August 1944

Western Front

In the British 2nd Army's XXX Corps area, the 43rd Division completes the capture of Mont Pincon, inflicting and suffering heavy casualties during enemy counterattacks. The XII Corps maintains a bridgehead across the Orne and attacks southward along the river toward Thury-Harcourt.

In the Canadian 1st Army area, the II Corps, with the Canadian 2nd Division on the right and the British 51st Division on the left attacks to the south toward Falaise at 2330 after a half hour of preparatory bombardment by heavy bombers.

In the US 3rd Army's VIII Corps area, the 6th Armored Division closes in on Brest. Rear elements arrive outside the city too late in the day to begin a concerted assault, thus giving the enemy time to strengthen defenses and bring up reinforcements. TF A is approaching Morlaix. The 83rd Division continues the battle for St Malo. The 4th Armored Division invests Lorient. The XV Corps is rapidly approaching Le Mans.

In the US 1st Army area, the Germans open a strong counterattack with massed armor toward Avranches early in the morning in an effort to break through to the sea and split the US forces. The attack penetrates the line at the junction of the XIX and VII Corps, overrunning Mortain and rolling on to Juvigny and Le Mesnil-Tôve before it can be stemmed with the assistance of aircraft. In the VII Corps area, the 30th Division bears the brunt of the enemy counterblows and elements are isolated in the Mortain area. To help stabilize the center of the corps line, the 4th Division and 2nd Armored Division are committed at once, with the latter being transferred from the XIX Corps, and preparations are made to return the 35th Division to the 1st Army. The 12th RCT, 4th Division, and CCB, 3rd Armored Division, are attached to the 30th Division. The 4th Division is reinforced by the 39th RCT, 9th Division. Progress is made on the flanks of the enemy penetration with the 9th Division advancing slightly near Mortain and the 1st Division crossing the Mayenne and reaching St Fraimbault-de-Prières on the south. The XIX Corps pushes southward to relieve the enemy pressure in the Mortain area. In the V Corps area, the 9th Infantry of the 2nd Division releases elements of the 29th Division (XIX Corps) in Vire for movement to the south.