Invasion Gaining (Sedgwick) – 2-3
American Parachutists Take St. Tropez by Lucky Error (Matthews) – 3-4
Patton Lashes Out (Daniel) – 4-5
German 7th Army Slashed to Bits (Boyle) – 5
The Beachhead on the Coast of Southern France is Made Secure and the Allies Rule the Air (photos) – 6-8
Patton Bets $1,000 He’ll Enter Paris – 7-8
Canadians Battle in Falaise Streets (McMillan) – 8-9
From North to South France Resounds to Battle (map) – 9
Welcome Hands for Our Men in Northern France (photo) – 10
War News Summarized – 10
Red Army Gives Up Warsaw Suburb – 11-12
British Drop Arms to Warsaw Poles – 12
8th’s Bombers Rip More Reich Plants (Anderson) – 12
Separate Commands (by Hanson W. Baldwin) – 15
The Texts of the Day’s Communiques on the Fighting in Various War Zones – 16-18
Berlin Peace Plea Warns of New War – 18
http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1944/aug44/17aug44.htm#
Canadians capture Falaise
Thursday, August 17, 1944 www.onwar.com
Canadian infantry and armor enter Falaise [photo at link]
On the Western Front... Elements of Canadian 1st Army complete the capture of Falaise. The town has been severely damaged in recent fighting. There is a few miles gap between the Canadian line and the American line to the south, held by US 1st Army with US 5th Corps forward. To the south and west, other American forces capture Dreux, Chateaudun and Orleans. In Brittany, the German defenders of the citadel at St. Malo surrender.
From Berlin... Hitler dismisses Field Marshal Kluge as commander of Army Group B. Field Marshal Model is appointed in his place.
On the Eastern Front... In Lithuania, forces German Army Group North launches counterattacks along the entire line. Effort is concentrated on Siauliai with the objective of preventing Soviet forces from cutting off German-held Riga in Latvia.
In Southern France... There is little German resistance to the Allied advance of US 7th Army. St. Raphael, St. Tropez, Frejus, Le Luq and St. Maxime are captured during the day.
In New Guinea... Near Aitape, American forces extend their line in a general advance against light Japanese resistance. On Numfoor, the last significant Japanese force is brought to battle by American forces and destroyed.
Me, too. I didn't have the Morning Kitteh up until after 7:00. Usually it's before 5:30.
Detailed map of the operational situation in the Falaise Pocket is not available in the usual format today. There is a situation map but it’s not readily legible. The German units in the pocket aren’t keeping very good records, and most of the history comes from the recollections of exhausted surviving commanders.
Canada Ping!