Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (July 30, 1944)
Communiqué No. 109
Allied forces pushing south from COUTANCES have linked up with our forces in LENGRONNE. The whole of the road between these two towns is in our hands. An enemy force south of the river SOULLE has been surrounded and is being steadily eliminated in spite of determined efforts to break out.
Our troops advancing to the west have crossed the river SIENNE in several places.
PERCY and the PERCY–HANBYE road are in our hands.
Heavy fighting continues in the area of TESSY.
Further east, an advance of a mile has been made astride the river SEULLES in the area of SAINT-VAAST.
Throughout yesterday, in changeable weather, Allied fighters and fighter-bombers closely supported our advancing troops. At least 20 tanks were destroyed; fighters trapped an enemy convoy crossing a bridge over the river SIENNE near GAVRAY and destroyed 12 tanks.
Enemy troops, gun positions, and bridges were hit in attacks southwest of COUTANCES, and near AVRANCHES and SAINT-LÔ.
Many railway cars and armored and motor vehicles were set on fire by fighters operating in the rear of the immediate battle zone and at VENDOMME and in the ROUEN–AMIENS–ARRAS AREA.
Escorted heavy bombers, using instruments, attacked airfields at JUVINCOURT and LAON–COURVRON.
Five enemy aircraft were destroyed during the day’s operations. Five of our fighters are missing.
Communiqué No. 110
The Allied advance continues in the western sector. BREHAL, CERENCES, and GAVRAY have been occupied and Allied troops are pushing on beyond these towns.
Pockets of enemy infantry and armor which had been bypassed are being steadily eliminated. Attempts to break out with tank support by enemy encircled in the areas of LENGRONNE and SAINT-DENIS-LE-GAST were frustrated, and more than 30 tanks were knocked out. A strong counterattack in the area of TESSY-SUR-VIRE was beaten back.
In the GAUMONT area, an advance of three miles has been made south of the town, and Allied troops have reached the SAINT-JEAN-DES-ESSARTIERS and LES LOGES. To the east of CAUMONT, our troops have gained ground in spite of strong enemy resistance, very difficult ground and extensive minefields.
A force of heavy and medium bombers attacked tactical targets in the CAUMONT area this morning in support of the ground action there. Both visual and pathfinding techniques were employed due to the cloud layer which extended to within 2,000 feet of the ground.
Fighter-bombers continued to support our advancing columns in the western sector.
Armed reconnaissance patrols were flown as far eastward as AMIENS, PARIS and CHARTRES.