July 4, 1944: It’s Tuesday - today is D+28, marking 4 weeks since the D-Day Invasion at Normandy and the beginning of the liberation of Europe.
On the British front to the west and north of Caen, the strategy by general Montgomery finally starts to payoff: as the British attack the German defenders in the north of the city, the Canadians are sent around Caen to the west to capture the airport located near the village of Carpiquet. This offensive, planned by general Dempsey, is within the scope of the Operation Windsor, which begins on July 4th. Carpiquet, located 1/2 mile to the west of Caen, is attacked by the 8th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regiment, North Shore Regiment, Queen's Own Rifles Regiment and the Canadien French Regiment la Chaudiere, which battle against the German defenders of the 12nd SS Panzer Division, who are heavily bombarded by the allied artillery and the British Typhoon fighters. By the end of the day, the Canadians control Carpiquet as well as northern part of the airport and push back a large number of German counter-attacks.
To the south of Carentan in the Cotentin peninsula, the Americans continue the siege of the La Haye-du-Puits. Many units have gathered to the north of this village in order to go into battle the next day. To the north of Saint-Lo, the VII Corps of general Collins continues its offensive (which began the day before), while the 83rd and 90th American Infantry divisions deal with German soldiers from the 7th Army. The combat is extremely violent. The soldiers of the 83rd Infantry Division reach the village of Sainteny, defended by SS grenadiers of division Götz von Berlichingen and elements of the 6th German Parachutist Regiment. The American losses are high - a thousand men are injured or killed - for a very limited amount of progress (only 200 yards).
Above France, US 8th Air Force attacks airfields and other targets with 256 bombers escorted by 594 fighters (which also strafe various targets). US 9th Air Force attacks various targets with 95 bombers and 900 fighters. RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force conducts ground support missions, offensive sorties, and defensive patrols over Normandy, and sends 345 aircraft to attack V-weapons sites during the day, 231 aircraft to attack V-weapons sites overnight, and 287 aircraft to attack rail yards overnight.
On the eastern front, the Soviet 1st Baltic Front launches attacks on the right flank of German Army Group North, threatening to cut them off. Polotsk is captured. German 4th Army unsuccessfully attempting to fight its way out of encirclement near Minsk.
In Italy, British 8th Army captures Castiglion Fiorentino. The German rearguard withdraws overnight, and US 5th Army captures Casole d'Elsa. US 12th Air Force operations limited by poor weather conditions.
Pictured: Rockets fired from a Hawker Typhoon of No 181 Squadron, Royal Air Force, on their way towards buildings at Carpiquet airfield.; Canadian Private Leopold Marcoux with German prisoner of war taken during battle for Carpiquet In Airport, July 4, 1944; View of Cherbourg harbor's Slipway Number One, looking toward Basin Napoleon III, with the Passe Nord in the background, July 4, 1944; note damage from German demolition in the distance; Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Omar Bradley share a laugh as they leave Gen Ira Wyche’s 79th Division headquarters in Huanville, Normandy, France, July 4, 1944
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