August 1944

Western Front

Gen Montgomery orders the British 2nd Army to continue pivoting eastward about the XII Corps and the Canadian 1st Army to attack toward Falaise as soon as possible.

In the British 2nd Army area, the VIII Corps is still held up by stiff resistance in the Vire and Estry areas. In the XXX Corps area, the 43rd Division seizes Hermilly, northwest of Aunay. Villers-Bocage falls to the 50th Division. The XII Corps, swinging eastward toward the Orne River southwest of Caen, is beyond the line Le Locheur-Evrecy-Esquay-Notre-Dame-Feugerolles-sur-Orne.

In the US 3rd Army's VIII Corps area, a planned attack on Dinan is cancelled and the 6th Armored Division continues toward Brest instead. Advancing through the night of the 4th, the 6th Armored Division reaches the vicinity of Carhaix, which supporting FFI forces report strongly held. TF A and elements of the 83rd Division reach the enemy stronghold of St Malo, where a prolonged struggle ensues. Rennes falls to the 13th Infantry, 8th Division. The 4th Armored Division is driving toward Vannes.

The US 1st Army releases the 5th Division to the XX Corps, 3rd Army. In the VII Corps area, the 1st Division, to which the 39th Infantry of the 9th Division and CCB of the 3rd Armored Division are attached, improves its positions in the Mortain area on the right flank of the corps as patrols probe southward toward Mayenne. The 4th Division, which releases CCB of the 3rd Armored Division to the 1st Division, battles vigorously but indecisively for St Pois and the heights about the town. The 9th Division pushes into Forêt de Sever against strong opposition. The XIX Corps is almost halted by stiffening resistance and mine fields. The V Corps reaches its objectives above Vire. The 2nd Division continues advancing through the night and halts to permit the XIX Corps to cross its front to take Vire. The 30th Division is transferred to the V Corps from the XIX Corps.