Thursday, July 6, 1944
The days that marked the Battle of Normandy
General Montgomery’s strategy to attack Caen by the east failed and the fierce fighting between the Canadians and the 12th S.S. Panzer division did not allow any of the two belligerents to advance. In addition, Colonel Maurice, corps commander of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, died in the bombardment of his headquarters by the German artillerymen. The situation seems to be blocked again, as the front has not really evolved. Caen is still in the hands of the German defenders and the British who advance in the northern suburbs of the city are arrested by artillery barrage set up by their enemy.
Montgomery chose to launch an upcoming offensive in the 2 days aiming to pierce the front and finally control the city of Caen. Now the Germans are firmly on the defensive and even buried Tiger tanks, which once in this position are hardly reachable by Allied aviation. General Montgomery decides to intensify the bombing before the attacks.
The Americans also appear to be arrested by German forces in southern Cotentin. The front remains blocked and changes very little. The attacks of the American troops were carried out on two axes, one directed towards the town of Saint-Lô, the other towards Périers. The 30th US Infantry Division is approaching the village of Saint-Fromond and its strategic bridge over the Vire-Taute canal. The artillery bombarded the outskirts of the village and the infantry took possession of the small town of Airel, located in the immediate vicinity of Saint-Fromond.
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