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===Operation Pomegranate, 16–17 July===
===Operation Pomegranate, 16–17 July===
On 16 July, XXX Corps launched Operation Pomegranate. The 49th Division attacked with the 146th Infantry Brigade at la Barbée Farm with the 1/4th Battalion [[Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]] (KOYLI), which advanced at {{nowrap|6:45 a.m.}} and reached the farm quickly from the east. At {{nowrap|5:00 p.m.}} the Germans counter-attacked the farm and surrounded it on three sides.{{sfn|Delaforce|1995|pp=111–112}} [[The Hallamshire Battalion]] attacked Vendes frontally, despite representations that an attack by night or from the east would be less costly. The attack began at {{nowrap|6:45 a.m.}} and was stopped quickly by machine-gun crossfire. An attempt at a flank attack was stopped at la Bijude Farm and an attack from the west through la Barbée Farm after it had been captured also failed. A box-barrage around the Hallamshires and KOYLI was fired for twenty minutes after which the battalions withdrew at {{nowrap|5:00 p.m.}} Next day it was discovered from deserters that the Germans had withdrawn from Vendes and the farms.{{sfn|Delaforce|1995|pp=109–110}}
On 16 July, XXX Corps launched Operation Pomegranate. The 49th Division attacked with the 146th Infantry Brigade at la Barbée Farm with the 1/4th Battalion [[Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]] (KOYLI), which advanced at {{nowrap|6:45 a.m.}} and reached the farm quickly from the east. At {{nowrap|5:00 p.m.}} the Germans counter-attacked the farm and surrounded it on three sides.{{sfn|Delaforce|1995|pp=111–112}} [[The Hallamshire Battalion]] attacked Vendes frontally, despite representations that an attack by night or from the east would be less costly. The attack began at {{nowrap|6:45 a.m.}} and was stopped quickly by machine-gun crossfire. An attempt at a flank attack was stopped at la Bijude Farm and an attack from the west through la Barbée Farm after it had been captured also failed. A box-barrage around the Hallamshires and KOYLI was fired for twenty minutes after which the battalions withdrew at {{nowrap|5:00 p.m.}} Next day it was discovered from deserters that the Germans had withdrawn from Vendes and the farms.{{sfn|Delaforce|1995|pp=109–110}}


In the [[59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division]] area, phase I of the attack began at {{nowrap|5:30 a.m.}} with the [[197th (Lancashire Fusiliers) Brigade|197th Infantry Brigade]] on the right attacking with the [[5th East Lancashire Battalion and 177th Infantry Brigade on the left with 1/6th South Staffordshire and 5th South Staffordshire battalions. The 5th East Lancashires fought their way to the first objective east of Vendes and captured part by {{nowrap|8:00 a.m.}} but at {{2:30 p.m.}} were counter-attacked by infantry and tanks which overran one company, after which the battalion fell back to the start line. The 1/6th South Staffordshires captured Brettevillette in a costly attack by {{nowrap|6:45 a.m.}} and found that the area had been sown with mines. The battalion pressed on and reached Queudeville by {{nowrap|8:45 a.m.}}. Most of the tanks in support of the battalion had been knocked out in a British minefield and many troops had lost direction in the thick dawn mist.{{sfn|Morss|2014|nopp=y}}
⚫
The British infantry captured the high ground south of Brettevillette and took 300 prisoners on the first day. Next day the advance continued with much fighting on the outskirts of Noyers-Bocage.{{sfn|Randel|1945|p=17}} The reconnaissance battalion of the 9th SS Panzer Division was committed to the defence of Noyers-Bocage, which the Germans claimed to have recaptured, although XXX Corps had been held up on the outskirts having captured the high ground outside the village and the railway station. The 49th Division captured Vendes, the 59th (Staffordshire) Division took Haut des Forges and entered Noyers but was repulsed from the village by the 277th Division. The [[50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division]] captured [[Hottot-les-Bagues]], which had been fought over for more than a month and took {{nowrap|300 prisoners.}}{{sfn|Gill|Groves|1946|p=33}}{{sfn|Ellis|1962|p=334}}

The 5th South Staffordshires took orchards west of Grainville sur Odon and captured Les Nouillons by noon, which left the 177th Infantry Brigade on the first phase objectives. At {{nowrap|1:30 p.m.}} flail tanks began to work through a German minefield at Queudeville. Phase II was delayed by the casualties incurred in Phase I but at {{nowrap|5:30 p.m.}} the 2/6th South Staffordshires attacked Noyers and at {{nowrap|6:15 p.m.}} the 6th North Staffordshires attacked Haut des Forges. The 2/6 South Staffordshires entered Noyers but were later forced back to Point 126, just north of the station. The 6th North Staffordshires took Haut des Forges against less determined opposition. The 59th Division had captured {{nowrap|369 prisoners.}} On the 197th Infantry Brigade front, the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers attacked the phase I objective at {{nowrap|10:30 p.m.}} but massed German mortar fire, prevented the battalion from leaving the start line.{{sfn|Morss|2014|nopp=y}}

