| << Previous | Index | Next >> | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Another bombload is released over the village og Bretteville-sur-Laize in the Calvados region of Normandy, 17km south of Caen. As can be seen below the area was fought over for a long period of time. It was first bombed on the 10th and 11th of June killing 24 civlians and was an objective of Operation Goodwood launched on July the 18th. It was again an objective of a major offensive on the 7th of August (Operation Totalize)
The hundreds of craters around the left of the picture are a result of the artillery preparation from 23:00 on the 7th to 07:00 on the 8th as 1800 guns fired along the axis of advance.
At 12:35 681 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force arrived over Bretteville-sur-Laize and released mixed loads of HE and fragmentation bombs, one load of which can be seen here.
Canadian Regiments Régiment de Maisonnneuve and the The Calgary Highlanders supported by the 1st Hussars finally captured the area at 16:00 on August the 8th.
Same location today
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlq/2352373236/