July 10, 1944: The northern part of the town of Caen is finally liberated more than one month after D-Day, though the city was initially intended to be captured by the evening of June 6 - this 34 day delay highlights the dead-end at which the British and Canadians have found themselves. Once the northern sector of Caen (which is almost entirely destroyed by the Allied aerial bombing) is captured, the British forces decide to focus once again on the key position of Hill 112, located less than two miles southwest of the capital of the Calvados, Caen. This offensive is part of Operation Jupiter, which aims at drilling into the front in the valley of Odon, southwest of Caen, and crossing the Orne river. The 8th British Corps launches its offensive towards Hill 112 and though its progress is supported by the Allied fighter-bombers and artillery, the German resistance remains very strong and limits the British headway in this sector. Hill 112 is defended by the soldiers of the 2nd SS Armored Corps, which are aware of the strategic importance of this position - it defends the accesses of the southern area of Caen, currently held by the Panzergroupwest (led by Eberbach). The 43th British Infantry division Wessex moves towards the village of Maltot, four miles southwest of Caen, and while it manages to enter the city, the German defenders of the 9th and 10 SS Panzer Division push hard. Utilizing heavy fire they isolate some British soldiers in the village: the Allied losses are very heavy and they are forced to back up a mile to the north of Maltot.
The Americans continue they difficult progress to the north of Periers and Saint-Lo - slow in spite of the intensive bombing from the Allied air force and artillery. The American soldiers face very bloody battles known under the name ‘The Battle of the Hedgerows’. Although slowed by the resistance and terrain, the tirelessly push past the marshy area in the south of Carentan and continue progress.
Over France, RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force conducting ground support missions, offensive sorties, and defensive patrols and US 9th Air Force fighters attack multiple targets. RAF Bomber Command sends 223 aircraft to attack V-weapons sites during the day.
On the eastern front, the Soviet 2nd Baltic Front (Yeremenko) launches an offensive along a 90-mile frontage, east of Idritsa. Soviet forces capture Utena and Slonim from German forces of Army Group Center. In Berlin, Hitler refuses a request by Field Marshal Model, commanding the shattered Army Group Center, to allow Army Group North to withdraw behind the Dvina. The intent is to bolster the defenses of Army Group Center and prevent Army Group North being cut off by the Soviet drive into the Baltics.
In Italy, British 8th Army prepares for new attacks. US 5th Army makes slow progress northward toward Livorno. US 12th Air Force aircraft conducts limited attacks against targets including Modena due to poor weather conditions.
Pictured: The interior of Caen Cathedral showing the damaged organ, July 10, 1944; Troops of 1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB), 9th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, firing a captured Hotchkiss machine gun during street fighting in Caen, July 10, 1944; US Army soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 33rd Armor Regiment, move through the battle-scarred streets of Saint-Fromond as combat engineers repair communication lines during the Battle of Normandy. Saint-Fromond, Manche, Lower Normandy, France. July 10, 1944; A Martin B-26C-45-MA Marauderfrom the 441st BS, 320th BG, 12th ** is shot down by flak on the July 10, 1944 mission to bomb Marzabotto. Six crew members were killed.
The Americans continue they difficult progress to the north of Periers and Saint-Lo - slow in spite of the intensive bombing from the Allied air force and artillery. The American soldiers face very bloody battles known under the name ‘The Battle of the Hedgerows’. Although slowed by the resistance and terrain, the tirelessly push past the marshy area in the south of Carentan and continue progress.
Over France, RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force conducting ground support missions, offensive sorties, and defensive patrols and US 9th Air Force fighters attack multiple targets. RAF Bomber Command sends 223 aircraft to attack V-weapons sites during the day.
On the eastern front, the Soviet 2nd Baltic Front (Yeremenko) launches an offensive along a 90-mile frontage, east of Idritsa. Soviet forces capture Utena and Slonim from German forces of Army Group Center. In Berlin, Hitler refuses a request by Field Marshal Model, commanding the shattered Army Group Center, to allow Army Group North to withdraw behind the Dvina. The intent is to bolster the defenses of Army Group Center and prevent Army Group North being cut off by the Soviet drive into the Baltics.
In Italy, British 8th Army prepares for new attacks. US 5th Army makes slow progress northward toward Livorno. US 12th Air Force aircraft conducts limited attacks against targets including Modena due to poor weather conditions.
Pictured: The interior of Caen Cathedral showing the damaged organ, July 10, 1944; Troops of 1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB), 9th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, firing a captured Hotchkiss machine gun during street fighting in Caen, July 10, 1944; US Army soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 33rd Armor Regiment, move through the battle-scarred streets of Saint-Fromond as combat engineers repair communication lines during the Battle of Normandy. Saint-Fromond, Manche, Lower Normandy, France. July 10, 1944; A Martin B-26C-45-MA Marauderfrom the 441st BS, 320th BG, 12th ** is shot down by flak on the July 10, 1944 mission to bomb Marzabotto. Six crew members were killed.