Extracts 'Battle of the Falaise Gap' (Civilian)

Discussion in 'Civilian' started by Pat Curran, Mar 13, 2015.

  1. Pat Curran

    Pat Curran Administrator
    Staff Member

    Oct 20, 2012
    2,547
    11
    Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
    Thanks Allan,

    To continue from page 124; the date appears to be 12th August...

    'All along the N 24 bis, from Ecouche to Bourg Saint-Leonard, Shermans appeared, were feted, disappeared, returned and for no apparent reason, particularly in the direction of the village of Terce where five roads radiating in a circle facilitated tank manoeuvres. For another six days, the hazards of patrols at nightfall and dawn and local reconnaissances directing these comings and goings would disconcert the terrified villagers in their trenches. They were forced to report the movements of the Americans to the Germans and vice versa.

    "About 1500 hours four tanks took up their positions at Sai on the Eure bridge. We did not fail to go and welcome them enthusiastically," says Xavier Rousseau. But they did not stop there. "Two trucks appeared in the village itself," notes a refugee. "The news spread quickly and the population assembled on the square to acclaim the liberators. Most of the houses had put out their tricolours. The visit was of short duration. The trucks put about."

    A few hours later a convoy passed through the village square. "We shall be in Paris in eleven days," proclaimed a G.I. who was being offered refreshment by the villagers. "The convoy returned to its quarters," noted this eye-witness, who added anxiously: "won't the Germans entrenched in Gouffern Forest return?" They did return in fact but failed to advance farther than the hamlet of Bordeaux, patrolling behind the river Eure, which constituted the demarcation line between the opposing forces.

    For a whole week, this was the strange scene on N 24 bis, the southern jaw of the pincer now tightening on the troops flung back into the cauldron of the Dives.'


    More follows...

    Regards,

    Pat
     

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