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Battle of Saint-Malo[edit]

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Nominator(s): Nick-D (talk)

Battle of Saint-Malo (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs)

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This article covers an engagement between Allied (mainly American) and German forces in August and September 1944, fought at the tail end of the Normandy Campaign. A reinforced US Army division assaulted a heavily fortified French port town which was garrisoned by around 12,000 Germans. This led to what the always-quotable war correspondent Lee Miller described as "fortress warfare reminiscent of crusader times". The Allies eventually prevailed, but as the Germans had completely demolished the port which was their main objective little was achieved by the victory.

I first became aware of this battle and its unusual nature after seeing an exhibition of Miller's photographs at the Imperial War Museum in London during 2015. I created this article last year after belatedly realising that we didn't have an article on it - which seemed surprising. It recently was assessed as a GA, and after some further expansions and copy editing I'm hopeful that the A-class criteria are also met. To pre-empt a possible comment, the article relies heavily on the US Army official history as every other source I have been able to find is also obviously based on this work; there doesn't seem to have been any subsequent significant original research into the topic. Given this, I favoured going to the horse's mouth, rather than using works which re-hashed it. I'm hopeful of being able to develop the article to FA standard, so any comments relevant to further improvements would also be great. Thank you in advance for your time and comments. Nick-D (talk) 22:29, 12 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

SR and IR—pass

Image licensing checked, looks OK. The sourcing seems to meet minimum standards. Spot checks not done. (t · c) buidhe 22:45, 12 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  • Thank you for these checks. Nick-D (talk) 10:25, 16 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Support Comments: G'day, Nick, thanks for your work on this article. Unfortunately, this isn't a battle I know much about, so I mainly focused on minor aspects. I have the following review comments: AustralianRupert (talk) 06:12, 18 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  • suggest maybe adding an image to the German defenses section if one can be found
    • I haven't been able to find any compelling images I'm afraid, but have added the best available. Nick-D (talk) 10:56, 18 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "this raid resulted in French civilian casualties" -- was there any damage to the target also?
  • "Aulock's headquarters during the battle": Aulock has not been formally introduced at this point in the text
    • Whoops! - I've moved this material down Nick-D (talk) 10:30, 18 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • suggest maybe attributing this bit: "but he treated French civilians correctly" (Randall and Nahra)
  • suggest linking Herbert L. Earnest -- pretty sure he commanded the 90th ID eventually (March to November 1945) -- probably would be notable
  • "The Task Force passed" --> "The task force passed"
  • "Due to the scale of the German forces" --> "Due to the strength of the German forces"?
  • "Due to... Due to..." in quick repetition in the same paragraph -- suggest rewording one
  • "along the coast which it penetrated the first line" --> "along the coast which it penetrated the first line"
    • I'd left out the word 'during' which was needed for that to make sense - added. Nick-D (talk) 10:30, 18 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "121st Regiment" --> "121st Infantry Regiment"
  • "division's assistant commander while Macon" -- do we know this person's name?
    • Yep, and we have an article on him (as he ended up a lieutenant general, no less): added Nick-D (talk) 10:30, 18 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "around 1000 French civilians" --> "1,000"?
  • "The Imperial War Museums holds a recording identified" -- subject verb agreement seems a bit awkward here, "Imperial War Museums hold" or "Imperial War Museum holds"
  • is US spelling intended? If so:
    • "calibre" --> "caliber" (US spelling?)
    • "anti-aircraft" --> "antiaircraft"?
    • "harbour" --> "harbor"
    • "authorised" --> "authorized"
    • "patroled" --> "patrolled"
    • "millimetre" --> "millimeter"
      • Yes, US spelling - all fixed Nick-D (talk) 10:30, 18 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "330th Regiment" --> "330th Infantry Regiment"
  • "The War in France and Flanders 1939-1940" - endash
  • "The U.S. Navy Against the Axis : Surface Combat, 1941–1945" - remove the space before the colon
  • the ISBN for the Bradham work should be hyphenated for consistency
  • same as above for Craven and Cate
  • same as above for Rein
  • "Her Majesty's Stationary Office" --> "Stationery"
  • suggest translating the title of Vigano work

