Panzer Lehr on June 8th

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
During the counter attack against the Winnipeg Rifles at Putot-en-Bessin, how deeply involved were the troops from Panzer Lehr?

Hi John;

Some points I found:

Source: The Western Front 1944: Memoirs of a Panzer Lehr Officer, by Helmut Ritgen.

Originally posted by John McGillivray
“An infantry platoon of the Panzer-Lehr-Division attacked together with us and put itself under my command.

- this platoon from the Pz Lehr Div was probably from the II/902 PzGren Lehr Regt - the II/902 had attacked Brouay at approx 0430hrs that morning with them becoming more or less trapped there, being not only counter-attacked, but also being attacked by elements of the III/26 SS PzGren Regt, by mistake. The II/902 was left leaderless and having suffered heavy casualties in both officers and men, were pretty disorganized.

Originally posted by John McGillivray
Unbeknown to Siebken, his flank was not threatened as feared, for a strong force of Panzer Lehr Division Panther tanks

The Pz Lehr Div's Panther battalion (I/6 Pz Regt) were still in transit to Normandy, returning from the ordered transfer of the Pz Lehr Div to the Eastern Front, so played no part on 8 June.

The only other part of the Pz Lehr Div to be involved on 8 June, was a recce party from the 130 Arty Regt who were jumped by Canadians near Christot.

Cheers