Garand Picture of The Day #238 Falaise Gap

[Mark in Rochester]

Group of US infantrymen (GIs), who were left behind to "mop-up" last stronghold of Nazis in Falaise Gap area, lined up in front of wrecked German tank & displaying captured swastika flag.
Location: Chambois, France
Date taken: August 20, 1944
Photographer: Tomko





The battle of the Falaise Pocket, fought during the Second World War from 12–21 August 1944, was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy. Taking its name from the area around the town of Falaise within which the German Seventh and Fifth Panzer Armies became encircled by the advancing Western Allies, the battle is also referred to as the Falaise Gap after the corridor which the Germans sought to maintain to allow their escape.[nb 5] The battle resulted in the destruction of the bulk of Germany's forces west of the River Seine, and opened the way to Paris and the German border.

More Here: Falaise pocket - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Information

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[Bill Hollinger]

Very interesting photo. Mid/late 1944 and there is an African American GI in the photo. Looks like the GI behind the flag is holding up a Browning Highpower.

[paul1440]

And the GI second to the left of the flag with the bayonet looks like he has a M1 web sling on his rifle. Hard to tell, though.

[Mark in Rochester]

flat keeper = web sling

[duggaboy]

I am happy to see this black soldier in this photo, because he wasn't pictured in many photos of the war. Right On

[M1 Rifleman]

I like the knocked-out Panzer the guys are standing in front of. They might have taken out the tank and posed in front of it. Nice picture...

[American Patrol]

Still wearing leggings that late in the war. Makes me wonder if these were troops in the rear or what the story is?

[Bill Hollinger]

I'll bet the are very rear echelon troops doing a mod-up.

[M1 Rifleman]

Not ususual for soldiers in 1944 to wear leggings. The M1943 Combat boot was phased in over many months since 1943. More than likely, these soldiers had not received their M1943 Boots as yet.

[gunsmith II]

as everyone was pointing out the rifles, black soldier, leggings, german tank & flag I took a look at the film development technique. The "spotting" & "dodging" done in the dark room are very apparent in this photo..... techniques accomplished a long time before "Adobe photoshop" hit the scene.
Good thing the talent existed so that we can enjoy the "M-1 Photos of the day."