On the night of 8 August 1944, the First Canadian Army launched
Operation Totalize, directing their advance towards Falaise, with the
intention of breaking through the German defences south of Caen. In
spite of large numbers, they were halted by the 12.SS- Panzer-Division
"Hitierjugend", who managed to block the 600 armored vehicles. During
one of the German counter-attacks, several Tiger tanks were destroyed,
including that of panzer ace, Michael Wittmann, who was killed in the
process.
The offensive was relaunched a few days later under the name Operation
Tractable, the intention this time being to capture the strategically
important town of Falaise and close the 'Falaise Pocket', also known as
the 'Corridor of Death'.
This book provides the reader with a day-by-day account of this
forgotten battle, while also acting as a field guide, including maps and
both comtemporary and modern photographs.