Operation Windsor - Background

Background

The historic Norman town of Caen was a major Operation Overlord goal for the British 2nd Army′s I Corps, having landed forces on two Normandy beaches on 6 June 1944 in order to capture the city and Carpiquet area. Although Caen was the initial objective of British forces landing on Sword Beach, German resistance prevented the town from being captured on 6 June 1944; an outcome that had been considered a possibility by 2nd Army's commanding officer. For the next three weeks, positional warfare ensued; both sides attacked and counterattacked for minor tactical advantage on the Anglo-Canadian front.

From 26–30 June, the 2nd Army launched Operation Epsom, using the newly arrived VIII Corps and was designed to outflank Caen and seize the high ground near Bretteville-sur-Laize, south of the town. By the end of the action, VIII Corps had succeeded in advancing six miles through extensive field fortifications, the Germans were able to contain the offensive, after committing their last reserves. Depending on the success of VIII Corps, the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division—supported by the Canadian 2nd Armoured Brigade—was to capture the village and airfield of Carpiquet in an attack codenamed Operation Ottawa; this operation was postponed.

Despite the penetrations to the west of Caen, forces of the I SS Panzer Corps still held positions north and west of Caen. Fortifications on the River Orne and near Carpiquet prevented any further advance toward Caen from the north. Carpiquet—3.5 mi (5.6 km) Northwest of the centre of Caen—became an objective of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, under the command of Major-General Rod Keller. The need for additional airfields on the Normandy mainland ensured Carpiquet was a valuable prize for the Allies and an important defensive position for the Germans.