Battle of Verrières Ridge

Overview

The Battle of Verrières Ridge was a series of engagements fought as part of the Battle of Normandy, in Calvados, during the Second World War. The main combatants were two Canadian infantry divisions—with additional support from the Canadian 2nd Armoured Brigade—against elements of three German SS Panzer divisions. The battle was part of the British and Canadian attacks south of Caen, and took place from 19 to 25 July 1944, being part of Operation Atlantic and Operation Spring.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Verrières Ridge was a series of engagements fought between 19 and 25 July 1944 south of Caen, in Calvados, as part of the broader Battle of Normandy. Two Canadian infantry divisions, supported by the Canadian 2nd Armoured Brigade, contested the ridge against elements of three German SS Panzer divisions. The fighting formed part of Operation Atlantic and Operation Spring, the British and Canadian effort to press south of Caen and fix German armored strength on the eastern flank of the Normandy bridgehead. Canadian casualties reached approximately 2,000 against around 1,226 on the German side, reflecting the intensity of the defensive resistance mounted by the SS Panzer formations. The engagements contributed to the sustained Allied pressure that pinned elite German armored units in the Caen sector during this phase of the Normandy campaign.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (6)