gelang ihm an keiner Stelle, den erstrebten Durchbruch zu erzwingen. Die schweren Kämpfe dauern mit unverminderter Heftigkeit an.

Sicherungsstreitkräfte der Kriegsmarine schossen vor der niederländischen Küste zwei britische Schnellboote in Brand. Ein eigenes Vorpostenboot ging verloren.

Schweres Vergeltungsfeuer liegt Weiterhin auf dem Großraum von London.

In Italien beschränkte sich der Feind gestern auf Angriffe im Raum nördlich Volterra und beiderseits des Tiber im Abschnitt Citta di Castello. Während des ganzen Tages wurde hier erbittert und mit wechselndem Erfolg um einige Höhenstellungen gekämpft. Trotz starken Menschen- und Materialeinsatzes blieb der Geländegewinn des Feindes unbedeutend.

Im rückwärtigen Frontgebiet und im oberitalienischen Raum wurden mehrere Bandengruppen und Sabotagetrupps vernichtet.

Im Süden der Ostfront wiesen deutsche und ungarische Verbände im Raum von Kolomea örtliche Vorstöße der Bolschewisten ab. Westlich Luck setzten sich unsere Divisionen befehlsgemäß aus einem vorspringenden Frontbogen ab und schlugen in den neuen Stellungen feindliche Angriffe zurück. Im Zusammenhang mit unseren Absetzbewegungen im Gebiet der Pripjetsümpfe, die vom Feinde ungestört verlaufen, wurde die Stadt Pinsk geräumt.

Im Mittelabschnitt vereitelten unsere Divisionen weitere Durchbruchsversuche der Sowjets. Der Schwerpunkt der Kämpfe lag hier östlich und nördlich Grodno, wo starke feindliche Panzer-, Infanterie- und Kavallerieverbände zum Stehen gebracht wurden.

Die tapfere Besatzung der alten litauischen Hauptstadt Wilna unter Führung ihres Kommandanten, Generalleutnant Stahel, durchbrach nach fünftägigem Widerstand gegen überlegene feindliche Kräfte befehlsgemäß den sowjetischen Einschließungsring und kämpfte sich zu den westlich unter Oberst Tolsdorf bereitstehenden deutschen Truppen durch. Pflichterfüllung und Standhaftigkeit dieser beiden Kampfgruppen verdienen höchste Anerkennung. Bei den Kämpfen um die Stadt hat sich auch eine Flakabteilung der Luftwaffe unter Hauptmann Müller hervorragend bewährt.

Südlich Dünaburg sowie zwischen Düna und Peipussee wurden zahlreiche Angriffe der Bolschewisten unter Abriegelung örtlicher Einbrüche zerschlagen.

Schlachtfliegerverbände griffen auch gestern wirksam in die Erdkämpfe ein und vernichteten im Tiefangriff zahlreiche Panzer, Geschütze und Fahrzeuge des Feindes.

Nordamerikanische Bomber richteten gestern wiederum einen Terrorangriff gegen München. Durch Luftverteidigungskräfte wurden 29 feindliche Flugzeuge zum Absturz gebracht.

Einzelne britische Flugzeuge warfen in der Nacht Bomben auf rheinisch-westfälisches Gebiet.

[NormanStewart]

Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 14, 1944)

Communiqué No. 77

On a ten-mile front south of LA HAYE-DU-PUITS, Allied forces have made good progress in an attack which brought our troops astride the main road to within two miles of LESSAY. Units on the right advanced about 2,000 yards near BRETTEVILLE and, on the left, the attack has overrun the village of VESLY.

In the CARENTAN sector the earlier advance has continued up both banks of the river TAUTE. Our troops have reached the outskirts of the village of TRIBEHOU and have pushed on two miles to the south and east through the BOIS DU HOMMET reaching the road near LE HOMMET-D’ARTHENAY.

Air operations were limited by weather from noon to midnight yesterday but Allied fighters and fighter-bombers continued their widespread attacks on enemy communications and flew many missions in direct support of our ground forces.

Gun positions and enemy headquarters near LESSAY, machinery loaded on trains near NOYANT and a train loaded with armored vehicles in the LAVAL–ANGERS area were bombed and strafed with good results. Railway tracks were cut west and southeast of CHARTRES, and elsewhere deep behind the enemy lines. Successful attacks were made on locomotives, tanks, armored vehicles and loaded fuel and freight cars near TOURS and MANTES-GASSICOURT. Bridges at CHÂTEAUNEUF and SAINT-FLORENTIN and a bridge and dam southwest of MAYENNE were hit. Near MONTARGIS and MEAUX, a number of freight cars were destroyed. A rail center at NANTES was bombed.

Six enemy aircraft were destroyed during the day. Seven of our aircraft are missing.

---

Communiqué No. 78

The Allied advance towards the LESSAY–SAINT-LÔ road continued, and several small salients have been driven into the enemy’s defenses.

LAULINE, northeast of LESSAY, has been taken.

Between LA MARTINIÈRE and AUXAIS, we have made additional gains on both sides of the TAUTE River.

We are across the TRIBEHOU–LES CHAMPS-DE-LOSQUE road, southwest of BOIS DU HOMME.

On the west bank of the VIRE river, north of SAINT-LÔ, another thrust has taken us to the outskirts of the village of LE MESNIL-DURAND.

There is no change on the remainder of the front.

Our fighter bombers operated in small force in difficult weather this morning against transportation targets at MONTDIDIER and BEAUVAIS and in the LISIEUX–BERNAY area.

Supporting the land forces, NORMANDY-based aircraft dive-bombed and strafed defended localities near SAINT-LÔ.

[NormanStewart]

The Pittsburgh Press (July 14, 1944)

Germans retreat in Normandy

U.S. 1st Army drives ahead along whole 42-mile front
By Virgil Pinkley, United Press staff writer

Nazis move back in Normandy before U.S. forces on the left side of the Allied line, with U.S. troops closing on Périers and Lessay (1), and driving to within less than a mile and a half of Saint-Lô (2). On the eastern side of the front, the British fell back slightly east of Caen (3).

Planes serviced fast by beachhead crews

Washington (UP) –
U.S. fighter planes are being serviced in 20 minutes on temporary runways in France, enabling them to complete four or five “spot missions” daily, the War Department said today.

Ninth Air Service Command soldiers clamber over fighter planes as they roll in along 1,000-foot runways. They pump in several hundred gallons of gasoline and replace expended ammunition. This prompt and nearby service enables the fighters to operate over the battle zone without auxiliary gas tanks, the War Department said.

