FORT KNOX, Ky. –
After many successful operations and advances, the Allied forces, including V Corps, found themselves entrenched in the difficult bocage terrain of Normandy. The German Wehrmacht's defenses were proving formidable, and a breakthrough was desperately needed.
However, after returning from England, Gen. Omar Bradley, commanding general of the First Army, devised a plan that would be one of the final pushes to end the Normandy campaign. Operation Cobra, in its simplest terms, was a major offensive designed to create large gaps in the German front lines.
To achieve this, Bradley planned to utilize both ground and aerial forces. His aim was to create a pathway that would facilitate rapid advances for Allied infantry and armored divisions as they worked to liberate France. V Corps, known for its professionalism and combat experience, was specifically tasked with encircling the remaining German forces, thereby reducing their ability to mount an effective defense or counterattack.
In a command center somewhere near the front lines in Normandy, Bradley, often referred to as the “soldier’s general,” understood the weight and gravity of this operation.
"I want it to be the biggest thing in the world,” said Bradley to his commanders.
On July 25, 1944, Operation Cobra commenced. The skies over St. Lô were filled with thousands of Allied bombers, their payloads creating a devastating barrage that shattered German defenses. Following the aerial bombardment, V Corps moved swiftly, led by Sherman tanks equipped with Cullin Hedgerow Cutters, known as Rhino tanks, which cut through the hedgerows and created new paths. Their rapid advance and tactical maneuvers played a crucial role in widening the gap, allowing Allied forces to pour through.
Victory soldiers under the command of Maj. Gen. Leonard T. Gerow, commanding general assigned to V Corps, once again executed their mission with precision. They advanced towards Coutances, France, fighting fiercely to close the Falaise-Argentan pocket. From August 17, 1944, to August 21, 1944, V Corps, in coordination with British and Canadian units, successfully encircled and captured more than 40,000 Axis forces, crippling the enemy's ability to regroup and mount counterattacks.
The success of Operation Cobra was a turning point in the Normandy campaign. V Corps' actions not only facilitated the liberation of key French cities, including Paris, but also set the stage for the Allied advance towards Germany. Their efforts significantly contributed to the overall momentum of the Allied forces, ultimately leading to the liberation of France and the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany in Western Europe.