Operation Perch was a British offensive of the Second World War between 7 and 14 June 1944. The intention was to seize Caen, a major Allied objective in the early stages of the invasion of northwest Europe. The operation had been planned to start immediately after the beach landings, but when Caen was still in German hands three days into the Battle of Normandy, it changed to a pincer attack using XXX Corps and I Corps. XXX Corps faced strong German forces in a fierce battle for Tilly-sur-Seulles. I Corps's eastern thrust from the Orne bridgehead met determined resistance. With mounting casualties and no sign of success, the offensive was abandoned. To the west, American pressure had opened up a gap in the German lines. The 7th Armoured Division was ordered to advance through it, to try to force a German retreat. After two days of intense fighting, the division's position was untenable and it was withdrawn. Historians generally agree that while an early opportunity to capture Caen was squandered by British command failures, the Germans had had to use their most powerful armoured reserves in a defensive role, incurring heavy losses, rather than in counteroffensive operations.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Perch

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1285:

Forces led by Prince Trần Quang Khải of Vietnam's Trần dynasty destroyed most of the invading Mongol naval fleet in a battle at Chuong Duong. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tr%E1%BA%A7n_Quang_Kh%E1%BA%A3i

1846:

Anglo-American settlers in the Town of Sonoma began a rebellion against Mexico, proclaiming the California Republic and eventually raising a homemade flag with a bear and star (digital reproduction pictured). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Republic

1944:

Second World War: Although the British Army abandoned the attempt to capture Caen, the Germans had been forced to commit their most powerful armoured reserves in a defensive role. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Perch

1982:

Argentine forces surrendered to the British, essentially ending the Falklands War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War

1994:

After the Vancouver Canucks lost to the New York Rangers in ice hockey's Stanley Cup Finals, a riot ensued in Downtown Vancouver, causing C$1.1 million in damage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Vancouver_Stanley_Cup_riot

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

vexillology: The study of flags. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vexillology

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

 Because you cannot see him, God is everywhere.   --Yasunari Kawabata https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Yasunari_Kawabata