Caen's failed attempt to encircle Caen caused a frontal assault on the city at the beginning of July, hoping to gain at least its northern counterpart - the "Charnwood" operation, which began on 7 July when Allied bombers bombed Caen. On July 9, the first Canadian troops followed and the British entered the western districts of the ruined city.

However, the German army was still in Caen. On July 18, the operation "Goodwood" was set to strike west and north, to German units stationed east of the city.
