Operation Cobra illustration showcasing disposition of Allied & German divisions. With carpet bombing areas east of St. Lo and subsequent US armor thrusts into immediate area, Panzer Lehr was ceased to exist as cohesive division, its surviving elements retreated southward towards Percy to form new defense lines.

LAST PHASE OF THE BATTLE (15-20 JULY) | HAM

On eastern flank of breakthrough contained 2nd SS Panzer Das Reich, 17th SS Panzergrenadier Götz von Berlichingen, and 353rd Infantry Division entrapped in so-called Roncey Pocket by US 3rd Armor Division thrusts. Although Germans did suffer its good share of casualties, entrapped German units were able to fight their way westward and rejoin new German defense lines at Percy and Tessy-sur-Vire ( or Vire ).

2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich | Wiki

3 Das Reich German SdKfz 251 Ausf D lost in Roncey Pocket | WW2C

Roncey Pocket was more in name than in actual military stance, there was no wholesale destruction of German forces in this encirclement compared to June 1944 Soviet Operation Bagration, although August 1944 Falaise Pocket by US/Allies is a bonafide encirclement battle.

The Breakthrough Developed - The Second Thrust Toward Coutances | IBO

The Breakthrough Developed - Map ( JPG ) | IBO

Breakdown of these German divisions indicated Das Reich as seasoned combat experience since France 1940 campaign, Götz von Berlichingen was formed in France - Oct 1943, its first combat engagement was 12/13 Jun 1944 at Carentan when its recon battalion defended Carentan against US 10st Airborne Division assault.

17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen | Wiki

353 Infanterie-division was also formed in France - Nov 1943, in typical late-WW2 fashion division personnel were drawn from other combat units decimated in previous European battles, such as 371st, 328th, 137th, 306th, 389th Infantry Divisions from Ostfront and 334th Infantry from Italian front. These personnel served as combat experienced cadre for other new recruits. Other personnel drawn from Carpathian Volksdeutsch ( ethnic Germans who resided in Carpathian mountain region of Hungary and Romania ). An interestingly, circa 1,700 Osttruppen ( Eastern Troops or Russians ) were also included to augment manpower shortage. These Osttruppen were of dubious reliability since most signed up for German service to escape slave labor POW camp conditions, Germans realized this for their part as series of mutinies occurred with Osttruppen forces.

353rd ID History | 353

Rare WW2 color photo with St. Lo urban ruins at ground level, in photo is town's cathedral with main hall stone ceiling shattered, it also had twin spires with one completely destroyed ( pile of rubble ), while other heavily damaged.

St. Lo, France - Cathedral ( before war damage ) | FKR

War Art: St. Lo ( painting ) | FOW

Gothic Cathedral Architetcure | Wiki

Rare WW2 color photo showing French teens from hilltop vantage looking down at Allied traffic transversing into hulk of what used to be St. Lo city center.

St. Lo capture & Hedgrow Battles | BNT

Photo probably taken in late-July or August 1944 since distant horizon is cleared of smoke from combat and debris on town roads swept aside for traffic.

Howie, the Mayor of St. Lo | Ground level photo of St. Lo town destruction by US forces. US Major Thomas Howie was given honorary title Mayor of St. Lo posthumously after being KIA during town assault on 17 July 1944.

Thomas D. Howie | Wiki

Story goes Major Howie commanded 3rd Battalion - 116th Infantry Regiment - 29th Infantry Division. On 16 July 1944, his 3rd Battalion battled German encirclement of 2nd Battalion - 116th Infantry Regiment during approach to St. Lo and secured its rescue.

With 2nd Battalion casualty ridden, Major Howie elected to used his 3rd Battalion to assault St. Lo town itself on 17 July 1944, and was subsequently killed by German mortar shell.

116th Infantry - After Action Report | UHC

Upon hearing news of Howie's death and conquest of St. Lo, US Major General Charles Gerhardt ordered Major Howie's corpse be strapped to Jeep's hood, drove it in front of US armor column, thus making Howie the first American soldier to enter St. Lo and bestowing his title " Mayor of St. Lo ". Howie is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, along with some 9,400 soldiers ( 307 of which listed as WW2 unknown, one listed as WW1 veteran ).

NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL | ABMC

Gerhardt & his whorehouse | As for Major Howie's commanding officer US Major General Charles Gerhardt, he had his own somewhat unique WW2 story. His command and character created various controversies within US military ranks. One accusation " he was lacking as a military tactician and careless with the lives of his men " as indicated by WW2 high casualty rates of 29th Infantry Division. Which led to derisive sarcasm among his ranks that Gerhardt actually commanded 3 divisions : one in the field, second in the hospital, third in the cemetery.

Major General Charles Gerhardt | ACN

Nevertheless, he was aggressive in command style and frontal assaults in getting the job done, for that he retained 29th Infantry Division command from 1943 - 1946. However, just rewards for his men were equally controversial, after breakout of Normandy hedgerow region into western Brittany via Cobra offensive, Gen. Gerhardt established a prostitution house to service his troops near Rennes - France. Upon hearing this intel, US Gen. Omar Bradley in command of all American forces in Europe ordered its immediate closure.

Charles H. Gerhardt | Wiki

In 1946 demobilization, Gerhardt divisional command ended when 29th Infantry Division was disbanded. Yet, he still ran amok with senior command over various transgressions. It is not clearly stated what was resultant event, but he was charged with laxed moral fortitude ( aka, vague charge of sexual misconduct and tarnish of US Army prestige ), demoted 2 ranks down to Colonel, dispatched as US Defense Attaché to Brazil ( which was a WW2 ally, all be it a forgotten one ).

29th Infantry Division (United States) | Wiki

Since he was not formally court martial, that means he took plea bargain of rank demotion. Thus with charge of laxed moral fortitude, he either established another prostitution house or had sexual liaison with another officer's wife / relative... got to dive deeper into Army archives if anyone is interested in details. Nevertheless, in time.... he was able to re-earn Brigadier General title, and ultimately retired at his former Major General rank.

Brazil and World War II: The Forgotten Ally. What did you do in the war, Zé Carioca?| TAU

Taking a Shut-Eye ( American slang for quick nap or relaxation ), US Military Police taking a nap from traffic duty at St. Lo junction. French road sign identifies entry into town or village, generally painted in white letters / medium blue background during WW2 era. Small caption " GC6 " ( Gouvernement Chaussée 6, or Government Roadway 6 ) atop of sign indicates road designation painted in black letters / medium yellow background. Signage info states " St. Lo, 0.7km ".

Verlinden 0018 - German Military / French Civilian Roadsigns Normandy | PMC

French Road Signs ( modern ) | AIF

French traffic signs, highway code etc | VNW

France road sign vocabulary ( modern ) | FPC

US Military Police ( MP ) is the law enforcement arm of US Armed Forces, they investigate crime scenes on US military property, battlefield area security, internment / resettlement of designated people, and ofcourse traffic duty. In other countries, MPs can have substantial judicial power since they are controlled directly ruling government elite.

Military police USA | Wiki

US Military Police | Army

However, in US the MPs are specifically prohibited from enacting state police powers ( ex. Federal Marshals ) or domestic police powers ( ex. City Police, County Sheriff ) via 1878 Posse Comitatus Act. For MPs to exercise their powers beyond confines of military districts is through federal declaration of Martial Law ( suspension of citizen due process and constitutional rights ). 1878 Act was a direct result of decade long occupation of / abuse inflicted upon southern American states by northern Union Army after Confederate defeat in American Civil War. This division of state - federal police powers is still steadily enforced and very much sensitive subject in modern US body politics.

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 | DOJ

Not aerial view of St. Lo sector, but showing carpet bombing of British sector in eastern Normandy, specifically battlefronts north of Caen city for possession of its road junction. This was same technique utilized in American sector by dropping massive bomb tonnage onto localized geographic area, hoping that mere saturation of bombs would disrupt and daze German forces before they could regroup as Allied offensive commenced.

Battle of St. Lo XIX Corps review | XIX

Note, on upper left photo is outline of British Halifax 4-engine bomber. With almost total Allied air superiority, British heavy bombers made rare daylight appearance over battlefield, for they were mostly relegated to night-time saturation bombing of enemy-held European targets ( ex. urban centers, railroad hubs, road junctions, bridges/dams ).

Halifax Bomber | SRC

Rationale was that with deficient armor and armaments, they were unable to withstand daytime enemy fighter assaults without incurring heavy losses. In fact, before Normandy 1944 battles, last daytime British RAF heavy bombing attack was during Dec 1939 " Battle of the Bight " ( as in Heligoland Bight off northwestern Germany ). In this aerial battle, 44 German fighters intercepted 22 British Wellington bombers, by which 12 Wellingtons were destroyed, 3 damaged, killing 57 British crew members ( aircraft loss rate was 68% ! ). British ceased all daytime bomber operations after this battle until July 1944.

