August 9, 1944: While the 8th corps of General Patton’s 3rd Army surrounds the town of Brest, the great encircling of the German forces in Normandy begins. While the American forces of General Collins’ 7th Corps move once again towards the town of Mortain, which is bitterly defended by the survivors of the SS Panzer and the Wehrmacht divisions, the 15th and 20th Corps of the U.S 3rd Army move towards Le Mans, which is now liberated and under control of the 5th Infantry division.
The British continue Operation Totalize. For three consecutive days, the Canadian 4th Armored division has progressed impressively, liberating the villages of Gouvix and Urville. Today it reaches Hill 195 and the village of Estrees-la-campagne, defended respectively by the 89th Infantry division and the 12nd SS Panzer Division. Violent tanks battles ensue and the advantage goes to the 5th SS Panzer Army, led by General Eberbach - the Canadians lose 47 of their 52 tanks engaged in the area of Urville. The Polish 1st Armored division (led by General Maczek) moves toward the northern area of Rouvres while the 49th and 51st Infantry divisions attack to the southeast of the area of Caen, between Vimont and Saint-Sylvain, battling the soldiers of the 272nd German Infantry division.
Pictured: Strike photo of the Lisel-Adam bridge taken on August 9, 1944. It was Lindsey’s last mission and the one for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Read more about this hero, who gave his own life saving his crew, here:
http://www.b26.com/marauderman/darrell_lindsey.htm