3. Measures taken by the division against the airborne enemy.

   a. The first report of the airborne landings came by the way of a telephone message from the commanding officer of the Gren. Regt. 736 from hill 61 on 6 June at about 0440 hours; it was to the effect that it had just received the following message: Parachute jumps east of the Orne. After about 10 to 15 minutes the regimental commander added the following message: The jumps are still continuing according to a message of the company located east of the Orne and according to an artillery message. In his opinion it was not just a matter of landing combat teams as had occurred frequently before, but the beginning of the invasion. He had therefore ordered an alarm phase 11 to take effect for the Rivabella sector. I was of the same opinion and ordered alarm phase 11 for the division. The time was about 1 o'clock. During this telephone message, the division 1a and the adjutant observed from the divisional C.P. That the enemy was illuminated with red-violet light from “Christmas trees” in the direction of the mouth of the Orne. Supposing [first] that it was again a matter of lighting up the area for bombing, the officers began to doubt, since the “Christmas trees” once did not only show red light but also white-green stars and since no bombing followed in the same area.

   Upon the telephone message to the corps at about 1 o'clock, no further order emanated from there, as far as I can remember, since all the necessary orders had been given or were just being given by the division.

   b. The troops occupying the C.P. Of the 1./Pi 716 in Herouvillette, consisting of one officer, 4 non-commissioned officers and 15 men immediately engaged the British parachute troops, took a number of prisoners, some of which still with their parachutes; by means of fire and counter attack they cleared some of the area around them, captured two machine guns and so could hold their own against a superior enemy until reinforced arrived.

   c. At about 0120 hours the commander of the 716. Div. telephoned the commander of the 21.PZ. Div. As far as I recall, the commander of the 21 Pz. Div. had already received the short notice of the 716. Div. regarding the alarm phase 11 and had ordered it to take effect in his division. I requested him to engage in battle with all sections which were located south of Herouvillette adjacent to the landing area of the enemy. He consented to do so.

   d. At about 0140 hours the 3./Ostabatl. 642 was placed under the control of the Gren. Rgt. 736 for attacking the airborne enemy near Breville. The battle efficiency of this battalion was not high. For this reason it had been pulled out of the front and used for labor. See below.

   e. At 0147 hours the order was issued to Arfue. To open “Hansafeuer” in the jump areas. “Hansafeuer” was artillery fire which was to be opened in all sections of the coast in the battle area where landings were possible, after receiving the code word Hansa. Observation and direction of the fire was effected by C.P.'s, air observation posts in rear areas and by advanced motorized observers.

   f. At about 0200 hours the commander of the 716. Div. issued the order to the commander of the 21.Pz.Div. To attack the enemy east of the Orne with the entire Pz.Div. and to clear the area west of the Orne together with units of the 716.Div. Which had been placed in action.

   g. At 0205 hours two platoons of the 1.Pz/Jaeg. Kompanie were dispatched to the bridge at Benouville to reinforce the bridge detachment which consisted of about 1 sergeant and 10 men.

   h. At 0205 hours the division placed the 11./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 192 under its control with the mission of attacking the airborne troops which had landed east of the Orne by crossing the bridge near Herouville. At the same time the 2./s(?).Art.Abt. 989 and the 1./Pz.Jg.Komp. 716 were placed under the control of the 11.Batl. 192.

   i. At 0310 hours the reinforced 11./192 started its attack in the direction of Ranville.

   j. At 0120-0200 hours position report to the neighboring division and request to the right neighbor to engage in battle east of the Orne. At the same time a message was sent to the Gen. Kdo. Which concurred in the measures which had been taken so far.