German artillery at Omaha beach

[Infanteer]

I am trying to research the unit that my aunt's father served with on 06 June 44. From what he remembers, he served with 3 battery, Artillery Bn. 832 and that their sign was the Wolfsanger (?). Also, he said that they used French 15cm howitzers. He is 86 years old and I suspect that some of these details may be flawed because I haven't had any luck finding this unit listed anywhere. Can someone direct me to where I might be able to find a list of German artillery units in the area of Omaha beach on D-Day?

Cheers,

Steve

[Simon O.]

I wonder if he means Heeres Küsten Artillerie abteilung 832? It was stationed in Normandy with 3 batteries, saying it was equipped with French 15cm guns would also fit in with such a unit. I'm at work at the moment but will double check this evening but i think the unit became Heeres Küsten Artillerie Abteilung 1260 in Dec. 43 and was destroyed during the invasion.

[Infanteer]

Well that's a start... He was wounded and taken POW by the Americans a couple of days after D-Day (or so I thought) but he was not very clear about those details as he still gets emotional when he talks about those days. If his unit was destroyed it would explain why the memories are so painfull.

Thanks,

Steve

[Simon O.]

According to Tessin, 832 became HKAA 1260 in Dec. 43, part of the LXXXIV Armee Korps.


Here's where the different batteries were deployed.

http://www.wargamer.com/Hosted/Close...a/LonguesE.htm

[Infanteer]

The only thing that is not adding up right now is that he said he was on Omaha beach on D-Day and 1260 was in the area of Gold beach, so he either made a mistake with the number of his old unit or ???? He did show me on a map the area where he was stationed and it corresponded with the area of the American landings. Is there an order of battle available that explains which units were in the different beach areas? I might just have to settle for the most likely unit based on location...

[Simon O.]

Well if he was captured by the Americans then he was likely in 2.\1260. The battery at the famous Point du Hoc. It was equipped with French 15.5cm guns.

Just google for Point du Hoc 1260 and you will get all the info you need on what happened there.

If that's where he was it's no wonder the memories are painful for him. He's seen hell.