At dawn on 17th July, the 2/6th South Staffordshires and part of the 5th South Staffordshires attacked Noyers and advanced close to the railway station, before being forced under cover and at {{nowrap|1:30 p.m.}} were withdrawn to reorganise. During the afternoon the 5th South Staffordshires attacked Noyers from the north-east but were held up on the fringe. The 1/6th South Staffordshires advanced from Brettevillette towards Bordel at the same time against determined resistance. When night fell the British fell back slightly from Noyers during another bomnbardment. In the 197th Infantry Brigade area, the 1/7th Royal Warwickshires, tanks of the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry and Churchill Crocodiles attacked the phase I objective again at {{nowrap|12:30 p.m.}} and captured the objective; the 176th Infantry Brigade attacked Bordel but made little progress.{{sfn|Morss|2014|nopp=y}}

Next day, the 177th Infantry Brigade attacked Noyers at {{nowrap|10:00 a.m.}} with the 1/6th South Staffordshires and 5th South Staffordshires supported by conventional tanks, Churchill AVRE and Crocodile flame thrower tanks, which were not able to advance far against determined German resistance. Five more tanks were lost and another attack in the afternoon failed. The British retired after dark to enable another bombardment of the village. On the right flank, the 1/7th Royal Warwickshires reached Ferme de Guiberon by nightfall and the 49th Division reported that there had been withdrawals on their front. In the centre the 7th South Staffordshires of the 176th Brigade advanced on Bordel and took the village and the area to la Senevière against few German troops but much artillery and mortar fire. The 197th Infantry Brigade was relieved overnight by the 176th Infantry Brigade and the 7th Royal Norfolks took over from the 1/7th Royal Warwickshires at the Ferme de Guiberon, Point 124 and Landet, which had been taken after dark.{{sfn|Morss|2014|nopp=y}}

⚫
The British infantry had captured the high ground south of Brettevillette and took 300 prisoners on the first day. Next day the advance continued with much fighting on the outskirts of Noyers-Bocage.{{sfn|Randel|1945|p=17}} The reconnaissance battalion of the 9th SS Panzer Division was committed to the defence of Noyers-Bocage, which the Germans claimed to have recaptured, although XXX Corps had been held up on the outskirts having captured the high ground outside the village and the railway station. The 49th Division captured Vendes The 59th (Staffordshire) Division took Haut des Forges and entered Noyers but was repulsed from the village by the 277th Division. The [[50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division]] captured [[Hottot-les-Bagues]], which had been fought over for more than a month and took {{nowrap|300 prisoners.}}{{sfn|Gill|Groves|1946|p=33}}{{sfn|Ellis|1962|p=334}}


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
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===Subsequent operations===
===Subsequent operations===


The Glasgow Highlanders on the left flank of the 15th Division, was relieved by the 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment of the 53rd Division on 17 July. On 21 July the battalion was attacked by the {{lang|de|''10th SS-Panzer''}} Division at le Bon Repos at {{nowrap|4:00 p.m.}} and by {{nowrap|9:30 p.m.}} one company had been overrun and the Germans rolled up the Welsh front, the survivors retiring into the C Company area. The remains of the battalion withdrew at {{nowrap|6:00 a.m.}} under a smoke screen, having lost {{nowrap|140 casualties.}} Several Churchills had also been lost, having been out-ranged and out-gunned by six Tiger tanks from Hill 112. Two days later, the 4th Welch Battalion raided the captured positions, aided by Churchill Crocodiles and inflicted many casualties on the German defenders before retiring.{{sfn|Saunders|2001|pp=163–164}}
The Glasgow Highlanders on the left flank of the 15th Division, was relieved by the 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment of the 53rd Division on 17 July. On 21 July the battalion was attacked by the {{lang|de|''10th SS-Panzer''}} Division at le Bon Repos at {{nowrap|4:00 p.m.}} and by {{nowrap|9:30 p.m.}} one company had been overrun and the Germans rolled up the Welsh front, the survivors retiring into the C Company area. The remains of the battalion withdrew at {{nowrap|6:00 a.m.}} under a smoke screen, having lost {{nowrap|140 casualties.}} Several Churchills had also been lost, having been out-ranged and out-gunned by six Tiger tanks from Hill 112. Two days later, the 4th Welch Battalion raided the captured positions, aided by Churchill Crocodiles and inflicted many casualties on the German defenders before retiring.{{sfn|Saunders|2001|pp=163–164}} The 49 Division occupied Vendes on 19 July but patrols from the 177th Infantry Brigade, in the 59th Division area found Noyers still occupied. An attack was cancelled by the XII Corps commander at noon in favour of vigorous patrolling over the corps front.{{sfn|Morss|2014|nopp=y}}


