Operation Charnwood was a Second World War Anglo-Canadian offensive to capture the German-occupied French city of Caen that took place from 8 to 9 July 1944, during the Battle of Normandy. It was also hoped to forestall the transfer of German armoured units to the American sector of the front. Preceded by a controversial bombing raid that destroyed much of Caen's historic Old City, Charnwood began with three infantry divisions attacking German positions supported by artillery and tanks. British I Corps made gradual progress against the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend and 16th Luftwaffe Field Division. By the end of the first day, the 3rd Canadian and British 3rd and 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Divisions had reached Caen's outskirts. Entering the city the following morning, the Allies encountered resistance from German units withdrawing across the Orne river. Carpiquet airfield was captured, and by evening the Allies had reached the Orne's north bank. The operation was then halted as the bridges south were defended or impassable and German reserves were positioned to oppose their crossing. Despite I Corps' losses, Charnwood was a tactical success. Operationally, it achieved mixed results.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Charnwood
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1758:
French and Indian War: French forces defeated the British at Fort Carillon on the shore of Lake Champlain in the British Colony of New York. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carillon
1808:
Joseph Bonaparte approved the Bayonne Statute, a royal charter intended as the basis for his rule as King of Spain during the Peninsular War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayonne_Statute
1898:
American con artist and gangster Soapy Smith was killed in Skagway, Alaska, when an argument with fellow gang members turned into an unexpected gunfight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shootout_on_Juneau_Wharf
1994:
Upon the death of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il became the Supreme Leader of North Korea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-il
2011:
Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched in STS-135, the final mission of the U.S. Space Shuttle program. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-135
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
maw: 1. The upper digestive tract (where food enters the body), especially the mouth and jaws of a ravenous creature. 2. Any great, insatiable or perilous opening. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/maw
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
We make progress in society only if we stop cursing and complaining about its shortcomings and have the courage to do something about them. --Elisabeth Kübler-Ross https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Elisabeth_K%C3%BCbler-Ross