The Falaise Pocket. World War II Allied Encirclement Of The German Armies.

Failure Or Success Of The Allied Leadership And Planning?

Nonfiction, History, Germany, European General, Military, United States
Cover of the book The Falaise Pocket. World War II Allied Encirclement Of The German Armies. by Major Braden DeLauder, Lucknow Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Major Braden DeLauder ISBN: 9781782897927
Publisher: Lucknow Books Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: Lucknow Books Language: English
Author: Major Braden DeLauder
ISBN: 9781782897927
Publisher: Lucknow Books
Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: Lucknow Books
Language: English

By Aug. 1944, the Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachhead and were rapidly exploiting a breakthrough in the German lines. In early Aug., Hitler ordered a heavy single pronged attack to the west toward Avranches to cut off the US forces to the south. With the ‘Ultra’ intelligence, Bradley recognized this as an opportunity to encircle the German Army in France. By turning Patton’s Third Army, in the south, north towards Argentan, Bradley formed the lower jaw of a pincer movement while Montgomery ordered Crerar’s First Canadian Army south to push towards Falaise to form the upper jaw. Connecting the Allied armies between Falaise and Argentan would completely surround the German army. The encirclement of the German forces would be known as the Falaise pocket.
To the north, Montgomery’s forces struggled to push south against the German defensive line. Patton’s Third Army, in concert with the XIX Tactical Air Command, was making extremely rapid progress. Late on the 12th of Aug., Bradley stopped Patton’s forces from moving north of Argentan. The decision to stop Third Army’s movement north allowed many German personnel to escape from the Falaise pocket.
I will analyze the leadership decisions, command relationships, and what I think to be a lack of communication between the Allied leaders. Why did Montgomery, who was commander of the Allied ground forces in France, not close the pincer from the south? Why did Bradley stop forces at Argentan? Why didn’t Eisenhower get involved?
The Allied leadership failed to capitalize or exploit the mistake made by Hitler driving the German Army westward. By not closing the pocket’s gap at Falaise, the Allied forces lost an opportunity to destroy a large percentage of the enemy in France. The major factor for this failure was conflicting commander personalities.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

By Aug. 1944, the Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachhead and were rapidly exploiting a breakthrough in the German lines. In early Aug., Hitler ordered a heavy single pronged attack to the west toward Avranches to cut off the US forces to the south. With the ‘Ultra’ intelligence, Bradley recognized this as an opportunity to encircle the German Army in France. By turning Patton’s Third Army, in the south, north towards Argentan, Bradley formed the lower jaw of a pincer movement while Montgomery ordered Crerar’s First Canadian Army south to push towards Falaise to form the upper jaw. Connecting the Allied armies between Falaise and Argentan would completely surround the German army. The encirclement of the German forces would be known as the Falaise pocket.
To the north, Montgomery’s forces struggled to push south against the German defensive line. Patton’s Third Army, in concert with the XIX Tactical Air Command, was making extremely rapid progress. Late on the 12th of Aug., Bradley stopped Patton’s forces from moving north of Argentan. The decision to stop Third Army’s movement north allowed many German personnel to escape from the Falaise pocket.
I will analyze the leadership decisions, command relationships, and what I think to be a lack of communication between the Allied leaders. Why did Montgomery, who was commander of the Allied ground forces in France, not close the pincer from the south? Why did Bradley stop forces at Argentan? Why didn’t Eisenhower get involved?
The Allied leadership failed to capitalize or exploit the mistake made by Hitler driving the German Army westward. By not closing the pocket’s gap at Falaise, the Allied forces lost an opportunity to destroy a large percentage of the enemy in France. The major factor for this failure was conflicting commander personalities.

More books from Lucknow Books

Cover of the book Reading The Enemy’s Mail: by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book Go, Get ‘Em! —The True Adventures Of An American Aviator Of The Lafayette Flying Corps - [Illustrated Edition] by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book One Man In His Time: The Memoirs Of Serge Obolensky by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book History Of The German General Staff 1657-1945 [Illustrated Edition] by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book SUN-SAND AND SURVIVAL - An Analysis Of Survival Experiences In Desert Areas by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book Fall Gelb And The German Blitzkrieg Of 1940: Operational Art by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book Testing And Fielding Of The Panther Tank And Lessons For Force XXI by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book Notes of a Camp-Follower on the Western Front [Illustrated Edition] by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book “Elbe Operation” - With 2d Armored Division & 83d Infantry Divisions by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book The Mediterranean and Middle East: Volume I The Early Successes Against Italy (To May 1941) [Illustrated Edition] by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book Revolt In The Desert [Illustrated Edition] by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book Adventures In Propaganda; Letters From An Intelligence Officer In France [Illustrated Edition] by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book The Curtain Falls: The Last Days Of The Third Reich by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book Role Of The Office Of Strategic Services In Operation Torch by Major Braden DeLauder
Cover of the book The Mermaid And The Messerschmitt by Major Braden DeLauder
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy