Situation Report Sept 16th 1944 Turn 64
Army Group B
Normandy
Over the past four weeks at his forward Headquarters in Paris FM Rommel had been receiving confusing reports from units on the front line, ( likewise Bader at Army Group B and Lieb 15th Armee ) the enemies troop strength fluctuate and unit identification appears to be misleading making it difficult to determined the best sector to launch an offensive against enemy forces, initial intelligence indicated that the 2nd Canadian Div was part of the force opposing General Sinnhuber's men at St-Valery, however units of the LVIII Pz Korps indicted the 2nd Can had withdrawn and transports were disembarking a reformed 3rd Can Div ,this unit had been virtually destroyed attempting to land at the beachhead only four weeks ago, if true this unit would not be at full strength and an attack might be possible.
Following the reports of more convoys in the channel the previous two weeks and attacks last week by enemy forces against LXXXII ArmeeKorps at St-Valery German Naval Intelligence has confirmed that the 3rd Can has now withdrawn also and a Brigade strength unit has landed on the beach area code named JUNO, further to this the enemy forces that assaulted St-Valery the previous week have now been identified as Polish Paratroops.
Despite the fluid situation of the Allied Forces within the beachhead perimeter, Intelligence believes JUNO beach to be weakest sector of the Allied line, a meeting is arranged at OKW HQ Paris with senior High Command officers preparing plans for offensive operations.
- Army Group B Axis Assault.jpg (752.13 KiB) Viewed 34 times
Army Group B Forces
15th Armee ( Lieb ) 325th Security Inf
LXXXII ArmeeKorps ( Sinnhuber ) 3 Divisions
89th Inf
65th Inf
191st Res Inf
LXXXI ( Kuntzen ) 4 Divisions, 1 Brigade
26th Panzer
349th Inf
348th Inf
271st Inf
401st Volks Art Brigade
WMBef. France Armee ( Von Stuelpnagel )
LVIII Pz Korps ( Von Schweppenburg ) 5 Divisions, 3 Brigades
155th Res Panzer
77th Inf
84th Inf
182nd Res Inf
346th Inf
111th Pz Brigade
394th Stug Brigade
70th Army Art Brigade
1st SS Pz Korps ( Dietrich ) 5 Divisions, 2 Brigades, 1 Heavy Pz Battalion
9th SS Panzer
22nd Panzer
116th Panzer
30th SS Grenadier
384th Inf
106th Panzer Brigade
49th SS PanzerGrenadier Brigade
501st SS Heavy Pz Battalion ( Whittmann )
LXVI ArmeeKorps ( Lucht ) 3 Divisions, 2 Brigades
19th Fusilier Inf
3rd Fallschirmjaeger
6th Fallschirmjaeger
108th Panzer Brigade
766th Volks Art Brigade
7th Armee ( Dollmann )
LXXXIV ArmeeKorps ( Von Zangen ) 3 Divisions, 1 Brigade
24th Panzer
275th Inf
305th Inf
402nd Volks Art Brigade
LXXXIV ArmeeKorps ( Marks ) 1 Division, 1 Brigade
405th Inf
1028th Mot Brigade
XXV ArmeeKorps ( Fahrmbacher ) 3 Divisions
94th Inf
716th Inf
343rd Inf
Rommel's Plan
Infantry with assault engineers attacking first to reduce enemy fortifications then follow up attacks by Panzer units to smash through the weakened enemy lines then pushing on to secure the beachhead with more Infantry advancing to support the armour, with Axis forces attacking on three fronts hoping to quickly wear down the defenders as soon as possible before the enemy can react and send reinforcements.
Surprise and speed the key elements for the success of the attack, the enemy will also have there Naval support and Air power which could play a telling roll in the battle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT7NbC7 ... L&index=22
With Allied forces concentrating there attacks on LXXXVI Pz Korps ( Herr ) Rommel Orders Operation Blume to begin.
0400 hours 16th Sept
Fahrmbacher and Sinnhuber lead the first attack against the Allied positions on JUNO, there is heavy fighting as Axis troops push forward relentlessly, after a day long battle which sees the enemy forced back to there main defence line, however the Allies are holding on tenaciously with there fortified defences intact, both sides taking losses and we are no closer to our objectives.
A renewed assault with Fahrmbacher's troops leading begins early on the 17th, Dietrich orders the 22nd Panzer Div into action and makes good ground as Axis artillery and German pioneers begin to break down enemy defences across the Allied position, fighting continues through the night, more heavy fighting throughout the next day but no breakthrough.
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18th Sept
With Allied defences reduced Rommel orders a Panzer assault, Zangen leading with 24th Panzer along with Dietrich's 9th SS Panzer and 49th SS PzGrenadier's launching a frontal attack on the enemy defences, over the battle field there is heavy air action as enemy bombers constantly rain bombs on our forces to disrupt our attacks, the enemy refuses to yield after another day long battle which sees our Panzer's forced to pull back.
The situation is critical we have drained just about all our fuel and munitions, most formations are incapable of offensive action, Allied air power is having a devastating effect on our ground forces in battle and the enemy line still holds despite the fortifications being finally smashed.
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19th Sept
Rommel orders one last attack to break the line, the OKW Commander travels to the Normandy front himself to rally his forces, General Dietrich is ordered to lead the attack with the 116th Panzer Div along with Zangen's 24th Pz, Kuntzen's 26th Pz and last of the offensive operational Infantry,
There is bitter fighting as Allied troops are forced back there position at JUNO crumbling, As the 116th Pz pushes forward leading units are reporting to Command HQ of witnessing enemy troops forced into the sea then fleeing to awaiting boats as the enemy's defence disintegrates, an assault on the enemy's left flank by the 3rd Fallschirmjaeger DIv crushes the last defence, as more German Infantry move in to secure the beach.
- Rommel at the front.jpg (56.63 KiB) Viewed 34 times