July 1944

Western Front

In preparation for an all-out assault on Caen by the British 2nd Army, heavy bombers of the RAF Bomber Command attack in force during the night of the 7th dropping 2,662 tons of bombs on military targets.

In the US 1st Army's VIII Corps area, the 79th and 90th Divisions continue efforts to break through the enemy positions in the La Haye-du-Puits-Mont Castre Forest area and repel several counterattacks. The VII Corps inches forward down the Carentan-Périers road against steadily increasing resistance. The XIX Corps, to the east of the VII Corps, opens at attack with the 30th Division that establishes a bridgehead in the St Jean-de-Day area and takes that town. After a preparatory bombardment, the 117th Infantry forces the Vire on the division's left at 0430 and the 120th attacks across the Vire-Taute Canal to the west at 1345. After nightfall, CCB, 3rd Armored Division, crosses into the bridgehead at Airel with the mission of expanding it toward St Gilles. The 113rd Cavalry Group moves forward on the 30th Division's right flank.