4
19 June 1944
I./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
Reconnaissance mission of the 4.Kompanie to estimate the condition of tank no. 438 which had been left behind in Rots. One man was wounded during the mission.
II./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
The day was spent without close contact with the enemy. Light artillery activity on both sides. Three enlisted men from the 9.Kompanie were battle casualties due to artillery fire, of whom one was killed, one severely wounded and one lightly wounded.
Appendix no.5 summarizes the operational tanks of the II.Abteilung on 19. 06. 1944, 1930 hours.
Appendix no.6 summarizes the total tank losses of the II.Abteilung until 2400 hours, 19. 06. 1944.
War Diary Appendix no. 5.
Operational tanks with turret-numbers at 1930 hours on 19 June 1944
War Diary Appendix no. 6.
Total losses in Panzerkampfwagen IVs in the period between 06.–19. 06. 1944, 2400 hours
20 June 1944
I./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
A new reconnaissance unit of the 4.Kompanie was commanded by Unterscharführer Mais. The position and condition of the tank no.438 was accurately estimated. Around 0430 hours, despite the machine gun fire, the tank was pulled out with the help of two prime movers and a captured armoured fighting vehicle and was towed to the repairs station. One of the prime movers was hit a few times, but there were no other losses. The Regimentskommandeur awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class to the commander of the reconnaissance unit, and the Iron Cross 2nd Class to the soldiers taking part in the mission.
II./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
The combat units of the II.Abteilung remained in their securing positions of the previous day. There was no close contact with the enemy during the day. Only light aircraft activity.
Heavy enemy artillery harassing fire was laid on all positions of the II.Abteilung. Due to this, there was one loss (killed) from the enlisted men. Hauptsturmführer Dr. Oskar Jordan1 was injured by a fall (probable broken shin-bone). At the onset of darkness the 8.Kompanie was recalled into its departure positions (to the former Abteilung command post), 2.5 km south of Fontenay-le-Pesnel.
21 June 1944
I./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
No notable events during the day.
Rudolf von Ribbentrop as an Obersturmführer (see Appendix II). (Mark C. Yerger)
Both wounded in Normandy, Rudolf von Ribbentrop (left) is driven by Panzer Regiment commander Max Wünsche, June 1944 (see Appendix II and throughout text). (Mark C. Yerger)
Obersturmbannführer Herbert Kuhlmann while with the “Leibstandarte” (see Appendix II). He later commanded SS-Panzer Regiment 12. (Mark C. Yerger)
II./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
The II.Abteilung had no contact with the enemy during the day. In the early morning hours heavy artillery fire on the positions of the Abteilung. Due to this, three killed, five wounded and one car lost by the 6.Kompanie. Occasional artillery strikes during the day on both sides. Otherwise, no particular events.
22 June 1944
I./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
No notable events during the day.
II./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
The II.Abteilung had no contact with the enemy today. Positions of the Kompanien and the command post of the Abteilung as before. Intensive artillery harassing fire on both sides during the day; otherwise no notable events.
23 June 1944
I./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
Nothing notable.
II./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
There was no particular contact with the enemy during the day. Artillery harassing fire on both sides all day.
Aircraft activity was scarce; in spite of this, the loss of four vehicles due to bombs and machine gun rounds.
Ammunition usage: 600 2cm anti-aircraft shells.
24 June 1944
I./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
The 1.Kompanie received orders to secure at St. Germain [-la Blanche-Herbe], northwest of Caen. Otherwise, no notable events.
II./SS-Panzer Regiment 12:
The Kompanien of the II.Abteilung remained in their securing positions of the previous day. Artillery harassing fire on both sides all day. Due to this, loss of a vehicle and an enlisted man.
Scarce aircraft activity. No change in the Abteilung command post. Ammunition usage: 100 2cm anti-aircraft shells.
1 Hauptsturmführer Dr. Oskar Jordan was Abteilungsarzt of the II./SS-Panzer Regiment 12.