Support Comments This is a great article. As it happens, I have been reading up on the ETO lately for a couple of articles I have been preparing. Some comments:

  • General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, decided on 2 August that the main effort should be encircling the German forces to the south-east of Normandy rather than securing Brittany. I haven't got Weigley (and someone has borrowed the library's copy) but I'd be interested in exactly what he has to say here. In his weekly appreciation to Marshall on 2 August (S-5667) Eisenhower gives the original plan. The evidence for a 2 August decision seems to be a cable to Montgomery on that date calling for a bold operation against the German flank. He was still in the UK at this point; he met with Bradley and Montgomery to discuss this the following day. Eisenhower's cable to Marshall on 7 August alerts him to a change in plan (although not explicitly), but falls short of saying that the movement into Brittany is being weakened to just one corps. In his book Eisenhower attributes that decision to an 8 August meeting with Bradley. It may have been implicit in the 3 August decision, but it may not have been thought through.
    • I was going a bit further than what Weigley said, and have toned this down. His focus is on the slightly jumbled decision making here, where the American commanders were torn between following the Overlord plan to secure Brittany and throwing the plan out the window to seize an unexpected opportunity to demolish the German army in the west, which took a few days to resolve in favour (largely) of the latter. Nick-D (talk) 10:49, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Blumensen says By this time a decision had to be made on St. Malo. General Bradley at first had specifically ordered the capture of St. Malo. When General Patton made no provision for its capture, Bradley had more or less acquiesced in Patton's concept of clearing the entire peninsula before getting involved in siege operations at the port cities. I'm not sure that "more or less acquiesced" in the source equates to "acquiesced" in the article. Bradley met with Middleton on 2 August and discussed the situation. Bradley's order on 2 August said: "St. Malo may be bypassed and contained if reduction takes too large a force and too much time." [1] So I'm suggesting that Bradley may not have changed his mind. I would simply say that he ordered it taken.
    • I've made some tweaks to reflect this. Nick-D (talk) 10:14, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • I think we're missing a key point about St Malo. In the Overlord planning, it was expected to be opened by D+27 and handling 900 tons per day. That's not that much, although the planners hoped that it might be increased to 3,000 tons per day. It also had poor railway clearance facilities. Its development was therefore never a priority. And of course it was still in German hands when Cobra began on D+49. (Ruppenthal I:288-290)
    • I've added some material here. It seems that St Malo was hoped to be the largest of the small ports, but as you note it was one of a bunch of minor ports which it was hoped would together provide useful capacity. Nick-D (talk) 10:52, 23 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The Communications Zone was a purely American formation. I would not describe it as "Allied"
  • Cherbourg in Normandy and Brest and Saint-Malo in Brittany were the only fortified German-held ports in France to be taken by the US Army. Here the reder is left to infer that other ports were captured by the British, French and Canadian armies.
    • Added material on the other ports. Nick-D (talk) 10:14, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Britanny" should be "Brittany"
  • "VII Corps" should be "VIII Corps"
  • "existent" should be "extant"
Hawkeye7 (discuss) 20:37, 22 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Moved to support. One last item:

Aside: I found it interesting that the strength of the German garrison was underestimated. This was a chronic problem in SWPA, but this is the first reference I've seen to it in ETO. It was usually caused by Ultra, which correctly identified large units but tended to miss small ones. I note that intelligence from the resistance was more accurate. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 19:54, 24 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  • Thanks for this review. I haven't seen references which discuss why the US Army got this wrong, but have read (I'm struggling to remember where) that the US Army tended to be dismissive of intelligence from the French Resistance, despite it generally being reliable. That the resistance fighters here were mainly communists might be part of the story. That said, tactical intelligence in this campaign was far from perfect - I recently started the Battle of the Mons Pocket which covers an incident where an entire army was diverted to cut off a large group of Germans, and ended up blundering into this force literally in the middle of the night to both sides mutual surprise (though in fairness the Germans were also cut off from their higher headquarters as well). Nick-D (talk) 10:14, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Comments Support by Pendright Pendright (talk) 04:57, 3 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]


