Le dénouement (Bataille de Normandie)

This itinerary covers the phase when the Allied offensives converged towards what was to prove the most decisive battlefield during the Battle of Normandy: the Falaise pocket.
It follows in the footsteps of the British, Canadian and Polish armies on their advance southwards during operation Totalize, during which they joined the American and French units. After driving the Germans to the south of Caen, the Allies decided to break through towards Falaise. Totalize was launched at 23:00 on the 7th of August 1944. Four armoured columns, comprised of 400 tanks headed across the plain, guided by tracer shells and projectors. Given the staunch resistance put up by the Germans, the offensive was brought to a halt on the 11th of August. It was followed by operation Tractable, from the 14th to the 18th of August, the date that marked Falaise’s liberation.

Thanks to Caen University’s Canopé network for developing this itinerary.