Operation Spring - German Counterattacks

German Counterattacks

Throughout the next several days, German forces, mainly the 9th SS and 12th SS Panzer Divisions, continued to chip away at Canadian positions gained in Operation Spring. The Calgary Highlanders eventually pulled out of May-sur-Orne, and the North Novascotia Regiment were forced to retreat from Tilly-la-Campagne.

German forces immediately counterattacked at Verrières Village, but were beaten back. Over the next two days, the RHLI fought "fanatically" to defend the ridge, fending off dozens of counterattacks. Rockingham relied on well-placed antitank guns and machine-gun positions, fighting off the forces of the two panzer divisions. On July 26, German commanders declared "If you cross the ridge, you are a dead man" to soldiers being deployed on the southern slope of Verrières. In their holding of the town, the RHLI took over 200 casualties.

Additional German counterattacks managed to force the Cameron Highlanders, Calgary Highlanders and the Black Watch to retreat from May Sur Orne and St. Martin. Black Watch support company and the Calgary Highlanders both took heavy casualties as they were forced back from their positions.