D-Day Tank Hunter: The World War II memoirs of a frontline officer from North Africa to the bloody soil of Normandy by Hans Hoeller

Author:Hans Hoeller [Hoeller, Hans]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-24T04:00:00+00:00

In a firefight north of Colombelles. Our mission was to provide cover for a reconnaissance in force. After firing just a few shells ourselves, we were already targeted by British anti-tank guns’ counter-fire.

We were not all too happy about these visitors, since we feared that they might draw the attention of Allied fighter-bombers. And indeed they would often appear in the sky the morning after. The rocket launchers were already gone by that point, however, and while we hid away deep in the bushes, the aircraft menacingly drew their circles above. Much to our luck, we remained unseen, and so the attack planes would end up dropping their bombs on the bridges every time, graciously missing them as usual. It seemed as if the bridges simply refused to be destroyed despite all the Allies’ efforts.

Watching the Allies waste uncountable numbers of bombs and shells without making any progress was truly exasperating. During a typical artillery bombardment, the British fired up to one hundred shells per gun barrel. Right before a ground attack, this could go up as high as four hundred shells. On June 20, I received new orders. I was to march into the area around Cambes-en-Plaine, a few miles north of Caen. There, not far from the line between our 21. Panzer-Division and 12. SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth), there had been heavy fighting over the last fourteen days, leaving one of our companies entirely without officers.

On June 13, the positions of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 125 there had been taken over by our own II Battalion. The battalion commander transferred command of a whole company to me until further notice. I was told that, thanks to my experience up to that point, I was the right man for this task. I bade farewell to my soldiers and marched to Cambes-en-Plaine by foot. Going by Kübelwagen was inconceivable due to enemy air supremacy, and on top of that I had lost both of my runners, who had also been my drivers. I decided to get a motorcycle as soon as the opportunity presented.

At Cambes-en-Plaine I was welcomed and directed towards the company in question. In this area, the 5. and 7. Companies of our II Battalion, Panzergrenadier-Regiment 192 had been stationed for a few days, with some Panzers of 6. Company, II Detachment, Panzer-Regiment 22 in between them. 7. Company was located between Cambes-en-Plaine and La Londe, while 5. Company was further west.

Between the two and further back, at La Bijude, the Panzers were securing their line. When I arrived at the command post, the NCOs were already waiting for me. A master sergeant gave me a situation report. Starting June 10, there had been intense attacks in the sector. On June 13, our companies had taken over the line. Opposite our grenadiers were the British soldiers of I Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, 8th Infantry Brigade. A few days ago, the British attacks had abruptly subsided, but the next attack appeared to be imminent, and the men were awaiting my orders for the upcoming defense.

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