West Front 1939

[tigre]

Gentlemen, I'm very grateful for all your help; you contributed a lot to shed light on this neglected period. Regards. Tigre.

[Andy H]

Christopher Shores 'Fledgling Eagles' gives a very detailed account of the air battles that were fought when the French launched the Saar offensive.

[tigre]

Hello, Chesire:
Thank you for your input. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello to all.

does anyone knows about a map/skecht showing the troops' deployment for the western front as 01 sep 1939?. Thanks in advance and regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello friends, greetings from Argentina; just trying to shed light on this subject........

Operation Sarre - Sep 1939.

Between the Rhin and the Mosel rivers the French - German border stretched along roughly 180 kilometers, in that front the French Army was to carry out its offensive with a frontage of around 35 kilometers, centered mainly in the Saarbrucke area. Opposite, on the other side of the international border was deployed the German 1 AOK (Grl v. Witzleben) comprising three Army Corps the XXX AK, the XII AK and the XXIV AK. His opponents were the French 4. Armee (Grl Requin) and the 3. Armee (Grl Condé) comprising roughly 41 divisions.

In the French 3.Armee’s sector the offensive main effort would be accomplished with the French 11 DI in the Saar and the 21DI in the Blies area (against the German 6 ID). The main effort in the French 4. Armee’s sector would be fulfilled with the French 42 DI in the Warndt zone (against the German 15 ID).



On Sep 05 1939.

With the French 21 DI: it was one active division, as Aug 28 1939 it was under the XI Region Militar. On Sep 01 1939 was placed under GCG orders with CP at Nantes, soon was transported by rail towards Sarrebourg and was detrained at Fenetrange; this very night moved forwards to Sarre-Union. Meanwhile the 27 GDRI (21 DI) at Diedendorf was detailed at 16:00 hours to the Fortified Sector of Rohrbach with the following mission: during the night moved forward ahead of the Maginot Line up to the border line in order to occupy the PA Wieswiller and Woelfling, to asure the liaison with the advanced posts, to reconnoitre the liaison with the border detachments of Bliesbruck and Blies-Ebersing.

The 16 GDRI under the 4 DINA was deployed with the motorized squadron on the high ground north of Spicheren, OP at Forbacherberg. The cavalry squadron in the area Alsting, Zinzing, Silbertseuhl and advanced posts in the bois de St Arnual. On this day its position was strenghtened with the arrival of the 21 RTA deployed to the west and the 23 RTA deployed to the east. On Corps orders the front was extended up to the Sarre river.

With the French 42 ID: it comprised the 80, 94 and 151 RI, the 61 RA and the 37 GDRI. As the state of war with Germany was declared, the 80 RI was deployed on both sides of Freyming-Merlebach on the border line. On this day (05 Sep) the first patrols crossed the international border, the motorciclyst Platoon to Nasweiller and those of the 3. Company to St Nikolaus.



Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/

It follows. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello folks, more follows......

On Sep 06 1939.

With the French 21 DI: The 27 GDRI ended its movement at 06:00 hours and occupied the PAs as follows:

PA Woelfling Motorcyclist Squadron.

PA Wieswiller Cavalry Squadron.

CP at Wieswiller.

at night (6/7 Sep 1939) the Division moved to Sarreguemines. Col Caille, 21 DI Commander, arrived at the Group CP.

With 4 DINA: Changing in the 16 GDRI deployment as follows:

Motorcyclist Squadron String-Wendel, bois St Arnual, Sarre.
Cavalry Squadron east edge of bois St Arnual, Sarre.

French 42 DI: NIL.

On Sep 07 1939

French 21 DI: The 137 RI reached Wieswiller. The cavalry squadron moved to Woelfling. The 21 DI finished its movement and during the night 7/8 Sep 1939 advanced up to the border line on the Blies river. Now it was in the XX CA framework within the 4e Armee.

4 DINA: NIL.

French 42 DI: The villages of St Nikolaus and Carslbrunn were occupied by the I./ 80 RI, in order to test the opponent reaction. One prisoner was captured.

On Sep 08 1939.

With the French 21 DI: The 21 DI was deployed facing north in order to attack across the border; the 27 GDRI was to cover the east flank where another division was expected (French 9 DIM). The Group occupied the east edge of the bois of Bliesbruck and the farm of Bellevue; to the west there was a gap (1500 meters) with the 137 RI. The reconnaissance for the attack (next day) were fulfilled. The group was to cover the east flank of the division (east of the I./ 137 RI) along the axis farm of Bellevue - east edge of the bois d’Obergailbach. With regards to the germans some destructions, especially at Bois d’Obergailbach.

