Planning
During Epsom, VIII Corps would be endangered on its right flank from the Rauray Spur, a ridge that overlooked the line of advance of 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division. The spur, and the villages on and near it (Rauray, Fontenay-le-Pesnel, Tessel-Bretteville, Juvigny) would have to be taken in order to ensure that the flank of this division was not endangered in the attack. 49th Division was assigned the task of clearing the spur.
The division was to advance on a two-brigade front, its first objective being Fontenay-le-Pesnel, the last being Rauray. The 146th Infantry Brigade and the 147th Infantry Brigade were the two leading brigades, with the 70th Infantry Brigade in reserve. It was also to have the support of tanks from the 8th Armoured Brigade.
Opposing the British were the 3rd Battalion, 26th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment and elements from the 12th SS Panzer Regiment of 12th SS Panzer Division, stationed on and around the spur. Both had seen heavy fighting in the preceding weeks and were well dug-in.
Read more about this topic: Operation Martlet
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