15 July, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

15 July, 1944

Dearest sweetheart –

I thought it was settled. Of course we’ll be married immediately after the war! I see no sense in waiting. I certainly am not going to wait to see how things are, how I’ll do, what my income will be – etc. You’ll just have to take a chance, darling. We’ll have a nucleus to start with – most important of which will be that I did practice in Salem once before and secondly – I am still a member of the staff at the Hospital.

Was glad to read you had received the books on England – particularly the ones concerning Sherborne. Was afraid they might hold out the latter because I was still in England when I mailed it.

Everything here going along swell. Was at the hospital again yesterday and again got plenty to do. Other advantages of being with the hospital are 1) Shower facilities and 2) Laundry – both of which I was doing without.

No mail yesterday – but maybe today. Keep hoping for that early finish to all this, sweetheart – and before we know it – it will all be over. Love to all –

All my love to you

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Preparing for Operation Cobra

CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

First Army Front Movement from 8 to 15 July 1944
VIII Corps on the left, VII Corps in the middle, XIX Corps on the right

This is an excerpt from the War Department's Historical Division's American Forces in Action Series, entitled "St-Lô (7 Jul - 19 July 1944)", Chapter 4, page 91:

In the VII Corps zone, the 4th and 83d Divisions continued to shoulder along the Carentan-Périers highway, more and more aided by the pressure exerted from the east by the 9th Division. On 13 July, that unit had driven nearly to the important crossroads at les Champs-de-Losque. By 15 July, as a result of the hardest kind of fighting, the 4th and 83d were on a line just north of Raids and held the Sainteny hills which had been their main obstacle. But ahead of them the enemy still held strong defensive positions, and had shown no signs of making a voluntary withdrawal. The cost to VII Corps of getting some six square miles of ground along its peninsula had been high. From 9 to 16 July, the corps lost 4,800 men; by 15 July the three regiments of the 4th Division had suffered 2,300 casualties, including three battalion commanders and nine rifle company commanders.

First Army now called a halt to the offensive west of the Taute River, holding VIII and VII Corps (except for the 9th Division) at the positions reached on 14-15 July. Definite plans for the major breakthrough, Operation Cobra, were being made, the outline plan having reached First Army on 13 July. While terrain and the enemy had halted the drive of the VII Corps, the attack did achieve some of it’s goals. By moving the front several miles south of Carentan it stabilized the area and prevented the Germans from shelling the town and the vital crossroads. Further it prevented the Germans from launching a counterattack in this area - considered the weakest on the entire front - and had inflicted serious losses on the Germans, losses they could not replace.

The Taute River, Normandy (in 2006)

The offensive which had been under way was to continue, but would aim at more modest objectives which would give suitable jump-off positions for Cobra. The primary goal became the ground along the St-Lô-Périers highway in front of the 9th and 30th Divisions. At the end of 15 July, the 30th Division was to come under VII Corps in order to coordinate the continuing offensive toward this area. The 4th and 83rd Divisions passed to the VIII Corps in a front-wide reorganization.

During the 12 days from 4 to 15 July, ammunition expenditure had been greater than at any other period during the first two months of First Army's campaign. This occurred during a period when control was being exercised and unrestricted firing was not permitted, when units were limited to one unit of fire for attack, one-half unit for each subsequent day of attack, and one-third for a "normal" day. But deeper and wider concentrations of fire than was ordinary had to be employed in hedgerow country to compensate for lack of observation. Stocks became low in certain types, particularly 105-mm howitzer, and strict rationing was established to restore the stocks for the coming operations.

Fortunately, the port of Cherbourg, although thoroughly mined and demolished by the Germans, had been rapidly cleared for use. The first supplies from it began to trickle south on 15 July. Cherbourg was to prove an essential aid to the supply problem in the next weeks. But the main ports of entry were still the open beaches, Omaha and Utah, where the 1st, 5th, and 6th Engineer Special Brigades were performing miracles in getting tonnage ashore under all conditions of weather. A daily average of 12,000 to 14,000 tons was being maintained.

Front and Back of German Newspaper dated 15 July 1944

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

14 July, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

14 July, 1944

Hello darling –

Today is Bastille Day in France – once a big holiday – now just a memory. I got three sweet letters from you last nite when I got back from the hospital – dated June 25th, 28th, 29th. All in all and considering our location – we can’t kick about the mail.