The air above the landing strips is often filled with 9th Air Force fighters “queueing up” to land.

SHAEF, England –
The U.S. 1st Army drove forward along its entire 42-mile Normandy front today in the wake of what was described officially as a general German retreat, capturing four villages and pushing within a little more than a mile of Lessay, the Nazi western defense anchor.

The grim and bloody battle for Saint-Lô, central base of the German line, raged unabated for Supreme Headquarters had no information later than front reports which said the American onslaught was resumed after a setback at the outskirts of the wrecked town.

Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley’s whole line hinged on Saint-Lô was swinging southward, shoving the stubborn Germans back through hedgerows, groves and marshes in slow but steady retreat.

U.S. control of the Atlantic coast was advanced as far south as the mouth og the river Ay, west of Lessay. U.S. forces won the area slightly southeast of Saint-Germaine-sur-Ay, two and a half miles northwest of Lessay, posing a new threat to that key town against which other forces were pushing down the road from La Haye-du-Puits.

Line straightened out

In the area above Périers, where the Americans were less than three miles from this stronghold. Gen. Bradley’s troops straightened out their line for a frontal assault on the town by capturing a number of strongpoints.

The hamlets of Es Aubris and La Vincenterie, about four miles south of Sainteny and flanging Périers to the northeast, fell to the advancing doughboys, along with Auxais, three miles southeast of Sainteny.

The Americans pushed forward 500 yards along the road from Sainteny to the village of Raids, four miles above Périers.

Late yesterday, the Germans tried to mount a counterattack toward Auxais, but were turned back handily without slowing down the American advance.

Road center taken

The road center of Les Champs-de-Losque, seven and a half miles northwest of Saint-Lô, fell to U.S. troops who probed further southward beyond it. From Les Champs, a valuable lateral road runs northward through Saint-André-de-Bohon to Carentan. Its entire length was now open to the Americans.

The only activity reported on the British section of the Normandy front was an attempt by the Germans to mass tanks west of Caen.

Highest ridge seized

A U.S. outflanking column seized the highest ridge overlooking Saint-Lô, hinge of the enemy line guarding the invasion roads to central Normandy, from the east, but a front dispatch from James McGlincy, United Press staff writer, said the frontal assault on the fortress town from the northeast had rolled to a temporary halt a little more than a mile away.

The Americans reached a village a mile from the edge of Saint-Lô in bloody fighting late yesterday afternoon, but later withdrew 200 yards to less exposed positions and dug in, apparently to await the arrival of other forces storming down from the north and northwest against lighter resistance for a general assault on the hilltop citadel.

The attack from the northwest was resumed this morning along both banks of the Vire River after a number of German rearguard counterattacks were beaten off during the night, Mr. McGlincy said. The northwestern column was about six miles from Saint-Lô, but steadily closing in, while another force was three miles away to the north.

Nazis gain near Caen

At the eastern end of the front, the Germans recaptured Colombelles and Sainte-Honorine, just east of Caen, in a counterattack while Lt. Gen. Sir Miles C. Dempsey’s British 2nd Army continued to regroup for the next stage of the Allied advance toward Paris, 120 miles east of Caen.

Front dispatches said the latest U.S. advances around Saint-Lô raised a treat of encirclement and made that stronghold, already pounded into rubble by artillery and bombs, untenable. Nevertheless, the garrison was not expected to capitulate or abandon the town until the Americans capture high ground to the south.

Gain highest ridge

The Americans gained the highest ridge overlooking Saint-Lô from the east with the capture of the village of La Barre-de-Semilly while other forces cleaned out all enemy snipers and strongpoints north of the Bayeux–Saint-Lô highway and advanced down the road to within a mile of the town. Already in American hands was similar high ground to the northeast.

Northwest of Saint-Lô, the Americans made faster progress. Crossing the Taute River, they pushed completely through the woodlands Bois de Hommet and captured the villages of Saint-Martin, Les Champs-de-Losque and Le Hommet-d’Arthenay, the latter six miles northwest of Saint-Lô.

On the north bank of the Taute, another column reached the outskirts of Auxais, a village three miles southeast of Sainteny.

[NormanStewart]

Allies blast refineries, railyards

Budapest area bombed by planes from Italy
By Walter Cronkite, United Press staff writer

Bulletin

London, England (UP) –
British Lancaster heavy bombers attacked German flying bomb bases in northern France without loss today.

London, England –
Five hundred U.S. bombers from Italy smashed at four oil refineries in Hungary and railway yards in Budapest today while another big bomber formation crossed the English Channel in clearing weather to strike at targets on the continent that were not immediately identified.

Three of the oil refineries were in the Budapest area, and the attacking force, which included Liberators and Flying Fortresses, reported good results. The fleet was accompanied by a strong force of fighter planes.

The three oil refineries have a combined capacity of 358,000 tons of crude oil annually. The fourth refinery was located five miles southwest of Budapest. The raiders encountered a considerable number of enemy fighters and shot down several, it was announced.

Railyards raided

Another formation of Liberator bombers attacked the Mantua railway yards in northern Italy today encountering neither flak nor fighters, it was announced.

Thunderbolt fighter-bombers carried out damaging attacks on railway yards crowded with freight trains, at Beauvais and Montdidier in central France, the U.S. Tactical Air Force announced. En route home they strafed 10 freight cars on tracks between Chantilly and Creil, damaging all of them.

Ninth Air Force units in Normandy, it was disclosed today, made a series of attacks yesterday against enemy bridges, an airfield, motorized columns, gun positions, troops, barracks and entrenchments, mostly in the battle area west of Lessay.

Seven planes missing

During the afternoon and evening, Thunderbolts knocked out more than 50 freight cars and left others buried in debris. From these and other operations, seven aircraft were missing.

Eighth Fighter Command Mustangs and Thunderbolts made offensive sweeps over France today, knocking down five German planes and strafing trucks and flak towers, all without loss of a single plane.

Weather improved

The daylight raids followed a new strike into Germany last night by RAF Mosquito bombers which scattered two-ton blockbusters over industrial objectives in the Ruhr and mined enemy waters without loss.

With the weather somewhat improved both over the Channel and Normandy, British and U.S. Air Forces were expected to provide stronger support to the ground forces battling in France. Tactical operations were reduced to 500 sorties yesterday because of a low ceiling and occasional rain.

Hit many targets

The force which crossed the straits in early daylight included considerable bombers, but not in the strength of the previous three days during which the Americans hurled about 3,300 planes in obliteration raids on Munich, the Nazi shrine of Germany.

