THE ADVANCE ON CAEN: From Sword Beach Towards the City, 6-9 June 1944

1-248980

Looks at how the 3rd Division's slow progress on D-Day, hindered by German defenses and reinforcements, delayed the capture of Caen. Details how the Germans prepared to stop the invading forces, yet the British Second Army pushed on. On D Day, the 3rd Division faced not just the coastal crust of defenses, but German formations deployed in depth, including the 21st Panzer Division barring the way to Caen. Beset with difficulties resulting from Eisenhower's decision to 'go' in less-than-ideal conditions, the landing was slow and the division could not develop the necessary momentum to carry them to the city. Contains 80 mono illustrations.