Valuable background on the campaign and the units involved, a
detailed breakdown of the 1st SS Panzer Corps, its battle service at
Villers-Bocage, and its complete war service
In the days following the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, the Germans
rapidly established strong defences in front of the city of Caen. On 9 June a British
attempt to surround and capture the city was defeated, but on the British
forces' right flank, neighbouring American units had forced open a wide gap in
the German front line. Seizing the opportunity to bypass Caen's defences, a mixed
mobile force of tanks, infantry and artillery formed around the 7th Armoured
Division's 22nd Armoured Brigade, advanced through the gap towards
Villers-Bocage.
Under the command of Brigadier William 'Loony' Hinde, the 22nd
Armoured Brigade group reached Villers-Bocage without serious incident, but as
its lead elements moved beyond the town on the morning of 13 June they were
ambushed by Tiger I tanks of the 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion. In less than
15 minutes numerous tanks and AFVs fell victim to the German force, the vast
majority being destroyed by SS-Obersturmführer Michael Wittmann's tank. The
Germans then launched an assault on the town. Although this was repelled, after
6 hours, Brigadier Hinde decided to withdraw his force to a more defensible
position outside the town.
1st SS Heavy Panzer Corps at Villers-Bocage has an eight-page
gatefold depicting the brigade in battle deployment, with reconnaissance units,
advance companies, the main body, the brigade command section, plus all the
supporting engineers, signallers and artillery to provide a visual guide to
exactly how many tanks and other armoured vehicles were advancing on 13th June.
Maps will be used to show the location of each element on the battlefield. The
description of each part includes action reports, organisation, equipment, unit
commanders and much more. With a novel and accessible approach, the book will
appeal to both the enthusiast and the general reader interested in Second World
War.
Available May 2012