Although the operations over France yesterday were carried out by comparatively small forces, the U.S. 9th Air Force and the British 2nd Tactical fighter-bombers and rocket-fighters hit numerous targets by Army request with good results.

Down 16 Nazi planes

The Germans sent about 50 planes into the air behind the battle area, and 16 of them were shot down. Seven Allied planes were lost.

One Canadian Spitfire squadron based in Normandy claimed the biggest victory for French-based units. It sighted 12 Fw 190s south of Caen and in a brief dogfight destroyed 10 without loss.

The U.S. 9th Air Force lost six of the seven Allied aerial casualties and claimed four of the 16 victories.

---

‘Pathfinder’ planes guide U.S. bombers

London, England (UP) –
Eighth Air Force heavy bombers have located their targets through clouds by following directions of highly-trained crews in “Pathfinder planes” using special instruments, the U.S. Tactical Air force revealed to the first time today.

Bombardiers in Flying Fortresses and Liberators release their loads at the time indicated by the “Pathfinders.” The effectiveness of U.S. daylight bombing has been increased tremendously by introduction of this overcast technique, it was revealed.

The Tactical Air Force officially credits much of the increased pressure on the Luftwaffe and German war industry by U.S. day bombing to the new technique.

[NormanStewart]

Roberts: A day with Ike Eisenhower starts early and ends late

Supreme Commander reads reports, dictates orders and holds many conferences
By Edward V. Roberts, representing combined U.S. press

Allied advanced command post, France (UP) –
There’s no such thing as a “typical” day in the life of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces. He is apt to be in any one of a dozen different places – talking to G.I. Joe one day, Prime Minister Winston Churchill the next.

He probably spends as much time as this post as anywhere. Let’s follow Gen. Eisenhower through a day spent here recently – July 10, to be exact.

The previous night, the general remained in his office until just before midnight, reading a steady stream of reports concerning the Allied progress toward Caen. Finally, when word of the capture of the city came, he nodded his satisfaction and went to bed.

Regular American breakfast

At 8:00 a.m. July 10, he was back at his desk reading an important message from Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery. Then he went to his personal caravan for a regular American breakfast of orange juice, bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee.

Dictating for an hour and a half following breakfast, he sent a reply to Gen. Montgomery and various memoranda to Allied officers. Then he sent for his personal aide to obtain information on the Normandy action.

Four reporters stationed here as representatives of the combined British and American press were received by Gen. Eisenhower at 11:00 a.m. He saw us approaching, came out hatless to meet us and led us into the tent that serves as his office here. He told us to grab chairs and the session was on.

Sweats fluently, frequently

The general talked with us for an hour and a half, leisurely and quietly discussing the war situation, the outlook for the future and flying bombs. He talks easily in a conversational vein, smoking most of the time and hitching himself about comfortably in his chair. His language is a mixture of Kansas and the Army. He says “ennaway” for anyway and his “B’Gods” and “damns” are frequent, fluent and casual.

He asked us how we were getting along and if we had enough to do. he listened with apparent interest to a long recitation of our problems and offered some suggestions, volunteering to help out with the tough ones. As is his custom, he emphasized the importance of our “covering” his commanders, both British and American.

Gen. Eisenhower’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. W. B. Smith, arrived at 1:00 p.m., with the Earl of Halifax, British Ambassador in Washington, who was a luncheon guest. It was the first time Lord Halifax and Gen. Eisenhower had met since before the invasion of North Africa and they had much to talk about.

Reads courts-martial

After luncheon, the Supreme Commander held a telephone conference with Air Chf. Mshl. Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Allied air commander.

Next the general read the briefs on several courts-martial cases, referred to him for final action, and made an appointment for his weekly conference with the Judge Advocate General. On these cases, Gen. Eisenhower functions as a court of last resort, his powers being similar to those of executive clemency vested in a state governor or the President.

During the afternoon, more dispatches and some personal mail arrived for his attention. There was a letter from his brother, Milton Eisenhower (president of Kansas State College), and a note from the Earl of Halifax – mailed days ago but missent – thanking him for the aid American soldiers have rendered London victims of the flying bombs.

Stewed chicken for supper

Another long dictation session began at 5:00 p.m. That finished, the general jumped into his long tan Cadillac and drove to naval headquarters for a talk with Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay, Allied naval commander.

Returning, he went into a huddle with Lt. Gen. Smith and other high general whose name cannot yet be released. Sometime after 8:00 p.m., he went to his mess for a supper of stewed chicken, fried corn and French-fried potatoes. Sgt. Leroy Ross of Morgan City, Louisiana, who served him, said Gen. Eisenhower is pretty good-natured and “joshed” him a little.

A few late dispatches occupied the general after supper. Then he went to bed with the observation that he was tired.

[NormanStewart]

Liberated French celebrate holiday

Ceremonies solemn in Normandy area

Cherbourg, France (UP) –
With American guns firing a salute and the U.S. flag draped over the city’s war memorial, Cherbourg led the liberated portion of France today in the first free celebration of Bastille Day in five years.

A battery of twelve 105mm guns, similar to those which helped drive the Germans from the peninsula, roared out over the city at 8:00 a.m. (2:00 a.m. ET) to open the day’s ceremonies.

On Cherbourg’s memorial to the men she lost in World War I, a flag, sent by John L. Donovan of Brooklyn to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower with the request it be flown in Cherbourg to mark the U.S. Fourth of July, was hung.

High mass held

At midday, solemn high mass was held at Notre-Dame du Vœu, attended by ranking Allied officers and local leaders.

The day’s ceremonies were marked by a parade of Allied forces, including 72 French sailors from ships which aided in the beachhead landings. The parade wound along the waterfront to the public gardens where the memorial stands under a peak, atop which rests Fort de Roule, one of the bastions taken by U.S. troops less than three weeks ago.

Underground parades

Proudly marching in the parade and no longer fearful of showing themselves, was a group of French Resistance workers who fought the Nazis through the long years of occupation.

Lt. Col. Frank Howley of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, civil affairs officer, and the mayor of Cherbourg made brief speeches before the memorial.

In front of the municipal theater, official ceremonies were held to change the name of Place Marechal Pétain to Place General de Gaulle.

In the rest of liberated Normandy, smaller celebrations were held.

[NormanStewart]

As Nazi bullets fly –
Wolfert: Hedge across field seems lifetime away – and is for some

‘They ain’t gonna shoot at you,’ 2nd Looie tells his men, but he was wrong
By Ira Wolfert, North American Newspaper Alliance

With U.S. infantry outside Saint-Lô, France – (July 12, delayed)
American troops find the Normandy farmer frugal around here. His fields are mostly less than an acre and boxed in by high hedges as if they were treasures he wanted to lock up.

He’s got them locked up tight for the hedges are thick and green and all brambly. You can’t see through them if you stick your face into them to look through. It’s like trying to look through a mask.

Under every hedge is a German slit trench – one, three or five of them, dug right into the roots of the hedges. Men who know a great deal about war built them.

A battalion today was driving due south on Saint-Lô and there were German ahead of them and on two sides of them, waiting behind hedges in every field with mortars, machine guns, rifles and machine pistols. A lieutenant would say a four-letter word. He chose the same one every time not because he liked it but because his mind was too numbed to think up a new one.

‘Ain’t gonna shoot’

“There ain’t nobody gonna shoot at you,” he said. He lifted himself out of the slit earth where he had been hiding and hauled himself through a hedge, putting his arms in front of his face to keep the thorns out. His platoon would lift and haul with him and they’d be out in an open field.

It felt terrible there. Everybody would feel all naked with the timothy and American style clover and grass reaching no higher than the leggings. The fellows would think. “Shavetail, you’ve gonna be a dead little boy if you ain’t right about nobody shooting at us.”

Platoons in the fields to the right and left would be coming through hedges and advancing at the same time, no doubt thinking the same thing about their second looies. It felt good in the thick hedges at the edge of the open field. When you are in a battle, it is hard to think that anything exists anywhere except the battle.

Best place in world

About two hours ago there as I wrote, it seemed to me there was no better place in the world to be than in those hedges. Cannon and mortar shells would pass over your head. The trajectory was in your favor. You knew that they couldn’t hit you unless you had bad luck and one fell right on your head.

That was why there were still Germans in the hedges. Our artillery couldn’t drive them the conventional six feet under, unless it hit each one separately on the head.

A couple of pigs were grunting and gobbling as they grubbed in the fields and the fellow next to me, finding his brains breathing again, said, “Look, pork chops.” Funny looking French birds were fluttering away from every shell whistle, giving off soft, wet warbles as if they were clearing their throats. Only it sounded beautiful.

Afraid fall silent

There wasn’t much talking in the hedges. Most of the fellows when afraid fall silent. Only one in about every ten becomes talkative. Words come out of him in a steady, high, irritating babble. He tries to talk out the fears silently inside and edge away from the talkative one.

Mostly what you heard in the hedges was the flat and wiry-seeming sound of shallow breathing. Lungs don’t work very well when a man is afraid and breath becomes very short. Then the lieutenant said his four-letter word and fellow lifted up and scraped and tore their awkward way through hedges.

After that they stood on the soft grass and there was nothing between them and the enemy’s bullets except the warm, summer air. So thin that air was. It seemed that the fellows looked across maybe a hundred feet of grass to another hedge just like the one they had left. Only there were Germans in that hedge.

Like a sore thumb

Everybody felt naked standing there. You felt you were sticking up like a sore thumb, waiting to be banged again by a hammer. The hedge across the field seemed a lifetime away for some of the fellows. That’s just what it was – their lives ended before they made the once-mighty German Reichswehr a broken thing.

It’s not putting up what you might call, if you weren’t in it, a really serious fight. It’s more than a rearguard action in this sector. Some of the Huns seem to want to surrender, but in every hedge, there is some tough, wise, old cookie. A horny-hearted veteran of long years of war, who fires his weapon until you come right up to him and tap him on the shoulder. He is likely to have his toilet kit all neatly wrapped up in a handkerchief, sitting beside him in a slit trench, waiting for a trip to prison camp. Then when you come right up to his hedge, he steps away from the Huns and says: “Kamerad”. If the marksmanship has been bad across that field, he’s got a chance of being taken prisoner.

Always some leftovers

All the same, there continues to be, day after day, one or five or eight of those guys, leftovers of our artillery and mortar fire, still in there trying. They sit directly in front of us or they sit in hedges to the right and left and when the guys in our faces are shooting good at us, the guys to the right and left hold still and wait until we have passed and then try to get us in the back.

The race across the open field goes fast for a platoon that’s not being shot at. In other places, platoons drop and belly their way forward trying to grenade the Nazis out. Everybody shoots everything he has and there is a fearful racket.

The first platoon to gain the German hedge runs enfilading fire on the hedges in the fields on both sides of it and other platoons come up under their protection, crouching and running fast and throwing themselves into their hedges with the thud and thump of a football team smashing a line.

That way the battalion advances and that way the whole of civilization advances on Saint-Lô, a French town that nobody I know of ever heard of until a few weeks ago.

[NormanStewart]

Battle fatigue caused death of Gen. Teddy Roosevelt

Ill four days with heart attack
By Henry T. Gorrell, United Press staff writer

U.S. 1st Army HQ, France –
A full military funeral was being arranged today for Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, 56, whose death Wednesday night was attributed to a heart attack aggravated by battle fatigue which resulted from almost continuous combat activity since D-Day when he led a first wave of assault troops onto the Normandy beaches.

It was expected that he would be buried in a cemetery not far from that landing spot and in the country where his brother Quentin was killed in World War I.

Carrying on the fighting traditions of his father, the former President and Rough Rider, he had been in the thick of the battle of France for weeks.

Ill four days

He had been ill four days but declined medical attention to remain in the frontlines with soldiers of the 4th Division of which he was deputy commander. Friends said he had never fully recovered from pneumonia which he contracted shortly after his arrival in Britain.

He died peacefully in his tent, attended in his last hours by Army doctor Maj. Kenneth McPherson of Beckley, West Virginia, and surrounded by doughboys who knew him as “the fightingest little guy in this man’s army.”

Overage for combat duty, he obtained special permission to lead an invasion assault force.

Lands early

He hit the Cotentin beaches 16 minutes after H-Hour, wearing coveralls, his only weapon an Army .45 pistol. Hobbling on his cane, he waved on his doughboys whom he led into the interior under fire from German 88mm cannon, rockets and concrete-emplaced machine guns.

He personally supervised the demolition by engineers with TNT of the seawall at the beach. I landed in one of the waves behind the first in which the general was the leader. I found Gen. Roosevelt in the thick of it, cheering on his men and loving the hot smell of battle.

I noticed something wrong with his thumb and asked his young aide, Lt. Stevie Stevenson of Texas, what was the matter. Lt. Stevenson replied:

The general’s luck is still holding out. It’s just a scratch from a piece of shrapnel.

