 Although the Falaise Gap was narrowed to a distance of several hundred yards , attacks and counter @-@ attacks by two battle groups of the 1st Polish Armoured Division and the II SS Panzer Corps on Hill 262 ( Mont Ormel ) prevented the quick closing of the gap and thousands of German troops escaped . During two days of nearly continuous fighting , Polish forces using artillery barrages and close @-@ quarter fighting , managed to hold off counter @-@ attacks by seven German divisions . On 21 August , elements of the First Canadian Army relieved the Polish survivors and sealed the Falaise Pocket by linking up with the Third US Army . This led to the surrender and capture of the remaining units of the German 7th Army in the pocket . 
