The supply transports sent four times were destroyed on the road by the Germans. Many soldiers died needlessly. Only the approach of the 4th Canadian Division finally eliminated the German resistance1. It was the same Canadians who the day before had retreated a few kilometres (without any specific objective or order) leaving the Germans a passage for their retreat. The consequence was not long in coming for the commander of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division2. 2 The II Corps commander dismissed him.
In the ravine between these hills - along the Chambois road running north-east - the Germans left a heap of dead bodies and equipment3. Many of our people lie on this battlefield4. The German tanks destroyed many tanks of the 2nd Armoured Division. The armoured division saved the the situation by smashing the German Panthers in turn.
The attached squadron order illustrates the losses suffered during this period of fighting.
The list shows the losses of the C.K.M. Squadron from 8 August to 23 August 1944.
Kazimierz Duda - War Chronicles - 22 to 23 August 1944 - Page 66
1 22 August 1944
2 General George Kitching (1910-1999). He was demoted to the rank of brigadier and posted on 12 November to the general staff of the 1st Canadian Corps.
3 10,000 German soldiers killed, 40,000 prisoners, 157 light armoured cars, 1778 trucks, 187 tanks and motor guns, 669 cars and 252 artillery pieces.
4 The 1st Polish armoured division lost almost 1300 men since the beginning of this engagement. On Mont Ormel, only about 60 men remained in fighting condition out of the 2000 who arrived on hill 262. The Canadians renamed this hill the 'Polish battlefield'. For this battle, General Maczek was made Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour by General De Gaulle.
Translation from French version: Steven Duda
Boryna Józef
(12/03/1909 - 21/08/1944)
Borys Wacław
(23/10/1921 - 20/08/1944)
Martun Józef Wincenty
(18/07/1911 - 21/08/1944)
Rodycz Stanisław
(07/05/1920 - 20/08/1944)
Original page 66
C.K.M Squadron - List of casualties - 24 august 1944