Editing Operation Goodwood (section)

==Prelude==

===Goodwood plan===

{{Further|Operation Goodwood order of battle}}

[[File:AtlanticGoodwood Battle plan.jpg|thumb|{{centre|The planned attack for operations Atlantic and Goodwood. It shows where the Second Army knew the locations of several German divisions as well as where they believed others were.}}]]
In the outline for Goodwood, VIII Corps, with three armoured divisions, would attack southwards out of the Orne bridgehead, a pocket of ground east of the river taken by the Allies on D-Day in [[Operation Deadstick]].{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=72}} The 11th Armoured Division was to advance south-west over Bourguébus Ridge and the Caen–Falaise road, aiming for Bretteville-sur-Laize. The Guards Armoured Division was to push south-east to capture Vimont and Argences and the 7th Armoured Division, starting last, was to aim south for Falaise. The 3rd Infantry Division, supported by part of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, was to secure the eastern flank by capturing the area around [[Émiéville]], [[Touffréville]] and [[Troarn]].{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|pp=64–65}} The II Canadian Corps would simultaneously launch Operation Atlantic, a supporting attack on the VIII Corps western flank, to capture Caen south of the Orne river.{{sfn|Stacey|Bond|1960|p=169}} The British and Canadian operations were tentatively scheduled for 18 July and Cobra was postponed for two days, to enable the First Army to secure its start line around [[Saint-Lô]].{{sfn|Hastings|1999|p=293}}{{sfn|Williams|2004|p=161}}

Detailed planning began on Friday 14 July but the next day, Montgomery issued a written directive ordering Dempsey to change the plan from a "deep break-out" to a "limited attack".{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=79}}{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=66}} Anticipating that the Germans would be forced to commit their armoured reserves, rather than risk a massed British tank breakthrough, VIII Corps was instructed to "engage the German armour in battle and 'write it down' to such an extent that it is of no further value to the Germans".{{sfn|Reynolds|2002|p=44}} He was to take any opportunity to improve the Second Army's position—the orders stated that "a victory on the eastern flank will help us to gain what we want on the western flank"—but not to endanger its role as a "firm bastion" on which the success of the forthcoming American offensive would depend.{{sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|pp=330–331}} The objectives of the three armoured divisions were amended to "dominate the area Bourguébus–Vimont–Bretteville", although it was intended that "armoured cars should push far to the south towards Falaise, spread[ing] alarm and despondency". The objectives for the II Canadian Corps remained unchanged and it was stressed that these were vital, only following their achievement would VIII Corps "'crack about' as the situation demands".{{sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|p=331}}

The 11th Armoured Division was to lead the advance, screen [[Cagny, Calvados|Cagny]] and capture [[Bras, Calvados|Bras]], [[Hubert-Folie]], Verrières and [[Fontenay-le-Marmion]].{{sfn|Buckley|2014|p=35}}{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=70}} The divisional armoured brigade was to bypass most of the German-held villages in its area, leaving them to be dealt with by follow-up waves.{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=42}} The [[159th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|159th Infantry Brigade]], was initially to act independently of the armoured brigade and capture [[Cuverville, Calvados|Cuverville]] and [[Démouville]].{{sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|p=352}} The Guards Armoured Division, advancing behind the 11th Armoured Division, was to capture Cagny and Vimont.{{sfn|Buckley|2014|p=35}}{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=70}} Starting last, the 7th Armoured Division was to move south beyond the [[Garcelles-Secqueville]] ridge. Further advances by the armoured divisions were to be conducted only on Dempsey's order.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=66}} The detailed orders for the II Canadian Corps were issued a day later, for the capture of Colombelles, the remaining portion of Caen and then be ready to move on the strongly held [[Verrières, Orne|Verrières]] (Bourguébus) Ridge.{{sfn|Stacey|Bond|1960|pp=170–171}} If the German front collapsed, a deeper advance would be considered.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=66}}

Second Army intelligence had formed a good estimate of the opposition Goodwood was likely to face, although the German positions beyond the first line of villages had to be inferred, mainly from inconclusive air reconnaissance.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=53}} The German defensive line was believed to consist of two belts up to {{cvt|4|mi}} deep.{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=43}} Aware that the Germans were expecting a large attack out of the Orne bridgehead, the British anticipated meeting resistance from the 16th ''Luftwaffe'' Field Division bolstered by SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 25 of the [[12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend]]. [[Signals intelligence]] found that the Hitler Youth had been moved into reserve and although it was slow to discover that SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 25 was not with the 16th ''Luftwaffe'' Field Division, having also been placed into reserve, this oversight was rectified before 18 July. Battle groups of the 21st Panzer Division with around {{nowrap|50 [[Panzer IV]]}} and {{nowrap|34 [[assault guns]],}} were expected near [[Route nationale 13]]. The [[1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler]] was identified in reserve with an estimated {{nowrap|40 [[Panther tank]]s}} and {{nowrap|60 Panzer IV}} and the presence of two heavy tank battalions equipped with Tiger tanks was established.{{efn|The 1st SS Panzer Division had {{nowrap|46 Panthers}} and {{nowrap|61 Panzer IV.}} Both battalions were erroneously placed with I SS Panzer Corps but one had been attached to the 21st Panzer Division.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|pp=58, 53–56}}}} German armoured strength was estimated at {{nowrap|230 tanks}} and artillery strength at {{nowrap|300 field}} and anti-tank guns.{{sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|p=336}}{{efn|Rommel stated that German defences east of the Orne included {{nowrap|194 field}} guns and {{nowrap|90 anti-tank}} guns.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|pp=58, 53–56}}}} The Second Army believed that {{nowrap|90 guns}} were in the centre of the battle zone, {{nowrap|40 on}} the flanks and {{nowrap|20 defending}} the Caen–Vimont railway line. The British had also located a German gun line on the Bourguébus Ridge but its strength and gun positions were unknown.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|pp=58, 53–56}}

[[File:The British Army in Normandy 1944 B7078.jpg|thumb|{{centre|Camouflaged [[Churchill tank]]s of the 31st Tank Brigade, which did not take part in Goodwood, highlighting the efforts taken in Normandy to hide vehicles from enemy observers.}}]]
To mask the operational objectives, the Second Army initiated a deception plan that included diversionary attacks launched by [[XII Corps (United Kingdom)|XII]] and XXX Corps. The three armoured divisions moved to their staging positions west of the Orne only at night and in radio silence; artillery fire was used to mask the noise of the tank engines.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|pp=37, 38}}{{sfn| D'Este| 2004|p=360}} During the hours of daylight all efforts were made to camouflage the new positions.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=37}}

For artillery support, Goodwood was allocated {{nowrap|760 guns,}}with {{nowrap|297,600 rounds}} of ammunition. The artillery consisted of {{nowrap|456 field}} pieces from {{nowrap|19 field}} regiments, {{nowrap|208 medium}} guns from {{nowrap|13 medium}} regiments, {{nowrap|48 heavy}} pieces from {{nowrap|3 heavy}} regiments and {{nowrap|48 heavy}} anti-aircraft guns from two heavy anti-aircraft regiments.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=86}} The artillery was provided by I, VIII, XII and II Canadian Corps as well as the 2nd Canadian [[Army Group Royal Artillery]] (AGRA) and the 4th AGRA.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|pp=68–69}} Each field gun had {{nowrap|500 rounds,}} each medium piece {{nowrap|300 rounds}} and each heavy gun or howitzer {{nowrap|150 rounds.}}{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=86}} Prior to the assault these were to attempt to suppress German anti-tank and field artillery positions. During the attack they would provide the 11th Armoured Division with a [[rolling barrage]] and anti-aircraft defence.{{sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|p=339}}  The guns would also assist the attacks launched by the 3rd Infantry and 2nd Canadian Infantry divisions and fire on targets as requested.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|pp=85–86}} Additional support would be provided by three ships of the [[Royal Navy]], whose targets were German gun batteries located near the coast in the region of [[Cabourg]] and Franceville.{{ sfn|Jackson|2006|pp=85–86}}{{efn|The monitor {{HMS|Roberts|F40|6}} armed with two 15-inch guns and the light cruisers {{HMS|Mauritius|80|6}} and {{HMS|Enterprise|D52|6}} armed with twelve and seven 6-inch guns respectively.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|pp=85–86}}}}

