Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

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David Lehmann
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Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#1

Post by David Lehmann » 29 Sep 2009, 00:00

Hello,

I have a photo with 2 tank wrecks and I am trying to find more about what happened in the town of Montplonne (E / NE of Saint-Dizier).

On June 14-15, Montplonne is located on the axis of the 6.PzD and 8.PzD advance. On June 15, it is probably Kampfgruppe Esebeck (6.PzD) which attacks Montplonne (defended by elements of the 15e RTA (colonel Buisson); at leasr the command post is in the town). A 75mm Mle1897 field gun from 20e RANA and manned by lieutenant Marsaly and sous-lieutenant Girot has been deployed in a position where it controls the main access. AT 1,500 m the gun opens fire, mainly against tanks. The armoured cars are moving back. Two German tanks are burning on the road [perhaps including the Panzer IV on the photo] and a 3rd AFV dissappears in the dust and smoke.
The Germans call an artillery fire support. The shelling of Montplonne is followed by a renewed attack, but it is also a failure. These elements of the 6.PzD will be blocked most of the afternoon in front of the town in a wooden area.
It seems the upside down tank might be a French Hotchkiss (perhaps an element from 3e DCr) but I could not find any explanation yet.

These information can be found in Roger Bruge's "les combattants du 18 juin" tome 1 (pp.200-201 and map p.199).

Best regards,

David
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David Lehmann
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Re: Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#2

Post by David Lehmann » 14 Feb 2010, 15:35

Hello,

Thanks to new elements and photos provided by "Nono" on the French forum minitracks (Thanks to him for the today photos of Montplonne).
http://minitracks.forumpersos.com/franc ... .htm#99003

I would say that we have indeed 2 German wrecks: a Panzer IV and a Panzer 38(t)... therefore rather elements from 8.PzD. The status of the wreck could indeed indicate a hit by a 75mm gun.
The B&W photo from Coll. JP Harbulot gives another view of the scene. I hope I will once find a local article or something about these events.

Regards,

David
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Montplonne_01.jpg
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Montplonne_02.jpg
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Montplonne_03.jpg
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Panzer IV and 38(t) from 8.PzD destroyed in front of Montplonne - June 15, 1940 (Coll.  JP Harbulot).jpg
Panzer IV and 38(t) from 8.PzD destroyed in front of Montplonne - June 15, 1940 (Coll. JP Harbulot).jpg (139.98 KiB) Viewed 1054 times


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MarioL
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Re: Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#3

Post by MarioL » 16 Feb 2010, 21:42

Hi David,
thank you very much for this thread,i have some photos of this scene in my private collection, but i had different locations.

2 examples

Image
Image

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David Lehmann
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Re: Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#4

Post by David Lehmann » 16 Feb 2010, 21:48

Hello,

Thanks a lot Mario !!! So we can indeed confirm a Panzer IV and a Panzer 38(t) wreck.
Would you in the same series have photos involving e.g. French blockades, defenses, POWs, abandoned equipment?

Best regards,

David

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MarioL
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Re: Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#5

Post by MarioL » 16 Feb 2010, 23:14

Hi David,
i only collect tank photos, so i have no photos of pow´s or blockades.
Btw,the other tank is a 35(t).

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David Lehmann
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Re: Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#6

Post by David Lehmann » 17 Feb 2010, 00:00

Hi,

Thank you. In that case - Panzer 35(t) - these AFVs belong probably to Kampfgruppe Esebeck (6.PzD).

Regards,

David

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David Lehmann
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Re: Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#7

Post by David Lehmann » 02 Mar 2010, 01:16

Hello,

Another photo from an old expired ebay auction I had once stored on my hard drive a long time ago, unable at this time to locate the town. I don't know the owner, I can remove it if I am posting something I can not or give credit to the actual owner.

Best regards,

David
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Panzer IV from KG Esebeck (6.PzD) destroyed in front of Montplonne - June 15, 1940.jpg
Panzer IV from KG Esebeck (6.PzD) destroyed in front of Montplonne - June 15, 1940.jpg (110.81 KiB) Viewed 984 times

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MarioL
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Re: Montplonne / June 14-15, 1940

#8

Post by MarioL » 02 Mar 2010, 23:01

Probably the latest photo, the remains of the Panzer IV.

Image

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