June 1944

Western Front - Battle For Caen

In the British 2nd Army's XXX Corps area, The 7th Armored Division breaks into Tilly-sur-Seulle but is forced out by enemy.

Early in the day, the 51st Highland Division begin their left hook around the eastern side of Caen. They make rapid early progress before the Germans become aware of their plan. They push into the small town of St. Honorine just in time to run into Col Hans von Luck's Battle Group. Von Luck has a formidable task force. Besides his own battalion of tanks and grenadiers, he has been reinforced with three batteries of assault guns, an anti-tank company of 88mm guns, and a battalion of multiple rocket launchers. A wild battle soon develops surging back and forth through the town as the Highlanders and a reinforcement of Canadian infantry and tanks tangle with some of the best units in the German Army. As the battle reaches its climax, the British forces are able to call upon naval and air support that the Germans could only dream about. The Scots are able to hold the town, but their losses are so great their offensive is over.

New orders come down for the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division and the 6th Armored Regiment to prepare to attack at 1300 hours. The objective for the armor: to seize and hold Le Mesnil-Patry, then push on to Cheux. Order of march for the 6th Armored: B, C, RHQ, A Squadrons. The start line is near the Caen-Bayeux railway near Bretteville. Infantry support, riding on the tanks, is the Queen's Own Rifle Regiment. In a spacious wheatfield right before Le Mesnil-Patry, the German artillery opens up. The tanks have already passed the German panzer grenadiers of the 12th SS and are being fired upon from both front and rear. B Squadron moves up near the edge of Le Mesnil-Patry when their exposed left flank is hit by German guns quickly knocking out 6 tanks. C Squadron moves to the high ground and begins covering fire, but are immediately engaged by anti-tank guns of the 50th Infantry Division, part of XXX Corps. Being attacked from both sides, the Canadians are unable to hold their position and are forced to withdraw through and not around Norrey-en-Bessin to avoid a minefield, but are hampered by debris in the streets from the German artillery barrage. B Squadron, cut off and alone among the enemy, is destroyed to the last tank. 37 tanks have been lost, 95 officers and men are killed apart from the wounded and missing.

In the evening, a moment of mercy, the artillery lessens and several Red Cross ambulances roll into the area as both sides pick up their dead and wounded.

Infantry of the Régiment de la Chaudière and tanks of the Fort Garry Horse are rushed up behind the shattered 6th Armored Regiment and dig in between Bray and Rots, in case the 12th SS should take advantage of the confusion and drive through to the coast. Two patrols are sent into Rots during the evening. The first, by the Chauds, is their first encounter with the Waffen SS. Only a few wounded men return. The second patrol is by the 46th Royal Marine Commandos. There is ferocious fighting in the village as evidenced by what is seen by the Chauds when they enter the next morning.

After Le Mesnil-Patry, the offensive drives by both sides are stopped from the same pattern of mutual exhaustion as was occurring east of the Orne. Only on the right flank did the British offensive achieve, momentarily, a deep penetration in the effort to encircle Caen.

Panzer Lehr drives to within 3 miles of Bayeux when ordered to halt because of the battle in progess at Le Mesnil-Patry. There seemes to be a weak point on the border of the 2 German armored divisions, the 12th SS and Panzer Lehr. Panzer Lehr is ordered to go on the defensive in the Tilly-sur-Seulles area. The defensive line will be reinforced as lagging units begin to show up. As a result XXX Corps is going up against a line that was constantly being reinforced.