Hi, Can any kind soul tell me what German unit would have been stationed / garrisoned in the village of Auberville-la-Renault on the 8th August 1944 or where I could find this information? My uncle, Flt. Sgt. Bill Longmore's aircraft Lancaster X KB755 was shot down just after midnight 8th Aug. 1944 beside this village and close to Godderville on the Le Havre to Fecamp Road. The Germans took the bodies (7 in all). When they eventually released them the people of Auberville-la-Renault buried them in the village churchyard. If I can find the German unit in that area I can perhaps get their report for the above events. Thank you in advance William Longmore.
According to a Lage West map of the Caen area I have on my PC dated 8th August 1944 the 17th Luftwaffe division was stationed in and around that area.
Hi Steelers708, Thanks for the reply, but I fear you have misunderstood the question. My uncle's aircraft was shot down by Heinz Roker in a Ju88 on the night of 7/8 August 1944 at 6 min's after midnight. My question is "what German Army unit was on the ground in Auberville-la-Renault that evening and next morning to confiscate the airmen's bodies" Thanks for your help Bill
Bill, you may have misunderstood. 17 Luftwaffe Field Division was an infantry division formed from Luftwaffe personnel and under army command for coastal defence NE of Le Harvre. I attach an organisation chart for the division and some maps taken from the US Army Foreign studies manuscript B 014. As you can see the 17 Panzer jaeger Battalion was based in Goderville on 6th June and the HQ of Lw Artillery Regiment no 17 may be close to Auberville-la-Renault. That is the only unit marked on the 25 July map close to Auberville-la-Renault.
Hi Steelers708, I am so sorry, I feel about 2 inches high for being so stupid. Thank you for the information, it is much appreciated. Have you any where I could find records or diaries for these German troops for the period of August 1944? Thanks again for your patience, Bill
Unfortunately very little has been written(certainly in English) about these divisions, the best and most detailed book in English is Goering's Grenadiers: The Luftwaffe Field Divisions, 1942-1945 by Antonio J Munoz but I doubt this would go down to the level of detail you require. There may have been private publications in German by ex members but I have never seen any reference to them anywhere. Sorry I couldn't be of more help but If i do run across anything I'll let you know.
