23rd August 1944 – elements of the US 3rd Army link up with Free French Forces from the south near Bordeaux. On 24th August 1944 – German forces evacuate Bordeaux. The Allies in southern France have liberated Cannes, Grasse and Grenoble while the US 1st Army in the north liberates Evreux, west of the Seine at Vernon.
23rd August 1944 – ‘The Royal Coup’ staged by King Michael of Romania and others removes the fascist leader Ion Antonescu from power and establishes a new government who make peace with the Allies and declare war on Nazi Germany on 25th August 1944.
Eric Brewer of 61st Recce was having a quieter time:
23rd August 1944 - “Moved back to base. Plenty of refugees round here. Have found out that we are going to make a bridgehead over the Seine. The people round here are very pleased with us; also they gave us wine, eggs and fruit. Spoke to a woman who could speak English – she said that the Germans had thrown them out of their house and took it.”
24th August – “Still at same place. The French woman I spoke to yesterday was sleeping on straw with her children and husband. Gave them some fags and soap. Told us that the Germans allowed them three cigs a day if they work. Also they say soap is impossible to get - have not had any for two years.” (From Eric Brewer’s Diary by kind permission of Derek Brewer and his family.)
‘The race to the Seine was achieved in a little over 20 hrs with only light opposition as the retreating Germans were not given any time to regroup. One of the main causes for delays was the local population wanting to greet the advancing Allies and celebrate their liberation. The 61st Recce came to a halt just short of the Seine near Vernon where 43rd Division passed through them to force a crossing over the river.’ Extract from ‘From One Learn All: the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment’ by Dave Dennis 2017.
61st Recce’s RHQ had moved from Chambois, near Argentan and the Falaise Gap, to Verneuil-sur-Avre and then advanced to Bonnières-sur-Seine, an industrial town by the river and near Vernon (Regimental HQ location list on re-union dinner menu 1946).
50th Division initially spearheaded the breakout to the Seine from the Falaise Gap while 43rd Division moved up on their right flank to lead the river crossing at Vernon. The 50th cleared a pocket of German resistance with 11th Armoured Division before reaching the plateau above the river. Their role in the Battle of Normandy was over.
Since the D Day landings Monty’s 21 Army Group had suffered 83,000 casualties including 16,000 dead. (From ‘Only the Enemy in Front Every other beggar behind…’ The Recce Corps at War 1940-1946’ by Richard Doherty, Tom Donovan Publishing Ltd 1994)
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