AAR - Day 2, Cambes en Plaines sector

SITUATION JULY 16th 1944

TF "BIDDLE", consisting of elements of the 113th Cavalry Group finds itself holding ground north of Cambes en Plaines; with elements of the 82nd Engineers (acting as Infantry) holding the town of Cambes en Plaines itself. Due to the hasty nature of the defense, no fortifications of any sort could be made; forcing the exposed troopers to use the reverse slopes of hills and the many hedgerows as improvised cover. To support this defense, however, an Anti-Tank screen was established using 57mm AT guns from Troop D; 125th Cavalry Squadron.

The battle would rage for three hours and see elments on both sides commit their reserves; the Axis very nearly took back ground so easily wrested from their control yesterday, but were dislodged deciseively by a Quick-Reaction-Force.

REPORT OF ACTIONS

With few rifles and alot of ground to cover; TF Biddle reluctantly had to put only token forces on their extreme flanks. The Cambes sector, with its hills and bocage, is still poor tank terrain; but is thinned out and flat enough that a mechanized force can move en masse and with rapidity. The 17.SS, preceded by their Reconnasince Abeiltung, were to make use of this during their attack.

The defense consisted thusly: A rifle platoon stationed in the town of Cambes itself; with little in the way of anti-tank defense but with ample MGs and submachineguns, defended the two main crossroads of the town in-depth, using the turreted medieval Chateau, and large, well-built church to good effect in this. On the far right flank, around a small, unoccupied farming hamlet, the 125th deployed 2 Anti-Tank guns, but so disconnected from combat where they that the enemy did not once engage them. The crews would fall back and claim one enemy StuG using hand-held AT weaponry late into the battle, however, before being cut off by the Axis advance.

On the far left, an Observation Point was established, between this OP on a very defensible ridge, and the Church Tower's field of vision, all movement left of Cambes would be visible and subject to a rapid reaction. Despite this advantadge, the enemy's audacity in the attack would spare him greater harm. Further back, by the rail-line used so extensively in the original attack; was a Platoon of M10 GMCs waiting in reserve to provide a heavy blow to the enemy's flank.

The enemy attack came, as suspected, off the high ground to the NE of Cambes, supported from a ludicrous distance by their StuGs, who were too concerned for their own safety to truly aid the Axis. Unsupported and under observation, a firefight developed between the defender's and the dismounting Panzergrenadiers. They were almost immediately taken under very sharp rifle and .30 cal fire and were pinned, 75m out from the edge of town. Seeing that the enemy were pinned and vulnerable, the defender's of the town relayed fire mission orders to HQ, and fire concentration from VIIIth corps artillery caused moderate losses on the remaining enemy in the field; destroying their Hanomags and flinging torn and broken bodies back and forth. Despite this, the enemy gained a toehold in the NE streets, and began to pick off the defender's one at a time, rarely moving forward to engage in any decisive room-clearing; undermanned as the Axis were.

Unfortunately, the Axis attack would narrowly prevail, despite a heavy hit to their flank and rear by both HQ (and ad-hoc combat elements) and the M10 platoon. The enemy would lose the bulk of their Armored vehicles, to AT fire from our pre-established OP, but would repel the decisive counterattack with their remaining StuG; catching the M10s in high profile while they were flanking. Remaining elements were rapidly cut off and were ordered to form an all-around defense and await the counterattack.

The counterattack would see a heavy left hook be delivered by TF Biddle; rapidly overwhelming AT-Infantry teams on the high ground. The counterattacking force was a pearl of combined-arms operations, with every HT moving with a M10 GMC; supporting it, and in turn being supported. The enemy's left flanked was, in this manner, quickly rolled up; and the enemy defender's in the town of Cambes at threat of being cut off. At this time, a short but sharp engagement took place between an enemy StuG (with escorts), 2nd Squad (with attached M10) and Reconassaince (Jeep-mounted) elements. With HQ directing movement from a hill immediately to a flank, the StuG and its infantry support were rapidly outflanked and destroyed in the open - with negligble losses resulting.

Presently, all enemy forces outside Cambes had been destroyed, and the town completely enveloped. After a pause to reform, re-arm and reconnoiter possible attack routes, a 3-pronged attack was made, 2nd coming from the NE, 1st from the E and HQ (with Recon attached) hitting the SE. Using the tanks as cover, and carrying on through accurate MG fire (causing the loss of several men), the assault groups broke into the town and became locked in close quarters combat with the Axis defenders. Here, lacking an abundance of M1 rifles, we were punished severely by the skilled defenders. The defence was finally overcome when three defensive strong-points were taken; 1st would take the Church, and establish its MG in the tower, using this excellent field of fire to drive the street defenders into their houses. 2nd would clear the large Chateau, held so desperately earlier during our defense, and establish a blocking point with its remaining members. Third, and elements of first, would link up at the road junction "Rue de Mensil" and clear the right flank of town, with 2 M10s acting as close-in support. Even during this final, concluding stage of the battle, the 17.SS defended itself will courage. Enemy submachinegunners and panzerfaust-armed riflemen would destroy 1 M10 and inflict several losses on 1st Squad, severely wounding its NCO. The attacking enemy were rooted out at great length and either killed, or captured.

Despite heavy losses, the back of the enemy is broken! TF Biddle has recieved orders to swing further into the German left to cut off the German LXVIII Armee Korps and drive it into Britanny. Elements of the 9th ID, VIIth Corps, will be taskforced to Col. Biddle to complete this objective. Corps boundaries between VIIth and VIIIth Corps have been modified to reflect this shift in operational conduct.

Among the destroyed enemy material, TF Biddle counts 2 "Hanomag" troop carriers, 2 StuG-IIIG assault guns, and 1 "Puma" 50mm Armored Car. Enemy losses are estimated to be at around 30 men, all ranks, with 1 NCO being captured (though severely wounded) at the conclusion of the counterattack. He is being sent off to MP units of the VIIIth Corps for appropriate questioning and processing.

Signed,
2nd Lt. Rinaldi
113th Cavalry Sqn.; 113th Cavalry Group