The length and breath of this article suggests you’ve spent a good bit of time weaving it together. At about 6,000 words of text, it’s a lot to chew-on in one sitting. So. I'll be reviewing it with a pause or two. In anticipation of your FAC run, I’ll be commenting on anything that I believe might benefit the article. Regards - Pendright (talk) 00:24, 24 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Lead:

  • The Battle of Saint-Malo was an engagement fought between [the] Allied [forces in Europe] and [the] German [army] forces to control the French coastal town of Saint-Malo during World War II.
SUggested changes based on the following:
  • engagement is defined as "a fight or battle between armed forces".
  • The Allied forces, as you know, had a different mix of countries in the European theater than in the Pacific theater. Italy had already surrencered so there was no Axis in Europe, but only the German army (land troops) at Saint-Malo.
  • town of... -> link says it's a city, or does it matter in this context?
  • Those proposed changes aren't factually correct. The German navy was present, and there was a small Italian contingent. The main source on this battle, Blumenson, almost always refers to Saint-Malo at the time as being a 'town' (though he does use 'city' a few times). It has presumably grown into a 'city' since the war. Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>How about this:
  • The Battle of Saint-Malo was an engagement fought between Allied and German forces to control the French coastal town of Saint-Malo during World War II.
  • The dictionary indicates that engagement and fought mean essentially the same thing.
  • Your point about the German Army is well taken: nevertheless, a case can be made for distinguishing between the European and Pacific theaters for readers.
  • As for a town or a city in France, here is what this Wikipedia link tells us: Town - But there still is a consistentcy issue here.
Nothing further is required unless you are so inclined. Pendright (talk) 01:12, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Tweaked per the above. As the lead sentence notes that the battle was in France, I think that it's sufficiently clear. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The battle formed part of the Allied breakout across France, and took place between 4 August and 2 September 1944.
The second clause does not seem to be independent, in which case the comma after France is not needed.
Done Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • United States Army units, with the support of Free French and British forces, successfully assaulted the town and defeated its German defenders.
  • United States Army -> "The" United States Army
<>I beg to differ, it's always "the United States Pendright (talk) 01:12, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
But this is referring to multiple US Army units which haven't been previously introduced (and don't need to be), so 'The' is unnecessary in this context. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Is there a detinction intended between "units" and "forces"?
  • Not really, but 'forces' here notes that aircraft and ships were involved in the battle, while it was US Army units which conducted the assaults. Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Saint-Malo was one of the French towns which were designated as fortresses as part of the German Atlantic Wall program, and its pre-war defenses were considerably expanded prior to the Allied landings in Normandy during June 1944.
  • which were -> "that" were
  • pre-war > prewar?
  • as fortresses as part -> as and as?
  • Changes made (along with some other tweaking) Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The German garrison on an offshor[e] s island off the shore continued to resist until 2 September.
Consider above changes?
Done (I went with 'nearby' given that it islands are by definition off shore - my bad) Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The town had been selected for use as port by Allied pre-invasion
  • Need the indefinte article 'a" betwen as and port?
  • preinvasion is one word

Background:

  • It had a population of 13,000 in 1936, of whom 6,000 lived within the city walls.
City vs. town?
'City walls' is the generic term for fortifications surrounding settlements. Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Saint-Malo's harbor facilities could accommodate medium-sized ships, and were able to unload one thousand tons of cargo per day.
Add "they" between and & were, or drop the comma after ships.
Went with the latter Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The town is located on the [nothwest] north-west of the Saint-Malo peninsula,
Consider the above changes?
Done Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The small and heavily fortified island of Cézembre lies in [at] the mouth of the Rance, [which is] 4,000 yards (3,700 m) off the coast from Saint-Malo.
Consider these changes?
'in' is standard usage here, but tweaked the distance. Nick-D (talk) 06:31, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Could be, but my dictionary tells me that

it refers to something that is or appears to be enclosed, but at expresses a location. It’s not in the mouth it’s at the mouth. The usage of in, on, and at can be tricky. Pendright (talk) 01:45, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I suspect that you're right: changed. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • As the Germans neared victory in the Battle of France, it also served as one of several locations [that] from which Allied forces were evacuated to Britain during Operation Aerial in June 1940[,] ;[when] 21,474 personnel were embarked from the town without the loss of any lives or ships.
Consider the above changes?
I don't think that reads well Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Could you be more specific? Pendright (talk) 04:49, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Your suggested edits here make the sentence difficult to understand. I've tweaked the sentence though to simplify it. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • In 1943 the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht designated Saint-Malo and the other coastal cities in France with pre-war fortifications as fortresses.
  • prewar is one word
  • cities vs. towns"
  • The Atlantic Wall program led to a substantial augmentation of the [prewar] pre-war fortifications at Saint-Malo, with this work being undertaken by volunteer and forced laborers controlled by [the] Organization Todt
Consider the above changes?
Done for prewar, but I don't think that the others are grammatically better Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The French Resistance had large numbers of [armed] members in Brittany and [who were] was capable of successfully attacking German forces.
Cnsider the above changes?
They generally weren't armed until 1944, when the Allies started parachuting large numbers of weapons in (out of the scope of this article). Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The resistance in the region was dominated by the communist Francs-Tireurs et Partisans Français who, unlike many other resistance units, were in [favor] favour of making attacks before the Allies [would] land ed in France.[15] This led to a partisan war [that] which intensified from 1943.
Consider the above changes?
Done most of them Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The German forces which attempted to suppress the resistance included the Gestapo secret police as well as army military police formations and security battalions.
Consider this version: -> The German forces that attempted to suppress the resistance included the Gestapo secret police, the army military police formations and security battalions.
I don't think that's gramatically better. Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Okay, but change which to that Pendright (talk) 04:49, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Many of the latter were manned by captured Soviet personnel who had agreed to fight for the Germans; these units gained a reputation for war crimes
Many of the "latter" -> needs some specificity?
Good point - done Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The Allies began [to airdrop] air dropping supplies to the Free French in Brittany from early 1944[,] and special forces units were inserted from June that year to strengthen them.
  • Consider the above changes?
  • "special forces units were inserted" -> Can you share any details with readers?
  • Out of the scope of this article, as none of these teams is noted as playing any role in the battle Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Allied plans:

  • As part of the preparations for Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, Saint-Malo was identified by [rhe] Allied planners as one of the ports [that] which could be used to land supplies for the Allied ground forces in France.
Consider the above changes?
Done Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • A this time, the planners envisioned that the initial invasion phase would be followed by a subsequent phase to secure a lodgment area[.] which [It would have] included all of the coastline and nearby inland areas, including [those parts of] Normandy and Brittany, between the Seine and the Loire rivers.
Consider the above changes - a prospective view?
Much better thanks, done Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • It was believed that the lodgment area could be secured within three months after the invasion.
the lodgment area -> "a" lodgment area
Tweaked to fix this Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Facilities constructed within the lodgment
within "a" lodgment
It was 'the' area. Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Accordingly, the Overlord plan specified that securing Brittany would be the main objective of Lieutenant General Omar Bradley's Twelfth United States Army Group after it managed to break out of Normandy.
breakout is one word
Done Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Following the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944 the Allies and Germans fought a prolonged campaign in the region.
Add a comma ater 1944, -> it's an intrroductory phrase.
Added Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The German forces managed to block the Allies from breaking out into France for almost two months, but suffered heavy casualties in the process.
Add "they" before suffered, or delete the comma
Deleted Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • It was judged that these operations would be very risky, leading to a decision to only attempt them if [a] the stalemate in Normandy [would become] became] prolonged.
Consider the above changes?
I don't think that's better grammatically Nick-D (talk) 06:58, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>The sentence is prospective or potential, thus my comment? Pendright (talk) 04:49, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
As there was a stalemate in Normandy, the suggested tense here isn't correct. The stalemate was broken before it became prolonged. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The collapse of the German Army in France as Allied forces broke out of Normandy in early August led to a change in plans.
Consider this -> With the collapse of the German Army in France, the Allied forces broke out of Normandy in early August and this led to a change in plans.
The German Army's collapse occured as the Allies broke out - Operation Cobra led to the Falaise Pocket and many other disasters. Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, decided on 2 August that the main effort should be encircling the German forces to the south-east of Normandy
southeast is one word
Fixed Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

