Western Front - Battle For CaenDuring the night the newly-landed 53rd Welsh Infantry Division moves in to replace the 15th Scottish Infantry Division. The II SS Panzer Corps resumes its counter-offensive on July 1, after spending most of the preceding 24 hours re-grouping. Unaware that the British have ended their operation and with overcast weather interfering with Allied air support, SS Obergruppenführen Wilhelm Bittrich believes he has an opportunity to prevent the 11th Armored Division continuing its advance across the Orne. Before dawn the 10th SS Panzer Division advances, supported by heavy mortar and artillery fire. The Germans take the village of Baron-sur-Odon quickly but a counterattack by the 31st Tank Brigade re-takes it by noon. Heavy shelling breaks up other attacks by 10th SS Panzer from Hill 112 and British patrols later find between 300–400 dead Panzergrenadiers on the northern slope of the hill.The 9th SS Panzer Division spends the day attempting to force the British lines between Rauray and the Odon. Supplemented by Panzergrenadiers of the 2nd SS Panzer Division and following a preliminary bombardment, tanks and infantry of 9th SS Panzer advance behind a smoke screen and break through the outer British defenses. The Germans are stopped by secondary positions in front of Rauray and on high ground to the southeast, although some troops penetrate as far as Haut du Bosq. Further German attacks throughout the day, are met with intense artillery fire and make no progress. In the early evening a British counterattack with Sherman and flame-throwing Churchill Crocodile tanks restore the original front line. The attacks are costly for both sides, thirty German tanks are claimed destroyed, mostly by the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, troops of the 12th SS Panzer Division have been repulsed during the morning and artillery fire halts attacks from other formations. |
| [ June 30th - July 2nd] |