In the 49th Division area the 146th Brigade advanced again on 19 July; the German infantry and two Tiger tanks which had reoccupied la Barbée Farm and la Bijude Farm had been forced out by artillery and mortar fire.{{sfn|Delaforce|1995|p=112}} Deserters confirmed that the garrisons had withdrawn and two battalions moved forward behind sappers, who lifted many mines on the road to Château Juvigny, which had been a German battalion headquarters; the bodies of three men missing since 9 July were found in the cellars.{{sfn|Baverstock|2002|pp=165–168}}
In the 49th Division area the 146th Brigade advanced again on 19 July; the German infantry and two Tiger tanks which had reoccupied la Barbée Farm and la Bijude Farm had been forced out by artillery and mortar fire.{{sfn|Delaforce|1995|p=112}} Deserters confirmed that the garrisons had withdrawn and two battalions moved forward behind sappers, who lifted many mines on the road to Château Juvigny, which had been a German battalion headquarters; the bodies of three men missing since 9 July were found in the cellars.{{sfn|Baverstock|2002|pp=165–168}}

Revision as of 17:18, 31 May 2014

Second Battle of the Odon
Part of Battle for Caen

Villages in the Greenline–Pomegranate area
Date15–17 July 1944
Location
Normandy, France
Result Tactically inconclusive, operational Allied success
Belligerents
United Kingdom United Kingdom Germany Germany
Casualties and losses
3,000–3,500 c. 2,000

The Second Battle of the Odon was a series of operations fought by the British Army in mid-July 1944 against the German Heer (Army) as part of the Battle of Normandy. Greenline and Pomegranate were intended to draw German attention away from the upcoming assault from the Orne bridgehead, codenamed Operation Goodwood. Four German infantry divisions had arrived in Normandy and it was intended to prevent them from replacing German panzer divisions opposite the Second Army for operations against the US First Army. No significant territorial gains were made but the attritional operations were strategically successful in keeping three German armoured divisions west of Caen, in the Odon river valley area, away from the Goodwood battlefield east of the Orne.[Note 1]

Background

Operation Overlord

Main articles: Invasion of Normandy, Operation Overlord, Battle of Villers-Bocage, Operation Epsom, and Operation Jupiter

The Normandy town of Caen was a D-Day objective for the British 3rd Infantry Division, which landed on Sword Beach on 6 June 1944.[1] The capture of Caen, while "ambitious", was the most important D-Day objective assigned to I Corps. Operation Overlord called for the Second Army to secure the city and then form a front from Caumont-l'Éventé to the south-east of Caen, to protect the left flank of the U.S. 1st Army at the west end of the bridgehead and occupy ground suitable for airfields for the tactical air forces. Caen and its surroundings would give the Second Army a jumping-off point for an advance southwards to capture Falaise, for a swing right to advance on Argentan and the Touques River.[2] The terrain between Caen and Vimont was especially promising for mobile operations being open and dry. Since the Allied forces greatly outnumbered the Germans in tanks and mobile units, a battle of manoeuvre would be to their advantage.[3]

Hampered by congestion in the beachhead that delayed the deployment of its armoured support and forced to divert effort to attacking strongly held German positions along the 9.3 mi (15.0 km) route to the town, the 3rd Division was unable to assault Caen in force, and advanced no further than Lebisey Wood.[4] Operation Perch a pincer attack by I and XXX Corps began on 7 June, with the intention of encircling Caen from the east and west. I Corps attacked southwards from the Orne bridgehead but was halted by the 21st Panzerdivision, after advancing a short distance and the attack by XXX Corps bogged down in front of Tilly-sur-Seulles, west of Caen against the defences of the Panzer-Lehr-Division[5][6]

From 7–14 June, XXX Corps attacked to force the [Panzer-Lehr-Division] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) to withdraw or surrender. The 7th Armoured Division pushed through a gap in the German front line caused by the success of the US 1st Division and attempted to capture the town of Villers-Bocage on the road to Caen from the west. The vanguard of the 7th Armoured Division was eventually withdrawn from the town but by 17 June the [Panzer-Lehr-Division] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) had been forced back and XXX Corps had taken Tilly-sur-Seulles.[7] A repeat attack from the 7th Armoured Division never materialised and further offensive operations were abandoned on 19 June when a severe storm descended upon the English Channel. The storm lasted for three days and delayed the Allied build-up. Most of the convoys of landing craft and ships already at sea were driven back to ports in Britain; towed barges and other loads (including 2.5 mi (4.0 km) of floating roadways for the Mulberry harbours) were lost; and no less than 800 craft were left stranded on the Normandy beaches until the next spring tides in July.[8]