Weather of 95 degrees seems inconceivable back here. I don’t know if it ever gets warm in France – but where we are – each day is like the last – and about 75 degrees – just right. But I do miss the swimming, dear – I hope when you get into the water a certain part of the time is for me.

Got a letter from Frank Morse yesterday. He had received mine – written when I first hit France. Although he is quite busy in his hospital – he’s aching to come over here. He should be getting his Majority soon. He should have had it long ago – because his job asks for it.

Still working at the hospital sweetheart and of course enjoying it and keeping my fingers crossed – hoping it will last. That’s all for now darling, except to let you know that everything you wish for – I wish for too, and just as hard. Love to the folks and

All my love, darling –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Fighting in the Hedgerows

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Soldiers of the U.S. 3rd Armored Division standing in front
of a hedgerow, holding a sign shaped like a German Cross
that says, "Soldiers surrender - you are surrounded."
14 July 1944, northwest of Saint-Lô.
This photo belongs to PhotosNormandie's Flickr Photostream.

Here is an excerpt from the Center for Military History's review of the XIX Corps action in St. Lo from 7-19 July 1944. It is based upon based upon a first narrative by 2d Lt. David Garth, prepared in the field from military records and from notes and interviews recorded during the operation by members of the 2d Information and Historical Service Detachment.

What our units were experiencing in this fight, and what they were learning, is effectively summarized by an officer who went through it all and wrote from the standpoint of the front-line combat man:

There were just three ways that our infantry could get through the hedgerow country. They could walk down the road, which always makes the leading men feel practically naked (and they are). They could attempt to get through gaps in the corners of the hedgerows and crawl up along the row leading forward or rush through in a group and spread out in the field beyond. This was not a popular method. In the first place often there were no gaps just when yon wanted one most, and in the second place the Germans knew about them before we did and were usually prepared with machine-gun and machine-pistol reception committees. The third method was to rush a skirmish line over a hedgerow and then across the field. This could have been a fair method if there had been no hedgerows.

Usually we could not get through the hedge without hacking a way through. This of course took time, and a German machine gun can fire a lot of rounds in a very short time. Sometimes the hedges themselves were not thick. But it still took time for the infantryman to climb up the bank and scramble over, during which time he was a luscious target, and when he got over the Germans knew exactly where he was. All in all it was very discouraging to the men who had to go first. The farther to the rear one got the easier it all seemed.

Crossing an Orchard between Hedgerows
This photo came from Photosnormandie's Flickr Photostream.

Of course the Germans did not defend every hedgerow, but no one knew without stepping out into the spotlight which ones he did defend.

It was difficult to gain fire superiority when it was most needed. In the first place machine guns were almost useless in the attack because about the only way they could be used was to fire from the hip. If you set them up before the advance started, they had no field of fire and could not shoot the enemy. If you carried them along until you met the enemy, still the only way to get them in position was to set them up on top of a hedgerow bank. That was not good because the German was in the next bank and got you before you set the gun down. Anyway, it had to be laid on the bank, no tripod, just a gun barrel lying unevenly on its stomach. On the other hand the Germans could dig their guns into the banks in advance, camouflage them, and be all set to cover the roads, trails, and other bottlenecks our men had to use.

The artillery was the major fire support weapon. But it suffered certain handicaps. In the first place it had to be adjusted from the front line by forward observers. These sometimes had difficulty knowing just where they were, and the trees frequently delayed adjustment because of the short vision. If you found the enemy in the next hedgerow he was frequently less than 100 yards from you, and that was too close for artillery fire, particularly since short rounds would probably burst in the trees over your men in your own hedgerow. If the enemy was two or more hedgerows ahead of you, that wasn't so good either, because the mere delay in getting to him through that last hedgerow just in front of him gave him time to rise up and smite you after the artillery lifted. The mortars were effective providing you knew just what to shoot at and where it was, but the infantryman still had the delay and exposure of getting through the last hedgerow.

A wounded American is carried over a Hedgerow by Medics
This photo came from PhotosNormandie's Flickr Photostream.

The Germans, being on the defensive, profited by these minor items of the terrain. They could dig in, site their weapons to cover the approaches, and prepare tunnels and other covered exits for themselves. Then when our men appeared, laboriously working their way forward, the Germans could knock off the first one or two, cause the others to duck down behind the bank, and then call for his own mortar support. The German mortars were very, very efficient. By the time our men were ready to go after him, the German and his men and guns had obligingly retired to the next stop. If our men had rushed him instead of ducking down behind the bank, his machine gun or machine pistol would knock a number off. For our infantrymen, it was what you might call in baseball parlance, a fielder's choice. No man was very enthusiastic about it.