German Defenses[edit]

  • Prior to the Allied landings in Normandy, the 77th Infantry Division (77. Infantrie-Division) was stationed in the Saint-Malo area.
Add "German" between the & 77th
Done Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • This unit was dispatched to Normandy soon after D-Day, and suffered heavy casualties in the fighting there.
It's been referred to as a division?
'Unit' is correct, and was done to avoid using 'division' three times in three sentences here :) Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • It was later sent forward again as part of the ad-hoc force which unsuccessfully attempted to stop the American breakout at Avranches.
  • No hypen in ad hoc
  • Chabge which to that
  • German Army units included the remnants of the 77th Infantry Division, which had withdrawn again into the Saint-Malo area, the 3rd Battalion of the 266th Infantry Division's 897th Grenadier Regiment, Eastern Battalion 602, Eastern Battalion 636 and Security Battalion 1220. Luftwaffe (German air force) units in the area comprised the 15th Flak Regiment and several other air defense units.
At 59 wrds, this is a long sentence?
Good point: split Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • [The] Kriegsmarine forces included two coastal artillery units, [the] Navy Artillery Regiment 260 (Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 260) and [the] Army Coast Battalion 1271 (Heeres-Küsten-Bataillon 1271).
Consider the above changes.
I don't think that's an improvement grammatically Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>It is if one adheres to American grammar - Pendright (talk) 05:37, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Hmm, I'm not familiar with this type of usage from the US books on military history I've read. Blumenson doesn't use this kind of formulation, for instance. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The defenses of Saint-Malo included the city walls, which enclosed the former island and included thick stone ramparts on the seaward side.
City vs. town?
As above, 'city walls' is a generic term Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Consisteny is the point - Pendright (talk) 04:49, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Sure, but 'town walls' aren't a thing. They're referred to as 'city walls'. I've tweaked this sentence to avoid the formulation though. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The Fort de la Cité d'Aleth, which had originally been designed by the great fortification engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban[,] and was designated the Citadel (Zitadelle) by the Germans, [and] was located on a rocky promontory between Saint-Malo and St. Servan-sur-Mer.
  • Consider the above changes?
  • "by the great" -> does this require sourcing?
  • Several [other] fortresses were located on the approaches to Saint-Malo, including Fort la Vardeat[,] the Pointe de la Varde (fr) on the coast, the St. Ideuc strongpoint to the east of Paramé],] and ]the] fortifications on St. Joseph's Hill to the [southeast] south-east of the town.
Consider the above changes?
Tweaked a bit Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The sector on the western side of the Rance[,] around Dinard[,] was the responsibility of the remnants of [the] 77th Infantry Division, which had been assigned a small number of StuG III assault guns from StuG Brigade 341.
Consider the aboe changes?
Done Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Pause - Pendright (talk) 00:24, 24 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for these comments. Nick-D (talk) 09:16, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>I have some comments to the above responses, some require a response and some do not. Pendright (talk) 04:49, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Resume review - Pendright (talk) 22:35, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]


Task Force A:

  • An ad-hoc unit designated Task Force A was the first [of several] American unit[s] to enter the Saint-Malo area.
  • No hyphen in ad hoc
  • Consider the above changes?
  • Fixed adhoc, but the key thing here is that it tried to tackle Saint-Malo by itself, which is the focus of the section. Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • This force had been established by Patton in late July, and was responsible for rapidly capturing the bridges on the Paris–Brest railway line[,] which ran along the north coast of Brittany[,] before they were demolished by German forces
Consider the above changes?
Done Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • It comprised the 15th Cavalry Group, [the] 159th Engineer Battalion and headquarters of the 1st Tank Destroyer Brigade and was commanded by Brigadier General Herbert L. Earnest.
Consider the above change?
Done Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The task force passed through Avranches on 3 August, and engaged German forces 2 miles (3.2 km) from Dol-de-Bretagne that day.
  • Avranches could be linied?
  • Linked earlier in the article Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Is "that day" necessary?
  • Yes, as the chronology is a bit compressed here. Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The commander of the Cavalry Group was killed in the initial clash, and Earnest decided to bypass Dol-de-Bretagne to the south after learning from local civilians that the town was heavily defended.
Dol-de-Bretagne could also be linked?
Linked earlier in the article Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Middleton directed the Task Force to probe Saint-Malo's defenses as it pushed west in order to investigate how strongly the town was held.
Replace it with "they"?
The task force was a thing, so I think this is OK. Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The regiment's commander decided to delay attacking the town until the next day so that his men would have sufficient time to defeat the large number of German defensive positions.
  • Add a comma after day
  • ..."so that his men would have sufficient time to defeat the large number of German defensive positions." -> Seems like rest and preparedness would have been the justification?
  • The source isn't specific about this, unfortunately, but I'm sure that's the case. Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • As a result, he directed that the 83rd Infantry Division capture Saint-Malo. Patton overruled him, believing that the Germans would only offer a token defense of the town and the 330th Infantry Regiment would suffice to take it. The Army commander preferred that the 83rd Infantry Division follow the 6th Armored Division to Brest.
The intended meaning of the last sentence is unclear to me?
Tweaked to clarify this. As noted earlier in the article, the 6th Armored Division was rushing to capture Brest which was one of the main goals of this campaign. Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Accordingly, Middleton again ordered the entire 83rd Infantry Division to be concentrate d [on] in the Saint-Malo area[,] and [to] make a quick attack on the town in conjunction with Task Force A in the hope that this could crack the German defenses.
Consider the above
Tweaked along these lines. 'Concentrated' is important here as the division needed to be assembled in the area rather than just focus on it. Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • A battalion of the 329th Infantry Regiment crossed the Rance in assault boats[,] as the first stage of [the] an operation intended to rapidly capture Dinard.
Consider the above changes?
It was an operation - after it failed a different operation was launched. Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • These engagements included [the] an advance made by the 331st Infantry Regiment along the coast, during which it penetrated the first line of German defenses near Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes.
Consider the above?
Reworked this sentence Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Advance on Saint-Malo:

  • While French personnel had advised them that there were around 10,000 Germans at Saint-Malo, [the] American estimates ranged from 3,000 to 6,000.
    • I don't think that's grammatically superior Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>It is not intended to be superior, it's itended to comply with the definte article rule as relatea to American English - Pendright (talk) 05:37, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
As above, this isn't the kind of usage I'm familiar with in American works. For instance, the US Army official history source here states that "Although Frenchmen warned that about ten thousand German troops garrisoned the fortress, American estimates of German strength varied..." Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • [The] VIII Corps believed that the garrison comprised 5,000 personnel as of 12 August.
    • I don't think that's grammatically superior Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Same as the previous response - Pendright (talk) 05:37, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Changed here and elsewhere, as Blumenson uses that construction regarding corps names. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • When the leaders asked him to declare the town an open city to avoid fighting, Aulock stated that he had raised this with his superiors[,] but Hitler had replied ordering him to "fight to the last man".
  • When the leaders asked him to declare the town an open city to avoid fighting, Aulock stated that he had raised this with his superiors[,] but Hitler had replied ordering him to "fight to the last
    • I don't think that's grammatically superior Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Okay - Pendright (talk) 05:37, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • He also claimed that as his forces included armed boats [that] which were operating near Saint-Malo, it was not possible to declare the town an open city as these vessels were legitimate targets for the Allies.
Consider the above changes?
Made the last of them Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • American troops made attacks towards Saint-Malo across the front line during 6 August.
Odd phrasing?
Simplified Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The advance brought the American troops within range of the guns on Cézembre , [and the Germans] which opened fire.
    • I think that's fairly obvious? Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
      • <>Obious to you, but perhaps not to a rader - Pendright (talk)
        • It's previously noted that the guns on the island were manned by Axis personnel, so I don't think that there's much likelihood of readers getting confused here ;) Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The German demolitions and American bombardments resulted in fires which burned for the next week.
Change which to that
Done Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Aulock ordered that all French males aged between 17 and 70 who had remained in Saint-Malo after 5 August [to] be arrested as hostages[,] following an inaccurate report that his troops had been attacked by civilians.
    • Tweaked, but I don't think that the comma is necessary Nick-D (talk) 00:47, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • This position was a quarry [that] which had been converted into a fortification through the addition of tunnels and bunkers.
Cohsider the above changes?

Pause - Pendright (talk) 22:35, 25 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

<>Resonses to my comments would be appreciated - Pendright (talk) 05:37, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]


Resume review - Pendright (talk) 05:44, 27 March 2021 (UTC) Capture of Dinard:[reply]

  • The Germans were unwilling to surrender to [the] Free French troops, but indicated that they would do so for [to the] Americans.
    • I think this is OK. The Germans weren't willing to surrender to any French personnel, not the particular group who had them surrounded. Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • On 7 August, the 121st Infantry Regiment crossed the Rance to begin its advance on Dinard[,] and a party from this unit took the surrender of the Germans at Dinan.
  • As the 121st Regiment advanced north from Dinan[,] [they] it found that all roads in the region were heavily defended.
  • Progress was slow, and it took until the afternoon of 8 August for the regiment's 3rd Battalion to capture the village of Pleurtuit, [which was] 4 miles (6.4 km) from Dinard
    • It still is that distance, so that seems fine. Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Soon after Pleurtuit was captured, [the] German StuG IIIs supported by infantrymen launched an attack [that] which cut the roads to the village and isolated the 3rd Battalion, [and the] 121st Infantry Regiment.
    • Changed to 'That', but the other text seems OK Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Consider the above changs?
  • Attempts by the regiment's 1st Battalion to break through were unsuccessful.
breakthrough is one word
Done. American English is weird: you need to adopt proper English, like Australians speak ;) Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • In response to this action, Macon judged that the 121st Infantry Regiment's performance was unimpressive and there was a need to reinforce [them] it.
    • As above, the regiment was a thing Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • He decided to give priority to capturing Dinard[,] after St. Joseph's Hill was secured[,] due to the need to rescue the isolated battalion[;] , eliminate the German artillery in the area and prevent Saint-Malo's garrison from escaping across the Rance.
    • Tweaked this sentence to simplify things Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The next day the German commander in the Dinard sector, Colonel Bacherer, rejected [the] a demand made by Macon that he surrender and stated that he would fight "for every stone".
    • Tweaked slightly, but I think this is OK Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • During the period [they were] it was isolated, the battalion had fought off several German attacks and suffered 31 killed and 106 wounded.
    • As above, a battalion is a thing, so this is OK Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Consider the above changes

Siege warfare in Saint-Malo:

  • Before the walled town and the Citadel were attacked, it was decided to capture Fort la Varde and St. Ideuc [since they] which were mutually supporting positions.
Consider the above changs?
Tweaked Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • One of two battalions under the control of the 330th Infantry Regiment[at this time began the attack on the St. Ideuc position on 9 August.
  • Redundant phrase
  • After three days of artillery bombardments and infantry attacks first on pillboxes and then the position itself, St. Ideuc's 160 surviving defenders surrendered on the afternoon of 12 August.
    • I think that it's helpful to make the order here clear Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The other battalion under the 330th Infantry Regiment attacked towards Saint-Malo[,] with the goal of capturing the causeway [that] which linked the town to Paramé.
Consider the above changes
  • This led to house to house fighting, with the American infantry advancing with support from tanks, tank destroyers and engineers.
house-to-house
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Citadel:

