Closing the Falaise Gap
By August 18th 1944, the Canadians had taken Turn and then St Lambert meaning the Falaise pocket was now encircled. This was tentative, however. Not only was the defensive line thin at these crucial crossing points, but the Americans and Poles were advancing in the same direction as the Axis towards Chambois. This was a desperate race for the Germans to escape annihilation and an overwhelming order for the Allies in charge of stopping them.
An Axis Break back around areas held by Polish troops helped many escape but this was reinforced by the 19th. In St Lambert, the Canadian Major D Curry would earn a Victoria Cross for his heroic efforts to hold the line and stop the German escape. Advancing under dangerously close forward firing artillery from his own side and leading from the front, his long battle would be successful. The closing of the Falaise Gap essentially marked the end of the Normandy campaign after well over two months of bloody battles.
With imminent rapid advances across France, including the Liberation of Paris, just days later, it seemed it was all over for Germany. This, of course, would not be the case until well into 1945.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
7 VP’s
Card Balance:
Allies – 5
Axis – 5
Complexity:
4
Conditions:
Countryside
Context:
Historical
Location:
France
Year:
1944
Theater:
Western
Campaign:
The Invasion of Normandy
Codename:
Summary:
Objectives:
7 VP’s, including Exit Row Objectives for the Axis
Battlefield:
Countryside with an impassible (except for bridges and fords) river going across the battlefield.
Troops:
Allies – 8 Infantry, 3 Armor
Axis – 9 Infantry, 1 Armor, 1 Artillery
Allied Strategy:
1.
Axis Strategy
1.
Battle Reports
Author:
Originally developed for the London Open, 2022. Also played at The Finest Hour Open, Chicago, 2025.
Link:
