- Description:
- After two months of bitter combat in Normandy, Operation
Bluecoat transformed the campaign into a war of movement. British and
German armoured divisions were flung against one another. Over the
rugged terrain of the 'Suisse Normande', thrust met with counter thrust
in a rapidly changing mobile battle.
This is the story of the
breakthrough begun on 30th July by 11th Armoured Division, Guards
Armoured Division, and 15th (Scottish) Division. This was initially
opposed by 21. Panzer Division, and later by the Germans' most powerful
divisions in the west: 9.
SS-Panzer 'Hohenstaufen' and 10.
SS-Panzer 'Frundsberg'. The story of Bluecoat includes examples of
virtually every type of Second World War armoured combat: from infantry
tanks to specialised flame-throwers and minesweeping tanks; from light
armoured reconnaissance units to the heaviest battle tanks of the Second
World War.
The experiences of both sides, German as well as
British, are related as the story of a swirling armoured Melle is played
out under the host summer sun between Caumont and Vire.
GB/PS