German Raw Combat Footage from Normandy (June-July 1944)

After the successful Allied landings in Normandy on June 6th, 1944, an almost 3-months long campaign of bitter fighting in Northern France ensured, in which the Allies only managed to break out of the Normandy bridgehead in late July/early August 1944. 

A lot of the combat during that period took place in the rural areas of Normandy, in often confusing terrain with densely grown bushes and hedges, which caused many casualties on both sides.

The Allies had around 65,700 deaths, while the Germans had around 50,000 deaths, and an additional 200,000 German soldiers became POWs. 

Additionally, the Allies lost around 4,000 tanks and 4,100 aircrafts, compared to around 2,000 tanks and 2,100 aircraft on the German side.

This video shows some German combat footage from Normandy, including advance of German infantry, destroyed Allied tanks and Allied prisoners.

Since this is raw footage, there are no subtitles.

Source :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtWXLMeHaPs

Feldartillerie, Sturmartillerie & Nebelwerfer in Normandy (1944)

In the 1944 Battle of Normandy, German artillery was a significant factor in the defense, particularly in coastal fortifications and on the field. German artillery was divided into terrestrial (Heeresartillerie) and naval (Marineartillerie) branches, with the latter often responsible for coastal batteries. German field artillery was a mix of various calibers, including the 88mm gun, Nebelwerfers (multi-barrel rocket launchers), and mortars. German artillery was also used in counter-attacks against Allied advances, particularly in the Falaise pocket. German forces also used captured artillery, including French and Soviet guns, in their defenses.

Source :
Die Deutsche Wochenschau No. 720 - 21 June 1944
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-DzDJmt5F8

Küstenartillerie (Coastal Artillery) in Normandy

In 1944, German coastal artillery played a crucial role in the defense of Normandy, particularly along the Atlantic Wall, a system of fortifications built to deter an Allied invasion. Several key artillery batteries were strategically located, like those at Longues-sur-Mer, Pointe du Hoc, and Maisy, to target Allied landing beaches and naval forces. These batteries, armed with heavy guns, were designed to fire at long ranges, posing a significant threat to the advancing Allied troops

Source :
Die Deutsche Wochenschau No. 720 - 21 June 1944
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-DzDJmt5F8

Radio Operator from HJ Division in Normandy

A radio operator from the 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" performs his duties near the town of Caen in July 1944 following the D-Day invasion that took place the previous month

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/140935166312/a-radio-operator-from-the-12-ss-panzer-division

HJ Division Soldiers with MG 42 in Normandy

Two soldiers from the 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" with a MG 42 machine gun position in the garden of a château in the Caen sector, Normandy, summer of 1944.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/140936898547/two-soldiers-from-the-12-ss-panzer-division

Sd.Kfz.251 of Hitlerjugend Division in Normandy

A Sd.Kfz.251 armored vehicle from the 12. SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend photographed in Normandy in the summer of 1944. On 11 July 1944, the Hitlerjugend Division turned over their positions in the Caen sector to Leibstandarte Division for a badly needed rest and perform much needed maintenance on their battered vehicles but during that time, they did not receive replacements in either men or equipment.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/140938132567/a-sdkfz-251-armored-vehicle-from-the-12-ss

Erwin Rommel and Sepp Dietrich in Normandy

From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B) and SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandierender General I. SS-Panzerkorps) photographed on the invasion front in Normandy, summer of 1944

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/141277708232/generalfeldmarschall-erwin-rommel-and