August 1944

Western Front

Gen Eisenhower directs that the main effort be made in the north.

In the British 2nd Army's XII Corps area, the 15th Division has completed its crossing of the Seine and holds the loop of the river west of Les Andelys. In the XXX Corps area, the 11th Armored Division, reinforced by the 8th Armored Brigade, takes the lead, heading toward the Somme at Amiens and reaching the Mainneville area.

Group issues instructions for operations beyond the Seine. The gasoline shortage is acute and 3rd Army is given priority on supply by air.

In the US 1st Army area, the XIX Corps takes over the zone of the XV Corps by noon and assumes command of the 2nd Armored and 30th and 79th Infantry Divisions. The 2nd Armored Division drives through the 79th Division to Magny en Vexin. The 30th Division, to the right, reaches the line Wy-dit-Joli-Village-Saillancourt. The XV Corps reverts to 3rd Army control and is held in reserve. The V Corps, leaving the French 2nd Armored Division behind in Paris, drives northeastward with the 4th Division to the Mitry Mory-Le Plessis area. The 28th Division parades northeastward through Paris to its assigned attack position west of the 4th Division. In the VII Corps area, the 3rd Armored Division, spearheading the drive on Laon, crosses the Aisne River east of Soissons.

The US 3rd Army orders the advance to the Meuse be continued. In the VIII Corps area, the 2nd Rangers of TF Sugar, 29th Division, take Pointe de Corsen as the assault on Brest continues against unabated resistance. The XX Corps moves at speed northeastward to Reims, which the 5th Division captures. In the XII Corps area, CCA of the 4th Armored Division overruns Châlons-sur-Marne and Vitry-le-François.