25th June 1944 – the largest battle ever fought in the history of the Nordic countries, the Battle of Tali-Ihantual (part of the Finnish-Soviet Continuation War), begins in the Karelian Isthmus between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga. By 9th July the Finns had achieved ‘a defensive victory’ stopping the Russians’ advance.
On 25th June XXX Corps renewed its battle with Panzer Lehr as a diversionary attack for Operation Epsom. The 49th Division (known as the Polar Bears) manages to force the enemy back to Tessel and Rauray where the fighting was particularly savage. There are reports that an order was given for ‘NPT’ – no prisoners to be taken below the rank of major. The Panzer Lehr reported heavy losses but XXX Corps were unable to take the high ground of the Rauray spur, north of Grainville-sur-Odon. (From ‘The Second World War’ by Antony Beevor, published by Weidenfield and Nicolson 2012 and 'The Drive on Caen'.)
Eric Brewer and his 61st Recce comrades were involved in the Operation:
“We made a patrol into no man’s land to find enemy and forward positions so that the East Yorks could put in attack came in contact with Gerry Forward O.P. also kit seems as though they must have seen us and pulled out fast East Yorks put in an attack and everything seems to be going well took main x roads.” (From Eric Brewer’s Diary by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family)
The Regimental Headquarters were still west of Tilly-sur-Seulles. After Jerusalem they moved near to the Bernières crossroads, between Tilly and St Paul du Vernay (Regimental HQ location list on re-union dinner menu 1946).
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