Despite a gallant effort to push the Allies back into the sea, and unable to hold Caen, the German High Command soon realized the full gravity of the situation, and ordered an organized retreat out of Normandy.

With Caen finally secured by the Allies, in one of the classic pincer movements of World War II, with the British, Canadians, and Polish attacking from the north, and Americans, French from the south, the German 7th army quickly found itself at an extreme disadvantage. With no air cover, the Germans were soon under attack by British Hawker Typhoon fighter-bombers.

Originally designed as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane interceptor of Battle of Britain fame, the Typhoon found its true niche in ground attack. As per the painting below, armed with cannons and air-to-surface rockets, it proved lethally effective against German armor and other ground targets.

Despite the carnage from above, the Germans were masters at salvaging bad situations, and so with elements fighting a determined rear-guard action, who/what hadn’t been killed or destroyed slipped through before the Allies sealed the noose.




© November 11, 2017
Revised © 2021 (Author's Note added)

Map courtesy of Wikipedia
Painting titled: Bottle Neck by Gareth Hector, courtesy of Allied Warbirds and Pilots of WWII FB group

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05/02/2019

Author's Note: An objective summary of one of the key Battles of Normandy in World War II.

Posted on 05/02/2019
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti