Villers-Bocage Afternoon

Following SS Pz. Abt. IOI's decisive action against Point 213 and Villers-Bocage additional troops from 22nd Armoured Brigade arrived in Villers-Bocage. The 1/7th Queen's Royal Regiment, a lorry borne infantry battalion, took up defensive positions within the village. It was …

1944-06-13

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Following SS Pz. Abt. IOI's decisive action against Point 213 and Villers-Bocage additional troops from 22nd Armoured Brigade arrived in Villers-Bocage. The 1/7th Queen's Royal Regiment, a lorry borne infantry battalion, took up defensive positions within the village. It was determined that the remaining units from the 4th CLY's A Squadron should breakout from Point 213 supported by additional and infantry units. However, they were forced to surrender before the British forces could reach their position. Apprised of the situation in and around Villers-Bocage by the returning Otrrsturmführer Wittmann, Panzer Lehr's intelligence officer ordered Hauptmann Ritgen to assemble a blocking force to move against the village. Now keenly aware that the British were maneuvering in its rear, Panzer Lehr was in jeopardy of being outflanked. Ritgen, along with Tiger tanks from 1st Company, SS-panzer Abteilung 101, under the command of Hauptsturmführer Rolf Möbius, engaged the British units deployed throughout Villers-Bocage. Lacking integrated infantry support, a number of German tanks fell prey to the British infantry, anti-tank guns and PIAT teams that were lying in wait throughout the village. With the threat of having its supply lines cut by 2nd Panzer Division, the 22nd Armoured Brigade's commander Brigadier William 'Looney' Hinde, concluded that abandoning Villers-Bocage was the best course of action. During the evening, all brigade forces withdrew to Amaye-sur-Seulles.

Villers-Bocage, France

The Battle of Villers-Bocage took place during the Second World War on 13 June 1944, one week after the Normandy Landings, which had begun the Western Allies' conquest of German-occupied France. The battle was the result of a British attempt to improve their position by exploiting a gap in the German defences west of the city of Caen. After one day of fighting in and around the small town of Villers-Bocage and a second day defending a position outside the town, the British force retreated.

Wikipedia: Battle of Villers-Bocage

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