July 1944

Western Front

The US 1st Army commander approves an Outline Plan for COBRA--the breakout attack in the St Lô area. Minor amendments altering boundaries are subsequently made. The VIII Corps continues southward all along the line.

The VII Corps makes progress on the left flank, where the 9th Division gets almost to the crossroads at Les Champs-de-Losque. The offensive for the rest of the VII Corps front is virtually suspended.

The XIX Corps continues the costly battle for St Lô. On the east, the 29th Division passes the 175th Infantry through the 116th in a vain attempt to drive westward along a highway ridge toward the city.

In the V Corps area, the 5th Division replaces the 1st Division in the line The 1st Division withdraws to the Colombières area in preparation for movement to the VII Corps zone.

In the British 2nd Army area, the Canadian II Corps becomes operational with the Canadian 2nd and 3rd Divisions under its command. The XII Corps takes command of the VIII Corps sector and of the 43rd, 15th and 53rd Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Division, the 4th Armored Brigade, and the 31st Tank Brigade.