Small Unit Actions - France 1940.

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Hello to all ; another story...............

Pont St. Maxence on the Oise - Jun 1940.

The 44. Infanterie-Division whose Commander was Generalleutnant Albrecht Schubert [ 01.04.1938 – 30.09.1940] had the following Composition :

Infanterie-Regiment 131
Infanterie-Regiment 132
Infanterie-Regiment 134
Artillerie-Regiment 96
Aufklärungsabteilung 44
Panzerjägerabteilung 46
Pionierbataillon 80
Nachrichtenabteilung 64
Feldersatzbataillon 44
Nachschubtruppen 44

The troops of the 44th. ID were assembled again to take part in the impending campaign around Pfingsten in April 1940. The announcement of the start of the the new offensive on May 10, 1940 ended the intense training and the time spent in the comfortable winter accommodations in the Harz and Oberweser. After a rail transport to the Eifel region (May 13, 1940), began for the division the Western Campaign with long marches without being disturbed by enemy action. They began in the border area between Mayen and Andernach, following behind the Pz Group Kleist after reaching the Somme between Amiens and Peronne.

Sources: Die 44. Infanterie-Division Reichs-Grenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister 1938-1945 / Friedrich Dettmer, Otto Jaus, Helmut Tolkmitt Lizenzausgabe Nebel-Verlag - ISBN 3-89555-177-5
http://ir134.com/history.html
http://oise-1939-1945.jed.st/index.php
http://wk2.heimat.eu/fotoid44fr105.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; more follows...............

Pont St. Maxence on the Oise - Jun 1940.

The beginning of June 1940 found the men of the regiment (IR 134) in the bridgehead across the river Somme, preparing the assault against the Weygand Line. This action resulted in the most severe casualties suffered during the campaign. On the night of June 7, 1940, French forces withdrew from their positions to other behind the Avre river .

In the area of 44. ID were located the fortified towns of Proyart, Foucaucourt and Chuignolles where French colonial troops were entrenched with the support of many pieces of artillery. In the sector assigned to the IR 131 was located Chuignolles that could be seized by the III. Battalion on the evening of June 6, 1940. The battalion commander, later awarded the Swords to his Knight's Cross, the then Oberstleutnant Eibl received the Knight's Cross action. The regiment took heavy losses during the two days of fighting, suffering more than 100 dead and several wounded.

Sources: Die 44. Infanterie-Division Reichs-Grenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister 1938-1945 / Friedrich Dettmer, Otto Jaus, Helmut Tolkmitt Lizenzausgabe Nebel-Verlag - ISBN 3-89555-177-5
http://ir134.com/history.html
http://oise-1939-1945.jed.st/index.php
http://wk2.heimat.eu/fotoid44fr105.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Pont St. Maxence on the Oise - Jun 1940.

Extract from the War Diary of the 1st French Army Corps:

June 7, 1940: on the night was received the withdrawal order towards the line of defense on the river Avre; the movements were fulfilled. The group of tank battalions, very worn out by its previous engagements, was commissioned to cover the retreat of the Army and to reject infiltrations in Clermont and St. Just. Some strong points continued the resistance, because they did not receive the retreat order and had no news about them.

At dusk the CP withdrew from Rollot towards Montiers where it will remain during the whole day on June 8, 1940. An English and French bombing on German lines took place at sunset. The Army Corps' Engineers have blown the Montiers crossings.

June 8, 1940: Given the overall situation, the 1st Army Corps was ordered to be established on the river Oise between Boran and Rhuis. The Army Corps was composed of the following units: 19ème D.I, 7ème D.I.N.A, 29ème D.I, 47ème D.I. Units are strongly disturbed during its retreat during the night from 08 till 09 June 1940. CP in Verneuil.

Sources: Die 44. Infanterie-Division Reichs-Grenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister 1938-1945 / Friedrich Dettmer, Otto Jaus, Helmut Tolkmitt Lizenzausgabe Nebel-Verlag - ISBN 3-89555-177-5
http://ir134.com/history.html
http://oise-1939-1945.jed.st/index.php
http://wk2.heimat.eu/fotoid44fr105.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; more follows...............

