General Otto Elfeldt, Captured At Falaise Gap.

Finally, it’s over!  Being a basketball fanatic from the state of Indiana, I’ve been up til midnight the last two evenings watching the Butler men and Notre Dame women both lose.  Oh, the agony.   But, at least now I can get back to my regular routine.

Hey, in keeping with the Chambois, France / Falaise Gap theme of the week, let’s take a quick look at a highly valued prize of the engagement.

General Otto Elfeldt - Captured at Falaise Gap

General Otto Elfeldt got his feet wet as an artillery officer during World War I.  In World War II, he initially commanded the German 302nd Infantry Division on the Eastern Front.  Sound like fun?

As the Americans began to break from Normandy, we find General Elfeldt commanding the 84th German Korps.   Bringing up the rear at the Falaise Gap, General Elfeldt and his staff were captured on August 20, 1944 by the Polish 1st Armored Division, north of Chambois, France.

Elfeldt would spend the remainder of the war, in fact, til 1948, in a British prison camp.  Otto Elfeldt died in Germany in October 1982.

2 Responses to “General Otto Elfeldt, Captured At Falaise Gap”

1. Tristan says:

   April 13, 2011 at 12:48 pm

   Elfeldt was captured by the 10th PSK, the Rec. unit of the 1st Polish Arm. Division. He was captured with his HQ and the rest of his men while he tried to escape the trap after crossing the Dives river, near Moissy. He was captured on Hill 113, northeast of Chambois.
   Because of the lack of place and soldiers to guard the POWs, Elfeldt and the others German prisoners were given by the Poles to the Americans.
   Coincident ? The 3rd Bn. 358th was the closer unit to the Poles and they took Elfeldt ! (this episode is mentioned in the 3/358 history by Lt. Col. Bryan)

   Reply
   • mikemccoy says:

     April 13, 2011 at 7:28 pm

     Tristan,

     Thanks for the additional info. As always, much appreciated.

     Reply