Bloody Revenge
1100 July 23rd 1944
South Bay of Biscaya
British commanders were not really bright. That very same transport flotilla that entered German-controlled waters five days ago would now venture into a new expedition.
It is unknown whether that transport flotilla was carrying a division or not. Whatever the case, it was now one less transport flotilla for the Allies.
1400 July 23rd 1944
5. Panzerarmee Headquarters, Orléans, France
July 23rd would mark the end of this tenacious battle fought in Orléans.
In the afternoon of that day, the American divisions were badly mauled and in no state of fighting his enemy. Four hours later, Montgomery would be totally humiliated: they had lost a battle, lost it badly, against Germany, in 1944.
Hausser decided he would not pursue the fleeing Americans for two or three days. There was still no way he could capture them as the provinces behind them would still be a challenge.
1800 July 23rd 1944
The skies above Cherbourg
As the loss of Orléans and a huge quantity of men wasn't enough for the Allies, on that afternoon the Luftwaffe would score another victory against Allied aircraft.
The Luftwaffe was starting to show evident damage too, however.
0400 July 26th 1944
5. Panzerarmee Headquarters, Orléans, France
Three days after the capitulation of Orléans, Hausser would proceed with his plan. He did not want to attack Le Mans, however, but Argentan, as many of the fleeing American divisions retreated on that province. In the end, he would still be able to perform two encirclements by capturing Avranches, after Argentan.
Many of the divisions defending Argentan were the same of the battle of Orléans. Still, the Americans had some few fresh divisions there; and those would probably make Argentan another long battle even against sheer German both numerical and qualitative superiority. The battle started well, however, with an early encirclement performed by the now experienced General Heissmeyer.
0800 July 26th 1944
Eastern English Channel
American bombers still equated World to freedom of movement.
Luftwaffe would prove them wrong.
2000 July 28th 1944
Eastern Front
It was a miracle that the Soviets had not attacked Zamosc yet. They preferred, however, exploiting the holes left by German forces. Przemysl was occupied days ago, and three divisions were hastily retrieved to defend Cracow and surrouind zones from a possible breakthrough.
Now ninety-two divisions against twelve Soviet divisions would battle over this piece of land. They just had to hope the battles wouldn't be fought like those in France.
1300 July 29th 1944
Western Front
The Battle of Argentan was still raging after three days. It was a paradoxal situation like the battle of Orléans, but this time it would be even more evident: in a few days, the attacking divisions and Luftwaffe bombers inflicted an enormous damage on men and materiél of the American divisions - and this was even more spectacular given the few days Luftwaffe bombers started bombing such forces; yet, they would still hold on forever.
Or, at least, till there was someone with a rifle able to shoot.