In Operation Epsom ("First Battle of the Odon", 26–30 June), VIII Corps was to advance southwards on the left flank of XXX Corps, west of Caen, across the River Odon and the Orne, to capture the high ground near Bretteville-sur-Laize and encircle Caen. The attack was preceded by Operation Martlet (also known as Operation Dauntless) by XXX Corps, to secure the western flank of VIII Corps, by capturing the high ground of the Rauray Spur. The German defenders managed to contain the offensive in the vicinity of Hill 112 by committing all of their armoured units, including the two panzer divisions of the II SS Panzerkorps, newly arrived in Normandy and intended for a counter-offensive against British and American positions around Bayeux.[9]

Operation Jupiter (10–11 July) was another attack by VIII Corps to capture Baron-sur-Odon, Fontaine-Étoupefour, Chateau de Fontaine and recapture Hill 112. Following the capture of these objectives the VIII Corps would take Éterville, Maltot and the ground up to the River Orne. Tanks from the 4th Armoured Brigade supported by infantry, would then advance through the captured ground and secure several further villages to the west of the River Orne. It was hoped that all objectives could be captured by 9:00 a.m. on the first day and then elements of the 4th Armoured Brigade could start the second phase. The operation was initially very successful but the battle for Hill 112 went on all day and the village of Maltot changed hands several times.[10] On 14 July, Montgomery sent his Military Assistant to London to brief the Director of Military Operations that,

The real object is to muck up and write off enemy troops.... All the activities on the eastern flank are designed to help the forces in the west while ensuring that a firm bastion is maintained in the east. At the same time all is ready to take advantage of any situation which gives reason to think that the enemy is disintegrating.[11]

the US First Army had attacked down the west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula but made little progress there or further inland in early July. The discovery that infantry reinforcements and the [Panzer-Lehr Division] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) had reached the American front, made it important that British operations at the east end of the front continued, to prevent more transfers before the US First Army resumed its offensive on 19 July.[11]

Prelude

British offensive preparations

As preparations were made for Operation Goodwood on 17 July (later postponed to 18 July), particularly a regrouping from 12–13 July, the Second Army planned two preliminary operations, to prevent [Panzergruppe West] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) from using four fresh infantry divisions which had arrived in Normandy, to relieve panzer divisions defending against the Second Army and re-create an armoured reserve. The three British armoured divisions and seven armoured brigades, faced six [Panzer] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) divisions and three heavy tank battalions but the British units were at full strength, the German units had suffered considerable attrition and few losses had been replaced. The German defences had been prepared in depth, exploiting the terrain, minefields, a large number of long-range anti-tank guns and three [Nebelwerfer] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) brigades.[12][Note 2]

XII Corps and XXX Corps planned holding operations on the left flank in the Odon valley, from Caen to Tilly-sur-Seulles, to improve their positions and to deceive the German command, that the expected British offensive would be launched west of the Orne, while Operation Goodwood was being prepared east of the river.[14] On 15 July, XII Corps was to attack from the Odon salient, to establish a secure jumping-off line, along the road running south-east from Bougy through Évrecy, for a later advance south-west towards Aunay or south-east to Thury-Harcourt. Next day, XXX Corps was to commence operations to take ground around Noyers, ready to reach the high ground to the north-east of Villers-Bocage.[15]

Plan

XII Corps, comprising the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division, reinforced by a brigade of 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division and the 34th Tank Brigade, the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division and the other two brigades of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division, was to attack in Operation Greenline at 9:30 p.m. on 15 July, using "Monty's Moonlight", searchlight beams reflected from clouds to illuminate the ground. The two 53rd Division brigades were to secure a start line, for the 43rd Division to attack towards Hill 112 and drive a corridor to the Orne River via Bougy, Évrecy and Maizet, ready to advance on Aunay-sur-Odon or Thury Harcourt should there be a German withdrawal.[16] Further west, XXX Corps was to conduct Operation Pomegranate beginning on 16 July, in which the the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division on the right, was to capture Vendes and the surrounding area, in the centre the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division was to capture the villages of Noyers-Bocage, Haut des Forges and Landelle and on the left the 53 (Welsh) Division was to attack, ready for the corps to advance towards the high ground north-east of Villers Bocage.[16]

