(7/11) 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]

Twice the Sherman's armor. Nope another mistake 08:55

[hairstyleriioohhh]

these teens in the hitlerjugend-division were crazy...

nevertheless..... its a good upload, like always from gd... but its a sad one to watch.. the older brother of my father died there in the normandy battles at the age of 19. he was missing in action. we still have the letter of his company-commander in which he reports weeks after d-day that he was missing after heavy fighting...

[HoustonGD]

They were crazy but offered unbelievable resistance. The 12SS resistance before Caen entered into legend. Thanks for your comments hair. E-mail me with more detailed info!

[hairstyleriioohhh]

to make it clear, he was not in the hitlerjugend-division, he was member of the fallschirmjaeget (paras)

but when the next time i travel in my parents home (i think in june or july) i can make a photo of the letter and translate for you, GD.

yours

Martin

[OrlopRat42]

Anyone who doubts the courage and fighting ability of the French soldier knows absolutely NOTHING about military history. To pass flippant judgment on something without knowing the facts is one of the worst forms of ignorance.

[tjhoenecke]

@hairstyleriioohhh You have to keep in mind, these particular soldiers were the most brainwashed of all, given they had spent more of their lives in the Hitler Youth than any others. They were mainly still teenagers who had been fed on Nazi propaganda since before they had even entered their teens. Not too different from the fanatical mentlity of modern sucide-bombing terrorists.

[108Dax]

so many repeat clips makes it feel like an infomercial. Is interesting to watch though.

[OrlopRat42]

@OBSysteme Quite true. Ignorance of history is no excuse to defame the brave.

[TheQotsaRules]

I have massive respect for the German armed forces in WWII, I mean whatever you want to say about the SS as soldiers they are the most professional troops the allies faced. I used to watch this when I was a young lad and due to my affinity for the Germans I always kind of hoped they would win. Just because of their skill and tenacity. Even though that would mean hell today

[mobilechief]

Same footage over ant over its tiring

[mobilechief]

@HoustonGD Leaving any politics out I must agree a formidable military force.

[QPhilms]

Yeah, it's frustrating. People lambast the French because they lost in the early war, had failings in SE Asia in the 50s, and continue to poke a thumb in American noses about world affairs. (Americans don't like this) *chuckle* And yes, I'm American.

But overall the French were, and are, very capable fighters. As are ALL people in the world. History shows this. Over time, everybody has had their ups and downs, and without Lafayette and De Grasse America would be a very different place.

[daburgamasta99]

In WWI the french tanks had one gear, the reverse gear.

At the beginning of WWII the upgraded their Tanks to have 5 reverse gears to be able to retreat even faster.

[2bn442RCT]

The French troops who fought with the Allies performed excellently. The French at Bir Hacheim and in Italy fought well.