The Falaise Gap

Who is responsible for the order to halt Patton's Third Army [Wade Haislip's U.S. XV Corps] south of the Orne River near Argentan on 13 August 1944, and why was the halt order issued?

I have done a considerable amount of research on the Falaise Gap and have my own opinions, but I would like to see what kind of consensus can be reached through discussion with other individuals who have a basic understanding of military history.

In my opinion, General Omar N. Bradley did not initiate the 'halt order.'

 

Patton and Logistics of the Third Army: Lessons for Today's Joint Logistician patton and the third army...

 

According to Blumenson in 'The Battle Of The Generals' Bradley gave the order ( during a telephone conversation with Patton on the evening of 12/8/44 ). However, the initiation would seem to have come from Montgomery (according to de Guingand's own account in Operation Victory).

 

Hmmm... The good old days...

http://www.ww2f.com/western-europe-1943-1945/13383-monty-v-patton-falaise.html

 

Martin Bull is right, the halt order for Patton at Argentan on the evening of August 12th came from Montgomery. [See Freddie de Guingand's Operation Victory, p. 407, Also see Carlo D'Este's Decision in Normandy p. 440 and 441 for Air Vice Marshal Stephen C. Strafford's Diary and pages 449, 450, for Dr. Forrest Pogue's interview with Brigadier E.T. Williams.] Somehow, I thought this point was going to be harder to make.

 

So other than to try and start an argument (failure there) why did you post a question when it appears you already had the answer?
Maybe a clue?

I thought this point was going to be harder to make

 

Bradley's HQ told Patton to halt at Argentan in two phone calls (one from Leven Allen and another from Bradley IIRC). I don't recall Monty giving a positive order to halt Patton, but he certainly didn't change the boundaries to permit Patton to move on Falaise. FG has some good sources so I'll look into them. Bradley said in his memoirs he didn't consult with Montgomery before ordering Patton to halt - his feeling was, if Montgomery wants US help, he can ask for it. (Not a very team-oriented attitude.) Hirshson (p. 516) quotes Dempsey's diary as saying that Bradley and Montgomery agreed that army group boundaries would be disregarded and Patton could move north, across the enemy's line of retreat, so long as he met little opposition.