MINOR OPERATIONS
2 Fortresses on R.C.M. sorties, 14 Mosquitoes on flying-bomb patrols, 8 Stirlings minelaying off Biscay coasts, 16 aircraft on Resistance operations. 1 Mosquito shot down a flying bomb, probably the first 100 Group Mosquito success against the flying bombs. No Bomber Command aircraft lost.
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VILLERS-BOCAGE
266 aircraft - 151 Lancasters, 105 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes - of 3, 4 and 8 Groups to bomb a road junction through which the tanks of two German Panzer divisions, the 2nd and 9th, would have to pass in order to carry out a planned attack on the junction of the British and American armies in Normandy that night. The raid was controlled with great care by the Master Bomber, who ordered the bombing force to come down to 4,000 ft in order to be sure of seeing the markers in the smoke and dust of the exploding bombs. 1,100 tons of bombs were dropped with great accuracy and the planned German attack did not take place. 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster lost.
OISEMONT
102 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes of 1 and 8 Groups bombed a flying-bomb launching site. The attack took place through 10/10ths cloud and results were not observed. No aircraft were lost.
6 Mosquitoes flew uneventful Ranger patrols.
