After the Germans were routed at Mortain, some of the enemy divisions continued to make probing attacks towards Avranche in the vain hope of achieving at least a stalemate.
The other units, battered and bruised, were in headlong retreat towards the town of Argentan in the Orne region of Normandy.
They still had plenty of fight, but that fight would be used in a defensive mode as a means of enabling their escape.
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| August 12th, 16th |
Bradley was excited, his forces had thrashed the Germans at Mortain and his confidence was at an all time high. The other Allies were making progress and now he could see a real chance of trapping and annihilating the remainder of the German 7th Army.
Montgomery's 21st Army Group, which consisted of British, Canadian and Polish forces, had finally broken out of their beachhead around Caen and were now pressing the German forces from the North, while Bradley's own U.S forces had moved in a wide arc under the retreating Germans. He had initially proposed a much wider encirclement, but now he could see a real opportunity to tighten the noose and trap the enemy in an area between Falaise and Argentan. He had instructed Patton to swing his forces to the left, take the town of
Argentan and prepare to close the pocket.
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| Argentan War Memorial |
Patton was elated, the opportunity to deliver this knock out blow was just what he wanted to do.
He committed 5 Divisions to the task, including the Free French
2nd Armored Division under
General Leclerc, a unit totally equipped by the Americans, but lacking discipline.
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| General Leclerc |
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| French 2nd Armored Div. caused many traffic jams |
Leclerc frequently exceeded his orders, crossed boundary lines, which were forbidden to him, and caused all kinds of foul ups. His forces fought with elan, they were brave and their exuberance was astonishing. Taking part in the long awaited liberation of their country was an emotional experience, one that they prayed for these past 5 years. Patton was a Francophile, he liked Leclerc and he was always prepared to make allowances for him.
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| Argentan today |
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| Argentan, same view, August 1944 |
Just as the American Divisions arrived in the Argentan area, Bradley had a change of heart. His initial excitement turned to trepidation, as the prospect of his forces rushing headlong into the guns and aircraft of the other Allies, pushing down from the North, seemed a real possibility. He lost his nerve and with it his ability to annihilate an entire army.
There were of course some concerns at the prospect of further friendly fire incidents, but the Canadians were still miles away from Argentan, so no immediate threat. Patton was horrified and Bradley would come to regret this decision for the rest of his life; although he would continue, in time honored fashion, to pass the blame. His decision would give the Germans an opportunity to hold a defensive shoulder at Argentan, thus allowing thousands of enemy soldiers, complete with their equipment, to escape certain destruction.
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| French Sherman in Foret d'Ecouvres |
South of Argentan, the main obstacle was the Foret d'Ecouvres, the clearing of which was given to Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division. This was achieved effectively and in short order after which, a group of these vengeful Frenchmen entered Argentan on the afternoon of August 13th. The Germans were ready for them and opened fire with tanks and artillery just as the civilian population came out to rejoice at their final liberation. It would be almost a week before this strategic town would be firmly in American hands, by which time it's total destruction would have been well and truly achieved.
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| German panzer grenadiers retreating on foot |
The job of holding the Americans at Argentan had been given to the 1st SS and 2nd panzer Divisions, which had originally been committed to launching an all out attack against the thinly spread American front. As it happens, these units would play a major role in enabling a significant number of their comrades to escape.
The U.S 5th Armored Division tried a flanking maneuver around Argentan, but well sited German artillery and tanks wrought havoc on the advancing U.S and French Divisions.
Once Bradley's stop order had been received, commanders on the ground halted their advance and prepared to attack in another direction, which was yet to be decided. It was perhaps the most serious blunder of the Normandy campaign. The following day, he changed his mind again and split the forces gathered around Argentan. The French 2nd Division and the U.S 90th Division would stay in the Argentan area. They were to be bolstered by the 80th Division moving up in support. Valuable time and considerable momentum had been lost.
A decisive action by the 5 Divisions of 3rd Army could have changed the course of events, but now this strategically timid harassing approach was to lengthen the process, enabling the Germans to fight many 'other days.'
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| Ancient dungeons in the square of Chambois |
The natural escape point for the Germans centered on the tiny Norman town of Chambois.
Between Argentan and Chambois, lies the Foret de Gouffern, a sprawling mass of forestry, which provided great cover for the retreating Germans. From the Goufferm they were able to make a dash across open terrain to the heights and freedom.
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| Foret de Gouffern |
One escape route centered on the tiny town of le Bourg-St-Leonard, which straddled the Argentan Chambois road.
The 90th Division positioned a roadblock in the town and sited artillery and tank destroyers on the crest of a hill overlooking this German escape route. American forces, although still effective, had lost much of their strength, as more than 50% of their force had been sent away, to attack in another direction.
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| Bourg-St.-Leonard, route of German retreat |
When the Germans decided to make their dash, it was unlikely that these thinly spread units could hold them. On August 16th, the first group of Germans, well organized and highly motivated, left the sanctuary of the Gouffern Forest and attacked the 90th at le Bourg-St-Leonard. The 90th were beaten back by an enemy who was prepared, remarkably well equipped and determined.
Was it the 'rat in the trap' syndrome, or were these 'supermen' still a force to be reckoned with?
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| French monument to the liberation of Le Bourg-St.-Leonard |
