Blitzkrieg: From the Ground Up by Niklas Zetterling

Author:Niklas Zetterling [Zetterling, Niklas]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781612004617
Publisher: Casemate
Published: 2017-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

Sedan

Unlike the two Panzer corps attacking further north, Guderian’s XIX corps enjoyed powerful air support. The majority of the available Stuka dive-bombers were detailed to support Guderian’s attack across the Meuse at Sedan. How this air support was to be employed was subject to disagreement. Hugo Sperrle, the commander of the air fleet cooperating with von Rundstedt’s Army group, as well as von Kleist, presupposed that one massive bombardment would take place. On the other hand, Guderian and Lörzer (the latter commanded the air corps responsible for the air attacks in the Sedan area) intended to employ fewer aircraft at a time. Their intention was to keep Luftwaffe aircraft above Sedan continuously, and this had been planned in advance. Subsequently, von Kleist and Sperrle had agreed upon their alternative and issued orders to that effect. Guderian and Lörzer were dismayed when they learned about the decision taken by their superior commanders. Lörzer decided not to obey the order and claimed that it had been received “too late.” Lörzer’s decision was most likely the correct one. The direct effects of the air attacks were unremarkable; hardly any of the many bunkers were knocked out and the French casualties seem to have numbered under sixty, despite the fact that about 1,200 airstrikes were conducted against the area. However, the psychological effects were significant, and most of the phone lines were interrupted. The latter effect was very important as most of the French communications relied on wires.70

Sometimes, events that do not take place can be as important as those that do. On the night of May 13–14, German engineers created a bridge across the Meuse at Sedan. It was, of course, vital to Guderian’s efforts to expand the bridgehead. For example, around 600 tanks drove across the river on this single bridge on May 14. Unsurprisingly, it was regarded as a very important target for the Allied air forces. On this day, 152 British and French aircraft were committed to destroying the bridge, but they were too late; the Germans had already positioned strong antiaircraft units and also detailed fighters to protect it. The Allied air crews certainly did not lack the courage needed, but their self-sacrificing efforts were to no avail as German vehicles continued to drive across the bridge. However, the Allied airmen paid a terrible price. For example, no fewer than forty-seven of the 109 attacking British bombers were shot down.71

The breakthrough at Sedan was mainly accomplished by two infantry units—the 1st Motorized Infantry Regiment and the Infantry Regiment Grossdeutschland—and a few platoons from the 43rd Combat Engineer Battalion. The way these units were led is illuminating. The senior commanders did not influence the actions fought by these units. Decisions were made by commanders at company level and below, usually without consulting their superiors. The overall mission was clear, and everybody acted individually to accomplish the aim. The infantry had to rely on its own heavy weapons to provide fire support, and the German infantry was quite lavishly equipped with such weapons.

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