With 4 DINA: the 16 GDRI should be attached to the French 11 DI tomorrow.

With the French 42 ID: the I./ 80 RI lost two men killed in action this day.

Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/

It follows. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello friends, the French offensive.......

On Sep 09 1939.

With the French 21 DI: early its infantry crossed the international border enlarging the bridgehead at Bliesbruck; the village was seized also and later the division was deployed east of the French 11 DI as a covering force. The advance was delayed by artillery fire and minefields. It was under the V CA now. The 27 GDRI covered the I./ 137 RI’s east flank with two Platoons (motorcyclists). The 137 RI established its CP at Renheim. Tanks R-35 belonging to the 20 BCC (Bataillon Chars d’Combat) pressed forward north of Bliesbruck; four were destroyed by AT mines.

With the French 23 DI: the 32 RI seized the town of Brenschelbach losing one captain, one sargeant and seven infantrymen. The 126 RI was moving forward from Tiefenbach (15 kilometers south of Rohrbach).

With the French 11 DI: the 26 RI seized the town of Hitlersdorf (today Sitterwald).

French tanks R-35 (5 BCC) in the Warndt forest - Sep 1939.


With the 4 DINA: carried out several attacks in order to grasp the heights of Bois St Arnual and the bulges along the french border, especially west of Sibersmuhl and Simbahmuhl. The 16 GDRI was to be assembled at Bouhling and then detailed to the French 11 DI.

With the French 42 DI: In waiting for new orders, the II. and III./ 80 RI were deployed in the Dalem area, facing the heights of Berus.

French soldiers (42 DI) at Lauterbach in the Sarre - 9 Sep 1939.


On Sep 10 1939.

With the French 21 DI: It strengthened its defensive positions all along the front.

With the French 11 DI: at 16:30 hours the 16 GDRI (CP at Rouhling) received the following order issued by the 11 DI. It was to ensure the liaison with the 4 DINA and the 1º Demi Brigade de Chasseurs ( Half Brigade of Hunters) and to furnish fire support to the 1º Demi Brigade de Chasseurs without crossing the Sarre. The 15 GRCA was relieved by the 16 GDRI.

With the French 42 DI: Patrols activities between the Chapel Sankt Orán and Uberherrn.

Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/ and http://www.126ri.com/historique.htm . Pics taken from: "Fall Gelb" 1940. Jacek Solarz. Warsaw 1999.

It follows. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello folks, something from the German point of view.....

The German side. (With the 6 ID).

25 Aug 1939: the mobilization order was received. At the garrisons the absent Units were organized ( for example I./ IR 18 ). The regiments and formations were raised to full strenght.

27 Aug 1939: the Division was transported by rail and detrained in the Saarpfalz; the IR 18 (Oberst v. Daniels) and IR 37 (Oberst v. Hartmann) were deployed on both sides of the Blies Valley along the line Blieskastel - seyweiler - Ehingen - Seelbach - Nieder - Wurzbach - Willersbach (Westwall).

The AR 6 (Oberst Schopper) took up fire positions and the Beobachtung Abt. 6 surveyed the battlefield. The I./ 142 Grenzwacht Reg and A.A. 6 (Major Allert) secured towards the border line; the Pi Btl 6 (Oberstleutnant Wiese) took over the blocking positions and the minefields. The inhabitans within the “Red Zone” were all evacuated.

01 Sep 1939: the Divisional CP was shifted from Homburg/Saar towards the Tauben valley. The 3(Mot)/ Pi Btl 6 helped in this task.

03 Sep 1939: the Pi Btl 6 set up some S-mines in the ground ahead of the MLR. Great Britain and France were in state of war with the Reich.

08 Sep 1939: In the morning hours approximately 20 French soldiers crossed the international Border at Habkirchen and Reinheim, here the bridge was blasted. On the MLR all the blocking positions were manned. The AA 6, the Grenzwacht and the engineers resisted the attack with artillery fire support. The 3 (Mot)/ Pi Btl 6 (Platoon Cramer) took the first prisoners. In the afternoon the reinforced AA 6 held the line Hunnackerhof - Neuhof - Bebelsheim - Rubenheim - Hanickel -Bliesdalheim - Seyweiller. Some elements retained Walsheim and Medelsheim also. The engineers set up mines all along the retreating paths.

