Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 16, 1944)
Communiqué No. 81
Hard infantry fighting in close country continued yesterday all along the western sectors of the Allied front. Limited advances were made at a number of points notably south of the SAINTENY–PÉRIERS road and on the northern and eastern approaches to SAINT-LÔ.
In a dusk attack in the ÉVRECY area, the village of ESQUAY was captured and at midnight our troops had advanced some little distance beyond it.
Fighter-bombers penetrated 150 miles south of PARIS yesterday evening to attack transportation and supply targets in the NEVERS–BOURGES–ORLÉANS–TOURS area.
Last night, the rail centers at NEVERS and CHÂLONS-SUR-MARNE were attacked by a force of heavy bombers.
Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air during yesterday’s operations. Fourteen of ours are missing.
Communiqué No. 82
Allied advances have continued on the western sector of the front.
Troops moving south on the CARENTAN–MARIGNY road have taken the village of LA TIBOTERIE. Gains have been reported south of LE HOMMET-D’ARTHENAY.
Attacking towards SAINT-LÔ from the northeast, our troops have advanced more than a mile, taking the village of EMELIE. They have reached a point within 1,500 yards of SAINT-LÔ itself, where enemy infantry today was also subjected to attack by our medium bombers.
Further east, in the TILLY–ÉVRECY area, our troops have occupied BRETTEVILLETTE. Last night’s attack through ESQUAY was developed to the west some 4,000 yards along high ground north of ÉVRECY. The enemy salient created by this attack was eliminated this morning with the occupation of GAVRUS and BOUGY.
In addition to attacking enemy frontline positions, our medium bombers, escorted by fighters, struck at rail targets at PARIS, DREUX, GRANVILLE and near ARGENTAN. Bridges at BOISSEI-LA-LANDE, AMBRIÈRES and near DREUX were also attacked.
None of our aircraft is missing.
Fighters which had escorted heavy day bombers to GERMANY this morning, attacked rail traffic at LUNÉVILLE and strafed airfield installations in BELGIUM.
Coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping in the eastern Channel early this morning.