21 Days in Normandy: Major General George Kitching and the 4th Canadian Armoured Division

The Canadian 4th armored division crossed the Channel in July 1944 to reinforce the invading forces and assist in the Allied attempts to breakout of the Normandy beachhead around. They were heavily engaged in Operation Totalize and Operation Tractable but have been criticized for their failure to close the ‘Falaise gap’ and complete the entrapment of withdrawing German forces. Their commander, Major General George Kitching, was relieved of his command after just 21 days in action.

Angelo Caravaggio reexamines the division’s performance and particularly that of its leadership. Using new information, he establishes that, despite entering battle for the first time during one of the most challenging phases of Allied operations in August 1944, the 4th Armored Division, under Kitching’s leadership proved resilient and adaptive in overcoming the volatile and unpredictable nature of warfare in Normandy. The combat operations of August 1944 transformed the division into a battle-hardened combat formation that would later distinguish itself through its ability to generate a sustained drive across France out of the chaos and destruction of the Normandy battles.

Lt. Col (retired) Caravaggio served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years. and was the first Director of the Centre for National Security Studies.He was appointed to the Order of Military Merit (Officer) in 1999 and is an alumnus of the Governor Generals Canadian Leadership Conference 2004.
Dr Caravaggio has a Ph. D in Canadian history from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Masters Degree in War Studies, and a Masters Degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada. His article The Attack at Taranto: Tactical Success Operational Failure was the 2007 Edward S. Miller Award winner for best historical essay published in the U.S. Naval War College Review.Lt. Col (retired) Caravaggio served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years. and was the first Director of the Centre for National Security Studies.He was appointed to the Order of Military Merit (Officer) in 1999 and is an alumnus of the Governor Generals Canadian Leadership Conference 2004.
Dr Caravaggio has a Ph. D in Canadian history from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Masters Degree in War Studies, and a Masters Degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada. His article The Attack at Taranto: Tactical Success Operational Failure was the 2007 Edward S. Miller Award winner for best historical essay published in the U.S. Naval War College Review.