Battle Zone Normandy: Operation Epsom

Despite Monty's claims after the war that his intention was to 'fix', or hold, the enemy armour in the east while the Americans swept round from the west, Epsom was clearly designed for the British to achieve the decisive breakthrough in Normandy. An advance of six miles was made and Hill 112 was briefly captured. A company of 2nd Battalion, The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders rushed a stone bridge at Tourmeauville, capturing it intact. For much of Epsom this bridge was the only crossing point over the Odon, and thus a considerable bottleneck. The threat of counter-attacks from the newly-arrived II SS Panzer Corps persuaded the British to withdraw from the east bank of the Odon. Hill 112 and Caen remained in German hands.