3. At 06.00 hrs. the divisions will advance from the line so far achieved and will reach the Somme.
2nd Panzer Division a line north of the Somme–Flixécourt (exclusive). Point of main effort, Abbeville.
1st Panzer Division: Flixécourt (inclusive)–the mouth of the Avre (east of Amiens). Point of main effort, Amiens.
4. 10th Panzer Division will move all available forces to the Péronne area and relieve 1st Panzer Division. The division will itself be relieved of its protective duties along the left flank by the 29th (Motorised) Infantry Division. When this has been done, 10th Panzer Division will cover the Somme sector, mouth of the Avre–Péronne, until relieved once again by the 29th (Motorised) Infantry Division.
5. Command:
(a) Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland is once again under command of the corps. It is subordinated to 10th Panzer Division. The regiment will reach the St. Quentin area during the course of the afternoon and will then be moved up by order of the division.
(b) The Armoured Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion is once again under XIX Army Corps. It is intended that it be employed on the left flank.
(c) 1st Company of Heavy Anti-tank Battalion 8 reached Attigny at 06.00 hrs. on its way to Combles.
6. The divisions will carry out demolitions to the rail network as follows:
The railway lines running across the right-hand corps boundary will be destroyed by 2nd Panzer Division.
The railway lines running across the left-hand corps boundary will be destroyed by 1st Panzer Division.
7. Reconnaissance will be carried out by the divisions far forward within their respective sectors; 10th Panzer Division will reconnoitre south of the Somme as far as Amiens and then south of the Amiens–Molliens–Horsoy–Aumale road.
Forward limit of reconnaissance: Le Tréport–Aumale–Poix–Conty–Moreuil-Nesle.
8. Corps Headquarters will follow behind 1st Panzer Division along the road Vermand–Roisel–Tincourt–Temploix–Moislains, as far as Combles. Later it will move on to Albert.
signed: GUDERIAN.
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps
Operations Department
Annex to Corps Order No. 10, for the 20th May, 1940
1. Special Instructions for Air Reconnaissance
Air reconnaissance in the area Cambrai–Arras–Avesnes–Hesdin–étaples–Channel Coast–Dieppe–Neufchâtel–Grandvilliers–Ailly–Nesle.
Each squadron will send 1 officer to corps headquarters at 06.00 hrs. on May 20th (squadrons already informed by wireless).
All serviceable He 126s of 4/(Army) 31 will, as of 06.00 hrs. of 20 May, be placed under command of 2/(Army) 23. Two Fi 156s will report to corps headquarters to be at disposal of the headquarters at 06.00 hrs., May 20th.
2. Special Instructions for Anti-aircraft Defence
Anti-aircraft Regiment 102 will give protection against:
(a) high- and low-level attacks on the Ancre crossings. For this purpose, one mixed battalion per divisional sector.
(b) tanks at the Somme crossings between Péronne and Amiens. For this purpose, one mixed battalion plus one battery of Light Antiaircraft Battalion 91.
(c) low-level attacks and tanks at Combles and Amiens by Light Antiaircraft Battalion 91.
APPENDIX XIV
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps
Operations Department Corps H.Q., Albert
20.5.40, 16.30 hrs.
1. On reaching the Somme the divisions will go over to the defensive in the following sectors:
2nd Panzer Division, between Abbéville and the mouth of the Nièvre.
1st Panzer Division, between the mouths of the Nièvre and of the Ancre.
10th Panzer Division, between the mouth of the Ancre and Péronne (inclusive).
2. The divisions will establish bridgeheads in their respective sectors at the following points: Abbéville, Conde Folie, Corbie, Bray and Péronne. Bridges are to be prepared for demolition.
3. All other crossing-places are also to be prepared for demolition and vehicles withdrawn to the north bank.
The railway lines near Abbéville, south of L’Étoile, at Flixécourt and near Amiens are to be broken.
The bridges at which no bridgehead is to be established in accordance with para. 2 will be blocked.
Demolition of the bridges will only be carried out in the event of enemy attacks.
4. The carrying out of the instructions laid down in para. 3 within the Corps area is entrusted to the commander of Engineer Regiment 511, Colonel Müller, who is directly subordinated to corps headquarters and who will carry out the task in co-operation with the divisions.
5. Equipment will be brought to Péronne and will be distributed by Colonel Müller.
6. Corps Headquarters as of 18.00 hrs. 20th May, either Allonville, 4 miles north-east of Albert, or Querrieu. Quartermaster department: Pont Noyelles.
For the Corps Command
The Chief of Staff
signed: NEHRING.
APPENDIX XV
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps
Operations Department Corps H.Q., Querrieu
20.5.40, ? hrs.
Corps Order No. 11 for 21st May, 1940
1. Today’s battles have brought us complete success. Along the whole front the enemy is in retreat in a manner that at times approaches rout.
By 18.00 hrs. the corps had reached the line St. Riquier–Mouflers–Amiens–Péronne.
Location of the 6th Panzer Division unknown.
8th Panzer Division at 16.45 hrs. north of Doullens.
2. The corps will hold the line reached along the Somme (see Order of 20.5.40, 16.30 hrs.).
In addition the divisions will mop up in their areas between the Somme and the Authie and beyond to Bapaume.
The mass of the divisions is to be so deployed north of the Somme that the divisions will all be in a position to defeat an enemy breaking through from the north.
The divisions will have carried out the necessary regrouping by midday, May 21st, and will report their new locations.
Further Points:
(a) In this connection the mass of 10th Panzer Division will be moved to points around and west of Albert.
(b) Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland has already received orders, via 10th Panzer Division, to move this night (20-21 May) to the area south of a line Thièvres–Ham and to secure the crossing over the Authie in this sector.
Regimental Headquarters: Beauval.
The regiment will be placed under command of 1st Panzer Division as of 09.00 hrs., 21st May.
3. The divisions and the Armoured Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion (now once again under command) are assigned the following areas between the Somme and the River Authie–Bapaume for mopping up and defence.
(a) The Armoured Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion: north-west of the Abbéville–Hesdin road (exclusive) to the coast. The battalion will arrive during the 21st May. Headquarters: Hautvillers.
(b) 2nd Panzer Division from there to a line mouth of the Nièvres-Doullens (exclusive).
(c) 1st Panzer Division from there to a line Amiens–Coigneux (both inclusive).
(d) 10th Panzer Division from there to a line Péronne–Bapaume (inclusive).
The covering line will be only thinly manned.
4. Air Reconnaissance as ordered directly by corps headquarters.
Ground Reconnaissance from the bridgeheads to the line Le Tréport–Aumale–Conty–Noreuil–Chaulnes.
5. Anti-aircraft Regiment 102 will be responsible for anti-aircraft protection.
6. Signal Battalion 8 will lay lines to the divisions.
7. Corps Headquarters: Querrieu Château.
signed: GUDERIAN.
APPENDIX XVI
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps
Operations Department Corps H.Q., St. Querrieu
21.5.40, 21.00 hrs.
Corps Warning Order No. 12 for 22nd May, 1940
(This order only becomes effecti
ve on the issuing of codeword Abmarsch Nord)
1. The enemy, encircled in Belgium and Northern France, is offering desperate resistance and is attempting to break through to the south. Elements of his forces are being evacuated by sea.
2. XIX Army Corps will turn north from the Abbéville–Amiens–Péronne –Doullens–river Authie area on 22nd May, 1940 and will advance across the line Hesdin–Étaples with right wing directed on St. Omer, left wing moving along the coast to Boulogne.
3. Forward elements will cross the Authie at 08.00 hrs., as follows:
Right: 10th Panzer Division,
Centre: 1st Panzer Division with Artillery Commander 101 and Infantry
Regiment Gross-Deutschland under command,
Left: 2nd Panzer Division.
4. Allotment of roads, see Annex 2.
5. Guarding of bridges along the corps sector of the Somme, between St. Valéry and Corbie (exclusive) will be taken over by the 2nd (Motorised) Infantry Division. The relief of the elements of the Panzer Divisions at present engaged on this task will begin at 22.00 hrs., 21 May, 1940, in accordance with arrangements to be made directly between the Panzer Divisions and the 2nd (Motorised) Infantry Division. Reliefs must be completed by 05.00 hrs., 22nd May, 1940.