In the last hours of the Battle of Cherbourg, he led a reconnaissance in force almost to the sea in which has come to be regarded as one of the bravest acts of this war.

He walked a long way through country infested by German strongpoints at the head of a battalion, past machine-gun nests and snipers, and almost reached the sea northwest of the city.

Covers star with gum

One of his pastimes was to cover the general’s star on his steel helmet with chewing gum and walk along the front areas, mingling with the assault troops. Once when he was walking along, I saw an infantryman stick his head out of a slit trench and ask: “Who’s that guy?”

“Not so loud,” one of his mates hushed him. “That’s the toughest little fighting man in this Army. That’s rough ridin’ Teddy Roosevelt.”

Wounded in last war

Gen. Roosevelt was born in Oyster Bay, New York, Sept. 13, 1887. He graduated from Harvard in 1909.

In World War I, he commanded the 1st Battalion of the 26th Division in the offensives at Cantigny, Soissons, Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne and was wounded twice.

After the war, he entered politics and served under President Warren G. Harding as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1921. He ran for Governor of New York in 1924 but lost to Alfred E. Smith. Under President Herbert Hoover, he served as Governor-General of the Philippines.

He returned to military duty before the outbreak of the present war and in December 1941 was made a brigadier general. He went to Britain as assistant commander of a division and later saw action in the North African and Sicilian campaigns.

He commanded the first combat team to attack Oran in the North African landings in November 1942.

He and his son Quentin II, a captain, fought together in North Africa and were cited together for gallantry in action. The general received an Oak Leaf Cluster representing a second Silver Star for going to a forward observation post and remaining there until threat of a counterattack had been repulsed.

His decorations from World War I included the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, the Purple Heart, Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre.

One of four sons

He was one of four sons of the former President, all of whom distinguished themselves in the service just as their father did before them. One brother, Lt. Quentin, attached to the 95th Aero Squadron, was killed in action near Chamery, July 14, 1918.

Another, Maj. Kermit, who served with the British and U.S. armies in World War I, died June 4, 1943, of illness while serving with the U.S. Army.

The third, Archibald B., served as an infantry captain in World War I and was wounded while leading a trench raid March 11, 1918. Archibald, now a lieutenant colonel, was wounded June 20 in fighting on Biak Island off the New Guinea coast in the Southwest Pacific. Gen. Roosevelt was married in 1910 to Eleanor Butler Alexander of New York. Besides Capt. Roosevelt, their children are Mrs. Grace McMillan, Theodore III and Cornelius of the U.S. Navy.

[NormanStewart]

Editorial: Bastille Day

This is the last Bastille Day that France will be imprisoned by Germany. today – even though only the tiny tip of Normandy has been liberated by Allied arms – the hearts of Frenchmen everywhere are lifted in hope after four years of night.

Americans share France’s prayers. By long tradition the two republics are friends and comrades in democracy, bound together by mutual sacrifices one for the other. But more than sentiment is involved. There is self-interest too – our own. For, without a strong and healthy French democracy, there is little chance of a free Europe or a peaceful Europe rising from this war.

Before victory France still must suffer a great deal. And afterward her burdens will be heavy and her problems hard. The sheer physical problem of rebuilding a country shattered by war and tyrants will be tremendous. But even more difficult will be the task of security, of preventing World War III which a weakened France could not survive.

Of this all Frenchmen are thinking today. Some of their leaders are thinking only in terms of physical force, of better strategic frontiers and buffer states, of keeping the old enemy disarmed and of making France the biggest military power outside of Russia, of European alliances to put teeth in any international organization.

How much force is necessary, and in what form, we do not know. But we doubt that any Maginot Line, even a modern model which blocks the skies, will be sufficient. Indeed, the same old Maginot psychology in newer and subtler form may be her undoing again.

For France’s worst weakness in 1939 was not external, but internal. She was divided. She was sick. She was easy prey for the germs Hitler spread. She fell quickly because she had lost the unity which had once made her strong. The most dangerous enemy was within.

To the old divisions are now added new ones. The most terrible legacy left by the retreating Nazi army and fleeing Gestapo will not be the physical destruction but the spiritual poison which sets Frenchman against Frenchman. The damning of personal enemies or competitors as Vichyites, the feuds between Giraudists and de Gaullists, the suspicions and rivalries within the de Gaulle regime itself, and all the other strains multiplied for victims of military occupation and émigré intrigue, will make unity more difficult. Many will think the cure should be a blood purge instead of patient reconciliation.

The test of Gen. de Gaulle, or of any other Frenchman who aspires to leadership, will be his ability to heal old wounds instead of making new ones, and his reliance on democratic processes instead of the semi-dictator methods of the Algiers regime. France must replenish her strength from within.

[NormanStewart]

Editorial: Teddy Junior

Brig. Gen. Roosevelt, Teddy Jr., the fighting son of fighting Teddy the First, is gone. He died in bed, of battle fatigue. But he was as certainly a war casualty as if a bomb or a bullet had got him, as he led his men, half his age, onto the Normandy beachhead.

For all the days since D-Day he had been building up the exhaustion which finally took him away. That he wasn’t killed in action as, at the head of his doughboys, he directed reconnaissance in force on Cherbourg through enemy territory infested by machine-gun nests and snipers – that is one of the many miracles of a charmed life which finally ended in repose.

But the same miracle had hovered over his many times before – in two world wars. At Cantigny, Soissons, in the Argonne and at Saint-Mihiel in World War I, he was young. Thirty years later, he was 56. But despite his age, in the Mediterranean and in Normandy, he was what one of his men described him – “the toughest little fighting man in this Army.”

Those years, however, finally took their toll; did what bombs and bullets couldn’t. Though wounded twice in the first war and twice again in this, the enemy could never get him. That remained for time and the exhaustion that years and strain bring on – such strain as only a brave heart can hear, to the end.

Few who have been in battles had been honored by more decorations than this soldier son of a solder, and none deserved them more.

“Rough Rider” was painted on the jeep he rode in Normandy and Teddy Jr. carried a .45. They didn’t have jeeps on San Juan Hill but they did have .45s. And who said there’s nothing in heredity?

[NormanStewart]

Völkischer Beobachter (July 15, 1944)

Schiffssterben an der Calvadosküste –
Im Kampfflugzeug über dem Brückenkopf

pk. Die dringlichste Aufgabe der Kampfgeschwader im Westen – das haben die ersten Wochen der Invasion gezeigt ist der unentwegte Angriff auf die feindliche Flotte, angefangen vom kleinsten Mannschaftslandungsboot bis zu den großen Fahrgastschiffen, Transportern, Tankern und Kriegsschiffen der verschiedensten Klassen.