German defensive preparations

German SS-Panzergrenadiers dug in near Hill 112

On 29 June, during the British Epsom offensive, [Generalfeldmarschall] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Gerd von Rundstedt the [Oberbefehlshaber West] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) ("Commander-in-Chief West") and [Generalfeldmarschall] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Erwin Rommel the commander of Army Group B had met with Hitler at Berchtesgaden and been told to maintain the defence of Normandy and to organise a counter-offensive against the British salient. On their return from Germany, they received reports from [SS-Obergruppenführer] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Paul Hausser, the commander of the 7th Army and the Panzer Gruppe West commander Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg urging a retirement from Caen to a new line beyond the range of Allied naval guns. The proposals were forwarded to Hitler and on 2 July Rundstedt was sacked and replaced by [Generalfeldmarschall] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Günther von Kluge. Geyr was dismissed and replaced by General Heinrich Eberbach two days later.[17]

On 8 July Hitler issued a new directive requiring the front in Normandy to be maintained since the German forces lacked the tactical mobility for a battle of manoeuvre and an invasion in the Pas de Calais was believed imminent. Kluge made a tour of inspection and ordered that the existing positions be maintained, that they be increased in depth, by the use of every available man for labour and that a new counter-offensive by the seven [Panzer] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) divisions, be prepared against the Odon salient for 1 August, by which date the infantry divisions arriving in Normandy must have completed the relief of the [Panzer] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) divisions. The offensive was to be conducted on a 3-mile (4.8 km) front from Grainville-sur-Odon to Juvigny-sur-Seulles, to reach Luc-sur-Mer behind Caen. (Rommel thought the plan unrealistic and on 16 July wrote to Hitler predicting that the Normandy front would soon collapse. Next day he was strafed by Allied aircraft and wounded, which ended his service in Normandy.)[18]

Battle

Operation Greenline, 15–17 July

Map of the XII Corps area (commune FR insee code 14089)

On the left flank of the 15th Division, the crossroads at le Bon Repos and the higher ground overlooking Esquay-Notre-Dame were attacked by the 2nd Glasgow Highlanders, supported by Churchill tanks of the 107th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps ("107th Regiment RAC") of the 34th Tank Brigade and elements of the 79th Armoured Division, equipped with Churchill Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers ("AVRE") and Churchill Crocodile flame thrower tanks. The Scottish advanced from the north-east, southwards over the northern slope of Hill 112, towards the defences of the III Battalion, [21st SS-Panzergrenadier] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Regiment. As the infantry emerged from dead ground they were met by massed mortar fire which temporarily disorganised the battalion, aided by a smoke screen placed on Hill 112, which had merged with fog and covered the area. The Scottish still managed to cross the start line on time at 9:30 p.m. and captured the SS survivors of a flame attack by the Crocodiles on the road running from Croix des Filandriers to le Bon Repos. The advance continued downhill under Monty's Moonlight and covering fire from the 107th Regiment RAC Churchills, on higher ground just south of Baron. Esquay was captured by 11:00 p.m. but not held as its position below a saucer of higher ground made it a shell-trap.[19]

The troops dug in on the surrounding rises at positions determined earlier using reconnaissance photographs. The attack was interpreted by the Germans as a move on Hill 112 and Tiger tanks of [102nd schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) were sent up the southern slope to repulse an attack that never came. Further west, other 15th Division battalions captured Point 113 but not Évrecy, which left the Glasgow Highlanders under observation from both flanks, although German counter-attacks by infantry of the [21st SS-Panzergrenadier] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Regiment and tanks of the [10th SS-Panzer] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Regiment at first concentrated on Esquay, which had already been evacuated. The Germans counter-attack then fell on the positions around le Bon Repos, where two [Panzer IV] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) were knocked out by 6-pounder anti-tank guns. The Scottish were pushed back several times, only for the medium artillery of XII Corps to bombard the Germans back out. The Highlanders maintained their positions for two days, before being relieved by a battalion of the 53rd (Welsh) Division.[20]

By dawn the 15th (Scottish) Division had captured Bougy, Gavrus and dug in around Esquay and the western end of Point 113. The 9th SS Panzer Division was brought up from reserve and by the end of the day had restored the front line, except at Hill 113. The 53rd (Welsh) Division captured Cahier and retained it after defeating several big counter-attacks. More attacks by XII Corps gained no ground and during the evening of 17 July the British force on Hill 113 withdrew and the operation was ended.[21]

Operation Pomegranate, 16–17 July

On 16 July, XXX Corps launched Operation Pomegranate. The 49th Division attacked with the 146th Infantry Brigade at la Barbée Farm with the 1/4th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI), which advanced at 6:45 a.m. and reached the farm quickly from the east. At 5:00 p.m. the Germans counter-attacked the farm and surrounded it on three sides.[22] The Hallamshire Battalion attacked Vendes frontally, despite representations that an attack by night or from the east would be less costly. The attack began at 6:45 a.m. and was stopped quickly by machine-gun crossfire. An attempt at a flank attack was stopped at la Bijude Farm and an attack from the west through la Barbée Farm after it had been captured also failed. A box-barrage around the Hallamshires and KOYLI was fired for twenty minutes after which the battalions withdrew at 5:00 p.m. Next day it was discovered from deserters that the Germans had withdrawn from Vendes and the farms.[23]

