Philip Vickers - Das Reich 2nd SS Panzer Division «Das Reich» Drive to Normandy, June 1944

MARTEN
JENSEN
LIEBER

SS Oberscharfhrer: DECKER WONICKE RICHTER

SS Scharfhrer: DECKER NICKER ROBOLA THOMAS

SS Unterscharfhrer: MOHLEY JOHANNESSON RAUSCHER

SS Rottenfhrer: MEINOL WETTEMANN GUNTHEE SULZE SCHAPFNER

SPECIAL ORDER FOR THE LARGE SCALE ACTION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE LOT.

TARGET No. 1 is BLARS, at 30 kms north-east of Cahors. In the vicinity of this place, is located a house where the three chiefs of the organisation meet everyday.

Apart from this, is located a big weapons dump including about 1,500 sub-machine guns, 25 machine guns, several hundreds of pounds of explosives, many hand grenades, mortars, etc.

Committed unit: a Waffen SS Detachment.

Adjutant: SS Hauptscharfhrer: JENSEN.

Informer: ROY.

Dangerous moments in the Operation: about 2 kms from the arms dump is located a Maquis of about 50 men. The approaches to the arms dump are mined.

Location of the mines is unknown. (See attached copy). The informer ROY is able to lead the involved unit unscathed across the minefield.

TARGET NO. 2. CABARETS-LAUZES, situated 14 kms to the south west of Blars. In the forest of GRUAT-SARL is located a Maquis of 150 Red Spaniards. The Red Spanish Maquisards could remain in the caves. These Spaniards have a tank-lorry of American origin with 18,000 litres of petrol. This lorry is at about 2 kms from the camp, under the surveillance of a sentry. In the event of an attack on the camp, this sentry has the task of igniting a 2 meter fuse, connected to a plastic bomb.

Committed unit: a Waffen SS Detachment. Adjutant: SS Hauptscharfhrer: JENSEN. Informer: ROY.

Information about the target which must be taken into account during the action.

The house where the terrorists meet everyday between 10 to 11 am and 8 to 10 pm is always under the surveillance of six terrorists who are equipped with machine guns in addition to sub-machine guns. The chief of the terrorists is called PHILIPPE, an ex-teacher at the grammar school of Cahors.

TARGET NO 3. SAINT-BRESSOU, about 32 kms north east from Blars. In the village, an isolated church could be the place of refuge of 50 to 60 Maquisards. Committed unit: a Waffen SS Detachment.

Adjutant: SS Unterscharfhrer: MOHLEY. Informer: BOHN.

TARGET NO. 4. TERROU, 12 kms north from St-Bressou. An ammunition dump is located there. The munitions are hidden in several houses. Many terrorists are billeted in private houses. There are also large amounts of material such as equipment, shoes, soap, petrol, food, cigarettes, etc. In the circumstances, it could constitute the main Maquis camp. About 50 Maquisards could be found here. Committed unit: a Waffen SS Detachment. Adjutant: SS Unterscharfhrer: LIEBER.

TARGET No 5. LATRONQUIERE, 25 kms north of Figeac. In this place are located about 50 terrorists, billeted uninhabited homes. The Maquisards possess 5 lorries, 3 motorcars, 3 motor cycles and 7 bicycles. Committed unit: a Waffen SS Detachment.

Adjutant: SS Oberscharfhrer: RICHTER DECKER

TARGET NO 6. USSEL, 20 kms north of Cahors. Between Ussel and Gigouzac, 3 kms from Ussel, and 5 kms from Gigouzac, two strong Maquis of about 30 to 40 men are located on the road. In one of these Maquis is a radio and telegraph operator in continuous liaison with England. The Maquisards are billeted in different houses situated on the right of the road. This group has the task of reinforcing other Maquis camps if they are attacked. They are particularly well armed and are in possession of light machine guns and mortars, in addition to STEN guns. Committed unit: a Waffen SS Detachment. Adjutant: SS Unterscharfhrer: JOHANNESSON.

TARGET NO 7. VAYRIERE, 30 kms north west from Cahors.

Near this locality is a farm where 4 wounded terrorists are being looked after. Beside that, there is a drop zone for enemy aircraft.

Committed unit: a Waffen SS Detachment. Adjutant: SS Scharfhrer: NICKER.

TARGET NO 8. GRAMAT, 60 kms to the north east of Cahors. In this place are 60 terrorists. The Gendarmerie may have been disarmed. At the beginning of May, the terrorists are said to have demolished the post office, the telephone line and to have occupied the railway station.

In addition, the Maquis may have organised control over the hotels to get rid of suspected individuals, especially informers to the German intelligence forces. The French Gendarmerie is totally helpless. The population is in complete support of the guerilla bands.

Committed unit: a unit of the Waffen SS. Adjutant: SS Scharfhrer: ROBOLA. Informer: DEFRETELLE.

TARGET NO 9. SAINT-CR, 35 kms to the north of Figeac. Near St-Cr is located a drop zone. In this area, some road blocks could have been organised by the terrorists. Outside of these, observation posts could have been established in the tops of trees. The road blocks could be within a radius of 50 kms. Committed unit: Unit of Waffen SS.

Adjutant: SS Scharfhrer: THOMAS. Informer: DEVIRUSEILLE.