German Reports 6th June 1944

[Carl Schwamberger]

I am trying to evaluate the effects of Allied air & naval gun fires on the coastal defender 6th June 1944. In the common English langage books there are a few usefull eyewitness accounts and reports from the defenders of the beaches. Lt Jancke's testimony from W5 on Utah Beach is perhaps the most famous of these. Are there any folk here familar with this who can discuss this evidence & point me to sources? Anyone who is highly familar with the German army of that era is sought to help interprete the evidence accurately.

Thanks

[glider1]

I know that in the book The Longest Day there were a number of eye witness accounts of the landing from all sides including the German forces. Its been a long time since I read the book but I do remember that there were some comments about the gunfire support.
One was of a senior officer who was trying to get his general to believe that the landing wasn't a diversion, another described the numbing effects of the fire but how few of the major bunkers had been damaged. I would suggest that would be a good starting point

[Carl Schwamberger]

Thanks. It has been forever since I read TLD. On my desk there is another regimental commanders report, perhaps the same man, sent around 08:30 from Omaha beach that refers to NGF. Unfortunatly it is not a direct quote, and very brief. If I am interpreting it correctly it indicates the WN on or behind the bluffs are being hit by the NGF before 08:30.

Any other leads or information would be greatly appreciated.

[Frank Olynyk]

I would suggest getting a copy of Volume 11 of Samuel Eliot Morison's History of U.S. Naval Operations, titled The Invasion of France and Germany, 1944–1945. This should give you many details of the USN aspect of naval gunfire support at Normandy. The corresponding part of Roskill's Official History of the Royal Navy in WW2 should give the British side.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Thanks, I cant recall seeing that title before. tho my must buy list has slightly over 100 titles this week. It has material from the German side, or lots of psot battle survey of the targets?

Appreciate the help.

[Frank Olynyk]

It is part of the 15 volume History of US Naval Operations, and was originally published in 1957. It concentrates obviously on the USN aspect, but probably notes the damage done to the German side. What you should find is the ships that were present, and where they were operating, and when. After that you can decide which action reports to copy during a visit to the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. The book is easy enough to find; I went to addall.com and put the title and Morison in for searching, and the first 50 responses were $12 or less. A major library system ought to have the complete set of volumes, so you can look it over to decide if it suits your needs.

EnjoY!

Frank.

[Boandlgramer]

Carl

I own a book : Pointe du Hoc by Helmut Konrad von Keusgen.
Well, I can not really remember about the Navalfire or the damage it has done. But tomorrow is sunday, time to read a little bit again.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Thanks for the responses. I've a fairly accurate list of the NGF ships, & some sources for the German forts, entrenchements, & artillery. The leads on descriptins of the effects are appreciated.

[Boandlgramer]

Air attack made by the 9th USAAF with 637 Tons ( time 1.30 am ) on Pointe du Hoc.
It was a nasty bombardement for the german soldier.
With many dead or wounded soldiers.

5.55 am. The Battleships USS Texas and USS Arkansas and some destroyer did open fire, within 32 minutes they did shot more than 600 shells, but Wilhelm Kirchhoff , from a german Werfer unit,reported, that most of the shells did not hit , most of the shells were flying over the bunker, trenches .........

[Boandlgramer]

6.30
USS Texas opened fire again on the plateau of Pointe de Hoc.
Some shells did hit the Bunker of B Stelle and caused a lot of damage, but no fatal destruction
Some shells went into the cliffs and broke ground and rocks out of it.