Churchill would return in bright sunshine and glowing optimism two weeks later, his third visit to Tac HQ. But the battle was not over and that evening of August 6th, the Germans counterattacked at Mortain. It proved to be a trap.

In later life the two great men would meet, as friends, to reminisce over tea at Chartwell.

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A period of poor weather shut down offensive operations and Churchill was impatient to come a second time, unhappy at a battle that seemed to be degenerating into a stalemate.

While at Tac HQ he learnt from his Ultra decrypts of the assassination attempt on Hitler, which at the time opened the possibility of an abrupt end to the war. it lifted his spirits

"They're starting to kill each other now," he quipped to the Canadian soldiers gathered to hear him at one of the prefabricated airfields, " but I suppose that just can't be helped."

He enjoyed himself so much his stay was extended to 4 days, which allowed him to visit troops, engineers and dockworkers, and examine the almost complete Mulberry Harbour (in the greatest secrecy) and see how it all worked.

Churchill was at his most relaxed when hosted by the Harbour Commander Rear Admiral Hickling at the Royal Naval Headquarters on shore, with an uninterupted view of the harbour. "There's one thing about the Royal Navy" Churchill said, "they always travel first class!"

He returned the hospitality by inviting the Naval officers to a well-oiled dinner party each evening on board HMS Enterprise.

He also visited the shattered city of Caen, recently liberated, and the Americans presented a vast unfinished underground V1 factory outside Cherbourg. Air Marshal Broadhurst took him up over the British positions in his own captured German Storch for a unique (and hazardous) view of the battlefield. All guaranteed "to please the old chap". Churchill returned to England reassured, and the next day the breakout in the US sector was planned....

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Indiscreet journalists in the Uk has indicated the whereabouts of Monty's headquarters, and after bombs fell nearby it was decided to move to Le Blay, a remote part of the "hedgerow country" near the village of Le Blay. A private airstrip was built to accomodate his Messnger airplane, and he acquired an extraordinary menagerie of caged birds, a cow, and 2 dogs, 'Hitler' and 'Rommel'...

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