Battle of the Heligoland Bight (1939) | Wiki

Heligoland | Wiki

Moon cratered pot-marked hedgerow countryside in St. Lo sector after US carpeting Jul 1944 bombing, such tactics were blanket rather than precision bombing techniques, hence almost guaranteed both enemy and civilian casualties. For American forces, close proximity of frontlines also inflicted massive friendly-fire combat deaths.

Friendly Fire 1944 incidents | Wiki

US Gen. Bradley elected to carpet bomb region west of St. Lo in 6,000 by 2,200 yards area at St. Lo - Periers Road, marking this as breakthrough point. As bombings commenced on 24 July 1944, US ground troops pinpointed German targets by firing red smoke shells. However, sudden wing gust blew the red smoke into American lines, and part of bomb load fell upon US 30th Infantry Division, resulted in about 150 dead and wounded. Next day 25 July 1944, same bombing operation was executed, resulted in same incident of bombs falling short of target, resulting in over 600 American dead and wounded, including Lt. Gen. Leslie McNair among the dead.

30th Infantry Division (United States) | Wiki

Cobra- friendly fire losses via carpet bombing | ACG

World War II: Operation Cobra - Breakout from Normandy | MHA

P-38 'friendly fire' incident, Normandy 1944 | 12OH

The 3-Stars of McNair | Lt. Gen. Leslie McNair was the highest ranking and only American general killed by friendly fire in WW2. His specialization was training US commanders in large-scale divisional / corps exercises and associated logistics required to control large combat units. He was in Normandy to witness start of Cobra offensive as War Department military liaison.

Five U.S. Generals Killed By “Friendly Fire” | MFB

Lesley J. McNair | Wiki

During 2nd friendly-fire incident on 25 July 1944, McNair and his staff were at frontlines viewing the bomber overflight. Upon which they saw bombs being dropped onto their position, McNair rushed from his staff car to nearby terrain depression ( some say it was a ditch, others say foxhole, still others say slit trench ), but a bomb detonated exactly where he dove for cover. His body was instantly ripped asunder, for his corpse was never found. McNair was only identified when an uniform patch containing his 3-star general rank was retrieved.

Blue on Blue : A History of Friendly Fire ( ISBN : 0-380-77655-3 )

McNair the Laxed Visionary | During his career, McNair had his share of controversies. For one, forming the tank destroyer doctrine, McNair favored towed anti-tank guns for close infantry support, rather than self-propelled anti-tank guns or purposely-build fully-tracked tank destroyers ( like in German WW2 inventory ). Since McNair began his military career in artillery branch, he embraced tradition of tow artillery, rather than newly minted concept of self-propelled armor warfare. For example, he opposed production of M-26 Pershing heavy tank and stated tank-vs-tank duels were " unsound and unnecessary ", and only relented at up-gunning of long barrel 76mm M-4 Sherman tank to deal with onset of German Tiger and Panther heavy tanks ( Sherman originally had short barrel 75mm gun ).

United States' M26 Pershing heavy tank | WW2V

Another controversy was his acumen in nominating battlefield commanders with steward leadership qualities ( some say he was merely advancing a Good-Olde-Boys network of his Army classmates ). McNair actually recommended US General Lloyd Fredendall to command all US forces in England ( this post eventually went to Gen. Eisenhower ). In the meanwhile, McNair advanced Gen. Fredendall to command Nov 1942 Operation Torch - the invasion of French North Africa. Although this operation was a major success, Fredendall's name is seldom ( if ever ) mention in annuals of famed American commanders.

During Feb 1943 Kasserine Pass battle in Tunisia when US armor forces encounter German Panzer Armee Afrika ( successor to Deutsches Afrika Korps ) for the first time, Fredendall had his command HQ some 70 miles behind frontlines, lost control of situation when American forces were decimated in German offensive, by which US Gen. Eisenhower personally relieved him of command and handed reign over US Gen. Patton ( this Fredendall dismissal scene is well depicted in 1979 TV mini-series - Ike the War Years ) In Kasserine Pass battle, US lost 6,500 KIA, 183 tanks, 706 trucks. Germans lost 2,000 KIA and 34 tanks.

