CBS World News – July 22nd, 1947
July 22nd, 1947
CBS World News
"The world today. The Columbia Broadcasting System now presents a summary of the all the important world news today. Reports from CBS correspondents by trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific short wave radio, and the latest developments as received by the Columbia's news room here in New York. John Daly is here to report on a special news bulletin regarding the situation on the Allied landings in France."
"Good evening Americans, and thank you for listening in. Today marks a turning point in the war. Allied forces in Normandy have achieved all their initial objectives after 33 days of intense fighting."
"We will broadcast a report from London on the situation over the past few weeks."
“This is London, reporting on the events in Normandy on June 30th to July 22nd. As the battle raged on in Normandy, many journalists took their lives into their own hands to take breathtaking coverage of what is now being called the turning point in the war. A journalist that moved with the headquarters of Omar Bradley tells us of the battle that unfolded in Normandy. Tommy Fourever reports to us today from Normandy."
".....Our main units, after a week of clearing out the forests, came across the German's main defensive line running just in front of Caen. Caen is a transportation and logistical hub for the entire Normandy campaign. If the Allied forces are unable to take it, the Germans will have a good chance at being able to buildup for another counter attack."
"The Allied offensive to take Caen, codenamed Operation Hawkeye, began on July 9th. Supported by the armored elements of the 1st and 2nd American armies, the attack began with two thrusts on the east and west flanks on the German positions around Caen."
"Good progress was made just east of the city, managing cross the Orne river and seize Ranville and Escoville. The western attack made less headway. Accurate artillery fire ravaged the staging areas, and the forces were barely able to make it to the starting lines. However, as the eastern attack pushed further, artillery was diverted and they were finally able to start their attack. Their first objective, the Carpiquet Airfield, was taken during the evening of July 10th as German forces fell back across the Orne river."
"As the 1st and 2nd Armies moved on Caen's flank, the main assault began on Caen. It was a grueling fight. Accurate fire from the surrounding hills behind Caen knocked out several tanks as they approached the city. Rommel made good use of his '88s', as the troops call them. However, by July 12th the mechanized forces of the 1st Army moved in and reached the city center. At this point, it seemed that the Germans were defeated."
"Rommel, of course, thought differently. The struggling attack west of Caen was a clear opportunity for him. Reinforced by several panzer divisions, Rommel launched a counter-attack, pushing the Allies back across the Orne and retaking the Carpiquet airfield. American troops fell back, and German tanks had moved in behind Caen. American units in the Caen center were caught by surprise, as communication had been cut off by the German advance. Caught in this surprise ambush, the mechanized forces took heavy casualties but held their ground."
"The 17th was the turning point in the battle for Caen. The eastern attacks pushed behind Caen and moved on seized Fleury-sur-Orne and Cormelles. A renewed western attack pushed the Germans from Carpiquet and across the Orne. They linked up with the east attack, encircling the Germans trapped in Caen."
"Rommel ordered a breakout from Caen. On July 18th, the German units broke from Caen and retreated south. From other places along the Orne, the Germans were in a fighting retreat, and by 21:00 on July 22nd, the initial objectives in Normandy were secured. The Allies had achieved the beachhead they wanted to get."
**The Landings had started on 06:00 June 18th, 1947 and lasted until 21:00 July 22nd, 1947. The battle cost me 166.35 manpower, or roughly 249,695 lives. The battle is the longest I have ever had in this game. 33 days.**