StuG Batteries in May 1940...

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Timo
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StuG Batteries in May 1940...

#1

Post by Timo » 17 May 2002, 23:58

Hallo everybody,

Can somebody tell me to which Divisions or Korps the first StuG Batteries were attached on 10 May 1940 and where they crossed the French or Belgian border (don't recall any StuGs saw action in Holland)? I know two were ready on this date: StuG Batt. 640 (with Grossdeutschland and StuG Batt. 659
StuG Batt. 660 wasn't at the front before 13 May and 665 not before 10 June, so I am just after 640 and 659.

Thanks in advance.

Timo

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David C. Clarke
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Hi Timo

#2

Post by David C. Clarke » 18 May 2002, 02:07

Hi Timo, according to Kuroski, "Sturmgeschutze Vor!" page 21, StuG Batterie 659 under the command of Oberleutnant von Frauenberg "first fighting involving this battery took place on 10 and 11 May 1940. at the crossing of the Meuse at Fumei." But there is no indication of what unit it was attached to.
Kuroski is even less clear about StuG Batterie 640 which was attached to Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland. "Combat operations began for the battery on 10 May 1940. Put into action at the focal points of Infanterie-Regiment "Grossdeutschland", the Sturmartilleristen fought at Bastogne, Sedan, Stonne, Dunkirk and Amiens." Also at page 21. 640's commander was Oberleutnant Freiherr von und zu Egloffstein and the Batterie had been attached to 1 Gebirgs-Division in the Eiffel Mountains until the middle of April when it was attached to GD at Zell on the Moselle river. It's final live-fire exercise was at Baumholder Troop Training Area.
I hope this helps a bit. Cheers, David :D


Timo
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#3

Post by Timo » 18 May 2002, 02:57

Excellent David, just what I needed.

Thanks,
Timo

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David C. Clarke
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No Problem!

#4

Post by David C. Clarke » 18 May 2002, 04:57

My pleasure Timo, let me know if you need any more information. It's been a while since I was reeally into StuGs--I'm a Hetzer sort of guy now!
Best Regards My Friend, David :D :D :D

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Andy H
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#5

Post by Andy H » 18 May 2002, 12:29

Hi Timo

The following info is from Vol 1of Spaeters Divisional history of the ‘GD’

Sturm Batteris 640 arrived on April 4th and was incorporated into IV Btn as the 16th Company. Equipped with 6 assault guns armed with short barrelled 7.5cm cannon. The 640th had been sent to GD at the suggestion of Oberst Schmundt, Chief Adj to the Supreme Commander.

GD was part of XIX Pz.Korps within Panzergruppe Kliest, with GD being attached to 10th Panzer Division. As David mentioned the 640 was under the command of Oblt.Egloffstien along with Oblt.Wirth, Lt.Franz, Lt Piarks & Lt.von Werlhof being the other officers listed within the 640th.

The GD entered the war on May 10th at the village of Etalle then onto Villiers sur Semois where the 640th helped quash the defenders, mainly French Cavalry.
By May 11th they had reached Suxy in which Wachmeister Schadlich a member of Lt.Franz assault gun platoon earned the Iron Cross 2nd Class.

By May 13th GD was placed under the command of 1st Panzer Division for the crossing of the Muese river near Floing.
By May 15th the GD was at Stonne against elements of the French 55th Reserve Division, 61st Colonial Division and the 3rd Armoured Division. After fierce fighting the GD arrived in the Bulson area and enjoyed 4 days rest.

I'll post more later

Andy

Timo
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#6

Post by Timo » 18 May 2002, 16:55

Thanks Andy. Much appreciated.

Regards,
Timo

Timo
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#7

Post by Timo » 18 May 2002, 17:01

Cheshire Yeomanry wrote:As David mentioned the 640 was under the command of Oblt.Egloffstien along with Oblt.Wirth, Lt.Franz, Lt Piarks & Lt.von Werlhof being the other officers listed within the 640th.
Hmmm. From the Volksbund:

Nachname: Freiherr von und zu Egloffstein
Vorname: Leonhard
Dienstgrad: Leutnant
Geburtsdatum: 01.04.1915
Geburtsort: Karlsruhe
Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 22.09.1939
Todesort: Mosty-Wielkie

Leonhard Freiherr von und zu Egloffstein ruht auf der vom Volksbund hergerichteten Kriegsgräberstätte in Siemianowice-Sammelfriedhof (Polen). Endgrablage: Block 7 Reihe 1 Grab 50


I don't know if Leutnant Leonard Freiherr von und zu Egloffstein is the same man, but if he is he can't be the commander of StuG Batt. 640 in May 1940

Just my 2 cents,
Timo

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Christoph Awender
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Egloffstein

#8

Post by Christoph Awender » 18 May 2002, 17:45

Several of my sources also say that it was v.Egloffstein

Christoph

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David C. Clarke
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hmm.

#9

Post by David C. Clarke » 18 May 2002, 17:49

Hi Timo, Kuroski mentions our mysterious baron one more time in the section on StuG Batterie 640. At the very end of the section, after a paragraph explaining that in 1942 this batterie mad up the "foundation" for the StuG Brigade of Pz. Gren. Div GD, Kuroski writes:

"Hauptmann von Egloffstein went to Juterbog as chief instructor for a Sturmartillerie class. He was killed on the Eastern Front in 1944."

That's all Kuroski writes as to this man after introducing him as the Batterie's commander. Hope it helps. Very Best Regards, David :D

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#10

Post by Timo » 18 May 2002, 18:08

Remarkable. The Volksbund only lists one Freiherr von und zu Egloffstein. The do list several Egloffsteins, but non of them are Freiherr von und zu and none of them was KIA in 1944

???

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