In the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division area, phase I of the attack began at 5:30 a.m. with the 197th Infantry Brigade on the right attacking with the [[5th East Lancashire Battalion and 177th Infantry Brigade on the left with 1/6th South Staffordshire and 5th South Staffordshire battalions. The 5th East Lancashires fought their way to the first objective east of Vendes and captured part by 8:00 a.m. but at Template:2:30 p.m. were counter-attacked by infantry and tanks which overran one company, after which the battalion fell back to the start line. The 1/6th South Staffordshires captured Brettevillette in a costly attack by 6:45 a.m. and found that the area had been sown with mines. The battalion pressed on and reached Queudeville by 8:45 a.m.. Most of the tanks in support of the battalion had been knocked out in a British minefield and many troops had lost direction in the thick dawn mist.[24]

The 5th South Staffordshires took orchards west of Grainville sur Odon and captured Les Nouillons by noon, which left the 177th Infantry Brigade on the first phase objectives. At 1:30 p.m. flail tanks began to work through a German minefield at Queudeville. Phase II was delayed by the casualties incurred in Phase I but at 5:30 p.m. the 2/6th South Staffordshires attacked Noyers and at 6:15 p.m. the 6th North Staffordshires attacked Haut des Forges. The 2/6 South Staffordshires entered Noyers but were later forced back to Point 126, just north of the station. The 6th North Staffordshires took Haut des Forges against less determined opposition. The 59th Division had captured 369 prisoners. On the 197th Infantry Brigade front, the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers attacked the phase I objective at 10:30 p.m. but massed German mortar fire, prevented the battalion from leaving the start line.[24]

At dawn on 17th July, the 2/6th South Staffordshires and part of the 5th South Staffordshires attacked Noyers and advanced close to the railway station, before being forced under cover and at 1:30 p.m. were withdrawn to reorganise. During the afternoon the 5th South Staffordshires attacked Noyers from the north-east but were held up on the fringe. The 1/6th South Staffordshires advanced from Brettevillette towards Bordel at the same time against determined resistance. When night fell the British fell back slightly from Noyers during another bomnbardment. In the 197th Infantry Brigade area, the 1/7th Royal Warwickshires, tanks of the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry and Churchill Crocodiles attacked the phase I objective again at 12:30 p.m. and captured the objective; the 176th Infantry Brigade attacked Bordel but made little progress.[24]

Next day, the 177th Infantry Brigade attacked Noyers at 10:00 a.m. with the 1/6th South Staffordshires and 5th South Staffordshires supported by conventional tanks, Churchill AVRE and Crocodile flame thrower tanks, which were not able to advance far against determined German resistance. Five more tanks were lost and another attack in the afternoon failed. The British retired after dark to enable another bombardment of the village. On the right flank, the 1/7th Royal Warwickshires reached Ferme de Guiberon by nightfall and the 49th Division reported that there had been withdrawals on their front. In the centre the 7th South Staffordshires of the 176th Brigade advanced on Bordel and took the village and the area to la Senevière against few German troops but much artillery and mortar fire. The 197th Infantry Brigade was relieved overnight by the 176th Infantry Brigade and the 7th Royal Norfolks took over from the 1/7th Royal Warwickshires at the Ferme de Guiberon, Point 124 and Landet, which had been taken after dark.[24]

The British infantry had captured the high ground south of Brettevillette and took 300 prisoners on the first day. Next day the advance continued with much fighting on the outskirts of Noyers-Bocage.[25] The reconnaissance battalion of the 9th SS Panzer Division was committed to the defence of Noyers-Bocage, which the Germans claimed to have recaptured, although XXX Corps had been held up on the outskirts having captured the high ground outside the village and the railway station. The 49th Division captured Vendes The 59th (Staffordshire) Division took Haut des Forges and entered Noyers but was repulsed from the village by the 277th Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division captured Hottot-les-Bagues, which had been fought over for more than a month and took 300 prisoners.[26][15]

Aftermath

Analysis

British Infantry in slit trenches between Hill 112 and Hill 113, 16 July 1944

These two operations cost the 2nd Army 3,500 casualties and no significant gains had been made but the operations were strategically successful in that the 2nd Panzer and the 10th SS Panzer divisions had been kept on the front line and the 9th SS Panzer Division had been recalled from reserve. The Germans had been forced to react to each threat that developed in the Odon Valley.[27] Around 2,000 German casualties had been suffered in these two operations and on 16 July alone the 9th SS Panzer Division recorded the loss of 23 tanks.[28] Copp called these operations the Second Battle of the Odon, which was "one of the bloodiest encounters of the campaign".[29]

