August 1944

Western Front

In the Canadian 1st Army's British I Corps area, the 49th Division, in conjunction with the Canadian II Corps, advances to Vimont against strong opposition.

In the US 3rd Army area, the VIII Corps continues to attack Dinard and the Citadel at St Malo and to contain Brest and Lorient. The 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, is attached to CCA, 6th Armored Division, in preparation for an attack on Hills 95 and 105 at Brest. Elements of the 4th Armored Division drive rapidly eastward, forcing the enemy back into Nantes. In the XV Corps area, armored columns continue steadily northward toward Alençon and Sées. In the XX Corps area, the 5th Division overruns Angers. The 7th Armored Division is attached to this corps.

In the US 1st Army area, the VII Corps, which has regained the initiative, is slowly driving the enemy back toward Mortain. The 9th Division improves its positions northwest of Sourdeval. The stubborn German defense of Mortain limits the progress of both the 30th and 35th Divisions toward that town. The 22nd Infantry, 4th Division, is committed to the right of the 35th Division in the Le Teilleul area. The 2nd Armored Division repels counterattacks northeast of Barenton. In the XIX Corps area, CCA of the 2nd Armored Division and the 28th Infantry Division make a coordinated attack on the right flank of the corps, overrunning Gathemo. The armor then drives eastward along a road toward Tinchebray. The 29th Division, attacking toward St Sauveur-de-Chaulieu on a narrow front, is hard pressed by the Germans and makes little progress. In the V Corps area, the 2nd Division begins limited attacks to the southeast while continuing to defend Vire. The 9th Infantry advances to Maisoncelles-la-Jourdan area where it is ordered to halt.