Twlight at Maltot

Twelve days after the initial assault, the vital village of Maltot lies in ruins. On 22nd July, 1944, the German 272nd lnfantry Division, which had arrived on foot from the Pas de Calais, was assigned the defense. The 129th Brigade …

1944-07-22

HOD6

Twelve days after the initial assault, the vital village of Maltot lies in ruins. On 22nd July, 1944, the German 272nd lnfantry Division, which had arrived on foot from the Pas de Calais, was assigned the defense. The 129th Brigade would attempt to secure the village. In the vanguard were the 4th and 5th Wiltshire (Wilts), supported by the reinforced 9th Royal Tank Regiment (RTR). Operation EXPRESS, as it was known, was simple en assault from the northeast down the length of the valley. The assault kicked off at 17:30 hours, with the British advancing in line across the valley. The 4th Wilts would advance around the southern edge of Maltot, while the 5th Wilts would encircle from the north. Typhoons on station overhead could be called in to deal with any particularly tough nuts. Initial progress was slow but steady, with the British securing a foothold. The Germans would still not easily give up the town, and elements of the 10th SS were sent north to reinforce the defenders, and if necessary, retake the town. Heavy panzers of the 101st were sent to support the defenders but were driven off by the rocket firing typhoons. As twilight fell on Maltot, control was still in doubt and the British command committed the 151th Royal Artillery Corps flame throwing Crocodiles to help dig out the stubborn defenders. The British fought hard into the night, finally securing the town at around 22:00. The next few hours were spent mopping up the prisoners.

Maltot, France

Operation Express - After Operation Windsor from 4–5 July, the capture of the western outskirts of Caen during Operation Charnwood from 8–9 July and Operation Jupiter from 10–11 July, the village of Maltot had been taken over by the 272nd Infantry Division on 22 July from the 10th SS Panzer Division, which had moved into reserve around St. Martin, ready to counter-attack. The British planned to attack Maltot from the north-east with the Orne on the left flank. During Operation Jupiter, the attack had come over open ground, southwards from Château Fontaine and Éterville, easily seen from Hill 112. Operation Express was to begin from Louvigny. The 5th Wiltshire Battalion (5th Wilts) and B Squadron of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment (7th RTR) of the 31st Tank Brigade, were to capture the village and orchards north of the road from Louvigny and the 4th Wiltshire with A Squadron 7th RTR, were to attack the woods, orchards and a spur south-east of Maltot. The 4th Somerset Light Infantry were kept in reserve, ready to exploit any success.

Wikipedia: Operation Jupiter (1944)

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