Casualties

Copp wrote that British casualties in the operations were c. 3,000 men and the German defenders had c. 2,000 casualties.[29] Doherty wrote that British casualties were c. 3,500 men, with 1,000 losses in the 15th (Scottish) Division.[30] The 59th Division lost 1,250 casualties and took 575 prisoners from the 276th and 277th Infantry Divisions, which had been supported by parts of the 2nd and 9th SS Panzer divisions.[24]

Subsequent operations

The Glasgow Highlanders on the left flank of the 15th Division, was relieved by the 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment of the 53rd Division on 17 July. On 21 July the battalion was attacked by the [10th SS-Panzer] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) Division at le Bon Repos at 4:00 p.m. and by 9:30 p.m. one company had been overrun and the Germans rolled up the Welsh front, the survivors retiring into the C Company area. The remains of the battalion withdrew at 6:00 a.m. under a smoke screen, having lost 140 casualties. Several Churchills had also been lost, having been out-ranged and out-gunned by six Tiger tanks from Hill 112. Two days later, the 4th Welch Battalion raided the captured positions, aided by Churchill Crocodiles and inflicted many casualties on the German defenders before retiring.[31] The 49 Division occupied Vendes on 19 July but patrols from the 177th Infantry Brigade, in the 59th Division area found Noyers still occupied. An attack was cancelled by the XII Corps commander at noon in favour of vigorous patrolling over the corps front.[24]

In the 49th Division area the 146th Brigade advanced again on 19 July; the German infantry and two Tiger tanks which had reoccupied la Barbée Farm and la Bijude Farm had been forced out by artillery and mortar fire.[32] Deserters confirmed that the garrisons had withdrawn and two battalions moved forward behind sappers, who lifted many mines on the road to Château Juvigny, which had been a German battalion headquarters; the bodies of three men missing since 9 July were found in the cellars.[33]

Operation Goodwood

Main article: Operation Goodwood

After the preliminary attacks, Operation Goodwood took place from 18–20 July. VIII Corps, with three armoured divisions, launched the attack aiming to seize the German-held Bourguébus Ridge, along with the area between Bretteville-sur-Laize and Vimont, while also destroying as many German tanks as possible. On 18 July, I Corps conducted an advance to secure a series of villages and the eastern flank of VIII Corps. On the VIII Corps western flank, Canadian II Corps launched Operation Atlantic to capture the remaining German-held sections of the city of Caen south of the Orne River. When Operation Goodwood ended on 20 July, the armoured divisions had broken through the initial German defences and had advanced 7 miles (11 km) to the lower slopes of Bourguébus Ridge and armoured cars had penetrated further south.[34]

Notes

  1. ^ Published information on the operations is sparse and has been gleaned from many sources, which has made a comprehensive narrative difficult to achieve.
  2. ^ In the Second Army opposite [Panzergruppe West] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help), VIII Corps was in reserve with the Guards, 7th and 11th Armoured divisions. On the right flank from Caumont to Rauray, XXX Corps had the 49th, 50th and 59th Infantry divisions, supported by the 8th and 33rd Armoured brigades, which faced the [XLVII Panzer Korps] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) with the 276th Infantry Division and the 2nd Panzer Division, awaiting the arrival of the 326th Infantry Division from the 15th Army to allow the 2nd Panzer to withdraw into reserve. In the Odon salient XII Corps with the 15th, 43rd and 53rd Infantry divisions, supported by the 4th Armoured, 31st and 34th Tank brigades, were opposed by the [II SS Panzer Korps] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) comprising the 271st and 277th Infantry divisions, the [10th SS-Panzer Division Frundsberg] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) and [102nd schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help), with the [9th SS-Panzer Division Hohenstaufen] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) in reserve. In the Caen sector II Canadian Corps with the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry divisions, with the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade were opposite the [I SS Panzer Korps] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) with the 272nd Infantry Division, [1st SS-Panzer Division Leibstandarte] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help), [101st schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) and the [12th SS-Panzer Division Hitler Jugend] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) in reserve. To the east of Caen I Corps was opposed by LXXXVI Korps.[13] Behind the German defences the [III. Flak-Korps] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help), the 7th, 8th and most of the 9th [Werfer] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help) brigades and the [654th Panzer Jäger Abteilung] Error: [undefined] Error: {{Lang}}: no text (help): text has italic markup (help)