Über dem Wasser der weiten Seinebucht, über der von Leuchttrauben erhellten Strandlinie von Calvados, in der Orne- und Viremündung erlebten wir wiederholt diesen zähen Kampf unserer schweren Kampfflugzeuge gegen den anlandenden Feind. Wohl bot das Dunkel der Nacht wesentlichen Schutz gegen die feindliche Jagdabwehr, erschwerte aber zugleich das Auffinden der Schiffsansammlungen, die den Nachschub an Truppen, Munition, Treibstoff und Verpflegung zum Brückenkopf gewährleisten. Mit allen Mitteln der Täuschung versuchte und versucht der Gegner, seine wertvollen Ladungen zu verbergen. Sobald Angriffe unserer Bomber gemeldet werden, bemüht er sich, durch künstliche Nebelschwaden seine Schiffseinheiten der Vertikalsicht zu entziehen. Der Bodenwind aber ist ein unzuverlässiger Bundesgenosse, und zuweilen lenken die in falsche Richtung abgeblasenen Nebelfahnen erst recht die Aufmerksamkeit der Besatzungen auf lohnende Ziele.

Hilft den Anglo-Amerikanern das Versteckspiel nicht mehr, merken sie am anschwellenden Dröhnen der deutschen Motoren, die sich im Sturzflug den Schiffen nähern, an der Wirkung der ersten gefallenen Bomben, daß ihre Schiffspulks erkannt sind, dann löst der Feuerbefehl für die Flakgeschütze schlagartig einen Hagel von aufwärtssteigenden Granaten aus. Von Land und von See her schlängeln sich die „roten Mäuse“ der leichten Flak zu den verräterischen Leuchtbomben, von denen einige mit grünlichen Flammen verlöschen. In den Ständen unserer Kampfflugzeuge beobachten wir nun das gewaltige Schauspiel der Farben, wenn die feurige Abwehr sich zu roten Riesenkegeln und Sperrwänden steigert, wenn schwere Batterien und Flakkreuzer ihre stahlsprühenden Blitze neben uns setzen. Die tödliche Sprache der Geschütze wird verschlungen von der Lautstärke der Motoren.

Pausenlose Einsätze

Unsere Kampfflieger haben in den vergangenen Wochen gewetteifert, ihre an allen Fronten, erworbenen fliegerischen Erfahrungen hier an der normannischen Küste zu verwerten. Die Hauptlast der nächtlichen Angriffe lag naturgemäß bei den altbewährten Geschwadern, die das Wasser des Kanals und das englische Festland von zahllosen Flügen her kennen. Nacht für Nacht saßen die Männer in ihren Flugzeugen, die Bombenlast in den Schächten und an den Rümpfen. Der Einsatz der einzelnen Besatzung stand mehr denn je im Vordergrund, wenn es darum ging, im Schein der Magnesiumleuchten die Ausladungen am Strand mit Spreng- und Splitterbomben zu stören, Frachter und Kriegsschiffe herauszupicken, um sie mit schwersten Kalibern im Gleit- und Sturzflug anzugreifen. Unvergesslich bleiben die Eindrücke im Gedächtnis haften, und noch in den nüchternen Gefechtsberichten klingt die Spannung dieser Minuten nach. So berichtet Oberleutnant B., wie er einen gesichteten Kreuzer in Brand setzte:

Als zur Erhellung des Zielraumes Leuchtbomben gesetzt wurden, erhielten wir von den Kriegsschiffen gutliegendes, schweres Flakfeuer. Ich flog eine Rechtskurve und griff aus neuer Richtung den Kreuzer an. Die Abkomm-Marke des Bombenzielgeräts lag ruhig auf Schiffsmitte, als ich die Bomben-auslöste. Kurz vorher hatte leichtes und mittleres Flakfeuer eingesetzt. Mehrere Splitter gingen ins linke Höhenruder. Unsere schwerste Bombe fiel als Volltreffer mittschiffs backbord, die andere ins Wasser. Mit der Detonation hörte das Flakfeuer schlagartig auf. Dreißig Sekunden später beobachteten wir auf dem schweren Kreuzer einen heftigen Zündschlag mit hohem Rauchpilz. Das Schiff blieb brennend hinter uns liegen.

Der Pott passte nicht mehr ins Visier

Von einem anderen nächtlichen Unternehmen, bei dem vermutlich ein Schlachtschiff getroffen wurde, erzählte uns wenige Stunden nach seinem Angriff Feldwebel D., ein Hamburger Junge, der die Schiffstonnage auch aus seinem Hafen her kennt. Ein 6.000-Tonner Wurde bereits vor Neapel von ihm „unter Wasser getreten,“ ein weiterer vor dem Landekopf von Nettuno. Er suchte sich in der Seinebucht ein Kriegsschiff heraus, das nach Land und See durch Zerstörer und Kreuzer abgeschirmt war. Er berichtet:

Ich nahm das Feindschiff ins Visier und drückte leicht an. Während es immer steiler dem Wasserspiegel zuging, in dem sich die Bomben spiegelten, verbesserte ich den Kurs. Nur noch im Unterbewusstsein nahm ich das immer heftiger werdende Flakfeuer wahr. Fadenkreuz auf Schiffsmitte. Der Pott passte kaum noch ins Visier. Mit leichtem Erschrecken warf ich einen Blick auf das Armaturenbrett: Der Geschwindigkeitsmesser zeigt erhebliche Stundenkilometer und dabei hatte ich nur Wenige hundert Meter Höhe. Ein letztes Zielen und das schwere Kaliber stürzten allein weiter. Durch starkes Ziehen versuchte ich dem Gefahrenbereich der unausbleiblichen Explosion zu entgehen. Aber der Druck war so gewaltig, daß ich wie von Riesenkräften in den Sitz gepresst wurde und mir Blut aus der Nase stürzte. Wieder den Steuerknüppel nach vorn – Linkskurve, um die Wirkung zu beobachten. Ein gewaltiger Sprengschlag in Schiffsmitte mit heller Stichflamme und dicker Qualmwolke. Während ich mir das Blut vom Gesicht wischte und mit Abwehrbewegungen aus dem Feuerbereich der Flak strebte, sah ich weitere Zündschläge und Brände auf See. Ich bin überzeugt, daß wir Maßarbeit geleistet haben und daß nach dieser Nacht der Feind wieder einige Schiffe weniger hat.

