August 1944

Western Front

As a result of a general uprising of French resistance forces in Paris, the Germans ask for and are granted a truce to last until the 23rd so that they may withdraw troops. The Falaise-Argentan trap is closed as Canadian II Corps elements make junction with US V Corps troops at Chambois. The German 7th Army and elements of the 5th Panzer Army are encircled.

In the British 2nd Army's XXX Corps zone, the 11th Armored Division reaches the Argentan-Bailleu area. In the XII Corps area, the 53rd Division is approaching the Bailleu-Trun region.

In the Canadian 1st Army's II Corps area, the Canadian 4th Armored Division takes St Lambert-sur-Dives on the Trun-Chambois road, and holds it against lively counterattacks. A patrol of the Polish 1st Armored Division makes contact with the US V Corps at Chambois. In the British I Corps area, forward elements are crossing the La Vie River, although considerable resistance continues to the rear.

In the US 3rd Army's XV Corps area, a 79th Division TF enters Mantes-Gassicourt, which is clear of Germans. The 5th Armored Division starts northward along the west bank of the Seine toward Louviers to cut off the enemy's retreat across the river. In the XX Corps area, the 5th Division completes the mop up of Chartres. In the XII Corps area, Maj-Gen Manton S. Eddy takes command of the corps, relieving Gen Cook.

In the 1st Army's V Corps area, the 80th Division is closing in on Argentan. The 90th Division reaches Chambois and at 1930 contacts a Polish patrol, closing the Falaise-Argentan gap. The XIX Corps attacks northward toward Evreux from Brezolle, west of Dreux, with the 2nd Armored Division on the left and the 30th Division on the right, to cut off the enemy from the Seine between Paris and Elbeuf. The 28th Division is concentrating in the Mortagne area.