[[File:York bridge.jpg|thumb|{{centre|[[Cromwell tank]]s moving across York Bridge, a [[Bailey bridge]] built over the [[Caen Canal]] and the [[Orne River]].}}]]
The engineering resources of the Second Army, I Corps and VIII Corps and the divisional engineers worked from {{nowrap|13 to 16 July}} to build six roads from west of the Orne River to the start lines east of the river and the Caen Canal.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|pp=26–29}} Engineers from I Corps strengthened bridges and built two new sets of bridges across the Orne and the canal.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=87}} The engineers were also to construct another two sets of bridges by the end of the first day.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=29}}{{efn|These were the first of {{nowrap|1,500 [[Bailey bridges]]}} to be built by the British Army during the campaign in north-west Europe.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=26}}}} II Canadian Corps planned to construct up to three bridges across the Orne as quickly as possible to give I Corps and VIII Corps exclusive access to the river and the canal bridges north of Caen.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=87}} Engineers from the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, with a small detachment from the 3rd Infantry Division, were ordered to breach the German minefield in front of the Highland Division. This was largely accomplished during the night of {{nowrap|16/17 July,}} when they cleared and marked fourteen gaps.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=88}} By the morning of 18 July, {{nowrap|19 {{cvt|40|ft}}-wide}} gaps had been completed, each for one armoured regiment to pass through at a time.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=68}}{{efn|Following Operation Goodwood it took Royal Engineers five days, during daylight hours, to lift all the mines placed in front of the positions previously held by 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. {{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=88}}}}

The 159th Infantry Brigade (11th Armoured Division) with the divisional and 29th Armoured Brigade headquarters, crossed into the Orne bridgehead during the night of {{nowrap|16/17 July}} and the rest of the division followed the next night.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=91}} The Guards and 7th Armoured divisions were held west of the river until the operation began.{{sfn|D'Este|2004|p=360}} As the final elements of the 11th Armoured Division moved into position and the VIII Corps headquarters took up residence in [[Bény-sur-Mer]], more gaps in the minefields were blown, the forward areas were signposted and routes to be taken marked with white tape.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|pp=91–92}}

====Allied air forces====
Augmenting the preliminary artillery bombardment, {{nowrap|2,077 heavy}} and medium bombers of the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) and [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF) would attack in three waves, in the largest air raid launched in direct support of ground forces in the campaign so far.{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=35}}{{efn|{{nowrap|1,056 heavy}} bombers of [[RAF Bomber Command]], {{nowrap|539 heavy}} bombers of the USAAF [[Eighth Air Force]] and {{nowrap|482 medium}} bombers of the USAAF [[Ninth Air Force (World War II)|Ninth Air Force]].{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=89}}}} Speed was of the essence and it was hoped that the aerial bombardment would pave the way for the 11th Armoured Division, rapidly to secure the Bourguébus Ridge.{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=42}} Dempsey believed that if the operation were to succeed, his tanks would need to be on the ridge by the first afternoon and cancelled a second attack by heavy bombers scheduled for then although this was to be in direct support of the advance towards the ridge, he was concerned that the 11th Armoured Division should not have to wait for it.{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|p=171}} [[Close air support]] for Goodwood would be provided by [[No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group (United Kingdom)|83 Group RAF]], to neutralise German positions on the flanks of VIII Corps, strong points such as the village of Cagny, attacking German gun and reserve positions and the [[Air interdiction|interdiction]] of German troop movements.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=89}} Each of the VIII Corps brigade headquarters was allocated a [[Forward air control|Forward Air Control Post]].{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=65}}

