OPERATION MARTLET - 49 (Polar Bear) DIV in Normandy

Operation Martlet started on 25 June 44 with 49 Inf Div setting off towards Rauray. Next day Operation ‘Epsom’ commenced on their left flank. 49 (WR) Infantry Division attacked and captured the village of Fontenay le Pesnel. The advance continued and eventually reached Rauray and Tessel Wood near Vendes. It was a tough fight, the Division had to overcome units from 12 SS (Hitler Jugend) and Panzer Lehr Panzer Divisions and fight off many counter attacks.
Can anyone tell me if there are any accounts of these actions from the German side.

Thank you

 

I've got a picture taken around the 29th Aug of some 49th Recce Regiment (49th WR Div) chaps capturing some Germans at Quillebeuf if you're interested let me know?

My scanner is upstairs under the bed so it will probably be later or tomorrow when I can post it.

 

I know you are looking for German accounts of this action, but I thought you might like a few copies of the Yorks & Lancs part in this action. Might help you identify some German units.

 

Taster of the German version 12 SS

The 12th SS: the history of the ... - Google Books

 

I know you are looking for German accounts of this action, but I thought you might like a few copies of the Yorks & Lancs part in this action. Might help you identify some German units.

Out of interest, what is that account from?

 

Paul

It's from Normandy to Arnhem (A story of the Infantry) by Brigadier T Hart Dyke, DSO.

 

As promised:

While en route to Quillebeuf, troopers of A Squadron, 49th Reconnaissance Regiment, 49th (West Riding) Division, captured these few dispirited soldiers of whom, according to the original caption, most were Russian.


ATB's Ruckmarsch

 

Good photo, Andy, but it isn't connected with Op. Martlet, as your photo is around two months later during the Breakout.

 

I know. I told Bill in a PM but he said he'd like to see it after I told him about the picture.

 

FONTENAY-RAURAY The Bear and Fox, Ready for the Fray

Text is in French - although an English translation is, I believe, scheduled - and, I think, includes "accounts of these actions from the German side."

"This book is intented to be a final study of the 8th Armoured Brigade and 49th Infantry Division involvements from June 13 to July 1, 1944, focusing on Audrieu - Fontenay-le-Pesnel - Rauray. After more than 12 years of researches through war diaries, numerous documents and untold personal accounts brought together, the author has been able to retrace a meticulous day-to-day chronology of the battle, sometime hourly, in particular those of Operations « Dauntless » and « Martlet ». The British breach achieved on June 25 1944 in Fontenay-le-Pesnel, at the hinge between the Panzer-Lehr-Division and the 12.SS-Pz.Division « Hitlerjugend », has guaranteed the right-hand flank to ensure the decisive breakthrough of Operation « Epsom ». For several days, the Germans will make every effort to prevent this section of the front from collapsing by launching new units on Rauray and Cheux (2.Pz.Division, s.SS- Pz.Abt.101, Kampfgruppe Weidinger, 9.SS-Pz.Division « Hohenstaufen ») unsuccessfully. Tessel and Rauray Spur will not be taken up."

 

Facebook...

Operation Martlet

 

Hi all, could anyone recommend any good reading covering Op Martlet please? I have 'Operation Epsom - over the battlefield' by Ian Dalglish, and 'Operation Epsom' by Tim Saunders, both have a small write up on Martlet, but not much.

I also have 'Breaking the Panzers' by Kevin baverstock, which is very good but deals with the last day or so of the operation around Rauray. I have seen a couple of French language books, but unfortunately I do not speak French, but if anyone recommends them I would consider them.

Regards

Slipper

 

For detailed accounts you do need to get the French books: anything by Stephane Jacquet (the latest edition of Tilly sur Seulles 1944) and, of course, the quite recently published book by Frederick Jeanne (Fontenay-Rauray. Bear and Fox ready for the fray).

Although I have mixed feelings about Patrick Delaforce's books (mostly requoted anecdotes and full of errors), his book 'The Polar Bears' is worth having.

 

Ok thanks, I'll take a look. Have you also read this book at all please?

Frédéric Deprun and 1 more
Fontenay-Rauray: Autopsie d'une bataille

 

I've got a copy - bought in Tilly sur Seulles bookfair June 2019 - and, in my opinion, it's not as accurate or authoritative as the books by Stephane Jacquet and Frederick Jeanne. I might be showing a little bias because I've met both those guys a few times! If, like me, you don't speak French then at least the pictures more than make up for it!

 

All books have mistakes. Authors tend to become 'focused' and once they decide which possible scenario best fits their view then they ignore (and in some cases actively disparage) differing conclusions. I regret the mud-slinging around the publication of the last 2 Rauray books.
Only by reading the many different accounts can you make your own mind up which to accept-always with the caution that you may also be 'wrong'.
Jacquet has access to a lot of 'unpublished' photos (those aware of his publishing history will understand how this came about) but he miscaptions a lot.

 

Have you read Bowersock, Breaking the Panzers? It deals primarily with the failed German counterattack which followed on the heels of MARTLET/EPSOM, but it has some good material on 70th Brigade.[OOPS--Disregard, I see that you've read it after all.]

 

Ok thanks everyone again. Out of interest you mention you don't speak French, neither do I, so what or how did you find the best way to translate the text?

 

Re German books:


German counterattack following Martlet:

2nd SS Pz Korps: https://www.amazon.com/Feuersturm-l...ter+Kriegsjahre&qid=1615311442&s=books&sr=1-1

9. SS Panzer Division: https://www.amazon.com/9-SS-Panzer-...Panzer+Division&qid=1615311482&s=books&sr=1-3

10. SS Panzer Division: Die 10.SS-Panzer-Division “Frundsberg” im Einsatz vom Juni bis November 1944. Heinz Harmel, Generalmajor der Waffen-SS (I have a digital copy)

It contains some good maps:


Other books:

12. SS Panzer Division : Kiregsgeschichte der 12.SS-Panzerdivision Hitlerjugend - 2 Volume Set; Band 1 and Band II by Hubert Meyer: nf/nf Hard Cover (1987) | Midway Book Store (ABAA)

Panzer Lehr: https://www.amazon.com/Die-Geschich...gen+Panzer+Lehr&qid=1615311293&s=books&sr=1-2

 

Thanks everyone, gives me some great ideas o look over.....now where's my wallet!