Infantry Probe at Argentan WTO (id:#58146)

Le Franc Tireur (Franc-Tireur # 8 ID: FT43)   [next]   [previous]

Argentan, France 1944-08-13 (3 others)

Overview:

On the 1st of August 1944, the French 2ème Division Blindee landed in Normandy, anxious to fight the “Boche”. Following the breakthrough created by Operation Cobra and the failure of the German counter-attack at Mortain, time seemed ripe to destroy by encirclement the remaining Nazi units in Normandy. Concentrating around Le Mans, the US XV Corps - with 2ème DB – headed north on the 9th, with the town of Argentan as main objective. The first encounters with German panzer units gave mixed results. If the hedgerows formed perfect defensive positions, the flexibility and aggressiveness of the French often prevailed. Four days later, Leclerec forces were south of Argentan, theoretically an objective of the 5th US Armored Division. The French general nevertheless decided to take the town. A small mixed column drove to the outskirts and infantry under Lieutenant Carage cautiously entered Argentan but found no signs of the enemy. Unknown to the Allies, elements of the 116.Panzerdivision hurried from the north to help bolster the crumbling defense.

Defender: Free French (Lieutenant Carage detachment, 10 Coy, Regiment de Marche du Tchad)  

Errata (source)