===German preparations===
The Germans considered the Caen area to be the foundation of their position in Normandy and were determined to maintain a defensive arc from the English Channel to the west bank of the Orne.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=36}} On 15 July, German [[military intelligence]] warned Panzer Group West that from 17 July, a British attack out of the Orne bridgehead was likely. It was thought that the British would push south-east towards Paris.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=58}} General [[Heinrich Eberbach]], the commanding officer of Panzer Group West, designed a defensive plan, with its details worked out by his two corps and six divisional commanders.{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|p=172}} A belt of at least {{convert|10|mi|km}} depth was constructed, organised into four defence lines.  Villages within the belt were fortified and anti-tank guns placed along its southern and eastern edges.{{sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|p=336}}{{sfn|Jackson|2006|pp=76–77}} To allow tanks to move freely within the belt, the Germans decided not to establish anti-tank minefields between each defensive line.{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|p=171}} On 16 July, several reconnaissance flights were mounted over the British front but most of these were driven off by anti-aircraft fire.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=92}} As dark fell, camera-equipped aircraft managed to bring back photographs taken by the light of [[flares]], which revealed a one-way flow of traffic over the Orne into the British bridgehead.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=37}} Later that day, a British [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]] was shot down over German lines while photographing defences; British artillery and fighters attempted to destroy the crashed aircraft without success.{{sfn|Jackson|2006|p=92}}

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-721-0359-37, Canteloup, Panzer VI (Tiger II, Königstiger).jpg|thumb|{{centre|[[Tiger II|King Tigers]] belonging to the 503rd heavy tank battalion, hide from Allied aerial reconnaissance.}}]]
LXXXVI Corps, reinforced by much artillery, held the front line.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=59}} The 346th Infantry Division was dug in from the coast to the north of Touffreville and the depleted 16th ''Luftwaffe'' Field Division held the next section from Touffreville to Colombelles. ''[[Kampfgruppe]]'' [[Hans von Luck|von Luck]], a battle group formed around the 21st Panzer Division 125th [[Panzergrenadier]] Regiment, was placed behind these forces with around {{nowrap|30 assault guns.}} The 21st Panzer Division armoured elements, reinforced with the [[503rd Heavy Panzer Battalion]], which included ten [[Tiger II|King Tigers]], were north-east of Cagny in a position to support Luck's men and to act as a general reserve and the rest of the divisional panzergrenadiers, with towed anti-tank guns and [[assault gun]]s, were dug in amongst the villages of the Caen plain.{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=45}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|pp=170–171}}{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=62}} The 21st Panzer Division reconnaissance and [[Sapper|pioneer]] battalions, were positioned on the Bourguébus Ridge to protect the corps artillery, which consisted of around 48 field and medium guns with an equal number of ''[[Nebelwerfer]]'' rocket launchers. The LXXXVI Corps had {{nowrap|194 artillery}} pieces, {{nowrap|272 ''[[21 cm Nebelwerfer 42|Nebelwerfers]]''}} and {{nowrap|78 anti-aircraft}} and anti-tank [[88 mm gun]]s. One battery of four {{nowrap|88 mm}} anti-aircraft guns from the 2nd ''Flak-Sturm Regiment'', was positioned in Cagny, while in the villages along the Bourguébus Ridge there was a screen of {{nowrap|44 x 88 mm}} anti-tank guns from the 200th Tank Destroyer Battalion.{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|p=171}}{{sfn|Dunphie|2005|p=45}}{{efn|Trew wrote that there were only around 36 anti-tank guns in the rear positions, including no more than {{nowrap|8–16 pieces}} on the ridge itself.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=64}}}} Most of the LXXXVI Corps artillery was beyond the ridge covering the Caen–Falaise road.{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|p=171}}{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|pp=63–64}}

