Commonwealth Forces launched a major offensive that seized the rest of Caen and drew off the last of the much depleted German mobile reserves.
Meanwhile, the Americans positioned themselves for a major breakthrough attack, code-named COBRA.
2,500 planes would drop 5,000 tons of bombs within a six-mile-sector of the German front west of Saint- Lô.
Following this “carpet bombing” the 9th, 30th and 4th Infantry Divisions would attack through the breach and secure a rupture in the German front, after which the 1st Infantry and the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions would pass through them to exploit deep into the German rear.
To the west of the rupture, the 79th, 8th, 90th and 83rd and newly arriving 28th Infantry Divisions would force the attack against the now outflanked Germans, and the 4th, 6th and newly arriving 5th Armored Divisions would exploit through them into Brittany and beyond.
To the east of the rupture the 29th, 35th, 2nd and 5th Infantry Divisions would wheel east on line with the developing envelopment as it gathered momentum.
At 1100 on 25 July the carpet bombing commenced.
The Battle for Normandy had ended; the Battle for France had begun.