Mortain: The German Counter Attack

Hello All, as you may have gest I am lover of the Normandy reigon of France, Myself and JP44 are going to Normandy for the 65th aniversary in June
So I thourght I had better have a pre June reckey trip in early April
I havent sorted out my itinary fully yet but on my list is Mortain
So hears the question
CAN ANY ONE HELP !!
I would like details of the battle of the 6-7 August and details of the retreat to st-Lambert-su-dive / Mossiey
maps would be nice.
I promise to post you all the pictures when I return
I am currentley reading "Decisions in Normandy" by Carlo D'este which is giving good info on the battle but the more info the Better.

Hill 317 (314) seems to be a hot spot along with some others East of Mortain

This where all the experts hang out so I'am sure you can help

 

Dear Pegasus: These plans seems very interesting for your trip: WWIIEuropeWarAtlasIndex








Jan.

 

I'll keep checking this thread, I'm gathering info and maps on the Falaise Pocket for my 2011 Normandie trip. ; ))

 

Neil:

I am assuming you want some German source references ?

volume 4 of 2nd W-SS Pz. Div. Das Reich by Otto Weidinger, translated into English through JJF pubs in Canada.

volume 1 of Die Sturmflut und das Ende by Hans Stöber - 17th W-SS Pz. Gr. Div., still in German as far as I know.

a total waste of men/materials on the counter-attack into Mortain, captured, but did not secure the heights that were commanded by the US 30th Div. The W-SS units withered away from the fire above them and literally ran out of fuel abandoning their vehicles and retreated. Another stupid hair-brain idea-operation by the German high-command.

OT but still searching for my materials on the "Widder"

E ~

 

Hi, thanks to you all for your assistace, I have just received a copy of Ruckmarsch then and now, it contains some good information on the counter attack but more from around the Falaise area, Halldin I can recomend it for your planning, the cheapest I could find it was on Ebay for £30 compaired with £40 on amazon
I will be staying in Argentan and I have ear marked at least two days for the Falaise pockte area, a must to see is the Mont-Ormel museum the guy there gives an excelent talk on the battles from the paneramic veiw of the museum, if you have any questions he usualy is very helpfull

 

Neil

I believe that Martin B and a few others can help you or give at advice at least along the lines of Falaise as they have visited the museum and area several times

 

I think that Pegasus has been there before....

I am, as always, very jealous when someone else is visiting my 'favourite battlefield' and I'm not !

 

Martin, you're more than welcome to join us in June, for a little Falaise Gap relic hunting.

We could do with that Mk1 eyeball of yours...

 

NO Disaster, I have had to postpone this trip, I have got gall stones and will be visiting the surgen some time in the near future, My doctor kindley told me and my wife what would happen if they cause a bockage and get infected so the good lady wife has made me postpone my trip

To be continued later this year

Every cloud has a sliver lining, I could do some coverlessing in the Hurtgenwald Forest