Just after the arrival a crisis developed south of Nancy, when elements of the French 2nd Armoured Division broke through and encircled the 16th Volksgrenadier-Division. Panzer-Brigade 112 was planned for the counterattack in the direction of Reims, which Hitler was planning since August. The entire brigade was detrained on September 10th in de vicinity of Lunéville, near Nancy. The separate elements were hastily gathered on the training grounds of Grafenwöhr in Bavaria in the beginning September and only after one week of formation and training they were on their way to Lorraine. What impact did artillery support have on the battle ?Īlthough Panzer-Brigade 112 was of the second wave of stronger Panzer-Brigades, it had not a favourable building up.

Of 33 tanks found in Group Massu´s sector after the battle, 16 had been knocked out by aircraft attack. How important was air support for the victory at Dompaire ? Thunderbolts flew four air strikes that day. Some sources also mention the presence of M5 light tanks, M8 Greyhound armoured cars and Jagdpanzers ( Jagdpanzer IV ? ) that day. Each group had 15 M4A2 ( 75mm ) Sherman tanks, one M4A2 ( 76mm ) Sherman tank, 3-4 M10 tank destroyers and 1-2 companies of infantry.Ĥ06th Fighter Bomber Group ( XIX TAC ) equipped with P-47D Thunderbolts Three battlegroups : Group Putz, Group Massu and Group Minjonnet. Mechanized Infantry from the Régiment de Marche du Tchade and companies from two tank battalions, the 12e Régiment de Chasseurs d´Afrique and the 501e Régiment de Chars de Combat. Groupement Tactique Langlade ( GTL ) Col.

Any additions or corrections are more than welcome. The following is as much of the OoB as I have managed to figure out. The French also had more experience and better training, and they had the benefit of better positions and was more prepared for the battle.

The French had air support and artillery support. What won the battle ? The Germans had more tanks, and better tanks.

Big tank battle at minks