Mortain Counterattack

The words

1. Allied Lines

   The 30th Division defended the corridor opened by the Normandy breakout. A German advance to Avranches threatened to cut off American forces moving into Brittany.

   Opening account, the Avranches corridor · WWII Museum: the 30th Division at Mortain (opens a new tab)

2. Counterattack

   Hitler chose an attack toward Avranches instead of a withdrawal. The aim was to cut the American corridor and divide the forces exploiting the breakout.

   Opening account, Hitler’s alternatives and plan · Montormel Memorial: Operation Lüttich (opens a new tab)

3. Das Reich

   The 2nd SS Panzer Division attacked around Mortain. Earlier, on June 10, 1944, members of Das Reich massacred civilians at Oradour-sur-Glane and destroyed the village.

   Montormel Memorial: Operation Lüttich (opens a new tab) · Holocaust Museum: Oradour-sur-Glane (opens a new tab)

4. Hausser

   Seventh Army commander Hausser doubted that capturing Avranches would settle the battle. He expected holding it and attacking farther northeast to be more difficult.

   Army history: the Mortain counterattack (opens a new tab) · Army history: German command and plans (opens a new tab)

5. Hobbs

   Major General Leland Hobbs commanded the 30th Infantry Division. His troops had fought in the Normandy breakout before taking over the exposed Mortain sector.

   Opening account, division command and Normandy service · WWII Museum: the 30th Division at Mortain (opens a new tab)

6. Lost Battalion

   Men of the 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry, were surrounded east of Mortain. Short of food, ammunition and medical supplies, they held out until relief on August 12.

   Hill defense, supply shortage and relief · WWII Museum: the 30th Division at Mortain (opens a new tab)

7. Luttich

   Lüttich was the German code name for the counteroffensive. The plan called for a surprise night attack from the Mortain area toward the Avranches corridor.

   The plan’s name and intended advance · Montormel Memorial: Operation Lüttich (opens a new tab)

8. Mortain

   The high ground east of Mortain gave American artillery observers views of German movements below. Their radio reports helped direct fire against the advancing forces.

   Hill defense, artillery observers · WWII Museum: the 30th Division at Mortain (opens a new tab)

9. Old Hickory

   Old Hickory was the 30th Division’s nickname, dating to its World War I formation. In August 1944, the division bore the main attack around Mortain.

   Division origins and the German attack · WWII Museum: the 30th Division at Mortain (opens a new tab)

10. Panzer Lehr

    Panzer Lehr’s reconnaissance battalion was assigned to patrol the deep southern flank. This was a supporting task beside the main armored advance toward Avranches.

    Ch. XXIV, p. 461, force assignments · Army history: the Mortain counterattack (opens a new tab)

11. SS Panzer

    SS tank and other armored formations.

    The 2nd SS Panzer Division was assigned to attack around Mortain. The 1st SS Panzer Division was to follow and exploit an initial success.

    Ch. XXIV, pp. 460–461, attack echelons · Army history: the Mortain counterattack (opens a new tab)

12. V Corps

    The 30th Division had prepared to join V Corps. Its sudden move into VII Corps’ sector left little time to reconnoiter the Mortain positions.

    Ch. XXIV, p. 472, planned and actual assignment · Army history: the Mortain counterattack (opens a new tab)

13. Vire

    German forces around Vire had to maintain a connected front while units assembled for Mortain. Defensive commitments limited the armor available for the counterattack.

    Ch. XXIV, pp. 457–458, front and available divisions · Army history: the Mortain counterattack (opens a new tab)

14. Von Kluge

    Von Kluge carried out Hitler’s counterattack plan despite doubts about its prospects. Pressed by the deteriorating situation, he launched before all expected reinforcements arrived.

    Planning and incomplete concentration · Montormel Memorial: Operation Lüttich (opens a new tab)

15. Waffen-SS

    The Waffen-SS was the SS’s military branch. Its units fought major campaigns and participated in the Holocaust, including mass shootings and service as concentration-camp guards.

    Opening overview, combat and crimes · Holocaust Museum: the Waffen-SS (opens a new tab)