Sunday, 9 July 1944
The days that marked the Battle of Normandy
July 9, 1944: Privates Bernard Hoo, John MacCouville, and J. R. Kostick of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, 8th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, stand in front of the Caen West Gate sign.
Photo: US National Archives
Operation Charnwood is coming to an end. The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division continues its advance east and southwest of Caen, and Kurt “Panzer” Meyer, at the head of the regiments of the 12th SS Panzer Division, has to retreat after the actions of Commonwealth armed forces, on the east bank of the Odon River. General Montgomery seems satisfied with his Charnwood offensive, although the allied losses are high and all the objectives originally foreseen are not met, such as the height and the bridge of the village of Bourguébus, a gateway to the city of Falaise.
The Canadians manage to penetrate the center of Caen, which northern part is entirely in the hands of the Allies. However, the Germans still control the southern and eastern parts of the city, defended by the 1st, 12th and 21st S.S. Panzer divisions.
Americans of the 79th Infantry Division keep securing the Haye-du-Puits, liberated the day before, and continue to progress towards the south in the direction of Lessay. On its left flank, the 8th and 90th US infantry divisions are on their way to Périers, while the 29th and 30th infantry divisions are heading for Saint-Lô. The front is relatively straight, indicating the good progress of the troops in a bocage where the soldiers and mainly the vehicles progress with difficulty.
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