In July 1944, after fighting in Poland, the invasion of France, and Russia and then serving as Heinz Guderian's troubleshooter, General of Panzer Troops Heinrich "Hans" Eberbach took command of Panzer Group West near the vital city of Caen in Normandy. During the next two months, Eberbach led German tank units in an ultimately vain attempt to stop the Allied breakthrough into France's interior. One of Germany's best panzer commanders, even Eberbach could not overcome supply shortages, flagging morale, and murderous Allied fighter-bombers. The British captured him at the end of August.
