902. Sturmgeschütz Abtielung
A Sturmgeschutz school was formed in January 1944 Tours France for 7 Armee gruppe west for StuG and StuH drivers, crew and commanders, this school produced four Sturmgeschutz Brigades for the army of the west. On February 14th, using men from the Panzer Lehr ersatz und Ausbildungs and Sturmgeschutz 247. The new unit was formed and named Sturmgeschutz Brigade 902 with a strength of 19 StuG III L48 and 12 StuH III 42. Placed in command was Hauptmann Frerich von Lessen
When the allied forces landed on the 6th of June the battalion was still at Tours in its training role. On the 8th of June 902. was subordinated to the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div however the battalion was not committed in the defensive sector of the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div in Angers-Saumur-Chinon Pays de Loire or in Normandy (south of Carentan). Hans Stöber, who has written a history of the 17. SS, states that the 902 StuG Abt was ordered to Normandy but did not appear with the division. On 11 June the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div. was subordinated to 2. Fallschirm Korps, while 902. StuG Abt was with 84. Korps. On 19 June the 7. Army Gliderung shows that the battalion was with Gruppe von Schlieben. However, two days later the 902 StuG Abt was located near La Haye du Puits and had 13 combat ready StuG in the 91 Luftlande Division area. There is some support for this in the Gliederungen charts and by an OB West document which indicates that the brigade was located in the Valognes area attached to Gruppe König 91st Luftlande Infantry Division on the 20th of June with 30 StuG but only 18 available.
On 1 July the battalion was at full strength, having 30 StuG III combat ready and one in need of repair. The losses suffered by the battalion during its first month in Normandy were slight. Until 11 July only three StuG were total losses, while two drivers and five vehicle commanders had been killed.
The 26th July final order of battle from the 91st Luftlande Division has the 902. With two batteries in operation. Operation Cobra was in full swing and was much more costly for the brigade.
On the 27th the full effect of the breakthrough further east meant a retreat to Countances and a new line towards Dangy with the HQ at Orval, the neighbor units were the 17th SS, Das Reich and 6th FJR.
28th of July a new line was ordered Percy- Sourdeval - La Baleine- Gavray - Cérences -Bréhal- coast line.The 902 were positioned to hold the Countances- Bréhal road on the left flank with 91st Luftlande Division. The whole front was weak in places, even while taking up position the American elements were attacking Trelly and ales Mesnil-Aubert. It this point the unit was totally combat ineffective and were withdrawn east, some units successfully filtered through the American lines and thrust toward Avaranches.
On the 1 August it had only one StuG combat ready, while seven were in workshops. Also it had 3 combat ready StuH III which indicates that it had received some replacements. The remainders of the brigade withdrew towards Flers then the Falaise gap. I am yet to confirm however the brigade is mentioned in the defensive line south east of Flers -Argentan, in a French article. In September the Brigade report 265 men and no vehicles in Holland.
The Panzers
 |
| Note the debris guard, a feature of all Tours Armour School based StuG and StuH models |
 |
| Quettreville sur sienne |
 |
| Quettreville sur sienne |
No comments:
Post a Comment