August 1944

Western Front

The British 2nd Army presses southward against the enemy pocket from the vicinity of Flers, Condé, and Falaise.

In the Canadian 1st Army's II Corps area, the capture of Falaise by the Canadian 2nd Division narrows the enemy's escape corridor. Crossing the Dives River near Morteaux, the Canadian 4th Armored Division drives to the southeast toward Trun in conjunction with the Polish 1st Armored Division to its left.

The 12th Army Group directs the 1st Army to clear the Chambois-Trun area and, in conjunction with the British, to complete the encirclement and reduction of the enemy pocket. The 3rd Army is ordered to drive on Mantes-Gassicourt while completing the capture of the Brittany Peninsula. Also, it is to regroup and adjust its boundaries for the above mission.

In the US 3rd Army's VIII Corps area, the opposition at the St Malo Citadel ends with the surrender of the Citadel to the 83rd Division. To speed the reduction of Brittany, the 2nd Division and the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions are allocated to the corps. The 29th Division is to be attached within the next 2 days. In the XV Corps area, the 5th Armored and 79th Infantry Divisions maintain their bridgeheads across the Aunay and move elements toward Mantes-Gassicourt. In the XX Corps area, the 7th Armored Division completes the mop-up of Chartres while the 5th Division blocks the exits. The XII Corps mops up in Orléans and Châteaudun. The Germans withdraw across the Loire on the southern flank.

In the US 1st Army area, the VII Corps establishes positions along the Vire-Argentan highway between Ecouché and Flers. The 3rd Armored Division overcomes strong resistance at Fromental. The 9th Division is on the highway in the Fromental-Briouze area. The 1st Division is on its objective to the left and in contact with the British. Regrouping must take place before further offensive action can be undertaken. The V Corps takes over a new zone and units previously under the control of the Provisional Corps, 3rd Army, with orders to close the Argentan-Falaise gap. The XIX Corps is given the responsibility for the sector and troops previously held by the V Corps. As reconstituted, the V Corps consists of the French 2nd Armored Division, the 80th Division (less the 319th Infantry), and the 90th Division. The 90th Division seizes Le Bourg-St-Léonard, below Chambois, against bitter opposition.