August 1944

Western Front

In the Canadian 1st Army area, the British I Corps continues to cross the Seine on the left flank of the army. The II Corps attacks eastward from the Seine bridgehead with the 4th Armored Division on the right, the 3rd Division in the center, and the 2nd Division on the left. The 4th Armored Division drives quickly to Forges and Buchy. The 3rd Division speeds along the St Saens-Londinières road while the 2nd Division drives toward Dieppe via Tôtes.

In the British 2nd Army's XII Corps area, the 7th Armored Division takes the lead and, together with the 4th Armored Brigade, speeds toward the Somme, reaching the Poix-Aumale line. In the XXX Corps area, the 11th Armored Division reaches Amiens and seizes a bridge across the Somme intact. The Guards Armored and 50th Infantry Divisions also reach the river with the former crossing east of Amiens.

In the US 1st Army's XIX Corps area, the 2nd Armored Division continues northeastward on the left flank of the corps to positions west of Montdidier, well ahead of the 79th and 30th Divisions, which reach the area between Beauvais and Creil. The V Corps passes the 5th Armored Division through the 28th and 4th Divisions and continues northeastward with all three. On the left, the 28th Division, in conjunction with CCB of the 5th Armored Division, closes along the Oise River in the Chantilly-Compiègne area and crosses elements at Pont Ste Maxence. Among towns overrun are Chantilly, Creil, Pont Ste Maxence, Verberie, and Compiègne. CCB establishes a bridgehead in the vicinity of Pont Ste Maxence. On the V Corps right flank, CCA drives to the Aisne west of Soissons, passing through the 4th Division, which follows to the Villers-Cotterêts area. In the VII Corps area, while the 1st Division consolidates in the Laon and Soissons area, the 3rd Armored and 9th Infantry Divisions continue to pursue northeastward to the general line Montcornet-Rethel.

In the US 3rd Army area, the VIII Corps temporarily suspends operations against Brest and regroups. In the XX Corps area, CCA of the 7th Armored Division, followed closely by the 5th Division, establishes a bridgehead across the Meuse at Verdun. The 90th Division remains in the Reims area. XX Corps advances then come to a halt to await gasoline. In the XII Corps area, CCA of the 4th Armored Division reaches the Meuse at Commercy and Pont-sur-Meuse and establishes a bridgehead. The 80th Division, following on the left, reaches the Bar-le-Duc area.