June 1944

Western Front

In the US 1st Army's VII Corps area, the 47th Infantry of the 9th Division attempts to clear the northwest section of Cherbourg but cannot gain the arsenal. The 39th Infantry drives through Octeville and Cherbourg to the coast, taking Gen von Schlieben, the fortress commander, and Rear-Adm Walther Hennecke, the German naval commander, prisoner at St Sauveur-le-Vicomte. Von Schlieben refuses to surrender the entire fortress, however. The 79th Division completes the capture of Fort du Roule and its assigned portion of Cherbourg. The 22nd Infantry, 4th Division, begins an attack on the Maupertus airfield.

The British 2nd Army continues its limited offensive in the XXX Corps zone while beginning the main attack with the VIII Corps. In the XXX Corps zone the 8th Armored Brigade, spearheading the attack of the 49th Division, drives to the outskirts of Rauray. The VIII Corps attacks to the east of XXX Corps with the 15th and 43rd Infantry and the 11th Armored Divisions. The 15th Division gets elements to Colleville and patrols to Grainville-sur-Odon. The 11th Armored Division moves toward Mouen.