1944 26th June
Operation Epsom
Dempsey supervised the Second Army offensive across the Odon west of Caen.
D-Day and Normandy · permanent subject timeline
Operation Epsom
The late-June British offensive west of Caen. This page combines historical context with 10 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Normandy archive.
Historical context
Operation Epsom: overview and significance
What happened?
Operation Epsom attempted to cross the Odon and outflank Caen from the west. British forces gained ground but encountered strong German resistance and armoured counter-attacks.
Why was it important?
Although the operation did not achieve all its territorial objectives, it drew German reserves into costly fighting and contributed to the continuing battle of attrition around Caen.
World History Database records
Operation Epsom timeline
The records below are selected from the 455-record D-Day and Normandy archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1944
1944 26th June
Operation Epsom
Feuchtinger's division held positions south-east of the British Epsom attack and protected approaches to Caen.
1944 26th June
Operation Epsom
Montgomery launched Operation Epsom to draw German armour into battle west of Caen.
1944 26th June
Operation Epsom
O'Connor commanded VIII Corps in the offensive intended to cross the Odon and outflank Caen.
1944 27th June
Defence of Caen
Dietrich's corps reinforced German positions around Caen during Operation Epsom.
1944 28th June
Operation Epsom
Adair's Guards Armoured Division reinforced the British advance during the fighting west of Caen.
1944 28th June
Operation Epsom
Funck directed German armoured formations committed against the Epsom penetration near Caen.
1944 28th June
Operation Epsom
Meyer's division resisted British and Canadian pressure north and west of Caen during Epsom.
1944 29th June
Operation Epsom
Bittrich's newly arrived corps counterattacked the British bridgehead across the Odon.
1944 29th June
Operation Epsom
Dietrich coordinated German resistance and counterattacks against the Epsom offensive.
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database D-Day and Normandy records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
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