PEYROLLES ON 1944 AUGUST 20 Claude MESNIL
2013
Flashes south streaking at dawn, major bombardments, then the radio of Vichy warned Provence of the landing on August 15. The attack approaching, villagers of Peyrolles able to stay elsewhere left, with their cattle if some. About thirty joined a quiet cave, « la Grande Baume » [B] where Partisans brought blankets1 and that farmers supplied. Some others took refuge in the « IndoChinese camp2 » [C], or close to the castle of Trempasse [D] requisitioned by German officers before their sending to Monte-Cassino… 600 Americans of the 1st motorized Battalion of the 180th Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division landed on beaches near Sainte-Maxime in relative ease. Beefed-up by artillery pieces, 12 Sherman tanks and 4 M·103 « Tank Destroyers » (above on August 18 in the Var department), it joined Peyrolles via Jouques after a bivouac east of Rians on 19. A plain westward lead to the following stage 3 miles away, Meyrargues… The 11th Panzer Division was formidable during its mission intended to hold back the Allies in the Rhône valley after their successful landing in Provence. It facilitated so the retrait of the maximum of troops and of German civilian personnel to the Vosges montain. Twenty or so of its vehicles4 stationned in Meyrargues shortly before 20. The cemetery's lime trees hid them of observation flights [E]… Protected by a machine gun placed on a knoll [F], a summer camp5·6 already housed the Occupiers [G]. The close ruined paper mill5 was going to serve as headquarters for their officers. An artillery gun garded each exit of the tunnel of Réclavier [H] from where a 38 miles range cannon on rails K·5 went out at times for trainings of inert shots7 to sea near Marseille and at 33 miles, La Ciotat. It left on 20 but at 16 miles, a viaduct sabotaged at noon by Germans leaving Aix-en-Provence asked its abandoning at the station. A witness neutralized the mining of its 560 lb shells, saving the town. The U.S. Engineers will tinker an apron with its 98 feet tray winning 20 days on the traffic resumption, on 29.
THE U.S. FIGHT BETWEEN PEYROLLES AND MEYRARGUES ON SUNDAY, 208·9 9:10 am : a slight resistance, easily defeated, waits for the vanguard at a crossroad east of Peyrolles [I]. 9:58 am : the column moves into quite empty streets under the intermittent fire of heavy and light artillery. The Germans flee by torching their depot of ammunitions. Villagers put out this fire before a disaster ! 10:40 am : flags decorate the streets. The troops restarted westward undergo at 1000 yd shootings of artillery [J], tanks, antitank weapons, mortars and small arms. A panzer enfilades the road [K]. The Infantry flees the mortal plain to woody barrows south of a small canal… An antitank weapon set fire to a Sherman. Projectiles chase towards the terrace of the castle of Trempasse a mass improvised in a pine forest by a priest and refugees. The altar covered with white sheets is made of boxes serving to collect tomatoes… Some people of Meyrargues takes refuge in the reliefs south and in Notre-Mère-de-Dieu Chapel [L]. 2:21 pm : the enemy attacks helped by its tanks. American vehicles and farms are on fire… 3:30 pm : a fierce fight9 stops the action outside Peyrolles. Near the castle of Trempasse, a villager draws a path through hills [M] on the ordnance survey map of 3 soldiers in jeep having to destroy artillery… 6:00 pm : the infantry protected behind the tanks, the U.S. counterattack10 moves on the north side off the road [N]. Two rows of plane-trees isolate it so of artillery11 but the wood thrown by the impacts is feared.
Bazookas hit 2 more Sherman tanks… The M·10 tanks hide in an artificial smoke… 6:58 pm : the road is secured. A bulldozer clears branches and wrecks on. 5 knocked plane trees are sawed. 8:47 pm : a third of troops is harried near the summer camp, the rest hits the south edge of Meyrargues. 9:46 pm : 2 panzers and soldiers are beset in the streets… A Partisan guides the tank [O] that must destroy the 7 cannons hidden behind a hill the observer of which, linked with a field telephone, adjust the salvoes. The German force will withdraw on 21 via Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, 6 miles west. The U.S. elements will make the junction in Meyrargues at 6 am… Shells fired from the Durance north bank will burn 2 of the tank wreks.
THE ASSESSMENT · the report of the 645th Battalion of M·10 « Tank Destroyers » does not mention losses during this battle. · the report of the 191st Regiment of tanks note 3 of them out, 1 officer and 2 soldiers worried, 3 prisoners. · the report of the 180th Infantry Regiment omits its casualties, very important according to witnesses. The Rhone American Cemetery contains five bodies unrepatriated by their families. · the composition of the German strength, its armament, its battle, its losses, are unknown… Friendly shells killed three civilians near the firm Saint-Joseph [P]. Acres of hills burned days. Farms, barns and sheds disappeared of the plain. The villages were little affected but their inhabitants stayed hidden in, blocked Germans killing to flee dressed in plainclothes. Their cemetery took in temporarily the bodies of the both sides. The hit wrecks were removed on 1945. No memorial evokes this forgotten day…
1
a reconnaissance patrol talked to them on early 20. Another one observed Meyrargues from its castle [A] on 19 at dusk.
2
Vietnameses forced to come in France between October 1939 and May 1940, little paid, despised, ill-treated… Only tuberculars were in on 1944.
3
they will fire 150 shells on 20.
4
including 45 tons powerful « Panthers ».
6
transit of 30 Jews shielded from Gestapo and saved by nets (1943).
9
declassified reports.
10
an aircraft informs artillery.
11
7
a ballast replaces explosive.
5
a canal recovers it today.
8
local writings and stories.
thus failure of the 3 soldiers; by [F] hearing their jeep coming ?