13 July, 1944

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

13 July, 1944        1015

Dearest sweetheart –

Well I thought I’d try an Air mail again for a change and be sure and let me know – as soon as you can make any sense out of it – which type of mail is reaching you more quickly. In this direction – both types are now reaching us in about the same length of time. Our dental officer – jerk to you, dear – heard from Brooklyn (where else would he be from?) yesterday, in a letter dated July 3rd – which was excellent time. Yes, your description of the just mentioned as jerky – was very accurate. He is just that and at times quite intolerable. A Brooklyn Jew comes stamped – and he’s no exception. But we manage to keep peace and get along.

As for the rest of my detachment, darling – take it easy. That fat boy is the one who made the bracelet for you. I’m glad you like it – by the way – and had no idea they were so popular. I may or may not have told you that the thing was made by hand – including the links. The brothers you refer to are twins – formerly identical – and changing somewhat as they get older. They’re from Kentucky and real hillbillies. Before the war they helped manufacture moonshine. As for myself, dear, I’m just about the same, I guess. I haven’t been able to weigh myself in some time – but I have felt fine. Why I looked thinner in the picture – I don’t know.

Right now, though, darling – the thing that is keeping me fine is the chance to do some work – and work to do – there is! I went into the operating room at 1315 yesterday and didn’t move out of it until after 1800 – all in one stretch. I then ate and put in a couple of hours in the Shock ward before returning here. I got back here about 2130 and in a short while it was time for sleep. It certainly makes for a full day – because by the time I get thru shaving in the morning, filling out a few forms – etc. – it’s just about time enough to dash out, see a battery or a couple of gun sections – and then return for lunch. But – hell – I just hope the set-up continues and I think I can take it.

I wish I could go into detail on what I’ve been doing at the hospital – in just two days, mind you, dear the variety of cases is terrific – and in addition to just surgery – we put plaster-casts on by the dozen. And the best part of all is that as far as the hospital is concerned – I’m on one of their surgical teams.

I better stop raving because I suppose it will be for a short time only – but while it lasts – I can gain quite a bit of experience. Yes – just to scrub up, put on a cap, mask, gown and rubber gloves again has been quite a thrill for me – so excuse the enthusiasm sweetheart.

I’ll really have to stop now, dear and do a couple of things. I experimented with a flea powder issued by the gov’t. – by dissolving it in Kerosene and sprinkling it on our tents – as a mosquito repellent which as yet – has not been issued. It has worked fine now for 1 week – with only 1 sprinkling. I’m having some directions typed up and I’m getting it out to the batteries.

It seems as if I’m always rushed – when writing you, darling, – but you are not rushed in my mind – believe me, dear – because there you rest always as a comfort to me. Every bit of love you have for me is equaled on my account – of that you can be sure and time alone will give us a chance to show it. Meanwhile – don’t worry and take care of yourself. Love to the folks.

All my love for always –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Drive South
and the Plan for Operation "Cobra"

On 2 July, VII Corps had taken over a sector between the VIII and XIX Corps in preparation for the drive south. Major General Robert C. Macon's 83d Infantry Division held the new Corps sector, a narrow front where operations were canalized by the Taute River and the swampy inundations of the Prairies Marecageuses. The 83d's attacks to gain maneuver room for the commitment of more troops met determined resistance, built about the hedgerows characteristic of this area. Dug into the earthen walls that marked each hedge, the German positions presented a defense that could be eliminated only by slow, tedious, and costly attacks.

The 4th Infantry Division joined the struggle, and later the Corps zone was extended eastward to include the area of the 9th. The infantry-artillery duel continued, gains were small, counterattacks were numerous and determined. The 4th and 83d Divisions continued to shoulder along the Carentan-Périers highway, more and more aided by the pressure exerted from the east by the 9th Division. On 13 July, that unit drove nearly to the important crossroads at les Champs-de-Losque.

According to Wikipedia:

In order to gain a decisive victory and to break through the area of hedgerow defenses, the First U.S. Army planned Operation Cobra, a coordinated attack by which the Army would drive south into areas more suited for the operation of its armored units. The originator of the idea for Operation Cobra remains disputed. According to Montgomery's official biographer, the foundation of Operation Cobra was laid on 13 June. General Omar Bradley later took credit for the planning of in his memoirs. However, Bradley's plan resembled—with only slight revisions—an earlier concept devised by none other than General George S. Patton. In any case, VII Corps was selected to make the main effort, and boundaries and troops began to be shifted to position the Corps for the task. It was to be launched on 25 July 1944.

In the first phase, the breakthrough attack would be conducted by the 9th and 30th Infantry divisions, which would punch a hole in the German tactical zone and then hold the flanks of the penetration while the 1st Infantry and 2nd Armored divisions pushed into the depth of the position until resistance collapsed. During the second phase, an exploitation force of five to six divisions would pass through the opening created in the German defenses and swing west. If these two phases were successful the western German position would become untenable, and the third phase would permit a relatively easy advance to the southwest end of the bocage to cut off and seize the Brittany peninsula. First Army's intelligence estimated that no German counterattack would occur in the first few days after Cobra's launch, and that if attacks materialized after that date, they would consist of no more than battalion-sized operations.

Cobra was to be a concentrated attack on a 7,000 yard (6,400 meter) front, unlike previous American "broad front" offensives, and would have heavy air support. Fighter-bombers would concentrate on hitting forward German defenses in a 250 yard (230 meter) belt immediately south of the Saint-Lô–Periers road, while heavy bombers would bomb to a depth of 2,500 yards (2,300 meters) behind the German main line of resistance. It was anticipated that the physical destruction and shock value of a short, intense preliminary bombardment would greatly weaken the German defense, so in addition to divisional artillery, Army- and Corps-level units would provide support, including nine heavy, five medium, and seven light artillery battalions. Over 1,000 tubes of divisional and corps artillery were committed to the offensive, and approximately 140,000 artillery rounds were allocated to the operation in VII Corps alone, with another 27,000 for VIII Corps.

12 July, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

12 July, 1944

Dear Sweetheart –

I got two letters yesterday – the 24th and 27th and can well understand your reaction on learning we had left England. But I’m glad, dear, that you are taking the right attitude. Just have faith and all will be well. You remember I wrote you yesterday about trying to do some hospital work. Well I went to a nearby Evacuation Hospital. They handle cases after they have been seen in an aid station and a clearing station. They treat for shock, and operate on the shrapnel and bullet wounds etc., put plaster on fractures – etc. Well, sweetheart, that’s what I was doing yesterday from 1300 to 2100. It was the best day I’ve had in the Army in my 2 years – best because I was doing something to help and because I liked the work. I had spoken to the C.O. of the hospital in the a.m. and offered my help and offered to bring some aid men too. He was tickled and asked if I could do surgery. When I said yes – he assigned me to the O.R. and my men also. As it stands now – with the consent of my own C.O. – I’ll do my battalion work by noon – and shoot over to the hosp. for p.m. and evening work – as long as we remain anywhere near them. It’s really wonderful and I hope it lasts. Even if we move far from this one – we’ll volunteer for another. All for now, darling. I hope you share my enthusiasm. I love you, dear – remember?? Love to all and all my love to you –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Calvados

Yesterday, Greg mentioned becoming acquainted with "Calvados" in Douville. Here is some more about that.

In 1789, soon after the revolutionary government began wresting power from the king, the new National Assembly understood the need to divide the country into county-like administrative "departments", eventually leading to the creation of the department of Calvados. The major apple-growing area in Normandy is situated in and around the department of Calvados, whose beaches were the main staging area for D-Day, and whose lands became a central battle zone throughout the Invasion of Normandy. Cider had been distilled into brandy in Normandy, and specifically this area, since the 16th century. By the early 1800s the brandy produced in this area began taking on the name Calvados, that of the department at the heart of the production area.

Calvados begins with a good cider with the right mix of sweet, sour, and bitter-sweet apples, of which numerous varieties are grown in Normandy. Some ciders use up to two dozen varieties. After the apples are harvested in fall (sometimes into December), they are stored in a dry, well-aired place for anywhere from several days to several weeks before being pressed. The pulp is then slowly pressed, with the resulting liquid placed in air-tight vats, typically stainless steel, and allowed to ferment naturally over a period of six weeks to three months. The cider can then be filtered and pasteurized, depending on production methods.... or distilled to make Calvados brandy.

