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'Hill 112 - Hill 112 must be held at any price!'....the
uncompromizing order from the Corps. Panzer regiment Max Wünsche
will move in and secure the position, in order to avoid enemy
breakout to the river crossings of Orne. In the evening of June 28
the reinforcement finally arrive, making it possible to launch a
counter attack: Three full SS Panzer divisions.... sounds promising!
However, it stays by the promise: While several Panzer divisions are
placed in total inactiveness in Holland and southern France, waiting
for 'the other Invasion' (still believed to be the true Invasion by
the Wehrmacht Supreme Command!) the OKW (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht)
pulled the 9th and 10th SS Panzer divisions out of heavy defensive
battles in Poland and transferred the units to Normandy.
The shattered and worn out 1st SS Panzer division had been
transferred from the Eastern Front to Belgium in order to reorganize
and get back in shape. These three, far from fully effective units,
made up the reinforcement!
............In the early morning light on June 30, the entire
strenght of the German artillery and Nebelwerfer batteries release
their firepower upon Hill 112. In cover of the morning dim, Max
Wünsche order his tanks to sneak in as close as possible. In
cover of the artillery. Waiting for cease fire. And in that particular
moment they will blast forward. The old wellproven tactics. Full
speed forward.... no hesitation .. no stopping, directing their
shells into the momentary confusion and inferno....too late the
British artillery discover the attack. Desparately, they try to
destroy it. Shooting the barrels red hot. But Max Wünsches tanks
are much faster. They reach the top of the hill and wipe out the anti
tank guns. A motorized machine gun company has transformed into a
giant frantic confusion by the motar fire, and is instantly
overpowered - the surviving members are taken prisoner. Burning tank
wrecks as giant torches contrast themselves against the evening
sky........... ('They're
coming..!' by Paul
Carel) |