Pont St. Maxence on the Oise - Jun 1940.

On the morning of June 9, 1940, a patrol of the 6. / IR 131 led by Leutnant Schneider reported that the Bois des Moisnes as well as Boussicourt and Fignières were free of enemy. So at 08:00 hours moved forwards the IR 131 to the right, the IR 134 to the left and the IR 132 behind and crossed the Avre without a fight. The 11./IR 132 was shipped by truck belonging the bridge column of the Pi Btl 80 and attached to the AA 44. On the march the regiments passed through the village of Rollot, where they found some enemy resistance, then passed through Mery towards Menevillers. From Wacquemoulin the AA 44 proceeded on Bailleul. The IR 132 stopped overnight in Mery the Bataille. The artillery bivouacked in Moyenneville and Rollot.

On June 10, 1940 there was a precipitous escape of the French by Rouvillers and Bailleul towards Choisy la Victoire, where the IR 132 pitched its tents. The IR 131 reached the Oise by Pont St. Maxence and found the bridge, which was to be taken intact, already destroyed (the Luftwaffe had destroyed the bridges over the Oise at Creil and Pont St. Maxence). A tremendous picture was presented to the attackers' eyes, more than a hundred guns of all calibers abandoned by their crews; the horses lay dead or wounded in the roadside ditches. Tens of mules had fallen into the canal near the highway and tried desperately to get out in the deep water. The access to the village was completely blocked by the destroyed houses, abandoned vehicles and weapons.

Sources: Die 44. Infanterie-Division Reichs-Grenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister 1938-1945 / Friedrich Dettmer, Otto Jaus, Helmut Tolkmitt Lizenzausgabe Nebel-Verlag - ISBN 3-89555-177-5
http://ir134.com/history.html
http://oise-1939-1945.jed.st/index.php
http://wk2.heimat.eu/fotoid44fr105.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

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Pont St. Maxence on the Oise - Jun 1940.

An attempt of crossing the river in neumatic boats, carried out by the I. / IR 131, failed due to the flanking fire from enemy machine guns. Further west the AA 44 could cross with its 2. Squadron and went towards Fleurines.

Meanwhile the Commander of the II. / IR 131, Maj. Raucheisen, explored around with his battalion trying to find a crossing point and found it near a factory west of Pont St. Maxence. At 16:00 hours a group of 11 volunteers with the battalion commander in the lead, swam across the river. Hastily Raucheisen managed that the Pi Btl 80 bring more dinghies and went across the river with his companies, while the defensive fire had increased.

Sources: Die 44. Infanterie-Division Reichs-Grenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister 1938-1945 / Friedrich Dettmer, Otto Jaus, Helmut Tolkmitt Lizenzausgabe Nebel-Verlag - ISBN 3-89555-177-5
http://ir134.com/history.html
http://oise-1939-1945.jed.st/index.php
http://wk2.heimat.eu/fotoid44fr105.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

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Pont St. Maxence on the Oise - Jun 1940.

The crossing of the I. Battalion was unsuccessful and one company could set foot there at dusk only. Meanwhile the sappers had begun with the construction of a bridge in the factory sector west of Pont St. Maxence. The artillery was in position on the right of the route by Bazicourt and Avrigny. In the afternoon it was learned about the declaration of war from Italy to France and Great Britain.

Sources: Die 44. Infanterie-Division Reichs-Grenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister 1938-1945 / Friedrich Dettmer, Otto Jaus, Helmut Tolkmitt Lizenzausgabe Nebel-Verlag - ISBN 3-89555-177-5
http://ir134.com/history.html
http://oise-1939-1945.jed.st/index.php
http://wk2.heimat.eu/fotoid44fr105.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo!!

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Hello to all ; the end...............

Pont St. Maxence on the Oise - Jun 1940.