(a) The following units will be placed under temporary command of the 2nd (Motorised) Infantry Division:
(i) The Armoured Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion for the sector St. Valéry–Abbéville (exclusive). The Battalion will later be relieved by elements of the 2nd (Motorised) Infantry Division and will be once again under corps command.
(ii) The Staff of Engineer Regiment 511 (Colonel Müller) with Engineer Battalions 41 and 666. These will be relieved during the course of 22nd May, 1940, and will be then once again under corps command.
Engineer Battalion 37 (at present engaged between Condé Folie and Amiens) will be relieved by Engineer Battalion 32. 3 Company of Armoured Engineer Battalion 37 is placed under command of 1st Panzer Division forthwith.
(b) The 2nd (Motorised) Infantry Division will ensure that all roads are cleared for the move of the Panzer Divisions by 05.00 hrs., 22nd May, 1940.
(c) The Somme bridges are prepared for demolition and may only be blown if there is a danger of their being lost as a result of enemy attacks. The bridges in the bridgeheads Abbéville, Condé Folie, Picquigny and Amiens are only to be blown in cases of absolute necessity.
(d) Ground Reconnaissance will be carried out by the 2nd (Motorised) Infantry Division as far as the line the River La Bresle–Aumale–Conty.
(e)10th Panzer Division in the sector Péronne–Corbie will be progressively relieved by the 13th (Motorised) Infantry Division, reliefs to start 17.00 hrs., 21st May, 1940. The division will then assemble in the area north-west and west of Albert.
By 13.00 hrs., 22nd May, 1940, it will be completely clear of the Albert–Amiens road and will inform XIV Army Corps by wireless when this has been done.
6. Reconnaissance: See Annex 2.
7. Anti-aircraft Protection: see Annex 2.
8. Corps Headquarters will be moving as follows: the road Querrieu-Amiens Nord–St. Quen–Ochpierre sur Authie–then north-west along the valley of the Authie–Argoulles, where it will halt–then on through Bois Jean –Montreuil–the wood at La Vallé Glorian. Further moves will be notified.
signed: GUDERIAN.
Group von Kleist
Operations Department Havrincourt,
21.5.40, 22.30 hrs.
Group Order No. 12 for 22nd May, 1940
1. From thirty to forty enemy divisions are cut off in Northern France and Belgium. Strong attempts to break through southwards may be anticipated.
2. Group von Kleist will defeat all enemy attacks against the line Tinques–St. Pol–Hesdin–étaples.
In the event of receiving special orders the Group will attack and finally destroy the enemy.
3. Boundaries: Between Corps Hoth and Group von Kleist: as already given until Avesnes le Comte–Tinques–Dieval–Wametz–St. Omer (all localities inclusive to Group von Kleist).
Boundary between XLI and XIX Army Corps: Hesdin–Desvres–Marquise (all localities and roads inclusive to XIX Army Corps).
4. Task:
XLI Army Corps will attack in its sector. Strength to be massed on its right wing. The SS-Verfügungs-Division is placed under command. This division is to be employed as flank protection towards the east.
XIX Army Corps will attack in its sector.
10th Panzer Division is to be immediately placed at the disposal of the Group, west of Doullens. (An officer will report at Group Headquarters to receive orders.)
Both corps will ensure that the harbours of Calais and Boulogne are under artillery bombardment as soon as possible.
XIV Army Corps will take over all rearward protective duties along the Somme from Péronne to the mouth of the river. The line of the Somme is to be held, the bridgeheads already seized to be expanded. The Somme bridges are to be prepared for demolition but will only be blown if they can no longer be held in the face of heavy enemy attack.
V Army Corps will arrange that the 29th (Motorised) Infantry Division along the Somme between Péronne–St. Simon be relieved by the 62nd and 87th Infantry Divisions. The Somme will be held. Any enemy forces still on the north bank after the arrival of the Infantry Divisions will be thrown across the river.
5. Bomb lines: Within the sectors of attack, bombs will only be dropped in accordance with direct, timed requests from the corps, or on fleeing enemy columns which have been indentified with certainty as such. Bomb line south of the Somme, 6 miles south of that river.
