Fear Naught

Montgomery's attempt to take Caen by the end of June was codenamed Operation EPSOM, and the flanking maneuver west of Caen commenced in bad weather. This kept anticipated tactical airstrikes from happening, but did not prevent the 15th (Scottish) Division from its task of providing a covering barrage for the …

1944-06-26

AP137

Montgomery's attempt to take Caen by the end of June was codenamed Operation EPSOM, and the flanking maneuver west of Caen commenced in bad weather. This kept anticipated tactical airstrikes from happening, but did not prevent the 15th (Scottish) Division from its task of providing a covering barrage for the attack. As rain kicked in, the 44th Lowland Infantry Brigade under Brigadier H.D.K. Money led the left-flank assault against St. Manvieu-Norrey. Fully expecting such an attack, SS-Standartenfuhrer Kurt Meyer, newly appointed commander of SS Panzer Division 12 “Hitlerjugend,” adjusted his troop dispositions to defend what he called “the cornerstone of the German front in Normandy.”

St. Manvieu-Norrey, 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 By 30 June, after German counter-attacks, some of the British forces across the river were withdrawn and the captured ground consolidated, bringing the operation to a close.

British

German

Scenario Type = Standard