Col. Claus von Stauffenberg carried a bomb with him when summoned to Berchtesgaden on this day in 1944. He did not carry out the attack as Hermann Göring and Heinrich Himmler were not present, and the coup planning called on all three to be killed in a single attack, thereby decapitating the Nazi Party.
This requirement would be omitted in future plot attacks.
Hitler determined to relocate to Rastenburg in East Prussia and Stauffenberg was asked Von Stauffenberg to follow him there.
The Germans launched a counteroffensive on the Cotentin Peninsula against US forces. During the day, the U.S. Army itself launches a counteroffensive back against the Germans. The German effort failed.
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The Tiger II was used for the first time during these actions.
A massive tank, the Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B was the second tank in the Germany heavy Tiger series and featured an improved sloping armored design in comparison to the Tiger I. Pointing the way towards future tank designs, it was an impressive weapon, but mechanically unreliable. It's notable that the tank, designed in reaction to Soviet armor, was used first on the Western Front.
The British captured Hill 112 southwest of Caen.
US forces around Aitape are forced to withdraw from the Driniumor River.
Gerald L. Endl preformed the actions that would result in his posthumous Medal of Honor.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Anamo, New Guinea, on 11 July 1944. S/Sgt. Endl was at the head of the leading platoon of his company advancing along a jungle trail when enemy troops were encountered and a fire fight developed. The enemy attacked in force under heavy rifle, machinegun, and grenade fire. His platoon leader wounded, S/Sgt. Endl immediately assumed command and deployed his platoon on a firing line at the fork in the trail toward which the enemy attack was directed. The dense jungle terrain greatly restricted vision and movement, and he endeavored to penetrate down the trail toward an open clearing of Kunai grass. As he advanced, he detected the enemy, supported by at least 6 light and 2 heavy machineguns, attempting an enveloping movement around both flanks. His commanding officer sent a second platoon to move up on the left flank of the position, but the enemy closed in rapidly, placing our force in imminent danger of being isolated and annihilated. Twelve members of his platoon were wounded, 7 being cut off by the enemy. Realizing that if his platoon were forced farther back, these 7 men would be hopelessly trapped and at the mercy of a vicious enemy, he resolved to advance at all cost, knowing it meant almost certain death, in an effort to rescue his comrades. In the face of extremely heavy fire he went forward alone and for a period of approximately 10 minutes engaged the enemy in a heroic close-range fight, holding them off while his men crawled forward under cover to evacuate the wounded and to withdraw. Courageously refusing to abandon 4 more wounded men who were lying along the trail, 1 by 1 he brought them back to safety. As he was carrying the last man in his arms he was struck by a heavy burst of automatic fire and was killed. By his persistent and daring self-sacrifice and on behalf of his comrades, S/Sgt. Endl made possible the successful evacuation of all but 1 man, and enabled the 2 platoons to withdraw with their wounded and to reorganize with the rest of the company.
President Roosevelt announced that the US would recognize the French Provisional Government.
He also confirmed he'd run for President again, if nominated.
The Red Army took the surviving German troops near Minsk prisoner, as Sarah Sundin notes:
Today in World War II History—July 11, 1944
The U-1222 was sunk west of La Rochelle by the RAF.
A A-26B-5 Invader crashed into a government owned trailer park in foggy weather, killing the pilot, navigator, and 17 residents of the park in South Portland Maine. It's Maine's worst air disaster.
The 12th All Star Game was played at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The National League beat the American League 7 to 1.
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