Greet him on my part said the Commander of the division when the Adjutant informed him about the crossing of the Oise river. Greet my old Franz Xaver, he has done an excellent job. Unfortunately the bridge was not ready until the early hours of June 11, 1940, therefore the crossing of the division was delayed until 12:00 hours. As the vanguard crossed the IR 134 reinforced with the I. / AR 97. A dense fog covered the entire area of the bridge, thus providing an extra protection.

Sources: Die 44. Infanterie-Division Reichs-Grenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister 1938-1945 / Friedrich Dettmer, Otto Jaus, Helmut Tolkmitt Lizenzausgabe Nebel-Verlag - ISBN 3-89555-177-5
http://ir134.com/history.html
http://oise-1939-1945.jed.st/index.php
http://wk2.heimat.eu/fotoid44fr105.htm

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; here goes a new short story................

The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France - First blood in Etalle May 10, 1940.

The origins of the unit date back to July 23, 1937 when the troops on duty in Berlin "Berlin Wachtruppe" were renamed Wachregiment. On June 12, 1939 by order of Hitler it was renamed Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland. Then from October 1, 1939 completed its organization as a full regiment when received the II. / IR 92 as II. / IR GD and one Battalion of the Lehr Inf Rgt as III. / IR GD.

On October 21, 1939 the unit moved to Grafenwöhr Training Ground and later in the first week of November, 1939 was moved to the Westerwald on the Western Front and by the beginning of 1940 was attached to the XIX AK (mot) as elite troop. In April 1940 it received the Sturm Batterie 640, which was renamed 16. / IR GD framed in the IV. Battalion.

Sources: La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
Grossdeutsche Grenadiere. Fritz Fillies.
Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland. Horst Scheibert.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France - First blood in Etalle May 10, 1940.

On May 9, 1940 the IR GD was at Bernkastel when it received the alert; a motorcyclist messenger moved at high speed down the street of the small town in the Moselle Valley shortly after the lunchtime. Alarm! the order for the great German offensive towards the west had come. the regiment marched subordinated to the 10. Pz along Panzerstrasse 3.

This march route ran across the Sûre river at Bollendorf, the cement barrier built on the bridge was passed by means of a mobile timber ramp placed on it. The first element in getting across was the Jagdkommando composed of a light armored vehicle Platoon of Pz AA 90 and a group of sappers of the Pi Btl 49. Then followed the March Group I, led by the Commander of the IR GD; the unit that was organized as follows.

Vorausabteilung (spearhead) led by Hauptmann Felsch (HQ of 7. Coy; Platoons of 5, 7, 8 and 14 companies, plus one infantry howitzer of 150 mm from the 15. Coy).

Vorhut (advance detachment) led by Maj. Föst (HQ of the II. Battalion; II./ IR GD; Platoons of the 13, 14 and 15 Coy and a Platoon of Sturm Pi Btl 43).

Bulk of the regiment.

Sources: La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
Grossdeutsche Grenadiere. Fritz Fillies.
Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland. Horst Scheibert.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France - First blood in Etalle May 10, 1940.

At 06:25 hours the Jagdkommando reached Redange, about 6-7 kilometers from the Belgian border. At 11:00 hours the same element reported that the border fortified position was free of enemies. In turn after being informed, Maj. Föst shouted over the radio: Attert free of enemies. Shortly thereafter at 11:15 hours the Jagdkommando reported that Nobressart was also clear. However shortly before Habay, at Pont d'Oie, it was stopped by one of the destruction carried out by the retreating Belgians.

Meanwhile the 2e DLC progressed to meet German troops divided into two groupings, Group East (south) and Group West (North). In turn, the Western group had detached the DD 1 (Détachement de Découverte) commanded by Capitaine Bayonne based on the 2. / 2e RAM, which crossed the Belgian border south of Gérouville at 07:00 hours (08:00 am in Germany), at 08:30 hours (09:30 hours) was in Etalle and continued towards Martelange but at 10:00 hours (11:00 hours) was halted by the Belgian destruction at Pont d'Oie.

