CHAMBOIS/SAINT-LAMBERT-SUR-DIVE
Orne - 13 km north-east of Argentan
The 7th German Army was trapped in the pocket
 On 17 August 1944, the Canadians captured Falaise, whereas the Americans entered Dreux. On 13 August, General Dietrich, who commanded the 5th German Panzer-Armee, had been already claiming they must break off from the forming pocket. General Von Klüge, Commander in Chief of the Oberbefehlshaber West, obtained finally in the afternoon of 16 August Hitler’s authorization to retreat. The following day he was relieved of its commandment. In the north, the 1st Canadian Army seized Trun on 18 August, while in the south the Vth Corps reached Chambois. In the early morning of 19 August, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division entered Saint-Lambert-sur-Dive. The allied artillery pushed back the Germans who are clinging to the ruins. In the evening, Chambois is taken and the 90th American Infantry Division made junction with the Polish troops of the 1st Armoured Division, the pocket was closed
   
 
 
 
Observatory
Saint-Lambert-sur-Dive
 Facing to the west, this observatory remembers the Battle of Normandy. One can see a map of Trun area on 20 August 1944. A board tells about the fightings and the feat of Major Currie who was distinguished with the Victoria Cross.
 Situation : at the edge of the D13 road, at the western entrance of the city
 
 
   
     
 
 

Falaise pocket monument
Chambois
 Monument commemorating junction of the Allied Armies (American, British, Canadian, Polish and French) who received the surrender of the encircled German divisions. Beside the monument a map in relief, enables to follow the battle.
 Situation : on the main place, near the medieval castle

    
  1st Polish Armoured Division plaque
Chambois
Plaque in memory of the 10th Dragons Regiment soldiers of the 1st Armoured Polish Division, killed on 20 August 1944 in Chambois during the battle of Normandy.
 Situation : in the church of Chambois
 
 
  Civilian and military casualties plaque
Chambois
Plaque in memory of civilian and military casualties killed during the fightings in 1939-1944.
Situation : on the War Memorial
  Map in relief of the Normandy Battle
Chambois
This map in relief tells the history of the Falaise pocket Battle until it had been closed on 19 August 1944 in Chambois.
Situation : near the Falaise pocket monument
   
  Major Currie stele
Saint-Lambert-sur-Dive
 This stele commemorates the action of Major Currie who commanded a squadron of the South Alberta Regiment, units of the 7th Battalion The Argyll and Sutherlands Highlanders, the the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and the 5th Anti-tank Regiment; they fought during three days, to close the Falaise pocket.
 Situation : at the edge of the D13 road, at the gate of the town, coming from Trun
  Falaise-Chambois pocket monument - 1st Polish Armoured Division - 90th US Infantry Division
Monument commemorating the closing of the Falaise Pocket and the junction in Chambois of the 1st Polish Armoured Division with the 90th US Infantry Division.
Situation : at the gate of Chambois, at the edge of the D13 road (toward Gacé), near the sports ground
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

Personal web site about D-day and the Normandy battle
http://www.debarquement-normandie.com/
Personal web site about German panzer
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/profiles.htm
Official web site of the 90th US Infantry Division
http://90thdivisionassoc.org/
Orne departmental tourism office web site
http://www.ornetourisme.com/
Personal web site about US Army in Europe
http://www.lonesentry.com/index.html
 
All rights of photos, texts, maps and graphics design are reserved