Operation Bluecoat

Operation Bluecoat
Part of Operation Overlord, the Battle of Normandy
Universal Carriers and infantry of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division move forward during Operation Bluecoat, 30 July 1944.
Date 30 July – 7 August 1944 Location Normandy, France 48°50′34″N 0°53′32″W / 48.84278°N 0.89222°W / 48.84278; -0.89222 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Miles Dempsey	Paul Hausser
Strength
3 armoured divisions 3 infantry divisions 2 armoured brigades (over 700 tanks)	rising to: 4 panzer divisions 2 infantry divisions
Casualties and losses
5,114 (VIII Corps only) 246 tanks (excluding light casualties)	+100 tanks (including light casualties)

Operation Bluecoat was a British offensive in the Battle of Normandy, from 30 July until 7 August 1944, during the Second World War. The geographical objectives of the attack, undertaken by VIII Corps and XXX Corps of the British Second Army (Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey), were to secure the road junction of Vire and the high ground of Mont Pinçon.

The attack was made at short notice to exploit the success of Operation Cobra by the First US Army after it broke out on the western flank of the Normandy beachhead and to exploit the withdrawal of the 2nd Panzer Division from the Caumont area, to take part in Unternehmen Lüttich (Operation Liège) a German counter-offensive against the Americans.