10 Sep 1939: the 11./ IR 37 and 12./ IR 37 under Hauptmann Warrelmann relieved the grenzwacht and the AA 6 on the advance line.

Source: "Geschichte der rheinisch-westfaelischen 6. Infanterie-Division 1939-1945." Horst Grossmann. Chapter 1.

It follows. Regards. Tigre.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Laurent Daniel wrote:

“Created in 1936, these Leichten-Divisionen were based on the model of the French DLM.”

Was this refrence susposed to be to the DLC (Division Legere Cavalry) rather than the DLM (Divsion Legere Mechanique). The DLC did have horse cavalry, less than 100 light tanks, a small artillery regiment. The DLM had no horses, over 200 tanks, a much larger artillery group, and armored carriers for its dragoon companys.

[tigre]

Thanks for your contribution Carl. Now, the history follows.....

On Sep 11 1939.

With the French 21 DI: the offensive was resumed; the villages of Bedelsheim and Gersheim were grasped by dusk.

With the French 23 DI: during the night the 126 RI’s troops crossed the border along the line Kappellenhoff, Epping Urbach and Dickerwald.

With the French 11 DI: the division pressed forward between the sarre and the Blies, launching an attack against Bubingen et Bliesransbach. The 16 GDRI, which assured the liaison with the 1º DBC (sluicegate nº 30 - 600 meters north of Grosbliederstroff) and with the 4 DINA (Point 200) supported the attack of the division, which achieved its objectives.

With the French 42 ID: idem Sep 10.

With the German 6 ID: after a short but strong fight the french attack was halted along the line Bliesdalheim - Seyweiler.

On Sep 12 1939.

With the French 21 ID: The divisional engineers built up a 18 ton bridge. The Divisional CP was established at Sarreinming. The 27 GDRI had the mission of secure the right flank of the unit moving along the Blies’s right bank because the French 9 DIM was delayed and to block the enemy action at the height of Renheim. The ordered dispositive was to be occupied no later than Sep 13 at 06:30 hours.

With the French 11 DI: The 16 GDRI acting as Divisional reserve was assembled at Rouhling, CP at Neunkirch; there it received the following divisional order: the Group should watch the established passes and the one to be established (12 ton bridge); to cover against tanks attacks coming from the Blies - schwegen - Neunkirch direction at the height of Kopfberg and to ensure the liaison with the neighbour units covering the bridge of Frauenberg, in order to assure the Divisional right flank against one enemy raid and maintain the liaison between the 11 DI and 21 DI.

Squadron Parisot occupied the crossing points and fords on the Blies between Blies - Guersvillers.
Squadron MG (Cpt Jattiot) ocupied the Kopfberg with one MG Platoon and two 25 mm cannons covering the road from Blies - Schwegen.
One 25 mm cannon Squad at Point 238. The deployment was finished at 18:00 hours.

With the french 42 ID: Patrol actions along the entire front.

By nightfall the french Army seized the following villages: Gersheim, Medelsheim, Ihn, Niedergailbach, Bliesmengen, Ludweiler, Brenschelbach, Lauterbach, Niedaltdorf, Kleinblittersdorf, Auersmacher, Hitlersdorf.

Ground seized by the French Forces up to Sep 12 1939.


With the German 6 ID: due to the strong French attacks supported with artillery, the Divisional Commander ordered that all the advance detachments was to withdraw behind the MLR (Westwall). The Pi Btl 6 was to strenghten with mines all the advance posts and observation posts(OP’s) located ahead the front. Covered by own troops the Pi Btl carried out its task.

Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/ and http://www.126ri.com/historique.htm. and "Geschichte der rheinisch-westfaelischen 6. Infanterie-Division 1939-1945." Horst Grossmann. Chapter 1.

It follows. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello to all people; more follows.....

On Sep 13 1939.

With the French 21 DI: The advance was resumed and the villages of Efweiler and Ballweiler were seized; the Cavalry Squadron pressed forward slowly between Bliesbruck and Renheim due to minefields. At the farm of Lohauf the leading troops met the III./ 137 RI’s CP, which was deployed in the second echelon as Divisional Covering Force to the east. The vanguard of that regiment (one company) was located at the northeast corner of the Bois de Hard maintaining liaison with the II./ 137 RI, the 2./ 137 RI was at height 280 and the reserve company at height 352 (200 meters from the farm). Three reconnaissance patrols (officers in charge) were sent towards:

Bois de Hard.
Point 280.
To Gersheim where the vanguard of the 9 DIM was located.

