Wednesday, August 9, 1944
The days that marked the Battle of Normandy
While the 8th corps of the 3rd Army of General Patton, which fights alone in Brittany, besieges the city of Brest, the great maneuver of encirclement of the German forces takes shape in Normandy. While the Americans of the 7th Corps of General Collins resumed their advance towards the town of Mortain, harshly defended by the survivors of SS Panzer and Wehrmacht divisions, the 15th and 20th corps of the 3rd American Army headed towards the city of Le Mans which is liberated during the day and under the control of the 5th US Infantry Division.
The British continue operation Totalize. Once again, for the last three consecutive days, the 4th Canadian Armored Division has made impressive progress in liberating the villages of Gouvix and Urville en route, reaching Hill 195 and the village of Estrées-la-Campagne, defended respectively by the 89th Infantry Division and the 12th SS Panzer Division. Severe tank fights revolved to the advantage of the 5th SS Panzerarmee led by General Eberbach and the Canadians lose 47 tanks out of the 52 engaged in the Urville area. The 1st Polish Armored Division, commanded by General Maczek, is advancing towards the northern region of Rouvres and the 49th and 51st infantry divisions attack in the southeast of the Caen region between Vimont and Saint-Sylvain, facing the soldiers of the 272nd German Infantry Division.
