Cheux'd Up

The Allied failure to capture Caen on D-Day allowed the Germans to rush reinforcements to the area. In an effort to isolate and pressure the defenses around Caen, Field Marshal Montgomery devised and launched Operation Epsom, spearheaded by the British …

1944-06-26

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The Allied failure to capture Caen on D-Day allowed the Germans to rush reinforcements to the area. In an effort to isolate and pressure the defenses around Caen, Field Marshal Montgomery devised and launched Operation Epsom, spearheaded by the British 43th and the Scottish 15th lnfantry Divisions. At dawn on June 26th men of the 2nd Bn (Scottish 15th Division, as yet not tested in battle) approached the objective, the village of Cheux, which was heavily shrouded in mist and defended by the men of the 12th SS Pionier Bn (rear echelon troops of the 12th SS Panzer Division). The Highlanders advanced on Cheux following a walking barrage from the 15th Division's artillery. The barrage enabled the Highlanders to penetrate the main line of Resistance. Once in the enemy rear it seemed that Cheux would be easily cleared. However, the Highlanders were not prepared for the unexpected stiff Resistance. Led by Lt Bruno Asmus and Lt Lorenz, the SS HO and SS Supply troops defended vigorously, forcing the Highlanders to clear Cheux house by house often in hand-to-hand combat.

Cheux, France

Operation Epsom, also known as the First Battle of the Odon, was a British offensive in the Second World War between 26 and 30 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy. The offensive was intended to outflank and seize the German-occupied city of Caen, an important Allied objective, in the early stages of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of north-west Europe. Preceded by Operation Martlet to secure the right flank of the advance, Operation Epsom began early on 26 June, with units of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division advancing behind a rolling artillery barrage. Air cover was sporadic for much of the operation, because poor weather in England forced the last-minute cancellation of bomber support. Accompanied by the 3ist Tank Brigade, the 15th (Scottish) Division made steady progress and by the end of the first day had overrun much of the German outpost line, although some difficulties remained in securing the flanks. In mutually-costly fighting over the following two days, a foothold was secured across the River Odon and efforts were made to expand this, by capturing tactically valuable points around the salient and moving up the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division. By 30 June, after German counter-attacks, some of the British forces across the river were withdrawn and the captured ground consolidated, bringing the operation to a close.

Wikipedia: Operation Epsom

German

Scotland