Panzer Leader
Page 62
(b) 1st Panzer Division, with Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland under command, will be ready to attack across the Meuse between Glaire and Torcy at 16.00 hrs. After mopping up inside the Meuse bend it will push forward to the Bellevue–Torcy road. The division will proceed to attack the Bois de la Marfée heights and will push on to a line Chéhéry–Chaumont.
(c) 10th Panzer Division, in conjunction with 1st Panzer Division, will by 16.00 hrs. have captured the strong points on the eastern edge of Sedan and will also by this hour have secured its jumping-off positions in the Sedan–Bazeilles sector.
The division will attack across the Meuse at 16.00 hrs. and will capture the high ground running from Noyers Pont Maugis–Pont Maugis.
6. Co-operation with the Air Force. The scheme of co-operation with the air force, both in space and time, is given in the attached time schedule and on the 1: 300,000 map showing bomb target areas.
XIX Army Corps will co-operate directing with Close Support Leader II as heretofore.
7. Anti-aircraft Regiment 102 will first protect the corps in its preparations for the crossing, will then cover the crossing (for which purpose it is to commit its guns very far forward) and will finally give protection to the bridgehead.
8. Reconnaissance:
(a) Air Reconnaissance: by the squadrons in the areas Charleville–Tournes – St. Rémy – Le Chesne – Sommauthe – Pouilly – Tétaigne –Francheval.
(b) Ground Reconnaissance: by the divisions as ordered for their respective sectors.
9. Signal Communications: Signal Battalion 90 will maintain line and wireless links with 1st, 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions and wireless links with Group von Kleist and XLI Army Corps. It will maintain contact between corps headquarters and the divisional headquarters at Vrigne aux Bois (2nd Panzer Division), Flaigneux (1st Panzer Division) and Givonne (10th Panzer Division).
10. Corps Headquarters: Bellevaux: after 12.00 hrs., La Chapelle.
signed: GUDERIAN.
1st Panzer Division
Operations Department Div. H.Q.,
13.5.40, 12.00 hrs.
Divisional Order No. 5 for the attack across the Meuse on 13.5.40
1. As a result of sharp fighting on May 12th the XIX Army Corps has thrown the enemy across the Meuse along almost all the corps front. Strong enemy resistance is to be expected along the Meuse.
2. On the 13th of May the point of main effort of our Western offensive lies in the sector of Group von Kleist.
The Group’s objective is the seizure of crossings over the Meuse between Monthermé and Sedan. Almost the whole of the German air force will support this operation. By means of uninterrupted attacks lasting for eight hours the French defences along the Meuse will be smashed. XIX Army Corps will then proceed to cross the Meuse at 16.00 hrs.
3. XIX Army Corps will make the necessary preparations in its previously assigned sector during the course of the morning and of midday so as to be in a position to seize crossings over the Meuse between the mouth of the Bar and Bazeilles at 16.00 hrs.
4. The attack will be launched as follows:
(a) Right attacking group: 2nd Panzer Division between the Ardennes Canal and the Meuse bend (exclusive).
(b) Central attacking group: reinforced 1st Panzer Division between the Meuse bend (inclusive) and Torcy (inclusive).
(c) Left attacking group: 10th Panzer Division between Sedan and Bazeilles.
5. Boundaries:
unchanged, except:
Right-hand boundary with 2nd Panzer Division: from Chéhéry to Singly (7 miles west of Chéhéry)–Poix Terrón (localities inclusive to 1st Panzer Division).
Left-hand boundary with 10th Panzer Division: unchanged.
6. Task:
2nd Panzer Division will move forward from its jumping-off position at 16.00 hrs., will attack across the Meuse, and will seize the high ground south of Donchéry. The division will then swing immediately westwards, will cross the Ardennes Canal to the Bar bend inclusive, and will roll up the enemy defences along the Meuse, with right wing advancing to Boutancourt and left wing to Sapogne and Feuchères.
1st Panzer Division, with Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland under command, will be ready to attack at 16.00 hrs. After mopping up inside the Meuse bend it will push forward to the Bellevue–Torcy road. The division will proceed to attack the Bois de la Marfée heights and will push on to a line Chéhéry–Chaumont.