6. Signal Regiment, etc.
7. Command: 9th Panzer Division is placed under direct command of Group von Kleist and will be moved to the Doullens area.
8. Group Headquarters: as of 10.00 hrs., Lucheux, 4 miles north-east of Doullens.
signed: (illegible).
APPENDIX XVII
Group von Kleist
Operations Department Lucheux
22.5.40, 22.50 hrs.
Group Order No. 13 for 23 May, 1940
1. On May 22nd great successes were achieved in the sectors of XIX Army Corps and XLI Army Corps. The enemy resisted Group Hoth strongly and attacked in that sector several times.
Further attempts to break out on the part of the enemy forces encircled in Northern France and Belgium must be anticipated.
2. Group von Kleist will occupy Boulogne and Calais on 23rd May, will establish bridgeheads in the sector Aire–St. Omer–Gravelines and will thus make it possible to turn east and completely destroy the enemy.
3. Tasks:
XLI Army Corps will advance north, will establish bridgeheads with all speed near Aire and St. Omer and will then re-group so as to be in a position by noon on 23rd May to advance eastwards from the bridgeheads.
XIX Army Corps will occupy Boulogne and Calais, will establish bridgeheads between Momelin (2½ miles north of St. Omer) and Gravelines and will them re-group so as to be in a position by the afternoon of 23rd May to advance eastwards from the bridgeheads.
XIV Army Corps will continue to carry out the tasks assigned in Group Order No. 12.
4. Boundaries: The exact boundary between XLI Army Corps and Group Hoth is not yet fixed. It will be notified by wireless.
Boundary between XLI and XIX Army Corps from Hesdin to the Boulogne–St. Omer road unchanged: from the Boulogne–St. Omer road–Colombert–St. Momelin (2½ miles north of St. Omer). All localities inclusive to XIX Army Corps.
5. Command:
(a) The SS-Verfügungs-Division is placed under command of Group Hoth from 23rd May.
(b) 9th Panzer Division is withdrawn into Fourth Army reserve.
6. Bomb line until noon, 23rd May: The area east of the line Béthune–Cassel–Bergues (localities inclusive) is free for bombing.
7. Signal Regiment will lay an axial line through XLI Army Corps to St. Omer.
8. Group Headquarters remains Luc
heux.
signed: VON KLEIST.
APPENDIX XVIII
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps
Operations Department Corps H.Q., Château St. Colembert
25.5.40, 11.00 hrs.
Corps Order No. 13 for 25 May, 1940
1. Boulogne is captured, while fighting continues in Calais. On the Canal front St. Omer–Gravelines weaker enemy forces are resisting stubbornly.
Group von Kleist is holding the line of the Canal, Aire–Gravelines, XLI Army Corps the St. Omer bridgehead.
2. XIX Army Corps is holding the line reached on the 25th May. The corps will defend the Canal sector St. Momelin–Gravelines, including the bridgeheads already established, and will guard against and prevent enemy landings along the Channel coast.
Calais will be captured on 25th May.
Divisions and corps troops will rest all elements not engaged in operations and will make use of the halt to the advance in order to carry out replacements and maintenance of all sorts, with the purpose of becoming once again fully operationally effective in the shortest possible time.
3. Tasks:
(a) The Canal Front: 1st Panzer Division will defend the line of the Canal between St. Momelin and the mouth of the Canal and will guard the coast between the mouth of the Canal and Pte. Walde.
For this purpose Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland and the SS-Leibstandarte ‘Adolf Hitler,’already committed between St. Momelin and Holque, are placed under command.
(b) Coastal Front: between Pte. Walde and the mouth of the Authie the coast is to be guarded and enemy landings prevented.
The coastal defence installations already in existence are to be made ready for repelling attacks from seawards.
The following will be employed for this purpose:
Right: 10th Panzer Division between Pte. Walde and Audres-selles (both inclusive).
Left: 2nd Panzer Division between Audresselles (exclusive) and the mouth of the Authie.
The Armoured Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion is placed under command for this purpose. It is to be given the sector between the mouths of the Canche and the Authie and by the morning of 26th May will have reached Merlimont, 3 miles south of Étaples.
Panzer Leader Page 64
