Quote:
Originally Posted by Kai-Petri
Jochen Peiper saw first combat with the Leibstandarte in 1940, during the campaign for France. He took part in the assault on the Wattenberg heights on 25th May. This attack was noteworthy because it went against Hitler's famous 'halt' order for Dunkirk. British artillery was positioned on the hills, something which caused the LAH quite some irritation. Despite this order, Dietrich threw his unit at them and the positions were conquered. Peiper was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class for his actions that day.
Jochen Peiper: hero of the Waffen-SS |
I remember reading about this recently on another thread. I'd be interested to know which regiment Peiper was in. I have several sources which recount one particular day during which one regiment of the LASSH (later joined by units of a another regiment of the same division) were fighting the French reargaurd on the outskirts of Dunkirk. This took place on the eastern city limits at the Teteghem Bridge over a canal which the French (2n Batt., 137 R.I.) were ordered to hold until explosives could be found to destroy it. Twice during that day (I'll try to find the exact date), the soldiers of the LASSH attacked and were driven off with heavy casualties, with one of the defending French 75mm cannons wreaking havoc on the German vehicles on the opposite bank. Later that same day, after the 2nd German attack, the French were ordered to fix bayonets and counter attack the Germans to clear the opposite bank, which they did with severe losses on both sides.
The bridge was held (then later only partially destroyed), but not until AFTER the units of the LASSH were withdrawn and ordered elsewhere. This particular engagment has always fascinated me, as the LASSH had always thought of themselves so superior to everyone else, but at Teteghem bridge they recieved a severe lashing at the hands of the French 137 R.I. after 2 FAILED engagements. I have always wondered if Peiper had participated in that battle.