59th (S) Division was a follow-up formation for Overlord, landing in Normandy around 27 June 1944. It was sent into the Battle for Caen, participating in Operation Charnwood from 7 July. Next it shifted to XXX Corps for the Second Battle of the Odon, designed to distract German attention from the forthcoming Operation Goodwood. 59th (S) Division came into the line, attacking Haut des Forges, Noyers-Bocage and Landelles-et-Coupigny. The fighting was bitter and gains were small: 59th (S) Division took Haut des Forges, but attacked Noyers again and again without success.