Bréhal (Manche)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
- Liberation: 30 july 1944
- Deployed units:
Reserve Command, 6th Armored Division
Combat Command B, 6th Armored Division
2. SS Panzer-Division “Das Reich”
- History:
Continuing to exploit Operation Cobra, Combat Command B (CCB) of the 6th Armored Division moved along the coast toward Granville, pursuing German forces that were proving incapable of mounting a truly firm defense. CCB was tasked with reconnoitering Bréhal without delay and then securing the eastern and southern exits from Granville, while Reserve Command, in second echelon, was to clear any pockets of resistance in Bréhal and then cover the exits to the north and northeast of Granville for CCB.
At dawn on July 30, 1944, the column set out, and a CCB reconnaissance unit scouted the advance. Combat quickly began about a kilometer north of Bréhal: the Germans, camouflaged in the edges of forest and hedgerows, opened small arms fire on vehicles and infantry advancing along the road. The fighting lasted for about an hour until the German defenses gave way, too light and lacking heavy weapons to prevent the Americans from advancing. The CCB did not allow itself to be delayed, in accordance with orders, and continued towards Bréhal.
But as it entered the village, the CCB’s lead tank discovered that the road was blocked by various equipment, forming a roadblock. It was facing only infantry, which did not appear to be equipped with anti-tank guns. In doubt, the Americans called for air support: four P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers immediately intervened and made no fewer than four passes, opening fire on the obstacle and its surroundings, with the aim of dissuading the Germans from defending this point while also removing any doubts about the presence of anti-tank mines.
Following the aerial passes, the lead American tank struck and drove through the roadblock at full speed, clearing the way for the rest of the CCB. Simultaneously, Company A of the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion, tasked with providing close-quarters protection for the tanks and clearing pockets of resistance as the fighting progressed, came under mortar fire: the infantrymen disembarked from their transport vehicles and took cover. These signs seemed to indicate that the Germans appeared to be firmly defending Bréhal: the CCB felt it was now necessary to cautiously reconnoiter the village. Before the infantry could move in, American armored vehicles fired heavily on the houses with machine guns. Company A entered the village and was only delayed by fire from a few isolated snipers, concentrated in the southern part of the town.
At 1:25 p.m., Bréhal was liberated. The Reserve Command then crossed the village, and the Americans resumed their advance toward Granville.
Bréhal map:
