jtcm Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 [Allied tactical victory, 120 casualties (40 KIA) to 70 (17)] Counter-attack made little impact on enemy line. Attack broken by enemy artillery, also balance of fire-fights disadvantageous. Heavy losses sustained (50 % attacking force). Some enemy support elements and infantry destroyed. **** Frankreich, den 5. August 1944. 21:30. 2 Companies Infy sent forward, with 2 Stugs, 2 assault HTs (75 mm how) support. Plentiful Schrecks, 2 81 mms, 120 mm mortart support Terrrain undulations, woods on flanks, in middle depression behind woods. Hence likelihood enemy in three clusters of woods; support unclear when starting off. ***** Formation adopted 1 plt forward screen, three plts main line, 2 plts reserve. Screen taken under heavy pre-registered mortar fire, v. heavy losses, Pushed forward until contact with enemy on left and centre, no enemy presence on right, so appeared enemy had refused flank on that side 120 mm fire called down on enemy positions, while left, centre and right plts ordered forward. In centre, heavy losses from staggered enemy mortar fire; enemy infantry retired. Loss of HT-75mm to enemy mortar fire On right, platoon advanced, but held up by long range fire from Sherman. One reserve plt sent on this side, to turn flank under cover woods. On left, HT-75 destroyed by ATG; 81 mm fire directed on ATG, followed by direct HE fire from one Stug. Infantry pushed forward, engaged one plt, took heavy losses. Remaining reserve plt thrown into firefight on this side. Enemy responded with reserve plt of his own, seasoned veterans, thrown in with exquisite timing: small arms skill and infantry small unit manoeuver skills (ambushing, falling back, flanking moves) much in evidence. Our effort on this wing broken. Medals for the Tommies. In centre, 2 Stugs shifted to engage enemy Sherman. Destroyed in first exchange of fire; HE fire brought to bear on enemy infantry, which fell back into woods. Impossible to dig out, Stugs having run out of HE. Withdrew remaining forces, including plts engaged in firefight on the right, where inflicting losses on enemy. Later heard from Lt Witt as he retreated that he guessed there was an ATG waiting for the Stugs. Wolff told me he also had had an odd feeling, and decided not to drive on. Kersteter ist schwer verwundet, Hardenberger auch. Hacker und Graf sind tot. Witt hat sein Foto seiner Doris im Wald irgendwo verloren (armer Witt !) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtcm Posted June 29, 2002 Author Share Posted June 29, 2002 Frankreich, den. 6 Aug. 44, 2.30 morgens. Yet another case of insufficent concentration of forces ! I am not worthy to lead the German infantryman into combat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtcm Posted June 29, 2002 Author Share Posted June 29, 2002 Ich bin laum wuerdig, den deutschen Infanteristen in den Kampf zu fuehren. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zukkov Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 awe, don't sweat it. just live and learn comrad! tomorrow's another day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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