Facing Caen to the west of the Caen–Falaise road was the [[I SS Panzer Corps]]. On 14 July, elements of the [[272nd Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|272nd Infantry Division]] took over the defence of [[Vaucelles]] from the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, who moved into local reserve between the village of [[Ifs, Calvados|Ifs]] and the east bank of the Orne. The following day the 12th SS Panzer Division was placed in ''[[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht]]'' (''OKW'') reserve to rest and refit and—on Hitler's orders—to be in a position to meet a feared second Allied landing between the Orne and [[Seine]] rivers.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=57}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2001|pp=166, 171}} The divisional artillery regiment and anti-aircraft battalion remained behind to support the 272nd Infantry Division and two battle groups were detached from the division. ''Kampfgruppe'' Waldmüller was moved close to Falaise and ''Kampfgruppe'' Wünsche to [[Lisieux]], {{convert|40|km|mi}} east of Caen. Although ''Kampfgruppe'' Waldmüller was later ordered to rejoin the rest of the division at Lisieux, on 17 July Eberbach halted this move.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|pp=57–58}}

===Preliminary operations===

====Operation Greenline====
{{Main|Second Battle of the Odon}}
Operation Greenline was launched by XII Corps during the evening of 15 July, with the [[15th (Scottish) Infantry Division]] reinforced by a brigade of [[53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division]], the 34th Tank Brigade, [[43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division]] and the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division, minus one brigade.{{sfn|Reynolds|2002|p=46}} Greenline was intended to convince the German command that the main British assault would be launched west of the Orne, through the positions held by XII Corps and to tie down the [[9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen|9th]] and [[10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg|10th]] SS Panzer divisions, so that they could not oppose Goodwood or Cobra.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=38}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2002|p=46}} Supported by {{nowrap|450 guns,}} the British attack made use of [[Moonlight Batteries, Royal Artillery|artificial moonlight]] and started well despite disruption caused by German artillery fire.{{efn|"Artificial moonlight" or "Monty's moonlight" was the term given to the technique of providing illumination at night by reflecting [[searchlight]] beams off the cloud layer.{{sfn|Reynolds|2002|p=47}}}} By dawn XII Corps had captured several of its objectives including the important height of {{nowrap|Hill 113,}} although the much-contested [[Hill 112]] remained in German hands. By committing the 9th SS Panzer Division, the Germans managed by the end of the day to largely restore their line, although a counter-attack against Hill 113 failed.{{sfn|Reynolds|2002|pp=46–48}} Attacks next day by XII Corps gained no further ground and during the evening of 17 July, the operation was closed down and the British force on Hill 113 withdrawn.{{sfn|Reynolds|2002|pp=49–50}}

====Operation Pomegranate====
[[File:Odon valley 16 july.jpg|thumb|{{centre|British Infantry occupy slit trenches between Hill 112 and Hill 113 on 16 July 1944.}}]]
Operation Pomegranate began on 16 July, in which XXX Corps was to capture several important villages.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=38}} On the first day British infantry seized a key objective and took {{nowrap|300 prisoners}} but the next day there was much inconclusive fighting on the outskirts of Noyers-Bocage and Elements of the 9th SS Panzer Division were committed to the village defence. Although the British took control of the railway station and an area of high ground outside the village, Noyers-Bocage itself remained in German hands.{{ sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|p=334}}{{sfn|Randel|2006|p=17}}

The preliminary operations cost Second Army {{nowrap|3,500 casualties}} for no significant territorial gains but Greenline and Pomegranate were strategically successful.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=52}} Reacting to the threats in the Odon Valley, the Germans retained the 2nd Panzer and 10th SS Panzer divisions in the front line and recalled the 9th SS Panzer Division from Corps reserve.{{sfn|Daglish|2005|p=38}}{{sfn|Ellis|Allen|Warhurst|Robb|2004|p=334}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2002|p=50}} The Germans suffered around {{nowrap|2,000 casualties.}} Terry Copp wrote that the fighting was "one of the bloodiest encounters of the campaign".{{sfn|Copp|2004|p=135}} During the late afternoon of 17 July, a patrolling Spitfire spotted a German [[staff car]] on the road near the village of [[Sainte-Foy-de-Montgommery]]. The fighter made a [[strafing]] attack driving the car off the road. Among its occupants was Field Marshal [[Erwin Rommel]], the commander of [[Army Group B]], who was seriously wounded, leaving Army Group B temporarily leaderless.{{sfn|Trew|Badsey|2004|p=70}}{{sfn|Wilmot|McDevitt|1997|pp=357–358}}