In turn behind followed the DSE 2 (Détachement de sécurité Eloignée) commanded by Capitaine Adenot on the basis of the 3. / 16e GRCA with the task of moving behind the DD 1 along the route Sommethonne - Huombois - Etalle. This element could only cross the border at 09:30 hours (10:30 hours).

Sources: La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
Grossdeutsche Grenadiere. Fritz Fillies.
Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland. Horst Scheibert.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France - First blood in Etalle May 10, 1940.

Vance ........................

In Nobressart the spearhead units of the IR GD, alerted about the destruction in Habay-la-Neuve, took the route towards Hachy and after reaching Vance continued towards Etalle, leaving in the first town, a small flank guard to monitor the bridges over the Semois. The Germans were deployed behind a wall and cover the roads of Saint-Léger and Fouches. Shortly afterwards coming from Saint-Léger showed a detachment of the 3. RDP under the command of Lieutenant Comte de l'Estoile that moved toward the bridge over the Semois to lay mines, the Germans opened fire at 60 meters and the lieutenant and two dragons were killed; the rest of the French column withdrew to Saint-Léger. Shortly after the Germans attacked and occupied the town of Chantemelle.

Sources: La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
Grossdeutsche Grenadiere. Fritz Fillies.
Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland. Horst Scheibert.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; last part................

The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France - First blood in Etalle May 10, 1940.

Etalle.

Apparently the Detachment Adenot coming from the south and detachment Felsch from the east, arrived about the same time to Etalle at 10:30 hours (11:30 hours German). Capitaine Adenot sent Platoon Paries to Lenclos and Sivry as guard flank, this Platoon was taken prisoner by German troops. In this regard a rifleman of the II. / IR GD reported: to our right ... the first French, they are only two and we let them in peace and continue the march, suddenly the column stopped, to the right a French group going to take a stand by a field of clover, we dismounted, they look at us shocked.. should we fire at them? ... Maj. Föst gives the order and we opened fire, one of the French gives a flip and fell dead .... the first dead we see and the others raise their arms, they are mostly older men (these belong to Paries' Platoon). Maj. Föst assigned the new task: move ahead to Etalle and reach the heights located northwest of the town as next target.

The Semois' bridge on the road Arlon - Ste Marie was blocked and defended by the French troops of Capitaine Adenot, which opened up an intense fire on the Germans. Hauptmann Felsch ( Chief of 7./IR GD ) fell seriously wounded and lost a lot of blood (he dies a few days later in a hospital), also fell Uffz. Podwojewski and Feldwebel Piltzner (senior NCO of 7. / IR GD). Meanwhile arrived antitank Platoon of Leutnant Hinze who deployed his guns astride the road and opened fire on the barricade and light armored vehicles of the enemy. The riflemen, now led by Maj Föst himself, went on the attack and conquered the bridge, a group remained there in charge of security and the German troops deployed along the Semois.

Now Maj. Föst went towards the second bridge on the road to Habay-la Neuve followed by the Platoon of Leutnant Schulz and he fell there killed by French bullets. Soon came the rest of the vanguard and after noon both bridges were in German hands. The rest of the companies reached the heights beyond the town unopposed. The French withdrew around 15:30 hours (16:30 hours German).

Sources: La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
Grossdeutsche Grenadiere. Fritz Fillies.
Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland. Horst Scheibert.

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; something more................

The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France.

Villers -sur Semois .

After the fight in Etalle, the IR GD continued its march westwards to Harinsart by Villers -sur- Semois . Now the regiment moved forward with three elements , the I. / IR GD ( reinforced with 16. / IR GD ) to the right, the Sturm Pi 43 in the center and the II. / IR GD to the left. It will be just the II. / IR GD, now under the command of Maj . Greim , who find Villers -sur- Semois strongly occupied by the enemy. At the entrance to the town and Leutnant Rothermund and Feldwebel Brönner were seriously injured ( Rothermund would die soon after).

