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Closing the Falaise Gap

Following the failed German Mortain counter-offensive the Allies were presented with an excellent opportunity to trap a large pocket of German troops and equipment to the south of Falaise. The Americans with their newly activated 12^th Army Group were advancing east, to the south of the German forces, whilst the British, Canadians and Poles were pushing from the north.

Falaise Map

The Mortain offensive had played into the Allies’ hands by thrusting German forces too far to the west, a position from which they could not extricate themselves. Hitler for once allowed a retreat after being persuaded of the parlous position by von Kluge and Model. The German troops began fleeing east to escape entrapment by the Allied armies. Much equipment was abandoned as the retreat became a rout. Allied artillery pummelled the Germans from the ground whilst overwhelming Allied air power struck from the sky inflicting heavy casualties. The chokepoint of the retreat became the area around Trun and Chambois to the south of Falaise. It subsequently became known as the Shambles or the Corridor of Death.

Debris of War

Although bickering ensued as to whether or not the pocket in which the Germans were being squeezed could have been closed earlier with many more Axis troops being trapped and captured, the Allies won a spectacular victory.

After stopping for lunch in Falaise we will press on to the museum at Mount Ormel which examines the battle of the Falaise Pocket in some detail.

How does it present its material?
Is it effective? And clear?

From the museum we will move on to the area of the Corridor of Death itself. At the very epicentre of the destruction we will consider the impact of the shelling and bombing on the fleeing German troops.

Closing the Falaise Pocket – August 19^th

Maczuga

Corridor of Death

As the Allies advanced rapidly on Paris their operational research experts followed on examining the evidence of the success, to ascertain the level and cause of success. Over the next few pages is copied one such 21^st Army Group Operational Research report. It examines the nature of the damage inflicted on retreating German forces.

Consider the implications of its findings.
Note the concentration of the wreckage.
What does the Report imply was the main cause of the German losses?

We discuss the implications and findings during the evening debriefing.