The story
The 30th Infantry Division repositioned and prepared for the major breakthrough offensive, codenamed COBRA.
COBRA envisioned a massive “carpet bombing” followed by three infantry divisions attacking to punch a hole in enemy lines, and then two armored divisions and a motorized infantry division exploiting through the hole thus made.
As the gap widened and resistance crumpled, further forces would pile on.
The three infantry divisions to make the initial attack were, from right to left, the 9th, 4th and 30th.
COBRA was set for 21 July, but was postponed to 22, 24 and then 25 July because of weather.
On the morning of 25 July more than 2,400 Allied planes dropped more than 4,000 tons of bombs within a six-square-mile sector west of Saint-Lô.
Despite losses to bombs fallen short, the 30th Infantry Division forced its way across the Périers - Saint-Lô Highway and into the village of Hebecrevon.
The bombing and subsequent infantry attacks totally disrupted the defenders along thousands of yards of front.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.