13 JUNE 1944
Fierce German resistance halts the Allied attack on the strategically vital town Villers-bocage
01 Frustration in the east
Attacking south-westward on 11 June, the British 51st (Highland) Infantry Division runs into stiff resistance from the veteran German 21st Panzer Division, thwarting the advance of Field Marshal Montgomery’s left, or eastern, pincer attack during the execution of the modified Operation Perch.
02 Clash at Tilly-surseulles
The right pincer of Operation Perch sends the 7th Armoured and 50th Infantry Divisions striking south-eastward toward Villers-bocage to flank Panzer Lehr and threaten Caen. However, the Germans counterattack and slow the British advance to a crawl.
03 End run to Villers-bocage
With the 22nd Armoured Brigade in the lead, the 7th Armoured Division sidles out of the line at Tullysur-seulles and races toward Villers-bocage to re-energise the stalling British effort to flank Panzer Lehr and eventually drive on Caen.
04 Rush through France
Elements of the 22nd Armoured Brigade brush aside light resistance and cover the distance to Villersbocage in a matter of hours. The swift movement through a stretch of open country boosts morale among the British troops after hard fighting in the bocage of Normandy.
05 Tenuous hold at Point 213
Tanks of the 4th County of London Yeomanry accompanied by infantry of Company A, 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade move to take the high ground at Point 213 on National Highway 175, the direct route to Caen. Troops and armoured vehicles halt along the road, awaiting deployment orders.
06 Tigers sally forth
Commanded by First Lieutenant Michael Wittmann and Tiger tanks of 2nd Company, SS Heavy Tank Battalion 101 hits Point 213 and the town of Villers-bocage. Unprepared British forces are taken by surprise and suffer heavy losses as the Tigers destroy numerous tanks and armoured vehicles.
07 Fireflies and Cromwells fight back
Renewed German armoured thrusts at Villers-bocage receive a hot reception as well-placed British tanks and anti-tank guns exact a measure of revenge for the early morning rout. British infantrymen take on the tanks with shoulderfired PIAT weapons.
08 The British back away
Continuing pressure from German forces and the inability of the 50th Infantry Division to come to the aid of 7th Armoured doom Operation Perch and the reach for Villersbocage to failure. British forces reluctantly withdraw.