(6/11) 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

[rydar1978]

Hitler was such a moron

[Sederos]

ye if hitler would to listen to his commanders the whole WW II would be another history

[Mongoapanmr1]

There must be really fucking frustrating to be Rommel, when Hitler just keeps making things hard for him and never gives it up.

[sim0b]

@rydar1978 HITLER was an illuminati agent... do your research...

[Sederos]

@truecinnamon thx the same, I like history specially WW II

[Sederos]

@truecinnamon Ye maybe at the begining but at the end of the Stalingrad he didnt listen anymore, he could rescue his 6 army who was trapped in stalingrad, and in kursk Mainstein which was the commander of the whole operation wanted to start it early but hitler didnt want to because the new panther came, and meanwhile the Soviet could prepare them self. And when the invasion of Siciliy hitler orderd SS Div from kursk to Italy which was a stupid mistake...

[Dragonite43]

@108Dax If Rommel was the Fuhrer, then WW2 would never happen.

[108Dax]

I'm pretty glad that Rommel wasn't the Fuhrer.

[MercenaryJasper]

@rydar1978

From 1941 onwards, yes.

[JFDA5458]

@truecinnamon Not completely true. OKW didn't want to attack at Kursk. They wanted a defensive strategy in the East. Also Hitler closed the battle down and redirected key divisions such as the SS to Italy at a time when the Russians were beginning to crack.

[truecinnamon]

@Sederos hitler did listen to his commanders at the battle of kursk, the largest battle of ww2. his military commanders, the finest and most professional, had complete control. the germans were beaten, broken and defeated. but nice opinion! first class. you obviously know your stuff.

[mobilechief]

@mekanikus1 Yep they all most won if it was not for him. The drivr to control everything will destroy you in the fullest