Battle of Verrières Ridge
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 tacks south of Caen, and took place from 19 to 25 July 1944, being part of Operation Atlantic and Operation Spring.
Canadian soldiers under fire near Fleury-sur-Orne in the early hours of 25 July 1944
Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds, the senior Canadian commander for the battle, during an inspection tour after VE-Day.
Field Marshal Montgomery (third from right) talking with Simonds (second from right) at II Canadian Corps Headquarters in Normandy, 20 July 1944
Operation Atlantic was a Canadian offensive during the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War. The offensive, launched in conjunction with Operation Goodwood by the Second Army, was part of operations to seize the French city of Caen and vicinity from German forces. It was initially successful, with gains made on the flanks of the Orne River near Saint-André-sur-Orne but an attack by the 4th and 6th Canadian Infantry Brigades of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, against strongly defended German positions on Verrières Ridge to the south was a costly failure.
A German patrol moves towards the Colombelles factory area.