Quote:
Originally Posted by John McGillivray
When I did a search on the web I found that there is a new book about Panzer Lehr coming out this fall in the UK.
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This book is finally out and I have a copy of it. (“Panzer Lehr Division 1944 – 1945” by Dr. Frederick P. Steinhardt). It is a bit of a disappointment. The documents that it is based on, and which are reproduced in the book are all American in origin. They are transcripts of interviews conducted by the Americans with German officers (mostly with Fritz Bayerlein) after the end of the war. There are also written answers in report form, from German officers in response to questions posed by the Americans.
As a result there is little material covering Panzer Lehr’s actions against the British. The main focus of the first part of the book is the time period after the Division’s move to St. Lo and Operation Cobra. However, there is confirmation that Panzer Lehr was in action in the area held by the 7th CIB on the 8th of June.
(p.63)
“25. Q: On what date did you first make contact with the British?
A: On the morning of 8 Jun 44. We were ordered to take Bretteville I'Orgueilleuse and break through to the coast at Courseulles-sur-Mer.”
(p.64)
“34. Q: What were Dietrich's plans? What instructions did he give you?
A: I don't believe he had any clear view. He ordered us to break through to Courseulles-sur-Mer. Owing to the air attacks, my troops just trickled through ('Tropfenweise') with the artillery lagging behind them. On the afternoon of 8 Jun 44 ,I was told not to attack toward Courseulles-sur-Mer, but to withdraw to Tilly-sur-Seulles and attack toward Bayeux. These orders show confused thinking. Had we actually gone through Bretteville 1'Orgueilleuse, I believe Pz Lehr and 12 SS Pz Divs could have cut through to the coast. Dietrich, however, was afraid the British would drive in behind us, and of course we would have suffered heavily from naval shelling and air attack. The British had advanced beyond Bayeux and our left flank would have been in danger.”
(p.74 – 75)
“69. Q: Was the situation in Normandy different in this respect than the fighting on the West Wall or in the retreat across France?
A: Rommel ordered an attack on 8 Jun 44, but OKW issued orders that we were to let the enemy in, assemble our forces farther south, and then attack; our forces were not to be expended in the meantime. I did not know which to do; it was a big decision to make. Dietrich had ordered me to attack toward Courseulles-sur-Mer, but Rommel decided we should first reduce Bayeux. On 8 Jun 44, I was already attacking Bretteville l'Orgeuilleuse and had to stop, withdraw my forces, and then attack through Tilly-sur-Seulles toward Bayeux. A lot of time was lost in this movement.”