August 1944

Western Front

Gen Montgomery orders a drive to the Seine.

The British 2nd Army undergoes enemy counterattacks between Vire and Mont Pincon. In the VIII Corps area, German armor penetrates positions of the 11th Armored Division in the Vire area, but the lost ground is later recovered. The Guards Armored Division is strongly engaged at Le Busq, on the Vire-Aunay road. The 15th Division has moved forward to the Estry area but is unable to dislodge the Germans from that town. The 3rd Division is attacking southward toward Vire. In the XXX Corps area, the 43rd Division gains a feature on the Mont Pincon massif. The 7th Armored Division continues to attack toward Thury-Harcourt. In the XII Corps area, the 59th Division attacks across the Orne in Grimbosq area late in the day and establishes a shallow bridgehead.

The Group orders the establishment of a bridgehead over the Sarthe River in the Le Mans-Alençon area.

In the US 3rd Army's VIII Corps area, CCB, on the right flank of the 6th Armored Division, overcomes opposition south of Morlaix and at Lesneven. CCA makes slow progress along secondary routes to the south. The 83rd Division continues to hammer at the St Malo stronghold. TF A gets beyond St Brieux as it continues westward along the north coast on Brittany. The 121st RCT, 8th Division, is attached to the 83rd Division for the attack on Dinard, west of St Malo. The 4th Armored Division is advancing on Lorient. The XV Corps, with major elements now across the Mayenne, is driving rapidly on Le Mans. The 79th Division takes Laval. The XX Corps (Maj-Gen Walton H. Walker), consisting at present of the 5th Division, is reinforced by the 35th Division in order to protect the southern flank of the army.

In the US 1st Army's VII Corps area, the 1st Division, relieved by the 30th Division in the Mortain area, continues swiftly southeastward with the 3rd Armored Division to Ambrières-le-Grand and Mayenne, relieveing elements of the 90th Division (XV Corps) at Mayenne. The 4th Division is pinched out west of St Pois. The 9th Division pushes southward toward Sourdeval against strong resistance. In the XIX Corps area, the 29th Division breaks into Vire and clears the cty. With the fall of Vire to the XIX Corps, V Corps is out of contact with the enemy.