 Meanwhile , Bradley had sent two armoured combat commands against the German southern ( left ) flank . On 8 August , one of these ( from the U.S. 2nd Armored Division ) was attacking the rear of the two SS Panzer Divisions . Although fighting would continue around Mortain for several more days , there was no further prospect of any German success . The Germans issued orders to go on to the defensive along the entire front , but poorly communicated orders resulted in this being impossible to achieve , with some German forces retreating , and others preparing to hold their ground . 