Footnotes

  1. ^ Williams 2004, p. 24.
  2. ^ Ellis 1962, pp. 78, 81, 171.
  3. ^ Van der Vat 2003, p. 146.
  4. ^ Wilmot 1952, pp. 284–286.
  5. ^ Ellis 1962, pp. 247–250.
  6. ^ Forty 2004, p. 36.
  7. ^ Forty 2004, p. 97.
  8. ^ Wilmot 1952, p. 322.
  9. ^ Doherty 2004, pp. 173–185.
  10. ^ Jackson 1945, pp. 61–63.
  11. ^ a b Ellis 1962, p. 330.
  12. ^ Ellis 1962, p. 332.
  13. ^ Ellis 1962, p. 333.
  14. ^ Reynolds 1997, p. 47.
  15. ^ a b Ellis 1962, p. 334.
  16. ^ a b Doherty 2004, pp. 207–208.
  17. ^ Ellis 1962, pp. 319–322.
  18. ^ Ellis 1962, pp. 322–326.
  19. ^ Saunders 2001, pp. 160–162.
  20. ^ Saunders 2001, pp. 162–163.
  21. ^ Reynolds 1997, pp. 46–50.
  22. ^ Delaforce 1995, pp. 111–112.
  23. ^ Delaforce 1995, pp. 109–110.
  24. ^ a b c d e f Morss 2014.
  25. ^ Randel 1945, p. 17.
  26. ^ Gill & Groves 1946, p. 33.
  27. ^ Trew & Badsey 2004, p. 52.
  28. ^ Reynolds 1997, pp. 50–51.
  29. ^ a b Copp 2003, p. 135.
  30. ^ Doherty 2004, p. 209.
  31. ^ Saunders 2001, pp. 163–164.
  32. ^ Delaforce 1995, p. 112.
  33. ^ Baverstock 2002, pp. 165–168.
  34. ^ Ellis 1962, pp. 327–348.

References

Books
  • Baverstock, K. (2002). Breaking the Panzers: The Bloody Battle for Rauray. Stroud: Sutton. ISBN 0-7509-2895-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Copp, T. (2004) [2003]. Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-3780-1. OCLC 56329119.
  • Delaforce, P. (1995). The Polar Bears: From Normandy to the Relief of Holland with the 49th Division (Chancellor Press 1999 ed.). Stroud: Sutton. ISBN 0-75370-265-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Doherty, R. (2004). Normandy 1944: The Road to Victory. Staplehurst: Spellmount. ISBN 1-86227-224-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Ellis, Major L. F.; with Allen R.N., Captain G. R. G.; Warhurst, Lieutenant-Colonel A. E.; Robb, Air Chief-Marshal Sir J. (1962). Butler, J. R. M. (ed.). Victory in the West: The Battle of Normandy. History of the Second World War United Kingdom Military Series. Vol. I (Naval & Military Press 2004 ed.). London: HMSO. ISBN 1-84574-058-0. OCLC 276814706. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |lastauthoramp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  • Forty, G. (2004). Villers Bocage. Battle Zone Normandy. Sutton. ISBN 0-7509-3012-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Gill, R.; Groves, J. (1946). Club Route in Europe: the Story of 30 Corps in the European Campaign (1st ed.). Hannover: Werner Degener. OCLC 255796710.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Jackson, G. S.; Staff, 8 Corps (1945). Operations of Eighth Corps: Account of Operations from Normandy to the River Rhine (MLRS, 2006 ed.). London: St. Clements Press. ISBN 978-1-905696-25-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • Randel, P. B.; Crawford, W. H. (illus.); Wilson, D. B. (ed.) (1945). A Short History of 30 Corps in the European Campaign 1944–1945 (MLRS Books, 2006 ed.). Unknown: Privately published. ISBN 978-1-905973-69-9. {{cite book}}: |first3= has generic name (help)
  • Reynolds, M. (1997). Steel Inferno: I SS Panzer Corps in Normandy. Stroud: Spellmount. ISBN 1-87337-690-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Saunders, T. (2001). Hill 112: Battles of the Odon, 1944. Battleground Europe: Normandy. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 0-85052-737-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Trew, S.; Badsey, S. (2004). Battle for Caen. Battle Zone Normandy. Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 0-7509-3010-1. OCLC 56759608.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Van Der Vat, D. (2003). D-Day: The Greatest Invasion, A People's History. Vancouver: Raincoast Books. ISBN 1-55192-586-9. OCLC 51290297.
  • Williams, A. (2004). D-Day to Berlin. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-83397-1. OCLC 60416729.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Wilmot, C.; McDevitt, C. D. (1952). The Struggle For Europe (Wordsworth, 1997 ed.). London: Collins. ISBN 1-85326-677-9. OCLC 39697844.
Websites

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