August 1944

Western Front

To exploit the success of the VIII Corps, 3rd Army is ordered to secure the line St Hilaire-du-harcourt-Fougères-Rennes and then clear the Brittany Peninsula, bypassing St Malo if it cannot be taken easily.

In the US 3rd Army's VIII Corps area, continuing westward along the Brittany Peninsula, the 6th Armored Division bypasses Dinan to the south when strong opposition develops there. The 83rd Division is attached to the corps to follow the 6th Armored Division, replacing the 79th Division. The 79th Division is transferred to XV Corps for the drive on Fougeres. TF A (Tank destroyers, cavalry, and engineers), under Brig-Gen Herbert L. Earnest, is formed to clear bypassed resistance along the north coast of the Brittany Peninsula. The 4th Armored Division gains additional ground near Rennes. The 13th Infantry of the 8th Division, motorized, moves forward to the Rennes area.

In the US 1st Army's VII Corps area, the 1st Division and attached elements of the 3rd Armored Division speed southward toward Mortain. The 4th Division continues toward St Pois. The 9th Division cuts the road northeast of Villedieu. The corps releases the 2nd Armored Division to the XIX Corps. The XIX Corps advances steadily southeastward from the Percy-Tessy area against moderate opposition from the retrreating enemy. In the V Corps area, the corps crosses the Vire and Soulere Rivers as it continues southward toward Vire with the 35th Division on the west and the 2nd on the east.

In the British 2nd Army area, the VIII Corps is meeting stronger opposition above Vire. The 11th Armored Division pushes to the northern outskirts of the town and patrols across the Vire-Vassy road. The Guards Armored Division is brought to a halt short of Estry. The corps is reinforced by the 3rd Division.

In the XXX Corps area, on the right flank of the corps, the 43rd Division continues southward toward Mont Pincon, while the 7th Armored Division continues toward Aunay. On the corps left flank, the 50th Division takes Amaye-sur-Seulles, west of Villers-Bocage.