July 20, 1944: Operation Goodwood continues in the southwest of Caen. In the north and the west of the villages of Emieville and Guillerville, the British push back several German counterattacks led by the 21st Panzer Division. The weather is increasingly bad in Normandy and the Allied forces stall in the southern plain of Caen. Operation Goodwood is abruptly stopped and the German defenders, who were overwhelmed just two days ago from the bombardments and the British and Canadian offensive, are now dug in and prepared to fight for every inch of ground. Once again the German Tigers display their superiority by destroying more than 100 tanks, bringing the total loss of armor for the British to over 400 tanks in just the last three days.
As the rain continues to fall on Normandy, the Allied air support remains grounded. A vast operation aimed at opening the American front, called Operation Cobra, is delayed by general Bradley because of the lack of air support. Saint-Lo is still in the cross-hairs of many snipers, which slows the American progress: the houses must be cleared one by one by the soldiers of the 29th Infantry division. The city has been almost entirely destroyed by the bombardments which greatly increases the difficult work by American military engineers in opening the roads for movement. The stench of death permeates Saint-Lo, 80% destroyed. It is estimated that nearly 800 residents (of a population of 10,000) were killed by the bombings since the Allied invasion in Normandy began.
In the skies above Germany, US 8th Air Force attacks wide variety of targets with 1,200 bombers (19 lost) supported by 727 fighters (8 lost). US 15th Air Force attacks Memmingen and Friedrichshafen with 450 bombers. RAF Bomber Command sends 166 aircraft to attack Bottrop, 158 aircraft to attack Homberg, 26 aircraft to attack Hamburg, and 33 aircraft to attack Berlin overnight.
Over France, RAF Bomber Command sends 369 aircraft to attack V-weapons sites during the day. US 9th Air Force attacks bridges, fuel dumps, rail yards, and other targets with 62 bombers and supporting fighters. RAF Bomber Command sends 302 aircraft to attack rail yards at Courtrai and 87 aircraft to attack V-weapons sites overnight.
On the eastern front, the Soviet 1st Baltic Front, attacking toward Siauliai, shatters German 3rd Panzer Army. The German XIII Korps under heavy attack between Kovel and Lvov.
In Italy, British 8th Army reorganizing and extending its frontage to the west in order to shorten line of US 5th Army. US 5th Army pushing toward Pisa. US 12th Air Force attacks transportation lines and bridges over the Po River.
Shortly after noon, a bomb explodes in the conference room at Hitler's headquarters (the “Wolf’s Lair”) at Rastenburg, Germany. The bomb was planted by Colonel Count von Stauffenberg. The conspirators include General Beck, Carl Gordeler, Field Marshal Witzleben and General Halder. Most of them are either aristocrats or Roman Catholics. Many others know about the plot, including Rommel, Kluge and Canaris. After it becomes clear that Hitler has survived the plot falls apart. Several of the leading participants, including Stauffenberg, are arrested and shot in Berlin by the end of the day.
Pictured: A British soldier examines an abandoned German 'Nebelwerfer' near Troarn, Normandy, July 20, 1944; Hunting German snipers in Saint-Lô, two infantrymen 29th U.S. ID lie on the street, crawling to shelter. Two other GI's at the top of the photo peer for a sign of the sniper. Photo taken July 20, 1944; A view from the skies above the dramatic ruins of Saint-Lo; Göring inspecting the conference room at the "Wolf's Lair" after the assassination attempt on July 20, 1944. Sadly, this assassination attempt on Hitler failed.
