June 1944

Western Front - Battle For Caen

In the British 2nd Army's XXX Corps area, Port-en-Bessin falls to 47th Royal Marine Commando early in day. The 50th Division compresses enemy's escape corridor in conjunction with US V Corps, taking Sully and the château at Fosse Soucy, but pulls back under enemy pressure.

The 12th SS Panzer Grenadier Division comes up to the deserted Carpiquet airfield, the Luftwaffe having gone and the Canadians had neglected to occupy it when they had the chance. Using Panthers as well as Mark IVs, the 12th SS retake Bretteville l'Orgueilleuse and Puton-en-Bessin destroying the forward companies of the Regina Rifles and the Canadian Scottish of the Canadian 7th Brigade. Puton changes hands in the evening when the 7th Brigade counterattacks and drives the 12th SS out. Casualties are high, but the fluid situation begins to solidify. The British have not taken Caen and the Germans have not pushed them back to the sea.