Calvados is made by single or double distilling the cider, then maturing the liquor in oak casks, hence the amber color. It’s said that making a good Calvados requires losing a lot of Calvados in the process. The first distillation of cider yields an intermediate product, the "petites eaux". The "heads" and "tails", which contain undesirable compounds, are carefully eliminated. These "petites eaux" are then heated for the second distillation, the "bonne chauffe". The heads and tails are once again eliminated. As it emerges from the still, Calvados is colorless, produces a burning sensation on the palate, and gives off an aroma of fruit and alcohol. After two years aging in oak casks, it can be sold as Calvados and is more or less 42 percent alcohol. The longer it is aged, the smoother the drink becomes. Usually the maturation goes on for several years. A bottle of twenty-year-old Calvados can easily command double the price of a bottle of ten-year-old Calvados.

Calvados — affectionately known as calva — is appreciated as an after-dinner drink or digestif and is increasingly promoted for use in cocktails. Prior to WWII it was probably best known as a way of convivially ending a meal in the form of café-calva, still practiced, whereby a shot of brandy is served at the same time as a shot of espresso. The café and the calva are then either downed — first the café then the calva — each in its own receptacles or by drinking the café then pouring the calva into the warm coffee cup. The imbibing of a café-calva is to be performed with a sense of pastoral well-being or old-chum camaraderie. This sounds much like Greg's experience in a farmhouse on 1 July, causing him to "zigzag".

One long-time tradition in the drinking of Calvados is le trou Normand, or "the Norman hole". This is a small drink of Calvados taken between courses in a very long meal, sometimes with apple sorbet, to aid in digestion and to re-awaken the appetite. Calvados can be served as apéritif, blended in drinks, between meals, as a digestif, or with coffee. Well-made calvados should naturally be reminiscent of apples and pears, balanced with flavors of aging. The longer it is aged, the smoother the drink becomes. Usually the maturation goes on for several years. A bottle of twenty-year-old Calvados can easily command double the price of a bottle of ten-year-old Calvados. The less-aged calvados distinguishes itself with its fresh apple and pear aromas. The more-aged calvados tastes more like any other aged brandy. As Calvados ages, it may become golden or darker brown with orange elements and red mahogany. The nose and palate are delicate with a concentration of aged apples and dried apricots balanced with butterscotch, nut and chocolate aromas.

Here are a picture of an orchard with apples grown to make Calvados as well as a picture of aging barrels:

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

And now for something a little different. A travel site has posted that on a farm along the Normandy cider route a guest can sleep in a Calvados barrel. Yes, that’s the barrel used to store that delicious Norman apple brandy! The barrels have been converted into small rooms, for no more than two people, and are firmly anchored into the soil, leaving no fear of rolling away during a windy night!

Cider Barrel: Sleeps Two!

11 July, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

11 July, 1944

Hello darling!

Tuesday morning and a little sunshine. On 2 successive Mondays it has rained and the days were sort of blue. But things look pretty good today, dear.

Yesterday I was visited by a friend of mine – a Colonel in AA whom I knew with Col. Pereira on maneuvers last year. He heard we were around and he dropped in. We had a nice long talk and reminisced about our days down South in 1943.

This morning I’m going to go to a nearby Army hospital and ask the C.O. if he can use any help. I’ve talked with my Col. and he said it was all right with him. If I can do even part time work of any sort – it will be welcome. I’ll let you know later, dear, how I make out.

Other than that – nothing new and all is comparatively quiet here. My health is excellent darling – so don’t worry. Remember I love you and think only of that. Love to the folks.

All my love, dear

Greg

Route of the Question Mark


[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

(A) St. Come-du-Mont (2 July, 1944) to
(B) Douville (11 July, 1944)
("Douville" was renamed "Donville")

The end of Page 23 from The Route of the Question Mark tells this:

page 23

July 11... Douville. The truck drivers cleaned the cables on their vehicles, and it was a common sight to see apple trees pulled over when this operation was in progress. We first became acquainted with Calvados here, we pitched horse-shoes, we painted stars and moons and other inscriptions on our movie tent, and CHEETY shot a cow for the kitchen.

Orchard in Donville (today)
as seen through a Hedgerow

10 July, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

10 July, 1944

Dearest Girl –

Got a letter from you yesterday telling about Les’s wedding, one from Florence B, and 3 from my brother – the last – a V-mail – dated 30 June – which is damned good. I think you’re probably correct about receiving V-mail quicker, dear. Lawrence seemed quite affected at the news that I was in this thing. I just hope that all of you are not worrying too much.

The wedding sounded swell – although I agree – too large. Give them my best wishes, darling, and I sure do envy them. Florence’s letter was very nice and it’s swell of her to continue to write. I also got a letter from my Dad thanking us for his gift. He told me of your staying at Winthrop, darling, and he says it thrills him to have you stay with them because you are now no different than any of his children. Gosh, dear, it certainly is swell to read that everything is so amiable and pleasant between you and my folks and I know that it will be the same between your folks and me – as soon as I can get back. You know – I think you and I really ought to hit it off well when we get married. What a way to talk! Well – as you say – I haven’t even seen my fiancée’s ring. But what of that – I’ve seen my fiancée and I know her – and I know she’s the girl for me! By the way – I love her, too. Love to the folks, sweetheart and

All my love for always

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Battle Casualties Sustained by VII Corps
6 June - 1 July, 1944

Unit                     Killed     Wounded   Missing    Captured         Total
4th Inf Division       844       3,814          788            6             5,452
9th Inf Division       301       2,061            76            0             5,438
79th Inf Division     240       1,896           240           0             2,438
90th Inf Division     386       1,979             34           0             2,376
82d A/B Div            457       1,440        2,571         12             4,480
101st A/B Div         546       2,217        1,907           0             4,480
Corps Troops            37          157            49          61                304
All Units               2,811     13,564        5,665         79            22,119

09 July, 1944

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 403 % Postmaster, N.Y.

France

9 July, 1944

Dear Sweetheart –

I’m writing you a bit later in the day because I’ve been busy up to this moment. This morning I got a call to go to a nearby farmer’s house and found a woman in premature labor. She was between 6 and 7 mos pregnant and had been terrifically frightened by a recent shelling. Well – with what instruments I had, plus some towels – I delivered her. The baby was stillborn, of course – but she was certainly glad to get it over with. It’s been some time now since I delivered anyone – but it was just as natural as anything – except for the poor working conditions. One of my boys acted as a midwife – there being no neighbors around to help.

Perhaps the farmers house was outside of this town...

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Everything is going along fine here, darling. Didn’t get any mail yesterday – but should today. Hope all is going well at home, dear. There’s nothing to worry about from this point. That’s all for now except to remind you yet again that I Love You very much. Love to the folks.

All my love for now

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The Allied Taking of Caen

The Second World War 60th Anniversary (No. 4) booklet entitled "The Drive on Caen, Northern France, 7 June - 9 July 1944" (Crown copyright 2004), written by Lloyd Clark and Dr. Stephen Hart for the Department of War Studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, contains an excellent summary of the Allied taking of Caen. Here are excerpts:

Caen is the ancient capital of Lower Normandy, situated 148 miles NW of Paris and 74 miles SE of Cherbourg on the banks of the River Orne. It was a vital road and rail junction that the Allies needed to capture before they could advance south through the excellent tank country of the Falaise Plain. Because of its strategic significance, Hitler had ordered that Caen be defended to the last man by the well-prepared and resolute German defense that included fanatical SS soldiers and the potent 'Hitler Youth' Armored Division. The Royal Air Force played a crucial part in the Drive on Caen with more than 1250 aircraft, operating from bases in Normandy and Britain, destroying numerous tanks and armored vehicles as well as attacking railway traffic bringing reinforcements into the area. The British Second Army sought to capture Caen while the American First Army aimed to seize the port of Cherbourg. General Montgomery had hoped Caen might be reached on D-Day itself, but northern Caen did not fall until 9 July.

In the days immediately following D-Day, in Operation "Perch" (9-14 June), the Second (British) Army found themselves in a series of fierce actions against determined enemy resistance. In the first three days, they managed to push the front line only a few miles further south while incurring heavy casualties. On 12 June Lieutenant-General Bucknall learned there was a weak spot in the German line five miles SSW of Bayeaux. He ordered his 7th Armored Division (known as the "Desert Rats") to swing west around the resilient German defensive line, and audaciously thrust west to seize the high ground at Villers-Bocage, thus threatening the rear of the elite 12th SS Hitler Youth Armored Division. They were able to capture Villers-Bocage by the 13th of June. Unfortunately, the commander of an SS Heavy Tank Battalion - and one of Germany's leading tank aces - responded by launching a series of rapid counter-attacks using 13 Tiger heavy tanks supported by infantry. The British forces in Villers-Bocage were caught by surprise and within two hours were mauled, losing 53 armored vehicles in the process. Wittmann lost four of his precious Tigers.

