Brecourt gun battery - 191st Artillery Regiment

[david_s]

Hi,
I've started work on a website about the battle fought at Brecourt during D-Day.
link here:
http://ddayatbrecourt.com

I am trying to find out all I can about the German troops at this battle.
It seems there is very little known about which unit was there, and depending on what book you read ... you will find a different view.

There is a post on a forum about it: http://www.feldgrau.net/phpBB2/viewt...er=asc&start=0
(thanks to Simon orchard for directing me to this previously)

I also found this text on another site that confirms some of what was mentioned in the above forum.
I'll post it below:

"The regiment unknowingly had set up in the midst of a small hornet's nest. In the Ste. Marie-du-Mont area was the entire 2d Battalion of the 191st Artillery Regiment which had been committed to coastal defense in the 709th Division sector. The battalion headquarters was in Ste. Marie and the three batteries, each with four 105-mm. howitzers, were all in the immediate vicinity. Four of the pieces were captured near Holdy by groups of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry"

One of the other batteries (of the threee mentioned above) was at Brecourt ... a short distance from Ste. Marie du Mont. So I assume the above information is relating to the units I am interested in.

I am requesting help finding out more infromation about this unit (2d Battalion of the 191st Artillery) , and if it's possible to find out if any of the German vets of this battle are alive and able to contribute to this project with their information.

Thanks

David

[Larry deZeng]

I am leaving this in German in the same format that it appears in Tessin, Bd. 7, p.259, on the assumption that you read German. If you do not understand it, say so and either I or someone else will translate it for you.

Artillerie-Rgt. 191
Formed 15.1.1944 (25. Welle) auf dem Tr.Üb.Platz Baumholder mit der Art.Abt. 1025 des verst.Gren.Rgts. 1025 (WK XII) als Stamm;
Gebirgs-Artillerie-Rgt. 191 seit April 1944 nach Umstellung der Division auf Luftlandeeinsatz; während der Wiederaufstellung in der Eifel 5.11.1944 umbenannt in Art.Rgt. 344 der 344. Inf.Div.
G: I. 1-3, II. 4-6, III. 7-9
U: 91. Inf.(LL) Division: Normandie, Cherbourg
E: WK XII

HTH,

--BHS1956

[david_s]

Hi BHS1956,

Thanks for the info.
I don't know any German ... so would appreciate a translation.

David

[Larry deZeng]

I am leaving this in German in the same format that it appears in Tessin, Bd. 7, p.259, on the assumption that you read German. If you do not understand it, say so and either I or someone else will translate it for you.
Artillerie-Rgt. 191
Formed 15.1.1944 (25. Welle) auf dem Tr.Üb.Platz Baumholder mit der Art.Abt. 1025 des verst.Gren.Rgts. 1025 (WK XII) als Stamm;
Gebirgs-Artillerie-Rgt. 191 seit April 1944 nach Umstellung der Division auf Luftlandeeinsatz; während der Wiederaufstellung in der Eifel 5.11.1944 umbenannt in Art.Rgt. 344 der 344. Inf.Div.
G: I. 1-3, II. 4-6, III. 7-9
U: 91. Inf.(LL) Division: Normandie, Cherbourg
E: WK XII
HTH,
--BHS1956

Artillery Regiment 191
Formed 15.1.1944 (25th Wave) at the Baumholder Training Ground with Artillery Battalion 1025 of the reinforced Grenadier Rgt. 1025 (Military District XII) as cadre;
Mountain Artillery Regiment 191 since April 1944 after reorganization of the Division for air-landing employment; during its reestablishment in the Eifel 5.11.1944 renamed Artillery Rgt. 344 of the 344th Infantry Division.
Organization: I Bn. with 1st to 3d Batteries, II Bn. with 4th to 6th Batteries, III Bn. with 7th to 9th Batteries
Subordination: 91st Infantry (Air-Landing) Division: Normandy, Cherbourg
Replacements: Military District XII.

--BHS1956

[david_s]

Thanks for translating that BHS1956.

David

[david_s]

Hi all,
Here is a link to the research that is all but finished.

http://ddayatbrecourt.com/GunBattery.htm



And thanks to Mike Coleman for the le FH 18/40 plans. Was able to have them used for making the 3D model.

David

[Daniele C]

David,the guns were captured by LT Richard Winters men of EASY COMPANY,2nd battalion 506 PIR and the last gun was taken by LT SPEIRS who commanded a few men of the DOG COMPANY,2nd battalion,506 PIR who came in a later time to help Winters men to capture the gun.

[david_s]

Thanks lelez

Click this link for more information about what you have described below:
http://ddayatbrecourt.com/Overview.htm

David,the guns were captured by LT Richard Winters men of EASY COMPANY,2nd battalion 506 PIR and the last gun was taken by LT SPEIRS who commanded a few men of the DOG COMPANY,2nd battalion,506 PIR who came in a later time to help Winters men to capture the gun.

[Daniele C]

Hi David,
Sorry i posted the message before reading it!great Site!
Pm Sent!

[Homer Hodge]

Another little tidbit that you may already know - the commander of 91st Luftlande Division, GenLt Wilhelm Falley, RKT/E, DKiG, was killed in the early morning hours of D-Day, when his vehicle was ambushed by US paratroopers of HQ Co, 3rd bn, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (82d Abn Div) along with his aide. The ambush occurred about 50 yards from 91st LL Div headquarters in Chateau-Bernaville near Pont l'Abbe. His driver was taken prisoner by the paratroopers.

[david_s]

Hi Homer,
I have heard about this, but didn't realize the location.
Thanks

David

Another little tidbit that you may already know - the commander of 91st Luftlande Division, GenLt Wilhelm Falley, RKT/E, DKiG, was killed in the early morning hours of D-Day, when his vehicle was ambushed by US paratroopers of HQ Co, 3rd bn, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (82d Abn Div) along with his aide. The ambush occurred about 50 yards from 91st LL Div headquarters in Chateau-Bernaville near Pont l'Abbe. His driver was taken prisoner by the paratroopers.