August 1944

Western Front

In the British 2nd Army area, the VIII Corps, now pinched out, is held in army reserve. Its transport is used by units driving toward the Seine. The XXX Corps is rapidly reducing the enemy pocket from the north. The 11th Armored Division reaches Putanges and Ecouché. The XII Corps, also compressing the enemy pocket, continues to the southeast toward Argentan.

In the Canadian 1st Army's II Corps area, the Canadian 4th Armored Division seizes Trun and continues southeastward in conjunction with the Polish 1st Armored Division to the left. Stiff fighting develops in the Chambois area as the Germans make furious attempts to keep the escape corridor open, counterattacking vigorously from within and without the pocket.

In the US 3rd Army's VIII Corps area, the 2nd Division, moving from the 1st Army zone to Brest to relieve the 6th Armored Division, is attached to the corps. The 8th Division is concentrated north of Brest, and TF A is in the Morlaix area. In the XV Corps area, the 5th Armored and 79th Infantry Divisions drive quickly for the Seine at Mantes-Gassicourt. In the XX Corps area, the 7th Armored Division takes over the bridgehead ad Dreux as the 5th Division moves to Chartres. In the XII Corps area, the 35th Division finishes mopping up in Orléans and begins moving to the Janville area. The 4th Armored Division continues to clear the region near Orléans.

The US 1st Army, while reducing the Argentan-Falaise pocket, regroups in preparation for future action. The VII Corps mops up, maintains contact with the British at Briouze, and prepares to renew the offensive. The V Corps, with the 90th Division on the right and the 80th on the left, attacks northward to close the Falaise-Argentan gap. The 90th pushes into Forêt de Gouffern while the 80th advances through Bordeaux toward Argentan. The French 2nd Armored Division assists with fire and provides flank protection. CCL is attached to the 90th Division.