 As the assault from the southwest ran out of steam , the 2nd SS Panzer Division resumed its attack on the northeast of the ridge . Since Polish units were now concentrated on the southern edges of the position , the 2nd SS was able to force a path through to the 3rd Parachute Division by noon , opening a corridor out of the pocket . By mid @-@ afternoon , close to 10 @,@ 000 German troops had escaped through the corridor . Despite being overwhelmed by strong counterattacks , Polish forces continued to hold the high ground on Mont Ormel , which they referred to as " The Mace " ( Maczuga ) , exacting a deadly toll on passing German forces through the use of well @-@ coordinated artillery fire . Irritated by the presence of these units , which were exacting a heavy toll on his men , Generaloberst Paul Hausser — commanding the 7th Army — ordered the positions to be " eliminated " . Although substantial forces , including the 352nd Infantry Division and several battlegroups from the 2nd SS Panzer Division inflicted heavy casualties on the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Polish 1st Armoured Division , the counterattack was ultimately fought off . The battle had cost the Poles almost all of their ammunition , leaving them in a precarious position . 
