Description

This publication is a facsimile reprint of the issued study papers for the British Army battlefield tour of Operation Goodwood of 1947. Used on its own, the book presents a description of the planning of the operation, events before and during the action (from 18 to 21 July 1944) and also the detailed Order of Battle of 8th Corps. Also included are the operation instructions for 8 Corps and 11 Armoured Division. The artillery plan is given in detail together with the air plan and other important items. The maps are reproduced in colour and bound as per the original.

Goodwood was launched at a time of high frustration in the higher command of the Allies, and this contributed to the controversy surrounding the operation. The Allied bridgehead in Normandy was not expanding at the pace they wanted; the lodgement was about 20% of the planned size, which led to congestion, and there was some fear of a stalemate. Allied commanders were not able to exploit their potentially decisive advantages in mobility during June and early July 1944. They were looking for a decisive breakthrough of the German defensive front.

This British offensive took place between 18 and 20 July 1944 as part of the larger battle for Caen in Normandy, France. The objective of the operation was a limited attack to the south, from the Orne bridgehead, to capture the rest of Caen and the Bourgu bus Ridge beyond.

While Goodwood failed in its primary aim, it forced the Germans to keep powerful formations opposite the British and Canadians on the eastern flank of the Normandy beachhead and Operation Cobra, the first US Army attack which began on 25 July, caused the weaker German defences opposite to collapse.