July 1944

Western Front

Gen Eisenhower directs that US forces in Normandy be regrouped under a new US army group, the 12th. Gen Bradley will head the new command and set the time of its activation.

The US 1st Army launches the planned breakout assault (COBRA) in the VII Corps zone as weather conditions improve. Saturation bombing by the 8th and 9th Air Forces precedes the ground assault and stuns the enemy. More than 4,000 tons of bombs are concentrated in a small area, some falling short and inflicting casualties on US forces. Gen Leslie J. McNair, who has recently replaced Gen Bradley as commander of the US 1st Army Group, an organization confined to paper to deceive the enemy, is killed by a bomb while watching the attack. Gen John L. DeWitt later replaces Gen McNair.

The VII Corps attacks across the Périers-St Lô road on a narrow front at 1100 to force passage through enemy positions in the Marigny-St Gilles region. With the 9th Division on the right, the 4th in the center, and the 30th on the left, the US troops advance steadily and force the Germans back about 2 miles to the line La Butte-La Chapelle-en-Juger-Hébécrevon.

The VIII Corps is reinforced by the attachment of the 6th Armored Division, now assembled at Le Mesnil.

In the British 2nd Army area, the Canadian II Corps attacks at 0330 with the 2nd Division on the right and the 3rd on the left, pushing a short distance along the Falaise road against stubborn opposition and then breaking off the attack. This action helps to divert the enemy from COBRA.