All Battles

Operation Goodwood

1944 Calvados Panzerschlacht

IWM caption : THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN 1944. Sherman tanks carrying infantry wait for the order to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood'.

IWM caption : THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN 1944. Sherman tanks carrying infantry wait for the order to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood'.

Author: Laing (Sgt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
A Sherman tank and Crusader anti-aircraft tank of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, during Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944.
A Sherman tank and Crusader AA Mk III of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, during Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

A Sherman tank and Crusader anti-aircraft tank of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, during Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944. A Sherman tank and Crusader AA Mk III of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, during Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Author: Laing (Sgt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
British infantry and Sherman tanks wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944.
Infantry and Sherman tanks wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944. A Sherman Firefly is in the foreground.

British infantry and Sherman tanks wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944. Infantry and Sherman tanks wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944. A Sherman Firefly is in the foreground.

Author: Laing (Sgt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945.
Vertical aerial photograph showing smoke from exploding bombs smothering the Colombelles steelworks, east of Caen, France during the attack by aircraft of Bomber Command in support of the Second Army's armoured advance in the Normandy battle area, (Operation GOODWOOD).

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Vertical aerial photograph showing smoke from exploding bombs smothering the Colombelles steelworks, east of Caen, France during the attack by aircraft of Bomber Command in support of the Second Army's armoured advance in the Normandy battle area, (Operation GOODWOOD).

Author: Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Vertical photographic-reconnaissance aerial photograph of the steelworks at Colombelles, east of Caen, France following a daylight attack on German fortified positions by aircraft of Bomber Command on the morning of 18 July 1944, in support of Operation GOODWOOD. The whole target area is studded with a dense concentration of craters and almost every building in the steelworks has been destroyed.

Vertical photographic-reconnaissance aerial photograph of the steelworks at Colombelles, east of Caen, France following a daylight attack on German fortified positions by aircraft of Bomber Command on the morning of 18 July 1944, in support of Operation GOODWOOD. The whole target area is studded with a dense concentration of craters and almost every building in the steelworks has been destroyed.

Author: No. 106 (PR) Group RAFLicense:PD
Source
IWM caption : Vertical aerial photograph showing Handley Page Halifax B Mark III, LW127 'HL-F', of No. 429 Squadron RCAF, in flight over Mondeville, France, after losing its entire starboard tailplane to bombs dropped by another Halifax above it. LW127 was one of 942 aircraft of Bomber Command despatched to bomb German-held positions, in support of the Second Army attack in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD), on the morning of 18 July 1944. The crew managed to abandon the aircraft before it crashed in the target area.

IWM caption : Vertical aerial photograph showing Handley Page Halifax B Mark III, LW127 'HL-F', of No. 429 Squadron RCAF, in flight over Mondeville, France, after losing its entire starboard tailplane to bombs dropped by another Halifax above it. LW127 was one of 942 aircraft of Bomber Command despatched to bomb German-held positions, in support of the Second Army attack in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD), on the morning of 18 July 1944. The crew managed to abandon the aircraft before it crashed in the target area.

Author: Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Décombres d'une maison pendant l'Opération Goodwood situé Rue des Parachutistes, après une détonation.

Décombres d'une maison pendant l'Opération Goodwood situé Rue des Parachutistes, après une détonation.

Author: TteissonniLicense:CC-BY-SA-4.0
Source
Soldiers of 1st Welsh Guards in action near Cagny during Operation Goodwood

Soldiers of 1st Welsh Guards in action near Cagny during Operation Goodwood

Author: Sergeant Laing, No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45
German prisoners taken during Operation 'Goodwood', 19 July 1944.

The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 German prisoners taken during Operation 'Goodwood', 19 July 1944.

Author: Malindine E G (Capt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
Infantry and tanks wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood'.

Infantry and tanks wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood'.

Author: Laing (Sgt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
Guardsmen of 3rd Irish Guards in a Loyd carrier, wrapped up against the clouds of dust, during Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944.
Guardsmen of 3rd Irish Guards in a Loyd carrier, wrapped up against the clouds of dust, during Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Guardsmen of 3rd Irish Guards in a Loyd carrier, wrapped up against the clouds of dust, during Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944. Guardsmen of 3rd Irish Guards in a Loyd carrier, wrapped up against the clouds of dust, during Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Author: Malindine E G (Capt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
A Morris light reconnaissance car and, in the background, Sherman Crab flail tanks move up to the battle area for Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

A Morris light reconnaissance car and, in the background, Sherman Crab flail tanks move up to the battle area for Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Author: not statedLicense:PD
Source
A King Tiger of the 503rd heavy tank battalion, after it has been rammed by a British Sherman commanded by Lieutenant John Gorman of the 2nd Armoured Irish Guards, Guards Armoured Division during Operation Goodwood. Gorman and his crew then captured most of the Tiger's crew. The event took place on 18 July 1944 to the west of Cagny, Normandy, France.

A King Tiger of the 503rd heavy tank battalion, after it has been rammed by a British Sherman commanded by Lieutenant John Gorman of the 2nd Armoured Irish Guards, Guards Armoured Division during Operation Goodwood. Gorman and his crew then captured most of the Tiger's crew. The event took place on 18 July 1944 to the west of Cagny, Normandy, France.

