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CORMELLES-LE-ROYAL
Calvados
- 1 km south of Caen
A terrible slaughter for the allied tanks
On
18 July 1944, General Montgomery launched the wide manoeuvre that
should break through the German front, east of Caen. The spearhead
of the Operation Goodwood are the three armoured divisions
of General O’Connor XIIth Corps. The Germans had built up three
defensive lines facing the allied attack; several towns were formed
in hedgehogs, as Grentheville, Soliers, Bras, Cormelles-le-Royal.
In the evening of 18 July, progression was not perceptible and losses
were heavy. The 5th Brigade of the Guards Armoured Division and the
11st Armoured Division lost more than 150 tanks, but human losses
were low. On German side the ratio was opposite : about fifty destroyed
tanks, but two infantry divisions were driven from the field. South
of Caen, Colombelles and its factory were taken, the Canadians reached
the outskirts of Vaucelles. On 19 July in the morning, the Canadians
moved on and liberated Cormelles-le-Royal, held by troops of the 272nd
German Infantry Division.
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South Alberta stele
