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Gunner Arthur Moore
Operation
Bluecoat
30th July - 7th August 1944
97 Anti Tank Regiment
Royal Artillery
30th July 1944
Operation Bluecoat was an attack by the British Second Army at the Battle of Normandy during World War II, from 30 July 1944 to 7 August 1944. The 44th 46th and 277th infantry Brigades were part of the 15th (Scottish) infantry Division. They all took part in this attack. The 97 ATK Regt RA supported these brigades. The objectives of the operation were to attack and secure the key road junction of Vire, which is to the south west of Saint Lo and the high ground of Mont Pinçon. Strategically, the attack was made to support the American exploitation of their breakout on the western flank of the Normandy beachhead on 25th July in Operation Cobra.
British and Canadian forces had launched Operation Goodwood south of Caen on the eastern flank of the Allied Normandy beachhead. This had made the Germans to concentrate the bulk of their forces, particularly their armoured units, between St Lou and Caen. The Germans occupied ideal terrain for defence, the hedge lined roads and fields of the Normandy bocage. Extensive minefilelds had been laid. Due to bad weather the bombardment by 1,000 bombers was not very successful as many bombers had problems locating the target area. Many units were held up by minefields and steep gullies, but in the centre, the attackers gained five miles. RHQ move to Grid ref 716626 completed.
31st July 1944
Operation Bluecoat - units of British 11th Armoured Division captured a bridge over the River Soulevre intact, and broke up the first German armoured units sent to counter-attack
1st August 1944
Operation Bluecoat - E troop 161st Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA claims 2 german tanks knocked out and one tank disabled
2nd August 1944
Operation Bluecoat - RHQ moved to Grid ref 685554
3rd August 1944
Operation Bluecoat - continued to advance on all fronts.
4th August 1944
Operation Bluecoat - units brought to a temporary halt due to 22 Panzer Division reinforcing the german defences. RHQ moved to Grid ref 682510
5th August 1944
Operation Bluecoat - units
6th August 1944
Operation Bluecoat - after renewed efforts the town of Vire and Mont Pincon fell to British and US forces
7th August 1944
Operation Bluecoat concluded. It drew substantial forces away from the projected German counter-attack against the US breakout at Avranches, and contributed substantially to the later encirclement of the German forces at the Falaise Pocket. 346th Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA relieves 161st Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA who move to reserve. 346th Battery, 97 ATK Regt RA now in support of 46th Highland Infantry Brigade
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