The third patrol reported that at Gersheim was deployed troops (one company) of the 13 RI which was to stay there. The others two patrols reported that the forward companies of the III./ 137 RI were deployed on the high ground north of Rubenheim and in the village itself. A gap of 5 kilometers was detected between the 137 RI’s right and the 13 RI’s left. As it was ordered the squadron assured the gap and by 14:00 hours the right of the 137 RI and the left of the 13 RI were linked by a continous line stretched between Gersheim and Rubenheim. The enemy artillery opened fire against all movement, also MGs placed at the southwest edge of Bliesdalheim fired upon the troops. Loses 1 KIA and several men WIA; also 30 horses killed or wounded.

With the French 23 DI: while the I./ 126 RI was deployed at a big quarry on a height, the III./ 126 RI was to attack, at 11:00 hours, three objectives: two heights located on each sides of Bichenhald and Point 304 (Neu Altheim). The first two, Humgerberg and Hochech were grasped quickly then followed the third the hill 304; the Unit was blooded at last. In its baptism of fire, the regiment lost six men, one of them Lt Comby.

With the French 11 DI: two Platoons belonging to the Squadron Boislibourt occupied the bridges of Welferding and Hanweiller. Rest without changes.

With the french 42 DI: Patrol actions along the entire front.

Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/ and http://www.126ri.com/historique.htm. and "Geschichte der rheinisch-westfaelischen 6. Infanterie-Division 1939-1945." Horst Grossmann. Chapter 1.

It follows. If someone has any info about the German 15 ID (or another else) for this war's period, it would be really appreciated. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello folks, greetings to all. Following with the recount.......

On Sep 14 1939.

With the french 21 DI: Situation without changes. Movements of little / isolated German groups could be seen from Kircheim to the northwest corner of Grosserwald and the southwest edge of it (Grosserwald), seemingly recon parties. The neighbour division wasn’t moving forward to reach our height. The Cavalry Squadron was deployed over a extended front.

With the French 11 DI: the division ordered that the Platoon that was sent to guard the bridges should be relieved by elements of the 15 GRCA starting from 14:30 hours.

With the french 42 DI: Patrol actions along the entire front.

On Sep 15 1939.

With the french 21 DI: the 9 DIM resumed its advance; one battalion of the 13 RI crossed towards the right bank of the Blies, in the afternoon it reached the divisional west limit. The point company got in contact with the III./ 137 RI at Rubenheim.
One german battery near Kircheim was shelled by our own 155 mm placed near Woelfling and became silent.

With the French 23 DI: the division took up its final positions. The 126 RI was deployed along the line Peppenkum, Altheim and Bockweiler.

With the French 11 DI: NIL

With the french 42 DI: Patrol actions along the entire front.



Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/ and http://www.126ri.com/historique.htm. and "Geschichte der rheinisch-westfaelischen 6. Infanterie-Division 1939-1945." Horst Grossmann. Chapter 1. "Eschringer Kriegsjahre 1939-1945".

It follows. If someone has any info about the German 15 ID (or another else) for this war's period, it would be really appreciated. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello folks, a bit more follows.....

On Sep 16 1939.

With the French 21 DI: the liaison between the 21 DI and the 9 DIM was accomplished. The 27 GDRI was relieved of its tasks. Group Durfort assured the 137 RI’s CP, located on the left bank of the Blies. Group Rostu reinforced the defense of the crossing points on the Blies at Bliesbruck. The Cavalry squadron was assembled as reserve at Woelfling. The movements ended at 10:00 hours without incidents.The 20 BCC was relieved by the 10 BCC on this day.

With the French 11 DI: NIL

With the French 42 DI: Patrol actions along the entire front.

On Sep 17 1939.

With the French 21 DI: NIL

With the French 11 DI: NIL

With the French 42 DI: Patrol actions along the entire front.

On Sep 18 1939.

With the French 21 DI: NIL.

With the French 11 DI: The Division ordered that the 16 GRDI was to secure the bridges at Sarreguemines against enemy attempts (sabotages).

The bridges to watch over were:

- Pont des Alliés on the Sarre.
- Pont de Rémelfing.
- Bridge over the railway 1500 meters North of Roth.

The Squadron moto in charge.

With the french 42 DI: NIL.

A shelled German village - Saar 1939


Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/ and http://www.126ri.com/historique.htm. and "Geschichte der rheinisch-westfaelischen 6. Infanterie-Division 1939-1945." Horst Grossmann. Chapter 1. "Eschringer Kriegsjahre 1939-1945".

