Page 1 of 1

Panzer Aufklarungs 21

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 1:07 am
by Jmlee236
Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums here. I am looking for information on the 21st panzer aufklarungs abteilung during the battle of caen, more specifically the attack and fighting over escoville (I believe on June 9?). I have the combat history of the 21st panzer division by werner, and it briefly covers a little bit of what the unit dealt with, but I'm looking for more detailed information. Are there any personal accounts anywhere or other books that go into more detail on the aufklarungs that day? I know they lead the attack, which brings up another question. How would an aufklarungs unit attack? On foot and leave their vehicles behind? Would they use their stummels to support? In this case they are supported by panzer IVS, but what would the normal attack by an aufklarungs abteilung look like?

Re: Panzer Aufklarungs 21

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 1:59 pm
by John W. Howard
Hello:
I am not overly familiar with the fighting around Caen, but you will be able to find accounts in English from the Brits or Canadians who fought against the 21PzD in that region. We have discussed several books on this site involving the battle for Caen from the Allied side; try our search function here on the site. The US National Archives should have official captured German documents that would give you details. There are also Foreign Military Studies interviews conducted by with German POW's, officers, who participated in various campaigns. These were usually done by memory, with no maps or documents available to the interviewee, but some are quite good, and usually are in English. Hans von Luck's book might have details; he was with 21 PzD in Normandy and has a memoir in English. I guess it all depends on how in-depth you want to get!! Be sure to try the search function on this site; no telling what one might find :shock: