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Western Front Lille: 0400 Hours 6/4/1940

We have been ordered to France and to advance against the French troops at Lille. We are now a highly mechanized tank company. Our recon have the new tracked cars as well as our FO. The Sig 150 are all self propelled. We even have the new SP anti tank gun 37MM type. Have a few of the new PZK IVD tanks plus three Stugs for support for our company.

The third platton has been assigned the north VH. Which they have already taken and set up a defensive position around. They have a plattoon of engineers on there right and left flank plus a plattoon of medium tanks as support.

The second plattoon has taken the south VH and are waiting for the enemys counter attack there. They have been given a section of PZK IV plus 2 sections of Rad 231 8 recon cars. Plus they have a section of the sp sig 33.

The center is about 250 yards from there objectives hunkered down waiting in ambush. Two PZK IV are on a road backed by two 88 ATG with a clear shot at the flags. On there right flank is a small hill with a section of PZK IIC light tanks and 2 sig 150 plus a section of the new sp 37 MM ATG. They are backed up by a plattoon of PZ IIIE medium tanks. The left flank is where the first plattoon has been set up behind a small ridge line about 100 yards south of the road. They have the new stugs and a section of 150 infantry guns. Plus they have two sections of 231 rad 6 recon cars and a section of HMG on there left flank.

The weather is clear but vis ability is only 350 yards. This is due to some low fog and the early hour. We are well rested and eager for the enemy to show. Our superior fire power will be a telling blow to the Frenchies

We have heard rumors that the XV Panzer Grenadiers will move on Paris soon. Maybe we will still make Paris by the summer.

Commander X SS Panzer Division: Col Karl Vogel

Western Front Lille: 0425 Hours 6/4/1940

The first signs of the enemy was at 0415 comin down the center road at the VH. The section of 88s there took out three tanks in five minutes. The PZK IV section then opened up on there infantry at 300 yards. Our 150 had the range already calculated and was able to open up on them almost immediatly. Lost a PZ IIc to there 105 and 77 guns on the hill overlooking the flags. But the other two was able to stop any flanking coming up that hill from the center. The enemy then tried the south side of there where the small ridge line is. As they came over the top a hail of gunfire from the plattoon dug in there cut them down.

The third plattoon holding the north VH has seen nothing so far. I have sent orders for them to advance west and slightly south in the next 15 minutes. This should take some pressure off the center. They will have two plattoons of engineers plus a plattoon of PZK 38T as support.

The second plattoon holding the south VH is up against a heavy enemy concentration. A large tank force plus infantry have been attacking here. So far our troops have taken out maybe 7 tanks and at least a company of there men. Slight losses so far to our men. Morale is still high and I am sure they will hold.

We are under constant bombardment from 105 and 77 MM guns. Plus mortars are constantly dropping like a heavy rain storm.

Commander X SS Panzer Group: Col Karl Vogel

Western Front Lille: 0505 Hours 6/4/1940

We have been fighting heavily for the past 50 minutes. The battle field is almost but obscured by heavy smoke. Wreakage is laying every where like a elephant bone yard. Bits and pieces stiking up as if trying to reach for the heavens. The stink of dead bodies fills your nostrils making it hard to breathe. We have finally gotten some what of a respite time for a smoke and a drink of water. My throat feels like raw sand paper from screaming instructions for so long. The shake in my hands and body has subsided for now. I have not given the order to move forward as yet. These men need a break from all the killing and mayhem. Now we must go and root them out and keep pushing the enemy ever backwards.

The far north flank never really got into the fight. I have sent a runner to tell them they are to lead the advance west towards the rear objective. They have no casualties as yet and are rested the most.

The center who faced the terrible onslaught from the start are to rest and hold there VH. They have taken out at least 30 tanks and more then 2 companys of infantry. They have sustained the most damage.

The left flank after clearing up some stragglers from there flank are to move north west and link up with the north flank. Then thay are to move west and capture the remaining VH.

The French tanks were hard to take out with our puny 3.7 tank guns and the 20MM on the light tanks. Our men had to assault them with wurf mines and hand grenades. Several squads got at least 2 tanks each to there credit. The self propelled Tank destroyer performed very well against the French tanks. Getting at least five tanks to there credit and losing no one. Our medium tanks need bigger guns that is all there is to it. Most of there shots just bounced off the Char Bis and 35 tanks the French have. I have heard they are working on putting a 50mm gun on the PZIII. Also there are rumors of a super tank being worked on in Munich.

This battle is ours there is no doubt the French are on the run.

Commander X SS Panzer Group: Col Karl Vogel

Western Front Lille: 0525 Hours 6/4/1940

The center has moved west about 100 yards from there VH. They are meeting heavy resistence as they advance. There is an awful lot of infantry to dig out. Couple of the squads have lost near half there men. Visability has been cut way down by the acrid smoke laying every where. Once in awhile one of there brave squads trys to assault us and are cut to pieces almost immediatly.

The south flank has advanced almost 200 yards from there VH. Again i have told the men to take it easy and go slow. We are in no hurry to lose any more men. One section of our sig 150 has been sent to the rear to try and russel up some more ammo. With them firing into the smoke has helped our advance some what.

The north flank has moved at least 300 yards west from there VH. They have begun a slightly south west move. This is in the hope they can close the gap between them and the center. This is in the hope it takes some pressure off the center. They have sustained the most damage of all three plattoons.

We are going to win this battle there is no doubt in our minds. We have lost at least five medium tanks and three recon cars so far. The loss of lives is negligible for the scope of this type of battle.

Commander X SS Panzer Group: Col Karl Vogel

Western Front Lille: 0540 Hours 6/4/1940

We are moving but it is slow. There retreating infantry seem to have a never ending supply of smoke. The battle field is covered in thick layers of the stuff. Also the same goes for there artty. It has been a continuos bombardment for over an hour now. We have managed to catch several mortar crews before they could scatter. But there still seems to be a dozen of them hid out there some where.

A plattoon of PZ 38 with a sec of rad 8 and a Plattoon of PZ JB ATG in the south has the VH almost in there sight. They are about 500 yards out from it and have sighted near two companys of infantry. Wish our Sigs hadnt run out of ammo could have really put some hurt on them right now.

The south flank has just come over a small hill that is about 500 yards from the rear VH. Have been firing down into the valley at troops that are retreating from the centers advance.

The center is moving west along a road that runs east to west. Have been encountering stiff resistence from both sides of this road. They are about 200 yards back from the south lines advance. Im sure the souths flank fire on the retreating enemy will soon allow them to make a more rapid advance.

The north flanks advance is meeting slight resistence. They have closed the gap between the center to about 100 yards and is taking the heat off there right flank.

We must have nearly wiped out there tank force. There has been an occasional tank met and destroyed. There seems to be only infantry standing in our way for total victory. The French have no chance against our mighty jaugernaut and will soon be run over in total victory.

We have heard that the XV Grenadiers are to move on Paris later this month. Once Paris is taken France will be ours. I must write Rak and congratulate him for being the first into Paris and tell him to reserve me a hotel room. We must get together and celebrate the end to this dam war. I hope they dont have to destroy too much of the town.

Commander X SS Panzer Group: Col Karl Vogel

Western Front Lille: 0605 Hours 6/4/1940

The Battle is over with a very decisive victory for us. We lost 103 men while taking 2172 Frenchies with them. We also lost 2 soft, 1 APC and 8 tanks all medium ones. They lost 4 APC and 55 tanks. We were able to locate and destroy six of those dam 75MM guns that had rained down on us for over two hours. Plus we got 9 of the 60 and 81MM mortars before they could get away from us.

Our armored force was able to encircle the VH before too many of the French could make it away to fight another day. Once caught in the trap it was just squeezing them down till they could be taken out. I will give them credit though they fought till the last man was cut down. Almost like the Indians did to the 7th calvary out west some where in America. I wonder if the Indians felt disgusted and yet elated like my men did today.

One incident comes to my mind that happened during the last stages of the battle A section of PZK IB were headed down a road just south of the VH about 150 yards. All of a sudden several SP 20MM guns opened up on them as they approached a small village. The initial volley disabled two of the tanks. A platton of PZ 38s that was coming up behind them heard the fire and immediatly left the road to the south. They made there way behind the village and behind the guns. As soon as they were to the rear of the enemy the first tank opened fire taking out the rear gun. The rest of the plattoon followed suit and managed to take out all four of the guns in less then 5 minutes. I figure two promotions are due first for the leader of the PZK IB for staying kool under fire. Also the commander of the platton for his quick thinking and saving lives in taking out the guns.

We have been ordered back to Berlin for the time being. We will refit and get replacements for the company. There will be extensive training for the new men and also for the old timers. There were some mistakes made and it cost us lives and equipment. These mistakes will no longer be excepted or tolerated from our veterans.

I understand that our 81 mortars will be replaced with the sp kind. This will make us completely mechanized now. We will have a new name if and when we go back into battle. Our new designation will be X SS Panzer Strike Force. We are to get new Chevrons and battle flags plus a company citation from Hitler himself in Berlin. What an honor to be noticed and decorated by Hitler in front of our familys. The men were very excited when i told them the news. They can hardly wait to pack up and go home. The hell with Paris it will always be there. I must get ahold of Rak Rokert tell him not to save the hotel room.

Commander X SS Panzer Group: Col Karl Vogel