Odessa

Tactical Event

6.9 - 8.9, 2002

      It was late in the summer that the Männer of the LAH made the long trip to northern France to stop the American advance through the Bocage region of Normandy. All of us knew only too well that if the Americans were to break through the hedgerows and get into the open country to the south our Kameraden holding the English at Caen would be in danger of being encircled. With that thought first in our minds we pressed on, avoiding the Jabos that seemed to swarm like Mayflies as we approached the front. We arrived around mid-day and made our camp in a nicely wooded area near the road not far from the Ami lines. As the day wore on more and more of our forces arrived. They too successfully avoided the Jabos and by late afternoon we had a sizeable force assembled, including many vehicles, armor and artillery. Scharführer Hutchinson told us that several Kampfgruppe of SS, Heer, Panzer and FJ were being formed and the plan was to hit the Americans hard and fast come the morning. He told us to eat well and get some sleep tonight for tomorrow would be „Hot Work”.

          The morning brought a bright sunny day and as we formed up we could feel the heat increase with each passing minute. But the heat did not stop the „chain dogs” from checking the papers of several Männer in the Gruppe. Needless to say, we were glad to be off and away from them. We started our march and after 1 km; we crested a hill and saw the beautiful countryside unfold before us. Even as we prepared for the day’s grim task we all were awed by natures beauty if only for a moment. After another km we arrived at the final assembly point and moved into the woods to avoid the Jabos and await the attack time.

   Finally, the order to advance was given and the LAH moved out of our concealed position across a road and into the woods on the other side. We proceeded down a road towards the suspected American positions.

The SS unit in front of the LAH rushed forward quite recklessly and at a bend in the road withdense brush ran headlong into an ambush. The LAH calmly moved through the brush to the right of this position and came into an open field that was also above the Americans. A hedgerow was now between the Americans and us and we quickly moved down along side it for about 50M. At this point there was a farmers gap in the hedges and Americans were in fighting positions at either side. An Obergrenadier from the LAH took out both positions with two M-24 stick grenades and the advance continued parallel to the road. The SS units now quickly ran up the entire American flank for the next 500M all the way to the farmhouse that was our objective. This forced them to abandoned their positions and quickly fall back or be overwhelmed. The action now shifted to the farmhouse at the end of the road, which was quickly taken by other German units.

       At this point, the SS-Kampfgruppefürher ordered the LAH back along the road to prevent any Americans from infiltrating in behind our advance. This we did and we took the opportunity to eat our rations of Brot und Würst. After a short rest, we were ordered back to the farmhouse. The Americans had taken up positions on the opposite side of the farm behind the barn and other outbuildings. The LAH was positioned on the left and the Americans were quickly pushed out of these buildings, down into a shallow valley and up the hill on the other side.

       The LAH then took up positions in a hedgerow at the base of this hill which was identified as Hill 112. While in this position allied aircraft (2) attacked but were driven off by intense ground fire. The LAH later repulsed an attack launched from Hill 112 that we later learned was a faint that intended to cover the movement of an infiltrating force trying to slip through our lines. The alert Männer of the LAH spotted them and this force was eliminated.

      Finally, we were ordered up Hill 112 to reinforced the SS-Kampfgruppe that had moved up on the left of the hill for the final assault. The LAH was on the extreme left of the SS-Kampfgruppe. As we moved into the woods we uncovered an American attempt to turn our flank. The alarm was sounded and fighting quickly broke our. By our movement this attempt was stopped cold and ultimately led to the allied surrender that occurred shortly afterwards. After the American prisoners were processed the Männer of the LAH had a short rest on the top of Hill 112 to savor our victory and we then marched back to camp. Later that evening we had a splendid meal provided by the field kitchen and a chance to enjoy the Kameradschaft of LAH members and that of other units camped near by as well.

„The Good”

          Odessa is great tactical event, well run and organized by Scott Thompson and his Füsilier Kompanie 272. The weather was spectacular! We literally had free run of an entire mountaintop in scenic southern NY, including the local roads which were closed to traffic. This makes for a great vehicle event and there were 22 vehicles for the German side alone including 2 armored cars, 1 half-track and the balance made up of kubels, motorcycles, trucks and one Pak 37. Total attendance was just over 400 with an equal number of Axis and Allied participants.

„Die Groß”

          Gruppenfurher Bruce Hutchinson praised die Männer des LAH. He said that our efforts accomplished all objectives ahead of schedule, cleared the hedgerows of all opposition and defeated an American attempt at infiltration. In addition, he said that the SS-Kampgruppefuhrer commended us on our actions and the valuable contribution we made to the overall success of the German victory.

           A big „Danke” to Bob Pratt, Gary & Matt Perrault for attending. The east coast men of the LAH deeply appreciate their driving so far to attend an event in this region other than the GAP and we could not have done it without them. Thanks again guys!

„The Bad”

          This is a Graef Combat System event which in itself is ok. The only draw back is that there were not enough judges present. We (the LAH) missed out on getting more points for knocking out the fighting positions with stick grenades as there were no judges present to witness it. Not something that would ruin the event though.

„The Ugly”

      There was only one incident that almost ruined an otherwise perfect event.

       The LAH was on the point of the Waffen-SS column proceeding cautiously down the forest road toward the enemy lines. There was an idiot from the 2nd SS (he had no rank insignia) who thought we were moving too slowly and rushed his men ahead of us, running down the road far in front. As they ran recklessly through the wood, a sudden burst of fire came from a GI ambush and wiped out half of his Gruppe. This same idiot then ran back to us (the LAH) and started shouting at us to move forward and rush the GI's.

      He was told that he should take his own men and rush the position, to which his reply was " I lost half my men." He continued waving his bolt-action MP-40 and shouting hysterically for everybody to rush forward. Bob Pratt then stood up and said to him " Instead of shouting at the men, why don't you address their Gruppenführers?" Pushing and shoving started, and just when it seemed like it was going to come to blows; Bruce Hutchinson stepped in and broke them up. This idiot then realized he was a 1st class A-hole and apologized to Bob. After this happened the LAH flanked the GI position on the right and through the hedgerow and took the position with the help of the other Waffen SS units.

          It is incidents like this, instigated by someone who was obviously not thinking and who was taking the event and himself way too seriously that create „Bad Blood” between units and can turn people off to come to the same event in the future. Our hats are off to Bob Pratt for his speaking up to this Dope but more important for keeping his cool and not letting it sour him to the event itself. Scott Thompson and his unit ran a great event and we should not judge it based on this nor let it keep the LAH from attending in the future.

          Overall, Odessa 2002 was a great event and I urge as many LAH members who can to attend next year.

Im Kameradschaft,

Lorenz Dügan

SS-Pzogr 1.2.4.

Photos by M. Mosen & L. Dugan