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The Battle of Villers-Bocage (June 13, 1944) was an unusual clash between the British and Germans in Normandy, France during World War II.
Early on 13 June, elements of an armoured regiment (the British term "armoured regiment" is equivalent to a tank battalion in other armies) and Motor battalion (mechanized infantry) of 7th Armoured Division approached the town of Villers-Bocage from the northwest. German tank commander Michael Wittmann had a small force of six tanks nearby. In one of the more aggressive small-unit actions of the war, he charged his vehicle into the British column, splitting it and then engaging the British forces at very short range before passing along and across the British line into the village. The other tanks of his small unit added to the British vehicle losses, which were heavy.
The significance of the battle lies in the lost opportunity to take Caen early in the Normandy campaign. Caen had been a D-Day objective of the British 2nd Army. Seizure of Caen, combined with the small bridgeheads across the Orne taken by the British Airborne troops on D-Day, would have given the Allies a much stronger position on the eastern flank in Normandy. http://warandtactics.com/smf/world-war-ii/battle-of-villers-bocage-june-13-1944-1693/
Early on 13 June, elements of an armoured regiment (the British term "armoured regiment" is equivalent to a tank battalion in other armies) and Motor battalion (mechanized infantry) of 7th Armoured Division approached the town of Villers-Bocage from the northwest. German tank commander Michael Wittmann had a small force of six tanks nearby. In one of the more aggressive small-unit actions of the war, he charged his vehicle into the British column, splitting it and then engaging the British forces at very short range before passing along and across the British line into the village. The other tanks of his small unit added to the British vehicle losses, which were heavy.
The significance of the battle lies in the lost opportunity to take Caen early in the Normandy campaign. Caen had been a D-Day objective of the British 2nd Army. Seizure of Caen, combined with the small bridgeheads across the Orne taken by the British Airborne troops on D-Day, would have given the Allies a much stronger position on the eastern flank in Normandy. http://warandtactics.com/smf/world-war-ii/battle-of-villers-bocage-june-13-1944-1693/
WWII World War Two
France
Warfare
World History
Posted >1 y ago
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When I first read the title, hedgerow combat came to my mind SGT John " Mac " McConnell then I realized this was in the early stages of Operation Overlord.
The breakout from the Normandy beachhead was crucial to the security of the beachhead and the follow-operations through France and the low countries into Germany.
The sustainment capabilities at Normandy were limited and the Allies needed deep water ports to bring in the bulk of the materiel and follow-on forces.
It is not surprising that a well-equipped, well trained and highly motivated Waffen SS captain would take aggressive action in this instance. Hauptman Michael Wittmann’s 2. Kompanie of the 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion was part of the I SS Panzer Corps.
The breakout from the Normandy beachhead was crucial to the security of the beachhead and the follow-operations through France and the low countries into Germany.
The sustainment capabilities at Normandy were limited and the Allies needed deep water ports to bring in the bulk of the materiel and follow-on forces.
It is not surprising that a well-equipped, well trained and highly motivated Waffen SS captain would take aggressive action in this instance. Hauptman Michael Wittmann’s 2. Kompanie of the 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion was part of the I SS Panzer Corps.
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SGT John " Mac " McConnell
Was a terrible loss for our British allies. But that didn't stop the big push LTC Stephen F.
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LTC Stephen F.
SGT John " Mac " McConnell - In case you didn't know, my family and heritage is British and I was conceived in England and born in this nation.
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SGT John " Mac " McConnell
yes , I have seen that you have mentioned this a few times. America is made up of many nations. As far as my family both Irish and Scottish. Came over to America During the Potato Famine. Then finally ending up In Crockett, Texas. I can only pull up information on my Family here in the US. The church In Ireland where the birth records were kept burned down. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txhousto/biographies/mcconnell_john.htm I hope your day is going well LTC Stephen F.
John McConnell & ( 1) Mary Jane Dickerson (2) Martha Ann Lovelady families - Houston Co., TX
1. John McConnell (Patrick McConnell1) was born 24 Jan 1818 in Navan, County Meath, Ireland to Patrick and Bridget McConnell, and died 7 Sep 1898 in Crockett, Houston Co., TX. He is buried in the Glenwood Cemetery, Crockett, Houston Co., TX.
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this was a great read... there were so many things happening in the war that it is hard to keep them straight! thanks
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SGT John " Mac " McConnell
So many of the little battles that is nothing more than a footnote in history. Lest we forget SSG Pete Fleming
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Produced by the Yeomanry the "Beefeaters" Retired Military Folks still wearing the Uniform of Her Majesty "Very Old School" Uniform and being the Teachers of British Military History.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
It would be kind of Cool if the US had a Similar Program to the Beefeaters, Retired Senior Enlisteds living at Berthing on Historic Sites and Run Tours and Do Educational Videos.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SGT John " Mac " McConnell - They are My Heroes as far as Military Historians.
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