In the aftermath of the setback at Villers-Bocage, the Second (British) Army mounted small-scale attacks, compelling the Germans to commit their newly arriving armored reserves to shore up their hard-pressed front line. Montgomery felt that this fulfilled his original intention of aiding the American advance towards Cherbourg by tying down German resources in the east. Meanwhile, Operation "Epsom" was developed for the next major offensive against Caen (25-30 June). The aim was to cross the River Odin in the close hedgerow countryside to the west of Caen, push beyond the Orne and seize the high ground that commanded the southern approaches to the city. If successful, this advance would compel the Germans to withdraw from Caen. Over 700 guns, 600 tanks and 60,000 troops (with little combat experience) were available for this campaign. Waiting in well-prepared defensive positions was the potent German 12th SS Hitler Youth. The 2nd SS Armored division and II-SS Armored Corps were moving toward the area to launch a major counter-offensive against Bayeaux that would throw the enemy back into the sea.

The great storm of 19-22 June upset preparations for Epsom, and denied the British the planned preliminary aerial bombing raid on the German positions. On 25 June a preparatory attack failed even though the RAF flew 525 sorties to prevent Luftwaffe operations over the battlefield. Close air support was also disabled by the weather, and, in spite of massive artillery support, enemy fire poured into the British from three sides on 26 June. Still, British tanks attempted to push down to the River Odon. Several thrusts were stopped. During the night of 26-27 June, help from reinforcements allowed the British to cross the Oden and establish a bridgehead to its south. On the 27th, the Germans received orders to attack the British on the Odon and after much give and take, pushed the British back across the Odon by the 29th. However, weather now permitted British aircraft both to intervene in Germany's attempt to bring in reinforcements and to keep the Luftwaffe out of the ground battle. Tenacious British defense and accurate artillery fire fragmented German attacks. But caution kept the British on the defensive, and Epsom was concluded prematurely on 30 June, having cost the British some 4020 casualties, 58% of which were within the 15th (Scottish) Division.

During 1–2 July, the II-SS Armored Corps continued to probe and bombard the Odon Valley and the British tried to improve their own positions, but neither side launched major attacks. It was not until 8 July that the next offensive against Caen, code-named Operation "Charnwood", was launched. To soften up the German defenses prior to the attack, as well as to limit the enemy's ability to resupply their forces, Montgomery requested a massive aerial strike. During the late evening of 7 July, 443 British Lancaster and Halifax heavy bombers dropped 2,276 tons of munitions on Caen. Because of concerns about the risk of friendly-fire casualties, Montgomery's staff asked Bomber Command to strike the rear portion of the German defensive zone, located along the northern fringe of the city, four miles behind the front line. Unfortunately, the bombing instead inflicted heavy losses on French civilians and only modest casualties to the enemy. It also left the battle area severely cratered, thus hampering Allied ground operations. Finally, the Allieds left a 5-hour gap between the bombing and the ground assault which gave the enemy time to recover. The major benefit was that stray bombs destroyed several of the city's bridges thus hampering the enemy's resupply efforts.

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Northern Caen Smolders after Attacks by Allied Bombers

Just before midnight on 7 June, massed Allied artillery initiated a powerful bombardment that continued until the ground attack began four hours later on 8 July. With the Germans temporarily stunned, the initial attacks went well. By dawn, the initial phase of the operation was complete. The Allies had advanced 1-1/4miles deep into the German position. Next, British fighter bombers struck dozens of enemy positions, followed by 250 American medium bombers softening up the enemy in preparation for the second phase of the offensive. By nightfall, three concentric divisional thrusts had reached a line less than 950 yards north of the city. During the night, the Germans began to withdraw their heavy weapons and some of their now exhausted troops from the northern half of the city, defying Hitler's express order that Caen be held to the last man. On the morning of 9 July Allied forces fought their way painfully through the rubble morass that had once been Caen, their progress slowed by German snipers, booby traps and mines. In two days of savage fighting, First (British) Corps had incurred 3500 casualties but had captured northern Caen. Not much remained of Caen on 10 July 1944.

Rue de Bayeux, Caen after Bombs of 8 July 1944


Rue de Bayeux, Today