  • On 11 August, a rifle company from the 329th Infantry Regiment which had been reinforced with engineers and three Free French soldiers assaulted the Citadel after it was attacked by medium bombers
Change which to that
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Some of the troops penetrated into the interior of the fortification, but withdrew after determining that the bombardment had not breached the main defenses.
"into" is redundant
I don't think that it is Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Penetrate means to succeed in forcing a way into or through (a thing) Pendright (talk) 06:20, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Good point: reworked the sentence to make this clearer. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Artillery attacks continued over the next few days, and two specially trained 96-man strong assault groups made another assault on 15 August after the Citadel was attacked again by medium bombers.
Consider this version -> Artillery attacks continued over the next few days, and two specially trained 96-man strong assault groups made another assault on 15 August after medium bombers attacked the Citadel again.
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Two 8-inch guns were emplaced less than 1,500 yards (1,400 m) from the citadel so that they could target individual portholes and vents.
Add a comma after citadel
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • This marked the end of German resistance in the Saint-Malo area, aside from the Cézembre garrison which continued to hold out.
Change which to that
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Cézembre:

  • The German positions on Cézembre were attacked by Allied bombers.
Consider this version -> Allied bombers attacked the German positions at Cézembre on 6 and 11 August.
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • [The] VIII Corps artillery began shelling the island from 9 August.
  • To transport the troops, 15 US Navy landing craft, vehicle, personnel were moved by truck from Omaha Beach[,] in Normandy[,] to Saint-Malo.
    • I think that's over-punctuation Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Aerial attacks resumed on 30 August, and a large attack involving 300 heavy bombers, including British Avro Lancasters, and 24 Lockheed P-38 Lightnings[,] armed with napalm was made the next day.
Consider the above changes

Aftermath:

  • The battle also occupied Allied aircraft which were needed to support the advance into northern France.
Change which to that
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • Following the surrender of Saint-Malo the German ships which had been operating in the Gulf of Saint-Malo rarely put to sea.
Change which to that
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • [The] VIII Corps assaulted and captured Brest in a battle which lasted from 7 August to 19 September.
Consider the above change
Not needed Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • The city's port was also demolished by the Germans, and it proved impractical to restore it to service.
Consider this version -> The Germans also demolished the town’s port, and it proved impractical to restore it to service.
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • This was undertaken by French units and a US Army division for the remainder of the war
Consider this vesion -> French units and a U.S. Army division undertook this for the remainder of the war.
I don't think that's better grammatically Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
<>Perhaps not, it just speaks in an active voice and not a passive one! Pendright (talk) 06:20, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Good point: done Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • British and Canadian forces also captured Antwerp, Dieppe, Le Havre and Rouen during 1944 and besieged several other fortified ports in northern France until the end of the war.
Add a comma after 1944
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • After a report [that] which was completed in September revealed the poor condition of the Canal d'Ille-et-Rance[,] which links the Rance and Rennes, it was decided that reopening Saint-Malo was not worth the effort.
Comssider the above changes
  • His plan was accepted by the local council in February 1946.
Consider this version- > The local council accepted his plan in February 1946.
Done Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Finished - Pendright (talk) 05:44, 27 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Pendright: Thanks a lot for this very detailed review. I think that I've now responded to all of your comments. Nick-D (talk) 04:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Nick-D: - <>Thanks in advance for responding to all of my above comments, pause by pause. Pendright (talk) 06:20, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Pendright: Many thanks again - I've replied above, and hope that I've now addressed these comments. Nick-D (talk) 04:53, 2 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@Nick-D: You have, thank you, supporting! Pendright (talk) 04:57, 3 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.
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