Counterattack at Vire
July 10/11, 1944
Vire Bridgehead, Normandy, FranceU.S. XIX Corps, as part of First Army's Drive on St. Lo, had crossed the Vire River and was pushing to expand the bridgehead. For this task, the U.S. 9th Infantry Division (of VII Corp) crossed the Vire-Taute Canal and took up positions on the XIX Corps flank. Intelligence reported the exhausted German forces were falling back, and that the U.S. forces could continue their drive. With this in mind, orders went out to set up a defensive line, but with the intention of bringing up the medium batteries in preparation for more offensive operations the next day. In the darkness, U.S. infantry positions along the front reported German activity, but this was expected by higher command, and explained as the sounds of a retreating enemy. No action was taken by U.S. command at any level, with all planning going towards the advance planned for the next day.
Unknown to the U.S., Panzer Lehr Division had been assigned to the area, and had offensive intentions of its own. Lehr was ordered by Seventh Army to destroy the Vire bridgehead south of the Vire-Taute Canal and eliminate this threat to St. Lo. Wanting to minimize Allied air power, General Bayerlein planned a surprise night attack. His hopes were to pierce the U.S. positions quickly, giving him the needed time to take and destroy the bridges before Allied air and artillery power could be brought into play. His plan was audacious, but unknown to him and German intelligence was the fact that the 9th Infantry Division was sitting along his path of advance, in addition to the 30th Infantry Division. Thus was set a confused battle brought on by bad intelligence on both sides.
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