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WWII On This Day: June 15

What happened on June 15 during World War II? This date brings together 2 events from 1944, with period photographs and links to the full operations documented across WW2 Theatres.

1944
The campaign in Normandy, 1944.
The campaign in Normandy, 1944. IWM B 7745 · IWM Non-Commercial Licence Source
Operation Overlord

The drive west across the Cotentin

US VII Corps turned west across the neck of the Cotentin, aiming to reach the Atlantic coast and cut off Cherbourg. The 9th Infantry Division led, moving faster than the German command could form a line across the peninsula. Hitler's standing order forbade any withdrawal, which meant the divisions in the north of the Cotentin could not fall back on Cherbourg in good order before the corridor was severed.

Continue in Operation Overlord →
Ground crews load 3-inch rockets onto a No. 247 Squadron Typhoon at B2/Bazenville in Normandy on 15 June 1944.
Ground crews load 3-inch rockets onto a No. 247 Squadron Typhoon at B2/Bazenville in Normandy on 15 June 1944. Goodchild A (F/O), Royal Air Force official photographer / Imperial War Museums, CL 157 · Public domain Source
The Transportation Plan

Tactical air power moves onto the Normandy battlefield

By mid-June, 2nd Tactical Air Force squadrons were operating from advanced landing grounds inside Normandy. The attached 15 June photograph shows a No. 247 Squadron Typhoon being loaded with 3-inch rockets at B2/Bazenville. Rail and road interdiction now continued from bases beside the land battle.

Continue in The Transportation Plan →