Panzerdivision took a position at Tessy-sur-Vire, flanking the American breakout. Panzerdivision into action against the Americans from its position near Caen. On 28 July Fieldmarschall Guenther Hans von Kluge ordered the 2. Panzerdivision were too valuable to let sit idle while the Americans broke through the German lines. Operation Cobra began on 25 July and the tanks of the 2. Strength reports indicate it was rated “Kampfwert I”, which indicates the ability to take on any offensive mission. Panzerdivision, but the rest was short lived. Division reports indicate that the Panthers alone were responsible for 53 destroyed British tanks and 15 anti-tank weapons in a single day. The Panther battalion was detached to help stop the British Operation Epsom. Panzerdivision operated in and around Caumont. Panzerdivision was finally able to form a coherent fighting force. Panzerdivision, described it as “a hurricane of fire” which “raged through the countryside, wrapping everything in grey smoke and dirt.” (Hargreaves, pg.81)Īfter being stymied at Caumont, the rest of the division finally caught up to its forward positions a week later. Oberfeldwebel Hans Erich Braun, with the 38. However, the attack was never launched as a bombardment of Allied air, artillery and naval guns opened on their start positions. Panzerdivision were used at a gap in the German lines near Caumont, with preparations to launch an attack the following morning. Panzerdivision’s tanks were lost, but the village was recovered from the British 7th Armoured Division under the onslaught of the three tank forces coming from its north, south and east sides. Lead elements supported Panzer Lehr and SS Schwere Panzerabteilung 101 in the attack on Villers-Bocage. The division was forced to detour approximately 160 miles through the French countryside due to bridges destroyed by Allied air strikes and Allied air superiority, which made panzers moving during the day the equivalent of a suicide mission. Panzerdivision into position until 13 June. However, Rommel’s control would still not be enough to get the 2. The rest of the Panzerwaffe would be held under Hitler’s direct command, to counterattack a possible second invasion site. Panzer Lehr Panzer divisions) were given to Rommel who suggested that the key to counterattacking the invasion, no matter where it came, was to have Panzer divisions rolling onto the Allied positions before they could establish a strong beachhead. Panzerdivision was put under direct command of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel. Panzerdivision was several hundred men over strength and reported 94 operational Panzer IVs and 73 Panthers a very strong division. ![]() Panzerdivision from the onslaught that shook Northern France in the summer of 1944.Ĭommanded by aristocratic Heinrich von Luttwitz, it was stationed at Amiens for refitting from January of 1944 as part of 15. However, that experience would not be able to save the 2. The experience paid off as its Allied opponents considered it an equal to the Waffen SS divisions. Panzerdivision was already a veteran force by 1944, having fought in almost every theatre up to that point including Poland in 1939, Western France in 1940, the Balkans in 1941, the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1943 before being transferred to the West in 1944. Panzerdivision also use the 116th Panzer Division Greyhound command card. Panzerdivisions also use the 9th Panzer Division Rebuilding command card.įor 116. Panzerdivison also use the 2nd Panzer Divison Night Attacks command card.įor 9. Panzer divisions can also be fielded in Flames Of War from D-Day: German.įor 2. ![]() Panzer Lehr Panzer divisions.įor information on fielding a Panzer Lehr force, please refer to D-Day: German. Heer Panzer divisions would all see action in northern France alongside the 21. Many of the panzer divisions that would see action in the two months of the Normandy campaign were Waffen SS and not necessarily under the command of the standard Heer army generals. However, because of the Fuhrer’s own belief that a larger invasion was imminent at Pas de Calais, several key Panzer divisions were held from the Normandy campaign until it was too late while Generalfeldmarschall Rommel had to make do with only four divisions under his command. Key to Hitler’s strategy of pushing the “little fish back into the pond” was the ability of the Panzer divisions to halt the Allied offensive at the beachhead. The early morning hours of 6 June 1944 would find the Germans mounting a determined resistance that would soon be forced back on it’s heels by the overwhelming material superiority that the Allied armies brought to bear. The Normandy Campaign is well known for many battles and engagements in which the Wehrmacht was on both ends of the offensive onslaught that would mark the battle for northern France and the eventual breakout in late August.
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