19 August 1944
How much truth is there between radio announcements and reality?
As soon as the situation allows it, we listen to the radio. We brought a portable battery-operated radio from England.
And what nonsense we hear!
"Yesterday the Royal Air Force bombed the enemy positions and the troops are retreating. Not a word about the fact that half of these bombs fell on our heads1. The Trun road, long controlled, was bombed by the Canadians who suffered heavy losses. They destroyed tanks of the 10th BKP2. Battalions in their positions were shelled, etc. etc. Where is the mistake - everyone wonders.
"Our troops took the Champeaux". Indeed they did so by mistake3 and they came across a pocket of resistance. They found themselves in a critical situation. In particular, the 8th Battalion and the 2nd Armoured Regiment.
"The enemy is retreating, General von Kluge's army is withdrawing."
Kazimierz Duda - War Chronicles - 19 August 1944 - Page 62
1 3rd attack on the division by Allied bombers (friendly fire).
2 10 Brygady Kawalerii Pancernej : 10th Cavalry Brigade.
3 Accidentally led by a French civilian to Les Champeaux instead of Chambois.
Translation from French version: Steven Duda
Original page 62