german soldiers posing with a dead polish soldier that refused to surrender (poland 1939)

dead soldier

german army motorcyclists wounded by polish machine gun fire (poland 1939)

wounded motorcyclists

In May of 1944 Major Hans von Luck took command of the 125th Panzergrenadier Regiment of the 21st Panzer Division. These forces were stationed near Caen, France on June 6th, 1944.

Although von Luck and his men were prepared to launch counterattacks against either the nearby landings on Sword Beach, or the paratroopers who had landed inland earlier that morning, such movements against the British were delayed by the lack of authorization from higher authorities. Kampfgruppe von Luck was eventually ordered to attack the British paratroopers located on the east bank of the Orne River near Ranville. In this photo Major Hans von Luck (center) receives a report from Lt Gerhardt Bandomir (left), who commanded 3. Ko. of I./125 Panzer Grenadier Regt. during Operation Goodwood. Looking on is Major Willi Kurz, CO of II Battalion. (By Bazooka Joe)