Help! German units ID required
Help! German units ID required
Hi all,
I'm hoping the expertise on this forum will be able to help me.
I'm trying to identify the German Infantry and Armoured units that attacked the British lines in and around the Belgian Town of Neerijse on the River Dyle (Djile?) from around May 12th 1940.
My Grandfather was with the 6th Gordon's in Neerijse, just East of Brussels as part of Plan D......the rest is history as you all know.
Thankfully he was taken off the beach at Dunkirk and made it back.
I've spent a lot of time researching his exact movements but I feel the story isn't complete without the details of the enemy he faced during those days.
Any tips/help would be much appreciated.
Best wishes to all,
Bill
I'm hoping the expertise on this forum will be able to help me.
I'm trying to identify the German Infantry and Armoured units that attacked the British lines in and around the Belgian Town of Neerijse on the River Dyle (Djile?) from around May 12th 1940.
My Grandfather was with the 6th Gordon's in Neerijse, just East of Brussels as part of Plan D......the rest is history as you all know.
Thankfully he was taken off the beach at Dunkirk and made it back.
I've spent a lot of time researching his exact movements but I feel the story isn't complete without the details of the enemy he faced during those days.
Any tips/help would be much appreciated.
Best wishes to all,
Bill
Re: Help! German units ID required
Here is the German situation map for the 13th May 1940 showing the area to the east of Brussels with the relevant German infantry and panzer units being in blue.
Re: Help! German units ID required
Many, many thanks for this. Forgive my ignorance, what size are the Infantry units? Are they given as Divisions?
Is it possible to get a higher res version of the map?
Again thanks so much for your help
Is it possible to get a higher res version of the map?
Again thanks so much for your help
Re: Help! German units ID required
The Arabic numerals are divisions while the Roman numerals are the Armeekorps. There may be better resolution versions but I don't have one I'm afraid.
Here is a section of the German situation map for 14th May 1940.
Here is a section of the German situation map for 14th May 1940.
Re: Help! German units ID required
We don't know how accurately German positions were drawn on those maps.
But as Neerijse is just W of Tirlemont / Tienen, map from 14th shows no German units there - it's in the gap between 14.ID (E of Leuven) and 31.ID (S of Hamme)
Perhaps maps from 15th or 16th would show if this gap was covered or not ?
But as Neerijse is just W of Tirlemont / Tienen, map from 14th shows no German units there - it's in the gap between 14.ID (E of Leuven) and 31.ID (S of Hamme)
Perhaps maps from 15th or 16th would show if this gap was covered or not ?
Re: Help! German units ID required
Hi Folks,
Thanks for the fantastic info. I have looked at the daily diary entries again and it looks like there was evidence of German recce platoons on the 14th, just east of the river at Neerijse. The air activity also increased but no attacks. Some form of engagement occurred on the 15th with a German unit crossing the river and a heavy mortar bombardment. The 16th proved to be the start of the heavy attacks and preceded the withdrawal back West.
Thanks for the fantastic info. I have looked at the daily diary entries again and it looks like there was evidence of German recce platoons on the 14th, just east of the river at Neerijse. The air activity also increased but no attacks. Some form of engagement occurred on the 15th with a German unit crossing the river and a heavy mortar bombardment. The 16th proved to be the start of the heavy attacks and preceded the withdrawal back West.