Falaise Then & Now. The Canadian attack on the Ecole Sainte Jean de Filles.

[LUCKYSTRIKE]

As we all know the German forces were superb at throwing together very able Battle Groups and this occurred yet again just outside Falaise (Normandy). SS Battle Group Krause comprised mainly of members of the 12 SS Hitler Jugend.
They put up a spirited defense against superior forces but fighting overwhelming odds they had to gradually fall back into the town of Falaise. Not giving up they fought like demon's with no care for what would happened to them. A favourate ploy being to let the enermy advance past them, before popping up with Panzer Faust or MG and attacking the enermy from behind. This caused umpteen casualities for the Canadian forces who'd been tasked with taking Falaise.
SS Strong points were set up through the town and the battle raged but eventually the SS survivors pulled back to the only place left, the Ecole Sainte Jean Filles (Girls School of St Joan). Here around 60 of the Battle Group (Krause) were to make their last stand, all wanted to stay but drawing straws two were selected and tasked with breaking out and reporting back to HQ the fate of the Battle Group. At the time these two were disappointed being ordered to leave but they escaped. (I was lucky enough to meet one of these survivors SS Sturmann Karl-Heinz Decker)
The first photo's show a mixed force of Canadian Mont-Royal Fusiliers and Sherbrooke tanks attempting a different route of attack on the School following a previous repulsed attempt on a diferent route. This attack is lead by tank number 21 with number 14 following. It was also repulsed by the teenage boys of the SS HJ holed up in the school. In fact the final assult was postponed due to the ferocity of the defence until the middle of the following night. You can also see a picture of a Canadian casuality being carried back out of danger.
I include a picture of a pre war postcard showing the school as it used to be because during the fighting it was destroyed and burnt out, all accept this very similar wing which is the only original surviving part. Because of this I took a couple of pictures from different angles and the final was taken with me stood on tip toes with arms outstretched and my camera over the wall to take a shot of the school yard interior face of this wing.
Thats a shame previewing the post I notice the pictures haven't comeout in the order I uploaded them. Sorry but you'll have to scroll back and forth to compare the Then and Now.
LUCKYSTRIKE