On the Western Front elements of British 2nd Army advance toward Hottot-les-Bagues and Evrecy.
On 15th July XXX Corps is involved in Operation Greenline and on 16th July the follow-up, Operation Pomegranate holding operations in the Second Battle of the Odon to disrupt German re-organisation and distract from Operation Goodwood.
61st Recce appears to have a role in the attacks. On 15th July Eric Brewer wrote "Moving to a position about 1 mile away, going to do patrols." and on the 16th: "In observation post - 6 Gerrys gave themselves up this morning." (From Eric Brewer’s Diary by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family.)
Don Aiken recounted:
“The forward movement of the invading troops all along the front gradually ground to a halt as German resistance increased and the planned occupation of Caen was thwarted again and again. The front line became almost static as both sides dug in to take up defensive positions.
16th July - Hottot les Bagues and Evrecy.” (Extract republished from Establishing a Foothold in Normandy’ by kind permission of Don Aiken)
Hottot-les-Bagues is a village to the south-west of Tilly-sur- Seules. The war cemetery there has more than 1,300 graves.
‘Another push to take Hottot-les-Bagues was launched on 9 July, but was pushed back by the Germans. Another attack was arranged by 11 July to be carried out by the 231 Brigade supported by the Sherwood Rangers. It was supported by a massive rolling barrage. Progress was made, but the village was not taken. It wasn’t until 19 July, after the Germans had withdrawn across the whole division front, that the village was finally securely in British hands.’ (From 50th Tyne and Tees Division.)
16th July 1944 – In Italy the 8th Army capture Arezzo, south-east of Florence.
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