Blick von der Steilküste

Soweit die Beobachtungen unserer Kampfflieger von ihren Erfolgen. Sie werden bestätigt durch Meldungen der Kriegsmarine und von Land her. Es bedeutet in diesen Tagen ein besonderes Erleben, die Materialschlacht in der Normandie von jener Steilküste, die im Osten die weite Seinebucht begrenzt, mit Aug und Ohr aufzunehmen. Die Stützpunkte hier liegen zurzeit wohl etwas am Rand der großen Auseinandersetzung. Aber Tausende von Bombentrichtern, Zerstörungen und Flugzeugtrümmern künden von vielen feindlichen Bomberangriffen und abgeschlagenen Landungsversuchen auch in diesem Abschnitt.

Tag und Nacht wummern in westlicher Richtung die Salven der Langrohrgeschütze. Nahgefechte der Schnellboote wechseln ab mit Feuerüberfällen der eigenen Artillerie auf Schiffsansammlungen in der Ornemündung. Mit hereinbrechender Nacht meldet der Nachrichtenapparat den Anflug eigener Kampfverbände. Für die Männer an den Geschützen und Geräten beginnt damit das sich fast allnächtlich wiederholende Schauspiel, dem sie von ihrem erhöhten Standort aus mit Spannung folgen. Achtzig bis hundert Meter steigt der Sandstein senkrecht vom Strand empor. Den wachsamen Augen entgeht von diesem Plateau aus kaum ein bedeutendes kriegerisches Ereignis in ihrem Sichtbereich.

Die Nacht wird erhellt durch zahllose Scheinwerfer, die den Himmel abtasten. Flak streut mit roten Perlschnüren und grellen Blitzen ihre Granaten in den Luftraum. Über den Stellungen, über dem Brückenkopf und über dem Wasser der Seinebucht ist das Dröhnen der Kampfflugzeuge, die dem Lichtzauber der Leuchtbomben zustreben. Im Nordwesten glüht noch ein Widerschein des versunkenen Tagesgestirns. Aus dem Dunkel des Wassers, dort, wo wie funkelnde Trauben die Magnesiumleuchten hängen, schießen Stichflammen hoch, grellweiß und rot verglühend. Sekunden später trifft die Schallwelle des Sprengschlages das Ohr. Stundenlang währt der Kampf der Kampfflugzeuge gegen die Schiffe.

Strandgut als Erfolgsmeldung

Wenn ein fahler Morgen dämmert und das Geschehen der Nacht als unwirkliches Schauspiel in übermüdeten Gehirnen nachwirkt, bedarf es vielleicht einer handgreiflichen Bestätigung des Erfolges. Die Männer der Stützpunkte an der Steilküste haben ihre Erfahrung. „Acht Stunden etwa nach solchen Angriffen“ – so erklären sie – „können wir feststellen, was diesmal dran glauben mußte.“ Ein langes Seil, oben befestigt, pendelt an der steilen Wand hinunter bis zum Strand. Wie geübte Hochalpinisten seilen sich dienstfreie Kanoniere ab, laufen den Strand entlang. Vergnügt bringen sie einiges Strandgut nach oben: Aus wasser- und luftdichten Verpackungen holen sie Zwiebäcke, Zigaretten, Kaffee; Kisten von Granaten, Kartuschen, Verbandmaterial, Kanister treiben an. Eine Schicht von Öl am Strand – die qualmende Fackel in der letzten Nacht war ein ausbrennender Tanker. Wer zählt die Leichen der Verbrannten und Ertrunkenen, die das Meer noch nicht behalten wollte…

Im guten Fernglas erscheint die Küste von Calvados und die Ornemündung. Das sind keine Felsen, die aus den Wellen herausragen – dort liegen große Frachter auf Grund. Ein Schlachtschiff, einstmals der französischen Kriegsmarine zugehörig, liegt gekentert in der Nähe des Strandes. Aus dem flachen Wasser ragen hie und da Mastspitzen, Schornsteine. Gemeinsam haben hier Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine und Küstenbatterien mit Bomben, Minen und Granaten ihre Opfer gesucht. Viel liegt im Schoße des Wassersverborgen…

Die Ladung eines Frachters

Der Landser, der in seinem Loch liegt oder an seinem Geschütz den anstürmenden Feind abwehrt, vermag sich vielleicht nicht recht vorzustellen, welche Hilfe die ständige Versenkung oder Beschädigung der feindlichen Schiffstonnage auch für ihn bedeutet. Ein Beispiel sei hier für viele genannt. Von Torpedofliegern wurde bei einem schweren Angriff ein Dampfer von 6.300 BRT versenkt. Die Ladungsliste dieses Frachters wurde aus dem Wasser geborgen. Sie verzeichnete als geladen – und damit zu den Fischen geschickt: 193 Panzerspähwagen, 30 Panzer, 13 Jagdeinsitzer in Kisten verpackt und 2 Millionen Schuss schwere Flakmunition.

Der Feind hat vor der normannischen Küste schwere Verluste einstecken müssen, nicht anders als in den harten Kämpfen im Brückenkopf. Große Ansammlungen der Invasionsflotte liegen nach wie vor an mehreren Landungsstellen. Der Gegner wehrt sich mit allen ihm zur Verfügung stehenden Mitteln – seit kurzem auch mit zahlreichen Sperrballonen – gegen die Bedrohung seines Nachschubs aus der Luft. Mit Härte und Verbissenheit kehren die Besatzungen unserer Kampf- und Torpedoflugzeuge immer wieder zu diesen Schwerpunkten zurück. Sie wissen um den Einsatz. Den Feind, den sie sonst nach langem Anflug auf seiner Insel und in seinen Häfen zu treffen wussten, finden sie jetzt vor den Toren der europäischen Festung. Ihr Leben war und ist unstet, von Kampf erfüllt. Jeder Verlust in ihren Staffeln und Gruppen bedeutet verstärkten Einsatz, ohne Kompromiss – bis zur Entscheidung.

Kriegsberichter HELMUT JACOBSEN

[NormanStewart]

Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 15, 1944)

Communiqué No. 79

More ground was gained by the Allies in the base of the CHERBOURG Peninsula. West of LESSAY, our patrols have advanced through SAINT-GERMAIN-SUR-AY against light opposition to LES MÉZIÈRES. We have approached more closely to LESSAY by taking BEAUVAIS and LA JOURDAINERIE. A few miles further east, we have taken LA LONDE and have reached the flooded basin of the AY river.

Driving south through GORGES and SAINT-GERMAIN, our units reached LES GRANGES and linked up south of LE HOMMET with troops advancing around the east of the GORGES marshes.

