OPERATION EPSOM - 8TH CORPS' FORMATIONS IN ACTION (PART 3) [Allocated Title]

Inadequate roads, poor weather and determined German opposition hinders 8th Corps' deployment in the Odon Valley as Operation Epsom gets underway.

I. Elements of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment and the 227th Brigade move up towards Cheux to join the 44th Royal Tank Regiment presently deployed on the ridge beyond the Caen - Fontenay-le-Pesnel road. Shermans and Humber scout cars from 29th Armoured Brigade's HQ Troop assemble near the Caen-Fontenay road.

II. A 278th Field Company Royal Engineers notice indicates a mine-free route across country. While searching for mines in Le Mesnil-Patry, a sapper discovers a shell fragment (?) and a two- kilogram explosive charge tied to a tree. 3rd RTR Shermans move up to 8th Corps' front along a 'cleared' lane. Filming from an OP Carrier (?), the cameraman observes 3rd RTR Shermans engaging targets in St Manvieu.

III. Elements of the 11th Armoured Division assemble near the Caen-Fontenay road. Two 22nd Dragoons Sherman flail tanks return from the front, passing elements of the 29th Armoured, 31st Tank and 227th Infantry Brigades forming up outside Cheux. A 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Stuart V reverses out of Cheux past 1st Middlesex Regiment carrier detachments. A 'brewed-up' 7th RTR (?) Stuart III lies a few yards from an abandoned 6-pounder gun. Elements of the 46th and 227th Brigades and the 3rd and 7th RTRs assemble outside Cheux.

35mm