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From D-Day to V-Day

July 1944

July 31, 1944 - D-Day + 55

Combat Command R of the VIII Corps' 6th Armored Division, attacking in the coastal sector, moved through Granville and the complete division advanced as far as the Avranches area. It was 2100 hours when the 6th Armored Division received an order to assist their “sister” 4th Armored Division in Avranches and secure the bridges in that sector. The 4th Armored Division sent out a reconnaissance mission from Avranches to the south to check on options for crossing the Selune River near Pontaubault.

Moving in the eastern flank of the operational area, units from the 1st Infantry Division and the 3rd Armored Division's Combat Command A of the US VII Corps quickly advanced to Brécey and secured a crossing over the Sée River. On the same day, the US XIX Corps continued to attack towards Tessy despite strong resistance. The US V Corps advanced southwards towards the Vire River. The 35th Infantry Division occupied Torigny sur Vire.

With its units from the British VIII Corps out in front, the British Second Army crossed the Soulevre River near Le Bény – Bocage. The Guards Armored Division also enjoyed success that day when it reached Le Tourneur. Units from the British XXX Corps occupied Cahagnes and started to near Jurques.

The Czechoslovaks from the No. 311 Squadron operating as part of Coastal Command were again in action that day, sending four crews up in the air. At the end of July 1944, the No. 311 Squadron once again had 23 complete operating crews in their ranks. As battle losses, completed tours, illness, and other events exhausted the flight crews, it was necessary to build new teams of predominantly young men who would be able to rely only on themselves out over the ocean.

In previous days there was mention of the Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade, which became actively involved in the fighting in France alongside the Allies. But who were General Alois Liška's men? The core of the unit was made up of members of the land units in France. After France capitulated, the Czechoslovaks crossed the English Channel and in August of 1940 formed the 1st Czechoslovak Mixed Brigade at Cholmondeley. As of July 1, 1941, the 1st Czechoslovak Mixed Brigade in Great Britain was reorganized into the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Brigade, comprised of three infantry battalions, one mixed armored reconnaissance unit, the 1st Artillery Regiment and a company of combat engineers. In March of 1943, following the departure of General B. Miroslav – Neumann, Col Alois Liška became the commander of the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Brigade. After its structure was established and its troops trained, the Czechoslovak Independent Brigade was included in the III Corps formation to defend the British Isles and later in the defense formation of the VIII and XI Corps on the southern and eastern coast of England. Here the Czechoslovaks took part in protecting the English mainland against an attack by Hitler's armies.

On September 1, 1943, thanks to the men who had been on campaigns in the Middle East and northern Africa, the Czechoslovak Independent Brigade was reorganized into the Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade, which better corresponded to the current numbers and offense abilities of the Allied expeditionary forces preparing an attack on the Atlantic Wall. Alois Liška, who had shortly beforehand been promoted to Brigadier General, continued to remain the commander of the brigade. The colonel of the Artillery, Karel Klapálek, was named second in command; he and his unit had faced Hitler's Afrika Korps. The brigade's main assault strength came from tanks organized in two tank battalions. A motorized infantry battalion and a number of other units were included in the brigade. Inside the brigade, the troops followed the regulations of the pre-1938 Czechoslovak Army.