Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

Operation Jupiter was an attack launched by the British Second Army's VIII Corps to capture the villages of Baron-sur-Odon, Fontaine-Étoupefour, Chateau de Fontaine and Hill 112.

The first battle for Hill 112 was fought at the end of Operation Epsom, when the tanks of 11th Armoured Division broke out from a bridgehead established by the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Tourmauville.

The main attack on Hill 112 was strategically designed to fix the German Panzers, and tactically to gain elbow room in what was still a tight beachhead.
The 43rd Wessex Infantry Division were to attack positions held by 10th Frundsberg SS Panzer Division in an extremely fierce battle.
The Gremans held ttheir ground, supported by heavy Tiger tanks, of the 102 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion, armed with more firepower, from their 88 mm gun, and greater protection, outclassed the British Churchill and Sherman tanks.
To contain the British, the Germans were forced to bring back the 9th Hohenstaufen SS Panzer Division, which had been in the process of moving out to form an operational reserve.

Gerald Fry cites that the battle for Hill 112 was the worst period in the War for his regiment.
"I was a radio operator, and we maintained radio silence since we were aware that German tanks were not far away, but had no idea that they were actually hiding in the woods just a few hundred yards away. My tank was hit sideways in front by an armour piercing shell, killing the driver and codriver, and the force ejected the three of us from the turret. The British army, contrary to the Canadians, had strict orders never ever to close the turret lid. I don’t remember much, except waking up from a concussion with a few scratches, same as the other two, in a forward field hospital. It was a miracle the way the shell hit that it did not hit the amo in the turret which of course would have blown us to pieces."

In August, 1944, the Germans withdrew from Hill 112, and the 53rd Welsh Division occupied the Hill. with barely a fight.
Casualties amounted to approximately 25,000 British troops and 500 British tanks; in the 12 days from July 10 to July 22, 1944, the 43rd Wessex Infantry Division sustained 7,000 casualties.

Gerald Fry spent 3 days in the field hospital, and after recuperating, Ihe was given his first command with a new crew.
Gerald Fry cites "That was on July 3 rd at 5.23 a.m. when my watch stopped. We lost 5tanks on that day , the greatest total in one day."