(8/11) Battlefield II The Battle for Caen World War II

World War II Videos




The defeat of the German forces at the Falaise Gap in August 1944 was the culmination of an effort that had begun the previous June, when British, U.S. and Canadian troops stormed the Normandy beaches during Operation Overlord. Then followed the bloody fighting for the all-important city of Caen.
The Falaise Gap was an area between Argentan and Falaise, southeast of Caen. For the Germans, it represented an escape route from the advancing Allied troops, who threatened to trap the 7th Army, 5th Panzer Army and Panzergruppe Eberbach. The Canadian 1st and British 2nd Armies had finally broken out from Caen after weeks of hard and bitter fighting which had stalled the entire Normandy invasion. At the same time, the US 1st and 3rd Armies had forced their way off the Normandy beaches and were rapidly heading towards Falaise from the north and the east.
The fighting in the lanes and fields was intense, as the Allies battled hard to overcome determined resistance by some 80,000 German troops. With so many men and weapons on the ground, it is not surprising they were eventually undone by fierce artillery fire from three sides and by constant attacks from the air.
The Gap was closed on 19th August, leaving only a small pocket of German resistance that was overrun on 21st August. The German losses were catastrophic 10,000 killed, 50,000 taken prisoner, nearly 600 tanks and assault guns destroyed, and 7,500 vehicles lost.
Featuring fascinating archive footage from all over the world, this episode includes a review of the political and military situation before the battle, portraits of leaders and commanders, an explanation of weapons and tactics, as well as the story of the battle itself. Vivid computer-generated maps place The Battle For Caen in the context of the war as a whole providing viewers with a highly comprehensive and entertaining story.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• World
• War
• II
• The
• Falaise
• Gap
• 5th
• Panzer
• Army
• German
• Normandy
• Invasion
• Panzergruppe
• Canadian
• Operation
• Overlord
• Caen

[HoustonGD]

2,300lbs? 2,300 tons.

[HoustonGD]

Wilhelm von Runstead who is that lol

[HoustonGD]

When narrating the MG-42 section the video is mostly of a MG-34.

[HoustonGD]

122mm of armor at 110 yards LOL. Its 122mm at 1100 yards!

[HoustonGD]

I did not know that Lt.Gen Dollman transformed himself into Capt. Wittmann 06:56

[HoustonGD]

8 2 pounders LOL How about 44+ 2 pounders 00:13. 20 20mm not 8. 8.5 " guns whats that. You get my point

[RELeeOnTraveller]

Some of the worst drivel I have ever experienced.

[zeratule1]

It really surprised me the amount of mistakes in this Caen series. Commenting on Tiger II and showing Panther images, and of course the ones you observed. Also, the narrator of Kursk, for instance, is much better than this guy.

[jjbjr666]

Weren't the bazookas 2.5" and Not 2.3?

[majorRajn]

@TheRawke YEEEPP Sounds like .30cal

[mobilechief]

@HoustonGD Lots and lots of errors here I see them too

[PalleRasmussen]

Same we Danes use, there has been plans to replace it with the Minimi and the light ISW, but... Good old LMG is still the superior weapon IMO and that of many soldiers.

I am not aware how the plans are going, I hope no replacement.

[charlieofgondor]

Also refers to the King Tiger II instead of Tiger 1e appearing in the Desert, which it never did!

Editorial Fail!

[TheRawke]

British and US documentaries usually ignore the existence of the MG34, even though it was used throughout the war by German forces as there were not enough MG 42s to serve all units.

Also the gun sounds in the background certainly are not made by a MG42. Sounds like .50cal, probably .30cal. And the design of the MG42 isn't leading anymore? The German MG3 is bascially a slightly less devastating version of the MG42...

[2bn442RCT]

@fuggsakes Yes absolute mistake! Battlefield II has poor editing.

[fuggsakes]

122mm penetration at 110 yds???? 1100 maybe?? poor proofreading