The 2nd Infantry Division joined in the destruction of German forces within the newly formed Falaise Pocket.
It pivoted its attack from south to east as Allied forces squeezed the entrapped Germans into a smaller and smaller area.
The division seized the strategic crossroads of Tinchebray and the high ground surrounding on 15 August before being pinched out by British forces crossing its front as the pocket disappeared.
The Falaise Pocket proved to be yet another disaster for the Germans, who lost 50,000 prisoners in addition to the tens of thousands already killed or wounded in the fighting.
Perhaps equally damaging, the Germans who did escape lost most of their equipment in the pocket or in the pursuit.
The 2nd Infantry Division was now free for another mission.
General Omar N.Bradley decided to send it to Brittany to participate in the siege and capture of Brest.
The division departed en route to Brest on 18 August. See map.
The website www.backtonormandy.org has evolved. It has grown, expanded, and broadened its horizons. What once focused solely on the historic events of Normandy now reaches far beyond that — embracing a larger, more inclusive story of World War II history across Europe.
As I move forward, II invite you to explore my new home: www.ww2history.eu.
The history I share is not confined to a single place or a single moment in time. It’s the story of nations, of sacrifice, of courage, and of resilience. It’s a history that spans the entire continent of Europe, where every country played its part in shaping the world we live in today. The lives of millions were touched, forever changed, by the events of World War II.
By migrating to www.ww2history.eu, I can now present a more complete, more comprehensive view of this pivotal period in our collective past. From the beaches of Normandy to the streets of Stalingrad, from the forests of Ardennes to the skies over London — the story of Europe during the Second World War is vast and interconnected, and it deserves to be remembered in its entirety.
I am committed to preserve these stories — of the brave men and women who fought, suffered, and died, of the ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times, and of the lessons we must never forget.
So, I invite you to visit www.ww2history.eu. Discover new stories, new perspectives, and the shared history that binds us all together. Join me in honoring the past as we shape the future. This is not just history — this is our history, and it’s waiting for you to explore.
Your webmaster Fred Vogels - www.fredvogels.com