July 1944

Western Front

Rommel's participation in the war ends. Severely wounded when his car is strafed by aircraft, he is unable to continue his duties as commander of Army Group B and von Kluge take over this post in addtion to his other duties.

The US 1st Army places the 4th Armored Division under the command of the VIII Corps.

In the VII Corps area, the 9th Division breaks through the German's main line of resistance on the right flank of the corps and drives quickly toward the St Lô highway, while the 30th Division deepens the salient of the left flank to La Houcharderie.

In the XIX Corps area, the 35th Division penetrates enemy positions on the right flank of the corps. The 137th Infantry, along the Vire, reaches its objective near Rampan. The Germans withdraw from the salient at Le Carillon. The 29th Division makes further vain attempts to relieve the isolated 2nd Battalion, 116th Infantry, and push on into St Lô from the west. The 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry, reaches the 2nd Battalion but cannot move forward from there and it too becomes isolated. The 115th Infantry gets elements to the Martinville Ridge.

In the British 2nd Army area, the XXX Corps makes limited progress near Noyers.

In the XII Corps area, the 15th Division tries unsuccessfully to break into Evrecy. The 53rd Division clears most of the right flank of the corps north of the Odon and begins the relief of the 15th Division.

The VIII Corps completes preparations for an attack in its new zone east of the Orne.