 By late afternoon of 19 August , Canadian and Polish forces had linked with the US 80th Division and 90th Division already stationed in the town . The Falaise Gap had been closed , trapping Model ′ s forces . As the linkup occurred , Model ′ s II SS Panzer Corps had begun its counterattack against Polish forces on Hill 262 , hoping to reopen the pocket . With American and Canadian forces facing German counterattacks in their sectors , the Polish forces would have to defend against two veteran Panzer divisions to keep the gap closed . 
