TEXT IN FRENCH TEXT IN FRENCH Volume III of 2. Panzerdivision is an account of the final engagements of the division at the heart of the Battle of Normandy in World War II beginning August 13, 1944 The withdrawal of the division and attendant fighting between Alençon and Argentan left it in a depleted state. After the collapse of any illusion there might be a forceful counterattack, its commander, von Lüttwitz had to deploy all available resources to avoid the encirclement and annihilation of his Panzer Division in the Falaise-Argentan Pocket. Having suffered heavy losses at the Dives nevertheless the 2nd Panzer Division managed to escape from the Kessel to cross the Seine at the end of August 1944. A slow withdrawal to the German border then ensued as the division sought to restore some semblance of its former power.