The Leutnant Beck- Broichsitter came forward with an anti-tank Platoon and set up the three guns of 37 mm Pak 36 ready for action and ordered to open fire on the town with explosive grenades. Story of Beck- Broichsitter . "The II Battalion on orders of Maj Greim attacked like it was in the field of exercise. The village of Villiers- sur- Semois was occupied by a strong enemy force. Five or six machine guns were shooting from the village. . with a slow pace. I moved ahead with a Platoon along a rural road. The bullets of the machine guns whistled by. still under fire , the Platoon reached its position. All of us were afraid , but nobody said anything. We had success and could occupied our positions without casualties and the guns opened fire from outside the village , with high-explosive shells . occasionally we are under heavy machine gun fire.

Sources: "First Contact!" 6./II Battalion Infantryregiment ’Grossdeutschland’ and the battle for Villiers-sur-Semois. 10 May 1940. An historical background for Flames of War By Simon McBeth.
La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
German Armored Assault Artillery. Information Bulletin Nº 2. MID 461.
historyfacts.biz/en/04.../Sturmbatterie.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

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Hello to all ; something more................

The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France.

Villers -sur Semois .

Then came the regimental commander who ordered the attack on Villers -sur- Semois . Beck- Broichsitter`s Story : The commander of the regiment approached slowly to the position of the II. Battalion . We saw him pointing his stick toward the village. Then the bugle signal : forward!

Meanwhile the I. / IR GD with the battery of assault guns ( StuG Batt 640 - 16. / IR GD ) reached Neuhabich, where the battalion commander ordered the 1. company to get in contact with the II. Battalion . Advancing slowly southwards, the company reached Villers found strong resistance there, after ascertaining the situation, the company commander ordered : assault guns to the front. Then approached the 3. Platoon commanded by Leutnant Franz , the Platoon chief advanced with his vehicle followed by Cannon No. 5 and No. 6 and only received fire after reaching the center of the town .

Sources: "First Contact!" 6./II Battalion Infantryregiment ’Grossdeutschland’ and the battle for Villiers-sur-Semois. 10 May 1940. An historical background for Flames of War By Simon McBeth.
La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
German Armored Assault Artillery. Information Bulletin Nº 2. MID 461.
historyfacts.biz/en/04.../Sturmbatterie.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

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Hello to all ; something more................

The Infanterie Regiment Grossdeutschland in France.

Villers -sur Semois .

The gun No. 6 went into action firing on nearby buildings, a shell exploded among French horses, that galloped uninjured in a stampede. The gun No. 5 took a position in the courtyard of the church in order to silence a heavy machine gun and succeeded after two shots. The French troops were of the 2 . Squadron, 5e Cuirassiers ( 2 DLC). Beck-Broichsitter's story: the commanders of the weapons and the grenadiers behaved superbly. From the cover of a bush I saw how, one after another, four enemy light tanks were knocked out. Our plan of attack was correct.

Finally the enemy evacuated the town's center but renewed his resistance on the western edge, actually at 17:20 hours (plus one hour for the Germans) the HQ of the French Regiment had ordered the withdrawal along the railway located slightly west of Villers . The 2 . Squadron was violently attacked at 17:30 hours (18:30 hours German time) and had to withdraw, reaching Tintigny at 20:30 hours.

The II. / IR GD remained in Villers -sur- Semois overnight. The next day at 05:00 hours the vanguard and with it the 3. Platoon of assault guns moved again towards Mellier.

"First Contact!" 6./II Battalion Infantryregiment ’Grossdeutschland’ and the battle for Villiers-sur-Semois. 10 May 1940. An historical background for Flames of War By Simon McBeth.
La Campagne de mai 1940 en Belgique. Lt Col A. Bikar.
German Armored Assault Artillery. Information Bulletin Nº 2. MID 461.
historyfacts.biz/en/04.../Sturmbatterie.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!!.