It follows. If someone has any info about the German 15 ID (or another else) for this war's period, it would be really appreciated. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello to all pals, a bit more on this subject........

On Sep 19 1939.

With the French 21 DI: the GDRI was to assemble at Betting in order to act as Divisional reserve from Sep 20 onwards.

With the French 11 DI: at 09:00 hours the division ordered that 16 GDRI should cover both flanks of the bulge Sarre - Blies.

The Motorcyclist Squadron was to take up the blocking positions at Grosbliederstroff.
The Cavalry Squadron was to patrol the Frauenberg’s direction over the access roads to Neunkirch and Sarreguemines.

The Cavalry Squadron deployed at Sarreguemines’s airport height with three Platoons, one group of guns (25 mm) and one group of MG.
The Motorcyclist Squadron deployed at the south exit of Grosbliederstroff with three Platoons, one group of MG and one cannon of 25 mm in order to avoid enemy penetration between the GDRI and the neighbour division and maintain the liaison with the 1 DBC (Demi Brigade chasseurs) at Kleinblittersdorf.

This was mainly an antitank dispositive against the approachs from Sarreguemines and Rouhling.

One antitank Platoon, belonging to the Divisional Antitank battalion was deployed on the left bank of the Sarre river at the height of Auersmacher. Another barrier was placed at the height of Welferding by the reserve battalion deployed there.

The 16 GDRI was relieved of its task of assuring the bridges at Sarreguemines by the 15 GRCA and those of covering the Blies’s fords by the 26 RI.

The movements were started at 18:00 hours, the CP remained at Neunkirch.

With the French 42 DI: NIL.

On sep 20 1939.

With the French 21 DI: the 27 GDRI accomplished the ordered movement by small units, it was finished at 15:00 hours. CP at the Betting’s school.

With the French 11 DI: carried out the works in order to strenghthen the new defensive positions.

With the French 42 DI: patrol activities forward of the advance posts.

From Sep 21 1939 to Sep 23 1939.

NSTR.

St. Laurentius' church shelled - Sep 1939.


Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/ and http://www.126ri.com/historique.htm. and "Geschichte der rheinisch-westfaelischen 6. Infanterie-Division 1939-1945." Horst Grossmann. Chapter 1. "Eschringer Kriegsjahre 1939-1945".

It follows. If someone has any info about the German 15 ID (or another else) for this war's period, it would be really appreciated. Regards. Tigre.

[tigre]

Hello to all guys; a bit more about this neglected front.......

On Sep 24 1939.

With the French 21 DI: the 27 GDRI should establish one defensive position taking advantage of the permanent blockhouses at Bliesbruck as follows:

HQ, Motorcyclist Squadron, engineers (Bliesbruck).

Cavalry Squadron, Support Squadron (E.H.R.) (Betting).

With the French 11 DI: the mission of Squadron Parisot was changed as follows: was to assure the bridge at Grosbliesderstroff on the left bank, covering the northern access while retaining the north edge of the village; between the Divisional boundary and the Sarre river was to cover the 47 mm AT Platoon deployed in the valley.

On Sep 25 1939.

With the French 21 DI: The Cavalry Squadron (27 GDRI) carried out reconnaissances to the east of Bliesbruck in order to establish a blocking position.

With the French 11 DI: The 16 GDRI’s Commander received the following mission at 15:00 hours.

1. Permanent: was to cover and secure the bridges at Grosbliesderstroff - Welferding - Hanweiller with one to two Platoons per bridge.
Also was to guard the destruction devices established by the engineers troops.

2. In case of Alarm: with all its strenght was to maintain all the crossing points in the zone.

The Group Commander had at his disposal the following forces:

16 GDRI.
Reserve battalion at Welferding.
One Platoon belonging to the Divisional antitank Battery .
MG Platoon of Hanweiller (20 mm).

The 16 GDRI CP was shifted to Sarreguemines. The order should be accomplished next day.

Sources: http://grca.free.fr/menu12/index.htm - http://80ri.free.fr/ and http://www.126ri.com/historique.htm. and "Geschichte der rheinisch-westfaelischen 6. Infanterie-Division 1939-1945." Horst Grossmann. Chapter 1. "Eschringer Kriegsjahre 1939-1945".

It follows. If someone has any info about the German 15 ID (or another else) for this war's period, it would be really appreciated. Regards. Tigre.