#09 - Bayeux Gold (6-7 June) - PzC 02 Normandy '44

Headquarters, German 30th Schnell Brigade, Normandy west coast: Shortly after midnight, orders were received from Gen. Marks at LXXXIV Corps in St-Lo stating that enemy paratroopers were landing in the area south of Carentan and that the Brigade was to prepare for employment. The reports of paratroopers were later determined to be false as the Allied airdrops were actually taking place further north in the area of the 91st and 709th Divisions. But as the dawn landings at Omaha and Gold beaches opened up, the Brigade was ordered to move to the area of Bayeux, between these two Allied landing areas. By late afternoon, the 352nd Division was successful in holding the Americans at Omaha Beach but the defenses of the 716th Division had virtually collapsed at Gold. With two of its own Bicycle Battalions and two Battalions of the 352nd Division (acting as Corps reserve) the Brigade was ordered to counterattack northeast of Bayeux with orders to stabilize the situation. But the British afternoon landings, largely unimpeded, had increased their material superiority to very high levels and quickly the counterattack turned into a fight for survival. Over the next day, the 30th Schnell Brigade would fight and bleed to cover the approaches to Bayeux and to thus protect backs of the 352nd Division fighting the Americans at Omaha. For a 1 day version covering this same area, see #03 "Sands of Gold"; for a 2 day version covering the entire British Sector, see #10 "Race to Caen". [Size: small; Length: 19 turns]