King Tiger's World War 2 Battlefield Tour (Europe)


14. Inland Fighting in Normandy
After the Allies secured the beachhead of Normandy, the battles were moved forward inland.

Many major and local battles were fought through out, bringing heavy casualties to both the Allies and Axis, and the French civilians.
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Battle of Cherbourg
In the western part of Normandy, U.S. troops pressed towards city of Cherbourg, which the port facilities would help to provide the Allies with a deep water harbour.
U.S. troops made slow progress, suffered heavy casualties as they advance due to the terrains of bocage, ancient banks and hedgerows, up to 3 meters;
which making ideal defensive positions for the Germans defenders.

Cherbourg was captured on 26 June, after heavy fighting, the city lays in ruins and with most of the facilities destroyed, making the harbour inoperable.
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U.S. soldiers move inland from the beaches of France, June 1944
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American soldiers crawl toward shelter on a street Saint-Lo, France.
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Battle of Caen
While the US advance to Cherbourg, on the eastern part of Normandy, the British and the Canadian moved towards the city of Caen.
Battles was intense as Allies suffered many setback against elite Germans units, especially elite units from the battle harden Panzer-Lehr Division and the 12th SS Panzer Division.

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Stiff and determine Germans defense making the advance impossible.
To break the Germans stronghold, the Allies pound the city of Caen and surrounding areas with heavily air and artillery bombardment,
and Allies committed massive armoured divisions to thrust towards their objective.

Massive operations after operations were launched in order to achieve the objective (Operation Perch, Operation Epsom, Operation Charnwood, Operation Goodwood)
and subsequently follow by another 2 more operations (Operation Atlantic and Operation Spring).

The city of Caen was finally captured on 18th July, at a high cost to both the Allies and Axis.
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Jun 1944 - US columns advancing thru the French village
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May 2010 - A warm and quiet village today
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Jun 1944 - US Infantry passing by a destroyed church
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May 2010 - The same spot today, the church was rebuild bricks by bricks to its original condition.
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The present church today.
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Jun 1944 - US Airborne Paratroopers during the battle of Normandy
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May 2010 - The same spot today.
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Jun 1944 - US columns and logistics advancing fast inland
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May 2010 - Notice the same building and windows on the left hand side.
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Jun 1944 - US Armour moving inland into Normandy.
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May 2010 - Same spot but a different restaurant on the right hand side today.
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Jun 1944 - Traffic jam during the advance in a French town.
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May 2010 - The same narrow street today.
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Jun 1944 -The Sherman DD Tank in Normandy
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May 2010 -No tanks today, only beautiful purple flowers in the building.
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Jun 1944 - US Paratroopers at Saint Marcout
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May 2010 - The same building remains today (at the left hand side), though the road have been altered.
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Jun 1944 - US troops moving towards objective.
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May 2010 - A quiet town without troops today.
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Jun 1944 - Allies supply follow up behind
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May 2010 - Everything the same, except a different road pavement and modern vehicles.
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Jun 1944 - Allies column along the street.
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May 2010 - Same building but walking pavement today.
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Jun 1944 - Troops movement.
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May 2010 - Parking lots movement.
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Jun 1944 - Allies troops in a capture French town.
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May 2010 - The same church today.
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May 2010 - Full front view of the church today.
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Jun 1944
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May 2010
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Jun 1944 - US trooper halt for a rest
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May 2010 - Hey, I also from Infantry unit, I need to rest too. (Notice the same cross sign at the background)
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nice pics and thread very informative...
will now watch bob for the 3rd time this year... LOL..
 

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