June 7, 1944: June 7th dawns with the allies securely in control of all five beach heads; even if the initial objectives have not yet been achieved. To the west of Utah and Omaha beaches, the American 82nd and 101st airborne divisions have established at least nominal control of large sections of land between Utah beach and the Merderet - Douve river. These units, having been parachuted in on June 6 in the dead of night, have suffered heavy casualties and are severely dislocated. By the morning of June 7th these units are operating at an average of one-third of their original strength. Despite this, by evening, the paratroopers are able to fully link up with the 4th U.S Infantry Division; having landed on Utah Beach at dawn, of the previous day (without major problems).
At Omaha Beach, the situation of the 1st and 29th American divisions, having landed at dawn of the previous day, is more critical. This morning, these divisions control only a small amount of territory; as such, the risk of being pushed off the beaches from German counter attack remains high. To the east, at Sword, Juno and Gold, the British and Canadians, while their landings were also difficult, are having an easier time of things. The Canadians remain in control of Anisy and Cainet, having fought off a major counter attack by the 21st Pz Division the day before. By end of day, the 6th Airborne Division have managed to take bridges on the Orne river and have linked up with elements of the British 3rd Infantry Division at Sword Beach.
British I Corps is expanding Sword and Juno beachhead and pushing toward Caen, where the German 12th SS Panzer Division counterattacks. British XXX Corps, expanding Gold beachhead, captures Bayeux and attacks Port-en-Bessin. US V Corps expands the Omaha beachhead and US VII Corps expands the Utah beachhead. US 90th and 2nd Infantry Divisions arrive in Normandy. Allied engineer units begin constructing advanced fighter air strips inland from the Normandy landing beaches.
British troops capture Bayeux, France.
The first convoy of material for Corncobs and Gooseberries arrives for constructing artificial harbors and blockships sunk at British invasion beaches to create Gooseberry breakwaters.
RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force aircraft mount major ground support operations (Roadstead, Rodeo, Rhubarb, and Ramrod) over Normandy beachheads. RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force claims 45 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed at cost of 42 lost. US 8th Air Force, in first mission of the day, attacks targets in Normandy with 400 bombers. In its second mission of the day, US 8th Air Force attacks targets in Normandy with 500 bombers. US 9th Air Force conducts attacks throughout Normandy battle area with more than 600 bombers. USAAF fighters fly sweeps, escort missions, ground support, and attack missions throughout Normandy battle area, claiming 41 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed at the cost of 47 lost. RAF Bomber Command sends 337 aircraft to attack transportation targets and isolate the Normandy battle area and 112 aircraft to attack German ground forces between St Lo and Bayeux overnight.
Luftwaffe aircraft attack Allied warships and shipping off Normandy overnight.
In Italy, British 8th Army pushes toward Orvieto and Terni while US 5th Army drives north and captures Civitavecchia. US 12th Air Force aircraft attack multiple targets in support of Allied ground offensive and US 15th Air Force attacks targets in northern Italy with 340 bombers.
Pictured: Americans land on Utah Beach from LCT-475, Normandy, June 7, 1944; Lance Corporal A. Burton and Lance Corporal L. Barnett of British 6th Airborne Division at a road junction near Ranville, France, June 7, 1944; note Horsa glider in background; Normandy Landing Zone 'N' littered with Horsa gliders and one Hamilcar glider (lower right), France, June 7, 1944; Vehicles of 4th County of London Yeomanry, UK 7th Armored Division moving inland from Gold Beach, Normandy, France, June 7, 1944; note Cromwell tank leading the column
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