Hi all
Was von der Heydte’s mistake the reason for the relatively easy take away of Carentan by the Americans? I ask myself this question after reading some first hand account by a script written by von der Heydte himself. A copy of this script is in my collection and it was also criticized by former Generalleutnant Max Pemsel on June 10, 1948. I have his comments as well
Von der Heydte says in his script that he informed the LXXXIV. Korps about his intention to give up Carentan and that the Korps authorized this. Von der Heydte was very amazed when on June 11, 1944 suddenly the 17. SS panzer-Grenadiers from Goetz von Berlichingen showed up to support the holding of Carentan. But at this point all orders have been given and Carentan was already left by troops of FJR 6.
The 17. SS Pz.Gren commander Ostendorf decided to attack Carentan again to take it back from the Americans, but all effort was not enough to retake Carentan.
Well, von der Heydte was made responsible for his mistake to get up Carentan. Not only this, he was also accused for cowardliness by the commander of SS GvB . He was sent under arrest and questioned by a SS judge right afterwards.
Only after the temporarily commanding general of LXXXIV. Korps (Meindl) approved von der Heydte’s actions regarding Carentan, he was set in command of his Regiment again. So von der Heydte's comments.
Now Max Pemsel is not the same opinion on the actions and moreover the knowledge of von der Heydte on the assignment of the 17. SS GvB to support the fight to hold on Carenatn.
Pemsel makes clear that von der Heydte’s action and descision to give up Carentan on June 11 is baffling and was of course wrong. Pemsel clearls says, that von der Heydte knew prior to his actions to give up this important town and not as von der Heydte says only after the 17. SS GvB arrived and at this point already abandoned Carentan with his troops. Pemsel says that after the telephone directory of the 7. Armee, the LXXXIV Korps was informed on June 10, 1944 and again on June 11, 1944 that the 17. SS was on the way to help holding on Carentan. After personal comments by the former Chief of Generalstab LXXXIV Korps, he did personally (Chief of Generalstab LXXXIV Korps) inform the commander of FJR 6 on June 10, that the 17. SS GvB was on the way to help. Neither the Army nor the Korps agreed the decision to give up Carentan by FJR 6 because one of the main efforts of the 7. Armee was to avoid the American to connect the Contetin sites together with the Vire sites as well the connections to the British troops.
Pemsel says also that the early give up of Carentan, which was a very important fix point in the German defense line, was tried to justify by severe lack of ammunition. The question of guilt could not be answered at this time. After Pemsel, the commander of FJR 6 also suffered a substantial and morale breakdown due to the intensity of the fights. Pemsel says that only his formidable lead of the Regiment prior to the Normandy fights as well as a quick recovery from his illness prevent him from punishment or relief.
Does anyone of you ever heard such a story, which seems to be facts. In anyway very interesting.
Any comments welcome.
Juerg
Was von der Heydte’s mistake the reason for the relatively easy take away of Carentan by the Americans? I ask myself this question after reading some first hand account by a script written by von der Heydte himself. A copy of this script is in my collection and it was also criticized by former Generalleutnant Max Pemsel on June 10, 1948. I have his comments as well
Von der Heydte says in his script that he informed the LXXXIV. Korps about his intention to give up Carentan and that the Korps authorized this. Von der Heydte was very amazed when on June 11, 1944 suddenly the 17. SS panzer-Grenadiers from Goetz von Berlichingen showed up to support the holding of Carentan. But at this point all orders have been given and Carentan was already left by troops of FJR 6.
The 17. SS Pz.Gren commander Ostendorf decided to attack Carentan again to take it back from the Americans, but all effort was not enough to retake Carentan.
Well, von der Heydte was made responsible for his mistake to get up Carentan. Not only this, he was also accused for cowardliness by the commander of SS GvB . He was sent under arrest and questioned by a SS judge right afterwards.
Only after the temporarily commanding general of LXXXIV. Korps (Meindl) approved von der Heydte’s actions regarding Carentan, he was set in command of his Regiment again. So von der Heydte's comments.
Now Max Pemsel is not the same opinion on the actions and moreover the knowledge of von der Heydte on the assignment of the 17. SS GvB to support the fight to hold on Carenatn.
Pemsel makes clear that von der Heydte’s action and descision to give up Carentan on June 11 is baffling and was of course wrong. Pemsel clearls says, that von der Heydte knew prior to his actions to give up this important town and not as von der Heydte says only after the 17. SS GvB arrived and at this point already abandoned Carentan with his troops. Pemsel says that after the telephone directory of the 7. Armee, the LXXXIV Korps was informed on June 10, 1944 and again on June 11, 1944 that the 17. SS was on the way to help holding on Carentan. After personal comments by the former Chief of Generalstab LXXXIV Korps, he did personally (Chief of Generalstab LXXXIV Korps) inform the commander of FJR 6 on June 10, that the 17. SS GvB was on the way to help. Neither the Army nor the Korps agreed the decision to give up Carentan by FJR 6 because one of the main efforts of the 7. Armee was to avoid the American to connect the Contetin sites together with the Vire sites as well the connections to the British troops.
Pemsel says also that the early give up of Carentan, which was a very important fix point in the German defense line, was tried to justify by severe lack of ammunition. The question of guilt could not be answered at this time. After Pemsel, the commander of FJR 6 also suffered a substantial and morale breakdown due to the intensity of the fights. Pemsel says that only his formidable lead of the Regiment prior to the Normandy fights as well as a quick recovery from his illness prevent him from punishment or relief.
Does anyone of you ever heard such a story, which seems to be facts. In anyway very interesting.
Any comments welcome.
Juerg
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