Battle of the Kasserine Pass | Wiki

F4F Wildcat model & 1942 Operation Torch | UweM

2cm SteyrFLAKwagen & Panzer Armee Afrika ( DAK ) | UweM

Commemorating July 1944 US offensive in St. Lo sector - Normandy, US Navy christened escort carrier CVE-63 USS St. Lo on 10 Oct 1944. Unfortunately, USS St. Lo had her dire battle engagement about 2 weeks later in the Battle of Leyte Gulf ( also called Battle of Samar or Battle of Taffy III ) during US invasion of Philippine islands against Imperial Japan forces. She was sunk by Japanese kamikaze suicide plane on 25 Oct 1944. Photo above secondary explosions after initial Kamikaze impact on her flight deck.

USS St. Lo (CVE-63) | Wiki

USS St. Lo was a new class of smaller escort carriers ( CVE ) designed during WW2 to escort invasion forces and remain on station to facilitate ocean logistical transit and invasion force ground-support operations. Being smaller in size also meant smaller complement of aircrafts ( CVEs carried some 30 aircrafts compared to full size CV carriers with some 90 aircrafts ), along with lesser self-defense armaments. US naval crews on CVE ships nicknamed acronym as Combustible - Vulnerable - Expendable.

Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 | IBO

CVE generally carried aircraft " Composite Squadrons ", meaning a single squadron with mixed fighters - dive bombers - torpedo bombers, contrasted with regular large carriers ( CV ) which assigned single type of aircraft to entire squadrons for specific combat purpose. Creation of CVE battle squadrons enabled US Navy to concentrate its heavier CV battle squadrons to seek and engage enemy fleet, rather than be tied down completely in support role for amphibious invasions. But ofcourse, near disaster which befell upon US Navy during Oct 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf also show lack of proper intelligence is the weakest link in all combat engagements.

Battle off Samar 1944 | BOSA

Watercolor painting by Richard Moore, showing USS St. Lo crew executing abandon ship order with secondary explosions in onset. Scene is somewhat placid given dire situation, in actuality the ship would be listing significantly due to internal water sloshing about from both fire fighter teams and any gapping holes in the hull. Crew in escape rubbercraft would be padding feverishly away from vessel to avoid concussion wave when ship boilers or ammunition store detonates, or be pulled into tidal vortex as ship sinks beneath the waves.

Photo USS White Plains - Kamikaze point of impact JPG | Wiki

The Kamikaze Strikes of WWII in Pictures | CPG

CVE-63 actually had multiple names before being assigned St. Lo. She was originally designated USS Chapin Bay on 23 Jan 1943 when construction began. Then renamed to USS Midway on 3 Apr 1943 ( in honor of WW2 June 1942 naval air battle at Midway island ). Until final name of USS St. Lo on 10 Oct 1944.

USS ST. LO (CVE-63) | NAV

Contrasted with WW2 British Royal Navy aircraft carrier design with armor flight decks, US carrier design only had wooden flight decks. Rationale was that British fleet operation included Mediterranean ocean, which could in range of land-based naval artillery ( especially at Straits of Gibraltar ), hence carriers needed extra armor protection for such an attack. US rationale was that damaged flight decks can be repair more readily than armor ones, but with onset of Japan kamikaze assaults, US carrier crews learnt wooden flight decks were also quite combustible.

World Aircraft Carriers List: RN WWII-Era Fleet Aircraft Carriers | HGO

Kikui Lore | Final note on Kamikaze, in WW2 Imperial Japan lore these suicide pilots were call " Kikui " or Chrysanthemum ( in homage to Japan's imperial family by which their clan crest is the Chrysanthemum ). Although there have been Japan suicide strikes since Dec 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, they were carried out by individual initiative. Given Japan's dire war situation by Oct 1944, a formal suicide attack squadron was formed in Philippines with specific intent to train - direct - attack US fleet with suicide pilots. This would be expanded to Japan home islands by which volunteers were mainly college students, for seasoned combat pilots were needed for national defense, thus not encouraged to by senior staff to volunteer.

Kamikaze | Wiki

Kamikaze: A Japanese Pilot's Own Story of the Infamous Suicide Squadron | ALM

Kamikaze Special Attack Corps 3rd Ryuko Squadron Monument Miyakojima - Okinawa | WLE

In other words, in WW2 Imperial Japan as a national polity and ethnocentric religious superstition was just as " frack'ed up " as modern era Islamic fundamentalist countries blending ultranationalist politics / social pride with religious fervor. Hence, US detonation of nuclear bombs on Imperial Japan destroyed her as a global empire, but saved her people & civilization from mass annihilation at hands of Japan right-wing fanatics.

Debate over the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki