FONTAINE ÉTOUPEFOUR Calvados - 5 km south-east of Caen
The VIIIth British Corps crosses the river Odon
The Operation Epsom, from 26 to 30 June 1944, enabled the Allied Forces to break through the German front line west of Caen, and to cross the river Odon. But the progression was difficult since the area was occupied by the two SS Panzer-Korps. On 29 June, the Germans counter-attacked between Noyers and Evrecy; the IInd SS Panzer-Korps sprang and encountered the simultaneous offensive of the VIIIth British Corps. The lack of coordination and the intervention of the allied naval artillery stopped dead the Germans. The attack launched by the Ist SS Panzer-Korps toward Carpiquet was repelled in the same way. General von Schweppenburg was dismissed after these failures. The combatants of the two sides entrenched, Fontaine-Étoupefour was liberated and stood on the front line. Hill 112, the most coveted objective remained in the Germans hands until 10 July.