What happened to the German troops South of Normandy and West of the Mediterranean landings ?

One constantly reads about the Falaise pocket and all know of the concentration of troops there but Germany must have had a considerably large number of men , though less dense, in Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees, Languedoc, Limousin, etc. Did they retreat toward say Dijon and then on to Alsace ahead of the converging Allies? There is a most interesting Resistance Museum in the Vauban Citadel above Besancon . But it does not explain the evacuation beyond harresment of the Germans to the best of my aging memory.

Gaines

 

The ones that could not escape to the east (Dijon) were trapped along the French western coast - around Bordeaux I believe. It took some time before they were forced to surrender. This involved French forces of the new French Army. I must admit that I do not know all details exactly.

 

Some cities of the south of France were liberated by the Allies who had landed in Provence, or by the Resistance (especially in central-south france) , others were evacuated . The Germans troops retreating from the South were harased by the FFI all the way to the Loire, they were also heavilly bombed by allied planes and eventually trapped when they could not cross the River on time and met Patton's 3rd Army. Those who made to the Atlantic pockets remained there unti VE Day.
Same for the South of Normandy where the Evreux area was liberated by the Americans just days before Paris . Alencon was liberated by Lecler's 2nd Db.
Alsace was liberated by the Americans and the Free French 1st Army (strasbourg, Phalsbourg , Comar pocket etc..).
The Anglo Canadians dashed northwards towards Belgium and Holland and eventually arrived near the Rhine at Arnhem.


The Unbelievable But True Saga of Lt

 

Found this (French) chronology of liberation of French towns; there were some small pockets in western France that held out until April (La Rochelle) and May 1945 (some harbours in Bretagne). Bordeaux was 'liberated' in August. The Germans fled the area.

See link: Chronologie de la Libération en France - Wikipédia

 

Skipper and Pistol, Thanks for the informative replies. I read somewhere that some German groups were basically left in small areas with an understanding that left them alone and they agreed to not try and escape. At VE day they surrendered. Your description makes sense and appreciate the links. Could not find the salute button but if it reappears I will send one your way..

Gaines

 

I assume you know this volume from the U.S. Official Military History: HyperWar: Riviera to the Rhine

Unfortunately the book does not give much direct info on what happened in south-western France. Some indications can be found in this chapter HyperWar: Riviera to the Rhine

 

There were several pockets that resisted after the the liberation of the 98% of the country. They were slowly absorbed (Bordeaux, Brest, La Rochelle) but some were occupied until May 1945 (Lorient, Saint Nazaire) . In the East, the Colmar Pocket resisited until February 19th-20th 1945.

 

I am familiar with Eastern France and the Allies up from the Riviera but not about the Southwest. Speaking of the Colmar Pocket, I was in Colmar a few years ago and it is hard to imagine a war ever happened in or around that beautiful city. One of my favorite parts of France. About 30 years ago I was driving WSW of Belfort toward Dijon and spotted two pillboxes in farmer's fields. One was filled in but the other used for storage. Definitely WW2 vintage. I am really enjoying watching the Tour as much for the helicopter shots of the countryside as the race . Vive la France!

Gaines