June 1944

Western Front - Battle For Caen

With no attacks during the night, the German command believed that the British offensive had been contained. During the early hours of June 27, II SS Panzer Corps is ordered to resume preparations for its counter-offensive towards Bayeux. On the right of the British advance, the I SS Panzer Corps launches a counterattack with 80 tanks, which is disorganized by artillery fire, before foundering on the anti-tank guns of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, who then resume their attempt to secure the VIII Corps flank. Early in the morning the British artillery begins their preliminary shelling. Fortunately for the German defenders, the shells are falling behind them.

EPSOM is resumed at 0445 by the 10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry of the 227 (Highland) Infantry Brigade. With support from Churchill tanks, the battalion intends to make a bid for the Odon crossing at Gavrus. The infantry, supported by a few tanks, begin their advance. They can not be seen by the defenders because of a rising mist. The Highlanders immediately run into stiff opposition from elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division and despite heavy artillery support are unable to advance all day. The defending German tanks of the 12th SS Pamzer Regiment, disguised by tree branches and bushes tied to their turrets, hold their fire until the enemy gets closer. They then open up with machine guns decimating the advancing infantry. Then the tank guns open up on the British tanks that are in the second wave. Again the advance is stopped. Casualties are heavy on both sides.

At 0730 the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also of the 227th Highland Brigade, launch an attack aimed at capturing the Odon crossing at Tourmauville, northwest of the village of Baron-sur-Odon. With the German forces engaged by the Highland Light Infantry, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders supported by the 23rd Hussars, are able to advance to Colleville with relative ease. There the small German garrison supported by 88mm guns, inflict heavy casualties upon the British and deny them the village until the afternoon. The battalion seizes the bridge at Tourmauville at around 1700 and a bridgehead is established. By 1900, two depleted squadrons of the 23rd Hussars and a company of the 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) have crossed the Odon into the bridgehead.

The remainder of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division around Cheux and Sainte Manvieu, is being relieved by the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division. When the 5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, of the 214th Infantry Brigade, moves into the outskirts of Cheux, they find that the Scottish infantry has moved on and the vacant position has been reoccupied by grenadiers of 12th SS Panzer Division. After battling to re-capture the position, at 0930 the battalion is counterattacked by six Panthers of the 2nd Panzer Division. The attack penetrates Cheux and several British anti-tank guns are destroyed before it is driven back. Further attacks by the 2nd Panzer Division are halted, but the entire front is 'a mass of small engagements'. For the rest of the morning and afternoon, the Scottish infantry and the 4th and 29th Armored brigades expand the salient north of the Odon and secure the rear of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. During late evening the men of the 159th Infantry Brigade (11th Armored Division) are transported in trucks through the narrow 'Scottish Corridor' to Tourville, where they dismount and cross the Odon on foot to reinforce the bridgehead. During the night Kampfgruppe Weidinger, a 2,500-strong battle group from the 2nd SS Panzer Division arrives at the front and is placed under the command of the Panzer Lehr Division.