Falaise — Birthplace of the Pocket

Falaise, FR

The town of Falaise gave its name to one of the decisive operations of the Second World War. **Operation Totalize** (August 8–11, 1944) and **Operation Tractable** (August 14–21, 1944) were the Canadian-led offensives that drove south from Caen toward Falaise, forming the northern jaw of the encirclement that would trap the German **7th Army** and **5th Panzer Army**. The town was the birthplace of **William the Conqueror** and had been a German stronghold since June. Its capture on August 17, 1944 — after brutal street fighting — was achieved by the **2nd Canadian Infantry Division** with Polish support. The fighting in and around Falaise was complicated by the continued resistance of the **12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend** and scattered battle groups that fought to keep the escape corridor open. The castle overlooking the town contains the **Mémorial des Civils dans la Guerre**, documenting the experience of Norman civilians during the Normandy campaign — including the near-total destruction of Falaise itself, 80% of which was destroyed during the fighting.