August 1944

Western Front

The Group directs the 3rd Army to complete the capture of the Brittany Peninsula with minimum forces, clear the region west of the Mayenne River and north of the Loire River, and extend its operations to the Mayenne-Domfront area.

In the US 3rd Army's VIII Corps area, forward elements of the 6th Armored Division get within a few miles of Loudeac when the attack is halted upon order to return and reduce Dinan. TF A moves forward to clear bypassed resistance in the St Malo area. The 13th Infantry reverts to the 8th Division from its attachment to the 4th Armored Division and begins an assault on Rennes, while the 4th Armored Division continues southward, passing west of Rennes. In the XV Corps area, the 79th Division reaches Vougères.

In the US 1st Army area, the VII Corps overruns Mortain. The 4th Division continues to close in on St Pois. The 9th Division reaches positions just northwest of Forêt de St Sever. The XIX Corps, continuing steadily southeastward, reaches St Sever-Calvados on the right and is about half way to Vire on the left. The V Corps meets stiffening resistance as it approaches Vire.

In the British 2nd Army area, the VIII Corps makes little progress in the vicinity of Vire and Estry. The XXX Corps is firmly opposed as it continues toward Mont Pincon, Aunay, and Villers-Bocage. The XII Corps, with the 50th Division on the right and the 53rd on the left, gains positions along the Villers-Bocage-Caen highway. The 53rd Division overruns Noyers and Missy.