The capture of Falaise on August 21, 1944, involved critical operations conducted by Canadian and Polish forces during the Normandy campaign, part of World War II. This event occurred in the town of Falaise, located in the Calvados department of France, which was essential for the Allied forces attempting to push through German defenses in Normandy. The Allied strategy aimed to encircle and trap German troops in the Falaise pocket, a plan that had been in motion following the D-Day landings earlier that summer.

Canadian troops, alongside Polish units, played a crucial role in the advance toward Falaise following intense fighting. They faced fierce resistance from the German forces, who were determined to hold the town as it was a key defensive position. The operation involved extensive coordination between various units and was characterized by heavy combat as Allied forces tried to outmaneuver the entrenched defenders. By successfully taking Falaise, Allied forces managed to cut off retreating German soldiers, contributing significantly to the deterioration of German defenses in western France.

The implications of capturing Falaise were profound. The success not only facilitated subsequent Allied advances towards Paris but also marked a turning point in the campaign in Western Europe. The encirclement of German troops in the Falaise pocket led to the capture of thousands of soldiers and further crippled the German military's ability to effectively respond to Allied operations in the weeks that followed.