Where is Barkmann's Corner???

[WWIIBuff]

Hello,

I'm planning another trip to Normandie for this August. This time I'd like to visit the place where Ernst Barkmann confronted the US column of Sherman tanks, later named "Barkmann's Corner".

Can anyone tell me exactly where this spot is? What highway and near what towns? Based on the information I have, it was near the towns of Le Lorey and Neufbourg, but I cannot find either one of those places on my maps.

I would appreciate any help.

[Gran Sasso]

Barkmann******180;s corner is on the RN (rue nationale) 172 (named 174 on some maps) between St.Lo and Coutances. It is mostly mistaken as being the junction of RN172 and the small road leading to Le Lorey, but that is wrong. Herr Barkmann himself has pointed out a small track, almost unvisible today, as the road his Panther once came down.
Both Le Lorey and Neufbourg are just some houses and farms so you wouldnt find them on most maps.
You have to go from St.Lo towards Coutances, passing the junction to Marigny (app. 11km west from St.Lo). From that junction it is less than 4Km to "Barkmann******180;s Corner".
The images I have taken should help you finding the correct spot.

Barkmann******180;s Panther facing east.

[Gran Sasso]

Same view today - my car standing in for "424".

[Gran Sasso]

View in opposite (western) direction - old road barely visible.

[Gran Sasso]

Another view of same location.

[Gran Sasso]

Another 5km to the west on RN172 you will find that house.

[Gran Sasso]

Same view today - have a safe trip!

[WWIIBuff]

Barkmann's Corner

How in the world did I ever survive before the internet and Wehrmacht-Awards.com existed? This is great information and even better pictures. Thank You very much Gran Sasso!!!

So the little curvy road that is behind your car, is that the road that Barkmann was traveling down from Le Lorey when he was notified of the approaching Americans? If so, do you know if he stopped his tank right where your car is or did he pull back into the trees, or down the RN172 further west and next to the trees at the painting suggests?

Based on your first present day photo, it appears that Barkmann would have been on the low ground shooting up hill at the column of Sherman's. Is that correct?

Thanks again!

[Bob Lyons]

Gran Sasso,

From far away Australia, I too enjoyed the photos and your description very much!

Thanks!!

Bob

[Gran Sasso]

So the little curvy road that is behind your car, is that the road that Barkmann was traveling down from Le Lorey when he was notified of the approaching Americans? If so, do you know if he stopped his tank right where your car is or did he pull back into the trees, or down the RN172 further west and next to the trees at the painting suggests?
Based on your first present day photo, it appears that Barkmann would have been on the low ground shooting up hill at the column of Sherman's. Is that correct?

Yes, he came down the little curvey road, and stopped standing on the RN172. Hearing the sound of engines and shooting he sent an army "Spiess" and another soldier who were following his tank trying to reach their lines again, too, east to see whats going on. While those were moving uphill he parked his Panther under a large oak-tree (no longer existing) on the other (south) side of the RN172. The painting suggest the northern side but this is incorrect. He mentioned to me "Of course we know the traffic-rules, so we parked on the right side!" A few minutes later they heard small-arms fire, and the 2 soldiers were running back, the "Spiess" wounded in the left arm. They screamed "The amis are coming!" Before they could reach his tank, the first Sherman appeard on top of the hill, and the 2 hide themself in the bushes seen on the painting, left of the road. The rest is history.

[Mark McShane]

Cheers guys for the information aslo. I'm heading over to Normandy this wednesaday and so I've added this to may already busy schedule of places to visit.

Regards,

Mark

[behblc]

Lucky man mark.

Mark if you visit La Cambe , could you take a few photos of the new visitors centre for posting on the Forum.
I have driven down RN172 in the past and missed Barkmann's corner as a photo opportunity.

[-Peters-]

So what did Barkmann? I dont know the story

[Cam_S]

So what did Barkmann? I dont know the story

You can find longer versions of the story on the internet and in books but basically, his one Panther was responsible for halting an American Armoured Column. He shot the crap out of it, had his vehicle severly damaged and was able to halt the Break out for a short while.

JOHNK- Even though shooting up a hill might sound kind of strange, it actually is tactically sound.

If he was at the bottom of the hill, he would have been in a near perfect reverse slope position. This means that as the Shermans crested the hill, he would have been defilade in the low ground until the last possible momment. He would already be in a firing position so as the Shermans crested they would be knocked out one by one because they would not see what was shooting them up until they exposed themselves. As well a Tank gun can evelate alot higher than in can depress so whooting up is easier than shooting down. The column had no hope. Once it committed itself, it kept on running itself into the meat grinder.

Hope this has helped,
Cam

[Ludwig]

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Interesting!
Pity Barkmann wasn´t american. I mean, think of all the films they would have made about him. And about Wittmann and Erich Hartmann and Kretschmer and Topp and Nowotny and... and... ?