August 1944

Western Front

In the Canadian 1st Army's British I Corps area, the 51st and 49th Divisions, the latter with the Royal Netherlands Brigade, begin crossing the Seine. In the II Corps area, the 2nd Division crosses into the Seine bridgehead, having cleared the west bank of the river. The 3rd Division takes Rouen without opposition.

In the British 2nd Army area, the XII Corps drives eastward from the bridgehead with the 4th Armored Brigade spearheading and the 53rd Division following. A 25-mile advance brings forward elements to Gournay. In the XXX Corps area, the 11th Armored Division, which is relieved on the right flank by the Guards Armored Division, is ordered to speed on to the Somme at Amiens and advances through the night of the 30th.

In the US 1st Army area, the XIX Corps, with the 2nd Armored Division on the left, the 79th Division in the center, and the 30th Division on the right, drives rapidly northeastward against light resistance. The 2nd Armored Division makes the greatest gains, reaching positions less than 10 miles from Beauvais. The V Corps continues its pursuit of the enemy northeastward, passing the 28th Division through the French 2nd Armored Division to advance abreast the 4th Division. The 5th Armored Division moves forward to spearhead the drive on Compiègne. The VII Corps seizes Laon.

In the US Army's VIII Corps area, TF B finishes clearing the Daoulas Peninsula south of Brest. The 29th Division gets elements to the crest of Hill 103, the commanding feature in Brest defenses, but the Germans retain the eastern slopes. In the XX Corps area, the 7th Armored Division, speeds toward Verdun against scattered resistance. The XII Corps drives eastward toward the Meuse with advance elements of the 4th Armored Division reaching the St Dizier area. To the left, the 80th Division is moving southeastward from Troyes. The XV Corps headquarters and troops are concentrating in the Nangis area.