June 1944

Western Front - Battle For Caen

At 5:30am on July 16, the 8th Royal Scots (8th RS) and the 153rd RAC advance toward Gavrus, the tanks attacking to the side of the hill on the left flank, protected from the Germans in Évrecy by the ridge, to get behind the village and menace the German line of retreat, while the infantry overrun the village. By 7:45am the 8th RS have taken the village and 70 prisoners. A similar attack was made on Bougy and another 100 prisoners are taken after the garrison is routed. During the day, several counterattacks are made on the Scottish positions, which are repulsed by artillery barrages, with many German casualties. In the afternoon, the Germans counterattack twice with Tiger and Panther tanks accompanied by infantry. Mortar fire on forward positions is continuous throughout the afternoon and evening, but no ground is lost and many casualties are inflicted on the Germans in a mutually costly action. The tank crews fight or are at instant readiness for thirty hours without relief, from zero hour until the German counterattacks ended.

The 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers (6th RSF) are moved forward to Gavrus and the 8th RS form up at Bougy. On the left flank, the situation deteriorates after the 227th Brigade attack on Évrecy failed; contact with the 6th KOSB becomes tenuous. By dawn on July 16, the 15th (Scottish) Division had captured Bougy, Gavrus, and dug in around Esquay and the western end of Point 113.

The 158th Brigade of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, under command of the 15th Division and the 147th RAC are due to attack early on July 16. The attack is postponed because minefields around Baron had not been cleared; several flail tanks and two Churchill tanks have been disabled by mine explosions.