Unit tasks remain as previously ordered, but x-hour and y-hour may now be ignored. Surprise attack by K.1 begins at 16.00 hrs.
10th Panzer Division, in conjunction with 1st Panzer Division, will by 16.00 hrs. have captured the strongpoints on the eastern edge of Sedan and will also by this hour have secured its jumping-off positions in the Sedan–Bazeilles sector. The division will attack across the Meuse at 16.00 hrs. and will capture the high ground running from Noyers Pont Maugis–Pont Maugis.
7. Artillery Commander 101 (for table of subordinate battalions, see Annex) will prepare the Meuse crossing and will support the division’s attack in accordance with the fire plan.
8. Co-operation with the air force: The scheme of co-operation with the air force, both in space and time, is given in the attached time schedule and sketch map showing bomb target areas.
Flak Regiment 102 is for the time being under command of the corps to cover the crossing of the river.
9. The schedule for crossing remains unchanged in accordance with the divisional order attached.
10. Reconnaissance and Signal Communications: unchanged.
Cover Names, Series C, are increased as follows:
Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland Scheusal
Artillery Commander 101 Neubau
Artillery Regiment 49 Taschenspieler
Observation Battalion 1 Ziegelstein
I Battalion, Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland Eschenholz
II Battalion, Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland Andenken
III Battalion, Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland Miesmuschel
IV Battalion, Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland Ofenrohr
Assault Engineer Battalion 43 Monokel
11. Supply:
(a) Ammunition supply point: 1 mile east of Fays les Veneurs, will remain ready to issue.
(b) Fuel issuing point: In the northern part of the wood north of Noirefontaine, will be ready to issue by approximately 17.00 hrs. on 13.5.40. Reception approximately ½ of consumption.
(c) Main dressing station: Corbion.
(d) Vehicle Repairs: from P.M. on 13.5 one Workshop Company will be ready to work at Bertrix.
One Tank Parts Replacement Staff of Group von Kleist has moved forward to Redingen (Luxembourg).
(e) Prisoner Assembly Point:remains Illy and, south of the Meuse, Frénois. Guard duties are the responsibility of the Rifle Brigade.
12. Divisional headquarters: Until the start of the attack, point 360, 2 miles north of St. Menges. As the attack proceeds divisional headquarters will move forward along the line already indicated.
Annex to Divisional Order No. 5 for the 13th May, 1940.
Special Artillery Order for the Meuse Crossing on 13.5.40
1. Artillery Commander 101 will be responsible for making the necessary artillery preparations for the Meuse crossing.
2. Allotment of the artillery for the preparatory bombardment and for the carrying out of the attack.
(a) With 2nd Panzer Division: Artillery Regiment 74, less III (Heavy) Battalion.
(b) With 1st Panzer Division: Artillery Commander 101. Anti-infantry units: Artillery Regiment 73 with Battalions I–III. Anti-artillery and point of main effort units: Artillery Regiment 49, with II Battalion Artillery Regiment 45, II Battalion Artillery Regiment 69, III Battalion Artillery Regiment 74, III Battalion Artillery Regiment 90 (I/10), Heavy Artillery Battalion 616.
At the disposal of the Artillery Commander: Observation Battalion 1, Mortar Battalion.
(c) With 10th Panzer Division: Artillery Regiment 90 less III (He
avy) Battalion.
3. Artillery Observation:
(a) The observation points of the artillery with 2nd and 10th Panzer Division are to be so chosen that at least one battalion with each of those divisions will be able to observe the sector of 1st Panzer Division.
(b) Observation by Observation Battalion 1.
Observation Battalion 1 is to be so disposed that it can carry out artillery observation in the target areas G, H, L, M and D.
(c) Observation by the Air Force.
The division’s artillery flyers will be allotted their tasks by the air force but will also report directly to Artillery Commander 101 (with 1st Panzer Division).
Two artillery flyers of 4/Army Recce 31 will be placed under command of Artillery Regiment 49 from 10.00 hrs.
4. Tasks of the Artillery:
For support of the attack by the artillery see fire plan.
Control of the artillery throughout the corps will be by Artillery Commander 101 until the divisions have crossed a line running: high ground south of Donchéry–Bois de la Marfée–high ground in the Noyers Pont Maugis area.
Targets: as per the target areas already allotted (see target area map).
Annex to Divisional Order No. 5
Fire Plan for the attack on 13 May, 1940
1ST PANZER DIVISION
Stage of the battle Time period Infantry Weapons for anti-Strongpoint fire Artillery Air Force
Preparations for crossing the Meuse 08.00
to
15.00
hrs. Targets in Target Area K Pillboxes and strong points along the Meuse in Glaire and Torcy (a) Support to the preceding operations by shooting at targets in Target Areas K and L.
(b) Harassing fire along the Meuse.
(c) Anti-pillbox fire.
(d) Anti-artillery and anti-flak fire in Target Areas G, H, L, M, O.
See Time Schedule. Close support Group II:(a) Destruction of inhabited localities in Target Areas G, H, L, M, O.
(b) Bombing of artillery positions.
Preparations for crossing the Meuse 15.00
to
15.50
hrs. As above Anti-pillbox fire along the Meuse (a) Concentrated fire on crossing-places.
(b) Shooting at targets in Target Areas K and L.
(c) Anti-artillery and anti-flak fire
Immediately before the crossing. 15.50
to
16.00
hrs. Concentratedfire on the crossing-places As above Concentrated fire on the crossing places. See Time Schedule. Close support Group will destroy villages of Glaire and Torcy. Attacks on Target Area L 1–7
Beginning of the crossing and first assault from
16.00
hrs. Support of the riflemen Anti-pillbox fire before and after the crossing Support of the infantry in the division’s sector See Time Schedule.
Note: From 16.00 to 16.30 hrs. the Mortar Battalion will drop smoke along the Glaire–Torcy road, from 17.30 to 18.30 hrs. along the Bellevue–Torcy road.
Annex to Divisional Order No.5
Time Schedule for the Attack across the Meuse on 13.5.40
Time Air Force Ground Troops
08.00 Preparations for Meuse crossing so far as this can be done. Artillery activity according to Fire Plan.
08.00-12.00 Harassing attacks on sectors BI and CI. Preparations for the crossing under cover of the harassing attacks. Artillery activity according to Fire Plan.
12.00-16.00 Concentrated annihilation bombing of sectors AI, BI and CI Continuation and conclusion of preparations. Artillery activity according to Fire Plan.
16.00-17.30 Switch of harassing attacks to sectors AII, BII and CII and works in the Mouzon area. Dive bombing attacks on sectors BI and CI Surprise crossings
17.30 until dusk Attacks on targets of opportunity in the areas on the enemy side of sectors AII, BII, CII Seizure of the bridgehead
Night Harassing attacks on roads runing north and east from Hirson, Laon, Rethel, Vouziers, Stenay and attacks on any traffic observed on those roads. Bridge building. Move across the river of tanks and artillery
10th Panzer Division
Operations Department, No. 5 Div. H.Q., Pré St. Rémy
13.5.40
Divisional Order for the attack across the Meuse, 13.5.40
1. As a result of sharp fighting on May 12th the XIX Army Corps has thrown the enemy across the Meuse on almost all the corps front. Strong enemy resistance is to be expected along the Meuse.
2. The point of main effort of the battle in the West lies in the area of Group von Kleist on May 13th.
Its objective is the seizure of crossings over the Meuse between Monthermé and Sedan. Almost the whole of the German air force will support this operation. By means of uninterrupted attacks lasting for eight hours the French defences along the Meuse will be smashed.
3. XIX Army Corps will make the necessary preparations in its previously assigned sector during the course of the morning and of midday so as to be in a position to seize crossings over the Meuse between the mouth of the Bar and Bazeilles at 16.00 hrs. After the crossing has been achieved a bridgehead will be established running Boutancourt–Sapogne–Chéhéry–Noyers Pont Maugis.
10th Panzer Division will attack at 16.00 hrs. on May 13th, across the Meuse in the sector Sedan south–Bazeilles (inclusive) and will capture the heights of Noyers Pont Maugis.
Boundary with 1st Panzer Division the road fork 2 miles south of Bouillon–Illy–the central Meuse bridge at Sedan (all inclusive to 1st Panzer Division)–the southern Meuse bridge at Sedan–Noyers Pont Maugis (both inclusive to 10th Panzer Division)–Bulson–Stonne (both inclusive to 1st Panzer Division).
4. The attack will be launched as follows:
Right: Attacking Group 10th Rifle Brigade.
Commander: Commander of 10th Rifle Brigade.
Troops: Rifle Regiment 86.
1st Company of Engineer Battalion 41 with 90 small and 45 large kapok rafts.
2nd Company of Engineer Battalion 49 (less one platoon) as engineer assault troops.
90th Anti–tank Demonstration Battalion (less one company).
1 Battery of Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battalion 36 (less one gun).
1 and 2 Heavy Infantry Gun Companies.
Left: Attacking Group Rifle Regiment 69.
Commander: Commander of Rifle Regiment 69
Troops: Rifle Regiment 69.
1st Company of Engineer Battalion 49 with 65 small and 30 large kapok rafts.
One platoon of the 2nd Company of Engineer Battalion 49 as engineer assault troops.
One company of the 90th Anti–tank Demonstration Battalion.
One gun of Heavy Anti-aircraft Battalion 36.
Boundary: between the right and left attacking groups: Givonne east–Balan east–Pont Maugis west–Noyers Pont Maugis east–Beau Menil farm east
5. Tasks:
The right and left attacking groups will make ready for the assault in their respective sectors by the afternoon of May 13th; they will bring up their supporting troops and will engage pillboxes and strongpoints on the Meuse as well as targets in the sector of the attack. The attacking groups will arrange to move their assaulting spearheads up to the Meuse in such a way as to be able to attack across the Meuse at 16.00 hrs. For this purpose the period of our air attacks is to be particularly fully exploited by every man engaged.
The right attacking group will take as its first objective the strongpoints west of Wadelincourt, will then turn south, will mop up the strongpoints south of Wadelincourt and will capture Noyers Pont Maugis and the heights immediately to the west.
The left attacking group will capture Pont Maugis and the strongpoints to the east with point of main effort on its right wing and co-operating with the right attacking group it will then take as its objective the road Noyers Pont Maugis–Pont Maugis.
6. The commanders of the attacking groups will arrange for start lines, under officer supervision, for the assaulting troops and, in the case of
the right attacking group, for the units that will follow on the military bridge.
7. Artillery Regiment 90 (less I Battery of Artillery Battalion 105) will support the attack in accordance with the Fire Plan. One battalion will be assigned to the support of each attacking group.
8. Those elements of Engineer Battalions 41 and 49 not assigned to an attacking group will assemble at 16.00 hrs. in the area north of La Chapelle whence they move up to the Meuse as ordered by the commander of Engineer Battalion 41 and will build ferries and, later, a bridge.
It is intended that a bridge be built at Sedan south.
9. The 1st Battery of Anti-aircraft Battalion 71 will cover the preparations for the assault and the attack across the Meuse, with point of main effort in the sector of the right attacking group. The 3rd Battery of Anti-aircraft Battalion 55 will cover the move up of the Panzer Brigade.
10. Reconnaissance:
(a) Air: 3/Army Recce 14 will reconnoitre in the area of the roads Donchéry–Chéméry–Tannay–Brieulles–Vaux–Pouilly–Tétaigne–Francheval.
Individual assignments according to special orders.
(b) Ground: Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion 90 is holding two reconnaissance groups ready and at the disposal of the division in the area north of La Chapelle.
11. Signal Communications:
Armoured Signal Battalion 90 will maintain wireless communications as heretofore as well as to the attacking groups and to the commander of the bridge-building operation. It will arrange with the officers responsible for the crossings to have three links with the three crossing-places. The operators with the attacking groups are to cross the Meuse with the foremost infantry.
12. Traffic Control: The road Mortehan–La Chapelle exclusive is assigned to Road Commandant III and the Panzer Brigade; the road La Chapelle–Sedan (later Wadelincourt) to Road Commandant IV and Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion 90.
13. Divisional Reserve: 4th Panzer Brigade will be held ready in reserve in the wood Belle Virée from 17.00 hrs., later in the area east of La Chapelle. The brigade commander will be with divisional headquarters.