Tigers in Normandy by Wolfgang Schneider

Author:Wolfgang Schneider [Schneider, Wolfgang]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HIS027100 HISTORY / Military / World War II
ISBN: 9780811745093
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Published: 2011-10-31T22:00:00+00:00

Because the counterattack from the Bois de Homme towards Hill 309 had not yet taken place, the commanding general of the LXXIV. Armee-Korps, General der Infanterie Straube, leveled serious accusations against the leadership of the 21. Panzer-Division on the evening of 31 July 1944.

General der Infanterie Straube ordered the attack again, this time for the morning of 1 August 1944—despite all the objections of the armored division. The 21. Panzer-Division pointed out that the necessary concentration of forces by the division for the counterattack would necessitate its pulling those same forces out of their recently established defensive positions south of St. Martin-des-Besaces. This, in turn, would give the enemy another opportunity to break through to the south. This objection by the division was ignored by the corps. The fateful danger that would be presented to the corps’ continued open left flank by the withdrawal of forces was likewise not noted. Finally, the division stated that the forces of the 21. Panzer-Division were inadequate for conducting such an attack. This objection was also discounted at the heated meeting held at the corps command post around midnight on 1 August 1944.

General der Infanterie Straube insisted on continuing the ordered attack based on a differing estimate of the situation. In fact, he also doubted a reported advance of enemy armored forces that was already taking place west of Le Bény-Bocage. He told the commander of the 21. Panzer-Division that any further contrary discussion from him would result in his being court-martialed.

The senior commands became aware of the fact during the evening of 31 July 1944 that the Americans had reached Avranches. A glance at the map would have given an indication that the collapse of the front in Normandy had started.

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