Anthony Tucker-Jones: Falaise: The Flawed Victory

The reality is that from the very start there were insufficient German armoured formations in Normandy and although they rose to almost a dozen they were largely committed in a piecemeal manner, trying to plug an increasingly leaking dam. Remarkably, never once did they waver despite losing all strategic initiative in the face of Hitler’s stubborn refusal to yield ground until it was too late.

In the intervening years much has been written about Overlord and the liberation of France. This particular volume is designed to examine the individual experiences and fate of each of the panzer divisions that fought there under the direction of both Panzergruppe West and 7th Army. In terms of narrative it follows each unit chronologically as it joined the battle, before coming together in the Falaise salient. It is notable that no single volume provides an overview of the subsequent fate of those panzer divisions involved in Normandy and this study also offers to rectify this in some small way.

Many organisations and people were kind enough to assist me during the researching of this book, notably Barnstaple Library and Record Office. Individuals who offered me their time and wisdom were many, but in particular I would like to single out John Blackman, for assistance with the photographic research; David Fletcher, for his sage guidance on the merits of Allied armour; Rupert Harding, who above and beyond the call of duty helped with reference material and had faith in the broad scope of this project; Tim Newark and Pat Ware, who kindly encouraged and supported the initial research on Falaise and Villers-Bocage; and lastly, Philip Sidnell for his sterling editorial work with both the text and photographs. Special thanks are due to Leo Cooper and Pen and Sword Books for assistance with key maps.

Finally, I must thank my wife Amelia and daughter Henrietta, who have endured with such patience and fortitude my passion for military history and the necessary solitude of a writer. For their unfailing indulgence I dedicate this book to them with my heartfelt thanks and love.

Adolf Hitler

Commander-in-Chief, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW – the Armed Forces High Command)

Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel

Chief of Staff OKW

Generaloberst Alfred Jodl

Chief of Operations Staff OKW

Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt

Commander-in-Chief West or Oberbefelshaber West (OB West) (until 2 July 1944)

Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge

Replaced von Rundstedt, as C-in-C West and Rommel as commander Army Group B (until 18 August 1944)

Generalfeldmarschall Walther Model

Replaced von Kluge as C-in-C West and commander Army Group B

General Günther Blumentritt

Chief of Staff to C-in-C West

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel

Commander Army Group B (until 17 July 1944 when wounded)

General Friedrich Dollmann

Commander 7th Army (until 28 June suicide/heart attack)

General Geyr von Schweppenburg

Commander Panzergruppe West (until 6 July 1944)

General der Panzertruppen Heinrich Eberbach

Replaced Schweppenburg as commander Panzergruppe West/5th Panzer Army (until 9 August) then Panzergruppe Eberbach, also succeeded Hausser as commander 7th Army (until 31 August when captured)

SS-Obergruppenführer Josef ‘Sepp’ Dietrich

Commander I SS Panzer Corps, replaced Eberbach as commander Panzergruppe West/5th Panzer Army

SS-Obergruppenführer Hermann Priess

Replaced Dietrich as commander I SS Panzer Corps

SS-Obergruppenführer Paul Hausser

Commander II SS Panzer Corps, then succeeded Dollmann as commander 7th Army (until 20 August 1944 when wounded)

SS-Obergruppenführer Wilhelm ‘Willi’ Bittrich

Replaced Hausser as commander II SS Panzer Corps

General der Fallschfirmtruppen Eugen Meindl

Commander II Parachute Corps

General der Flakartillerie Wolfgang Pickert

Commander III Flak Corps

General der Artillerie Wilhelm Fahrmbacher

Commander XXV (25th) Corps in Brittany, interim commander (12–18 June 1944) LXXXIV (84th) Corps following Marcks’ demise

General der Panzertruppen Hans von Funck

Commander XLVII (47th) Panzer Corps

General der Panzertruppen Walter Krüger

Commander LVIII (58th) Panzer Corps

General der Infanterie Erich Straube

Commander LXXIV (74th) Corps

General der Panzertruppen Adolf Kuntzen

Commander LXXXI (81st) Corps

General der Artillerie Erich Marcks

Commander LXXXIV (84th) Corps (until 12 June 1944 killed in action)

Generalleutenant Dietrich von Choltitz

Replaced Marcks as commander LXXXIV Corps (until 28 July) then Commandant Paris (until 25 August 1944 when captured)

Generalleutenant Otto Elfeldt

Replaced von Choltitz as commander LXXXIV Corps (until 20 August 1944 when captured)

General der Infanterie Hans von Obstfelder

Commander LXXXVI (86th) Corps

Tanks

PzKpfw IV Ausf H and Ausf J Medium Tank

PzKpfw V Panther Ausf A and Ausf G Heavy Medium Tank

PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf E Heavy Tank

PzKpfw VI Tiger II Ausf B Heavy Tank

Assault Guns

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf G Assault Gun

Jagdpanzer IV Tank Destroyer

Jagdpanther Heavy Tank Destroyer

Self-propelled Guns

Hummel Heavy Howitzer

Wespe Light Field Howitzer

Marder III Anti-tank Gun

Tanks

M4 Sherman Medium Tank

Sherman Firely Medium Tank

M5 Light Tank

Cromwell Cruiser Tank

Churchill Infantry Tank

Tank Destroyers

M10 Wolverine Gun Motor Carriage

M18 Gun Motor Carriage

M36 Gun Motor Carriage

Self-propelled Guns

M7B1 Howitzer Motor Carriage

Sexton 25pdr Tracked

For comparative analysis of the merits of German and Allied armour see pp. 16–19.