"Getting Rolling" (Narrative 2/4)
0945, 6 August 1944, I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 156 HQ, W of Sourdeval
"Heil Hitler!" The scarred officer in major's uniform waited for von Magsburg's
response.
"Heil Hitler," von Magsburg replied unenthusiastically. "Major Klein?" he asked,
extending his hand.
Klein shook von Magsburg's hand suspiciously. He did not seem to approve of
von Magsburg's lack of enthusiasm for the Nazi salute. "I see General von
Nordheim has briefed you."
Von Magsburg ignored the suspicion in Klein's demeanor. "Not well enough.
Is the Kampfgruppe assembled? I'd like to meet the rest of my subordinates."
Klein shook his head. "The troops are all assembled, but the company and platoon
commanders are either on leader's reconnaissance or dealing with supply issues.
They'll be back by 1030, though."
"That'll have to do. All right, we're attacking tonight at midnight. That's about
all I know. Tell me more about the terrain and the enemy dispositions."
"Of course, sir." Klein took a large map out of his coat pocket and laid it out
on the hood of their Kübelwagen. "The road we'll be pushing down is a relatively
straight shot to Chérencé-le-Roussel. The terrain along the route is generally
open and has a lot of large fields, but we'll occasionally need to push through
villages and forests. The Americans have the 1st Battalion of their 39th Infantry
Regiment established along the route. The American infantry lacks èlan in
the attack, but they are distressingly tenacious defenders. Hopefully, though,
they won't be expecting an attack."
"We can't rely on hope-based tactics, Major. I don't want us to underestimate
them. Where's the front line?"
"The Americans are defending a factory complex only a little way down the road.
It's not particularly valuable but it and a nearby dairy farm dominate the road
and they'll need to be cleared before we can push the rest of the division through."
"Got it. What's the plan?"
"We're going to attack with no artillery preparation. For one thing, we're short
on ammunition, and it will help us surprise them. We'll lead with Hauptmann Ingo
Leifheim's 1. Kompanie, supported by Oberleutnant Behn's Panther platoon and
Oberleutnant Peters' Panzer IV platoon. While we're mopping up the factory complex
and the farm, we'll send some scouts down the road and see what the American
defenses are like further on."
"Sounds good. What's the timetable for our advance?"
"HQ wants us in control of Chérencé-le-Roussel by 0700 at the latest."
"All right, shouldn't be a problem. Is there anything else I should know?"
"That should be everything." Klein thought for a bit, and then added, "The weather
tomorrow is supposed to be very cloudy if not foggy, it should help protect us
from the American planes."
"Excellent. Dismissed, Major."
***
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