Patton's Gap: A Pilot’s Account of the Battle of Normandy

by Richard Rohmer

An eye-opening and hard-hitting account of one of the gravest, most costly Allied tactical errors of World War the failure to close the Falaise Gap.

This remarkable book which sheds light on an oft-forgotten area of the Second World War should be essential reading for those who enjoy the works of Martin Blumenson, Simon Trew, and Carlo D’Este.

By 12 August 1944, the entire German Seventh Army and what remained of the Fifth Panzer Army were trapped within a pocket with only one route out — the Falaise Gap.

This twenty-mile exit remained open for nearly a week, and by the time the decision had been made to close the Gap nearly a quarter of a million enemy soldiers, all their equipment, and thousands of tanks and vehicles had escaped.

This monumental error, which undoubtedly prolonged the war could and should have been prevented, yet why was the Gap not swiftly closed when the opportunity to capture an entire German army presented itself? Were any of the leading Patton, Montgomery, Bradley, or Eisenhower, ultimately to blame for this, or was it a result of a general lapse of concentration across Allied forces during the heat of battle?

As a fighter-reconnaissance pilot who undertook one hundred and thirty-five mission tours Major-General Richard Rohmer was able to gain a bird’s-eye view of the Battle for Normandy. This, combined with his experience as a military commander, analyst, and best-selling author, allows him to have a unique insight into the events leading up to the creation and resolution of the Falaise Gap.

Drawing upon meticulous research from a variety of sources as well as his own wartime logbook Rohmer’s Patton’s Gap is a remarkable book that presents a thorough overview as well as eyewitness account to the controversial conclusion of the Battle of Normandy.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2024

About the author

Major-General (Ret'd) Richard Heath Rohmer, OC, CMM, DFC, O.Ont, KStJ, CD, OL, QC, JD, LLD (born in 1924). Canada's most decorated citizen, an aviator, a senior lawyer (aviation law), adviser to business leaders and the Government of Ontario and is a prolific writer. Rohmer was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and spent some of his early youth in Pasadena, California as well as in western Ontario at Windsor and Fort Erie.

The Peterborough Examiner's lead editorial of 14 January 2009 says this: "Rohmer, one of Canada's most colourful figures of the past half-century, was a World War II fighter pilot, later a major-general in the armed forces reserve, a high-profile lawyer and a successful novelist and biographer."

Reviews

[George Doughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missed Opportunity

The author concludes that Monty was responsible for failure to close gap which allowed a large number of troops and equipment, etc to escape to fight on. This certainly extended the war with all its death and destruction.

I have always considered Monty overrated and never should been overall commander of ground forces. Ike was a politician when a military leader was needed so he was ultimately responsible for the failure.

Patton was a flawed leader but he knew how to fight and win.

[John Mchale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of this period in the war. Don't expect a pure airforce history it is is the history of the whole event with some photos recon anecdotes. Could have done with a map of the area to help.

[Michael J Holt. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fog of War

Good book uncovering what seems to be the truth because of it’s detail but while the apparent truth it uncovers is credible it only looks at one side of the question.
Personally I would like to know the rest of the story, with all the characters involved.

[sam silberstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who failed to close the Falaise Gap?

A pilot's view from his recon flight above the Battle of Normandy, is the best eye-witness account of the German army escaping the trap set by the Allies. The blame is based on interviews and recollections of the orders, given and received, by the major players of the day. What a fascinating insight into a huge failure to destroy an entire army!

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed the book, even if at times it was more technical than I wanted. It was, however, an excellent investigative piece that added knowledge about an important time in the battle of Normandy.

[Aaron Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn’t the best at carrying the story in a good timeline

[Randy Harrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read in particular the analysis at end.

[Theodore W. Zweifel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patrons Gap

Good information, but a little too technical. Also, some inaccuracies, Patton died in 1945. Needs to be more thoroughly researched.