Between SAINTENY and the VIRE river, and in the area east of SAINT-LÔ, a number of local advances were made.

There is nothing to report from the remainder of the front.

Yesterday afternoon heavy bombers attacked targets in the AMIENS area and medium bombers attacked bridges at BOURTH and MEREY.

Fighters and fighter-bombers continued their attacks on transportation targets. Rail lines were cut in the ARGENTAN, LE MANS and ALENÇON areas and LA FERTÉ was attacked. Other targets included motor transport south of CAEN, enemy positions in the SAINT-LÔ area and a radio installation near LE HAVRE.

During yesterday 25 enemy aircraft were shot down. Seven of ours are missing.

Last night, the railway center of VILLENEUVE-SAINT-GEORGES was attacked by heavy bombers, while light bombers attacked barracks northeast of POITIERS.

Two enemy aircraft were destroyed last night, one by intruders over BELGIUM and the other over the battle area.

---

Communiqué No. 80

Allied troops, continuing their progress on the right of our front, have pushed forward to the immediate outskirts of LESSAY and reached the line of inundations of the River AY on a front of several miles.

The enemy was cleared from the villages of SAINTE-OPPORTUNE, PISSOT and SAINT-PATRICE-DE-CLAIDS. Further east we have advanced through GONFREVILLE and NAY to the banks of the River SEVES.

Enemy artillery fire was heavier yesterday and during the night.

Fighter bombers at minimum altitude bombed and strafed enemy troops and artillery positions in the SAINT-LÔ area early this morning. Others, on reconnaissance patrols near CAEN, met a force of over thirty enemy aircraft and destroyed two of them without loss.

During the increased enemy air activity yesterday, anti-aircraft gunners in the eastern sector shot down five enemy aircraft and damaged others.

Early this morning, enemy E-boats were intercepted in the SEINE Bay while attempting to break out to the westward from LE HAVRE. The enemy force was driven off and pursued. During the chase, one E-boat was set on fire. Patrol craft were later engaged off the harbor entrance and damage was inflicted on them.

Contact was also made with enemy E-boats off CAP DE LA HAGUE, and a short engagement took place before our force withdrew under fire from the shore batteries.

[NormanStewart]

The Pittsburgh Press (July 15, 1944)

YANKS STORM HINGE OF NAZI LINE
U.S. capture of three bastions in France near

Americans reach outskirts of Lessay
By Virgil Pinkley, United Press staff writer

Americans force ahead on the western end of the Normandy front, closing in on the Nazi bastions of Saint-Lô, Périers and Lessay, while on the eastern flank of the front, the British abandoned Maltot, below Caen.

SHAEF, London, England –
U.S. troops stormed today into the outskirts of Lessay, western anchor of a 40-mile German defense line in Normandy, closed against its central hinge at Périers, and gained nearly half a mile in a new drive against Saint-Lô at its eastern end.

The frontal assaults on the three key bastions of the German fortifications facing the Americans posed a direct threat to all of them, and official reports indicated they were “almost in the bag.”

Supreme Headquarters reported the capture of nine major German strongpoints on the approaches to Lessay and Périers, while field dispatches said the renewed assault on Saint-Lô had carried to Martinsville, a village a mile from the rubble-strewn citadel.

Bend back coastal end

U.S. assault units bending back the coastal end of the German line advanced about a mile on a four-mile front, overran five outlying villages, seized the entire north bank of the Ay River from the sea inland beyond Lessay, and hit the edge of the town itself.

At the center of the American front, other assault forces moved forward up to two and a half miles on a four-mile line, seizing four fortified villages and stabbing within two miles of Périers.

A headquarters spokesman said a fierce battle was raging for Saint-Lô. The latest dispatches from that sector said the Americans were battering in from the east, northeast and northwest.

British prepare drive

A “very large-scale German attack” was reported officially pending at the now-quiet British end of the French front, in which Sir Bernard L. Montgomery hoped to inflict another telling defeat on the enemy. Details were lacking.

The weather over Normandy was described officially as probably the worst since D-Day, with intermittent drizzles and dense fog virtually stopping air operations.

An estimated 100,000 German troops and tankmen were arrayed along the American front. They were giving ground slowly but steadily, and faced the threat of precipitate withdrawal to more solid defenses if their three keystone bases topple under the 1st Army onslaught.

Drive along river bank

Lacking details of the new drive against Saint-Lô as reported from the front, headquarters said, however, that “strong action” had been started to capture the town.

The American left wing reached Lessay along the north bank of the Ay River and captured the neighboring villages of Fererville (one mile to the west-northwest), Saint-Opportune (just north of the town) and Renneville, Laquerie and Pissot in a cluster on its approaches.

Overrun in the approach to Périers were Haut Perray, La Commune and Nay, along the road from Saint-Jores, as well as Saint-Patrice-de-Claids, two miles north of the Saint-Lô–Lessay highway.

The eastern half of the front remained static except for heavy artillery fire, especially around Maltot and the Canadian salient southwest of Caen. Headquarters disclosed last night that the British had pulled back from both Maltot and Hill 112 and that both now were in “no man’s land.”

Gen. Bradley ordered his troops forward in the Saint-Lô, Périers and Lessay sectors shortly before noon yesterday and by early evening they had advanced everywhere despite increased enemy artillery and mortar fire and heavy terrain obstacles.

Gain to northeast

“Very substantial gains” were reported easy and northeast of Saint-Lô, with the Americans gaining positions from which to mount the final assault on the city. La Creterie, three miles north-northwest of Saint-Lô, was also seized, with other forces consolidated their hold on newly-won terrain northwest and southeast of the city.

Halfway between Saint-Lô and Périers, the Americans drove a mile south from Les Champs-de-Losque to within a mile of the Saint-Lô–Lessay highway, backbone of the enemy’s defense line.

Effect junction

Two U.S. columns advancing around the eastern and western rim of the Marais de Gorges inundations due north of Périers effected a junction in advances of up to 3½ miles to within two miles of Périers itself.

The linkup of the two forces cleared the Germans from six square miles of marshland and put the Americans on more maneuverable terrain that should speed their advance southward.

Drive down road

Thrusting down the La Haye-du-Puits–Lessay road in frontal attacks, the Americans were less than a mile north of Lessay after capturing Beauvais. Coastal patrols west of Lessay advanced through Saint-Germain-sur-Ay against light opposition to Les Mézières.

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s communiqué said:

A few miles further east, we have taken Lalonde and have reached the flooded basin of the Ay River.