TNA ADM 199 795

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AS none of the 52nd Divisional Artillery had yet arrived,
the 157th Brigade was given the support of some French
batteries.
13. On 14th June the Gurmans renewed their pressure on
the Tenth French Army front, but most of their tanks and
aircraft appeared to have been diverted on & south
easterly axis towards Paris. A fairly sharp infantry
attack developed on the left flank of the 157th Infantry
Brigade, which suffored some 50 casualties, and the French
infantry on their left, P.S. well as the Fronch artillery
supporting thom, retired hastily, leaving the brignds in
the lurch. As & result of this prossure the Tonth French
Army withdrew south-west & distance of 30 miles to the
wooded area north-west of Mortagne. AS the Armao de
Paris was retiring almost dua south on the Loiro, this
divergence of the lines of retreat of the two armies
created & gap of some 30 miles on the right flank of the
Tenth Army.
14. In conformity with this withdrawal the 157th Brigada
moved back and took up a front of 8 miles astrido the
Mortagne - Vorneuil road, with the French Cavalry Corps
on its right. On the night of the 14th/15th I WS placed
by General Brooke in command of all the British troops
operating with the Tenth French Army, and was ordered to
withdraw them towards Charbourg for re-embarkation,
whilst still co-operating, SQ far as possible, with the
French withdrawal. It had been my intention to leave the
157th Brigade in the line until mid-day on the 19th
before withdrawting it, in order to allow General Althayer
to readjust his front. I notified General Altmayer of
this intention on the 16th, and no appreciated the respita
granted him.
15. On the 16th Juni, however, the Garman motorized
columns had already followed up swiftly the French
The French units on its right end laft retired without
withdrewal, and the 157th Brigade WES attacked all day.
making any serious resistance, and the British Brigade
was exposed to serious danger by both its flanks buing
turned. As a result of this enemy pressure, the Tenth
Army issued orders for a general retirement on the axis
Alencon - Rennos, with a view to withdrawing into Brittery.
As co-operation with such a movement would have been
contrary to s my Forco, the 3rd Armoured Brigade (which had
own instructions, I at once issued orders
and the 157th Infantry
north-westwards to Charbourg.
16. To of Boauman's Porce and the 3rd Amount
Bri
3rd were in 0 stact with the energy. it
Bri 16. 2nd nger across the stultaneous
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57th Infantry
de to Charbou