Author: Unknown, uncredited by both authorsLicense:PD
Source
IWM caption : Avro Lancaster B Mark IIs of No. 514 Squadron RAF taxy onto the main runway at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, for a daylight attack on fortified villages east of Caen, in support of the Second Army's armoured offensive in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

IWM caption : Avro Lancaster B Mark IIs of No. 514 Squadron RAF taxy onto the main runway at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, for a daylight attack on fortified villages east of Caen, in support of the Second Army's armoured offensive in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

Author: Devon S A (Flt Lt), Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
IWM caption : Avro Lancasters of No. 514 Squadron RAF, lined up at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, before taking part in a daylight attack on fortified villages east of Caen, in support of the Second Army's armoured offensive in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

IWM caption : Avro Lancasters of No. 514 Squadron RAF, lined up at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, before taking part in a daylight attack on fortified villages east of Caen, in support of the Second Army's armoured offensive in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

Author: Devon S A (Flt Lt) : Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Medicsgoodwood

Medicsgoodwood

Author: UnknownLicense:PD
Source
Historical panel and maps of the battle of Normandy around Sannerville in July 1944

Historical panel and maps of the battle of Normandy around Sannerville in July 1944

Author: Dave osmLicense:CC-BY-SA-4.0
Source
Goodwood operation historical panel in Cuverville

Goodwood operation historical panel in Cuverville

Author: Dave osmLicense:CC-BY-SA-4.0
Source
Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bomber Command
Watched by the CO, Wing Commander D A Gardner (left), aircrew of No 166 Squadron at Kirmington, Lincolnshire, gather on 20 July 1944 to hear the Adjutant, Flight Lieutenant F C Tigh, read out a congratulatory message from Field Marshal Montgomery, thanking the bomber crews for their efforts supporting the British Second Army's armoured offensive in Normandy, Operation 'Goodwood'.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bomber Command Watched by the CO, Wing Commander D A Gardner (left), aircrew of No 166 Squadron at Kirmington, Lincolnshire, gather on 20 July 1944 to hear the Adjutant, Flight Lieutenant F C Tigh, read out a congratulatory message from Field Marshal Montgomery, thanking the bomber crews for their efforts supporting the British Second Army's armoured offensive in Normandy, Operation 'Goodwood'.

Author: Ashley (Plt Off), Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945.
Avro Lancasters and Handley Page Halifaxes fly through anti-aircraft fire to bomb fortified villages east of Caen, France in a dawn attack by 942 aircraft, before the commencement of the Second Army's armoured attack in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Avro Lancasters and Handley Page Halifaxes fly through anti-aircraft fire to bomb fortified villages east of Caen, France in a dawn attack by 942 aircraft, before the commencement of the Second Army's armoured attack in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

Author: Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945.
An Avro Lancaster leaves the target area (top left), as smoke from exploding bombs smothers the village of Villers-Bocage, south-west of Caen, France.  942 aircraft of Bomber Command were despatched to bomb German-held positions, in support of the Second Army attack in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD), on the morning of 18 July 1944.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. An Avro Lancaster leaves the target area (top left), as smoke from exploding bombs smothers the village of Villers-Bocage, south-west of Caen, France. 942 aircraft of Bomber Command were despatched to bomb German-held positions, in support of the Second Army attack in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD), on the morning of 18 July 1944.

Author: Royal Air Force official photographerLicense:PD
Source
Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945.
Four Avro Lancasters of No. 514 Squadron RAF flying over complete cloud cover during a daylight attack on fortified villages east of Caen, in support of the Second Army's armoured offensive in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Four Avro Lancasters of No. 514 Squadron RAF flying over complete cloud cover during a daylight attack on fortified villages east of Caen, in support of the Second Army's armoured offensive in the Normandy battle area (Operation GOODWOOD).

Author: Stanley DevonLicense:PD
Source
Sherman Firefly with its squadron await the order to move forward at the start of Operation Goodwood, 18 July 1944.

Sherman Firefly with its squadron await the order to move forward at the start of Operation Goodwood, 18 July 1944.

Author: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit, Sgt LaingLicense:PD
Source
Sherman Firefly passes through Ecosville during Operation Goodwood, 18 July 1944

Sherman Firefly passes through Ecosville during Operation Goodwood, 18 July 1944

Author: No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit, Sgt ChristieLicense:PD
Source
Sherman tanks carrying infantry wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944.
Sherman tanks carrying infantry wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Sherman tanks carrying infantry wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944. Sherman tanks carrying infantry wait to advance at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Author: Laing (Sgt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source
Sherman tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, carrying infantry from 3rd Division, move up at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944.
Sherman tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, carrying infantry from 3rd Division, move up at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Sherman tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, carrying infantry from 3rd Division, move up at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', Normandy, 18 July 1944. Sherman tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade, carrying infantry from 3rd Division, move up at the start of Operation 'Goodwood', 18 July 1944.

Author: Laing (Sgt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic UnitLicense:PD
Source

Historical Overview

Largest British armored thrust to liberate Caen.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Allied victory.

UK

  • Commander: M. Dempsey
  • Strength: 3 Divisionen
  • Casualties: 3500

German Army

  • Commander: Hans Eberbach
  • Strength: 3 Divisionen
  • Casualties: 2500

Strategic Context

Final break of German defense at Caen.

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