Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 9, 1944)
Communique No. 7
Allied troops have continued to make progress in all sectors, despite further reinforcement of German armor.
Landings have continued on all beaches and bypassed strongpoints of enemy resistance are being steadily reduced.
During yesterday, there was desultory firing from some coastal batteries, which were again silenced by gunfire from Allied warships.
Allied aircraft continued to support naval and land forces by attacks on a variety of targets. Late in the day, weather over northern France caused a reduction in the scale of air operations.
Our heavy bombers, in strong force, attacked railway targets and airfields beyond the battle area yesterday morning. They were escorted by medium forces of fighters. These and other fighters strafed ground targets, shooting down 31 enemy aircraft and destroying more than a score on the ground. From these operations, three bombers and 24 fighters are missing.
Medium bombers attacked a road bridge over the Seine at
Vernon, fighter bombers struck at troop and transport concentrations, gun positions, armored vehicles, and railway and road targets behind the battle lines.
Fighters patrolled over shipping and the assault area. Twenty-one enemy aircraft were destroyed. Eleven of our fighters were lost but two of the pilots are safe.
Rocket-firing fighters attacked German E-boats in the Channel leaving one in a sinking condition.
Last night, heavy bombers, in force, attacked railway centers at Rennes, Fougères, Alençon, Mayenne, and Pontaubault. Five heavy bombers are missing.
Light bombers struck at railway targets behind the battle area during the night.
For the first time since 1940, Allied air forces are able to operate from French soil.