Stonne: das "Verdun von 1940"

[Akira Takiguchi]

At Stonne, a small village near Sedan, took place the hardest battle of the Blitzkrieg in the west between May 15-17th, 1940. Seventeen times the occupant changed, almost 60 tank destroyed on both sides, many a life was lost.

References:

Karl-Heinz Frieser "Blitzkrieg-Legende" München 1996 pp256-266
Jean Paul Pallud "Blitzkrieg in the West Then and Now" London 1991 pp273-277

[Akira Takiguchi]

"711" was probably one of the 13 tanks of Pz.Rgt.8 destroyed by a Char B1bis "Eure" on May 16th.

[Akira Takiguchi]

A simple graveyard was built behind "711" - somewhat symbolic one, because so many was killed or wounded here.

The four gravemarkers are:

Obgfr. Herbert Ott, born on Mar 27, 1916, KIA on May 15, 1940
now buried in Noyers-Pont-Maugis (Frnace), Block 2 Grave 1400.

Feldwebel Wilhelm Heimberger, born on Sep 6, 1914, KIA on May 15, 1940.
now buried in Noyers-Pont-Maugis (France), Block 1 Grave 21

Uffz. Georg Götze, born on Apr 2, 1914, KIA on May 15, 1940
now buried in Noyers-Pont-Maugis (France), Block 2 Grave 2451.

Gefr. Peter Hartschen, born on Apr 27, 1916, KIA on May 16, 1940.
now buried in Noyers-Pont-Maugis (France), Block 1 Grave 17.



(photo: Yancy Irwin, the original thread is http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...&highlight=711 )

[Akira Takiguchi]

More photos of "711"

[Akira Takiguchi]

I hope Yancy wouldn't mind linking his image here:

[Akira Takiguchi]

And Mario's images, which let me think of establishing a dedicated thread for the Stonne battle. Of course, photos from french tanks are also welcome.

Mario Lippert collection

[Akira Takiguchi]

More from Mario's collection, "711" is pointed by the red arrow.

[Akira Takiguchi]

The same completely destroyed tank can be seen in this picture (from GD album).

[Akira Takiguchi]

This french FCM tank's wreck was found near Stonne - probably from 2./ 4ème B.C.C.

[Akira Takiguchi]

At 11:00, May 15 1940, french attack was repulsed, 3 B1bis, "Hautvillers", "Gaillac", and "Chinon" from 3./49 ******232;me B.C.C. were destroyed by Paks of G.D.

The entire crew of "Gaillac" was killed.

[Akira Takiguchi]

Hautvillers

[Akira Takiguchi]

This Pz.III from 5.Kompanie (1 white line on the turret rear) was destroyed at the curve.

[Akira Takiguchi]

Another photo from Mario - this is another Pz.IV from 7.Kompanie.

[MarioL]

..

[Akira Takiguchi]

Thanks Mario! Map showing Stonne - unfortunately I don't have any larger map (somebody?)