| Operation Totalize |
Article Index for Operation |
Website Links For Operation |
Information AboutOperation Totalize |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT OPERATION TOTALISE | |
| operation overlord | |
| totalize | |
|
During World War II , Operation Totalise ( Allies , 1944 ) was a ground attack on 7 August , 1944 by British , Canadian and Polish forces to breakout from the Normandy beachhead along the Caen - Falaise road. Although the attack failed in its objective, it did serve as a spoiling attack, disrupting German forces massing for the Operation Lüttich attack. Operation Bluecoat , a British operation begun on 30 July , caused several German armoured units to be committed, leaving only the reinforced 12th SS Panzer Division defending the Caen area. General Montgomery ordered II Canadian Corps , reinforced by the 51st Highland Division and 1st Polish Armoured Division , to advance on Falaise. The main German defenders of the Canadian sector were the 85th Infantry Division who had recently moved into position. The operational plan called for a night attack without preliminary artillery bombardment. Aircraft of Bomber Command were to attack the flanks first, with artillery remaining silent until the attackers had crossed the Start Line . Though they did not reach Falaise, Allied troops advanced eight miles and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy for 560 dead and 1,600 wounded. NOTABLE FACTS Totalise was the first operation in history commanded by a Canadian Army -level headquarters; First Canadian Army became operational on the Continent just days before. Totalise featured several tactical innovations.
Operation Totalise was followed by Operation Tractable . SOURCES
SEE ALSO |
|
|