 it made strafing and bombing attacks on airfields, rail and highway bridges, trains, vehicles, flak positions, and V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket launch sites to help prepare for Operation Overlord, the invasion of France.It supported the landings in Normandy in June 1944 and began operations from the Continent later the same month.It aided in the taking of Cherbourg, participated in the air operations that prepared the way for Operation Cobra, the Allied breakthrough at St Lo on 25 July, and supported ground forces during their drive across France.