Rots.
Some more "then and now", this time with a little background to a very well known series of photos of 12th SS Panzer, "Hitler Jugend".
(due to parking availability, and to save time, Karl nipped out quickly and took the photos I asked for, so thanks again mate !)
After almost continuous fighting, since June 7th, against Canadian forces, on June 9th the 1st Battalion of 12th SS Panzer Division were in the town of Rots, just west of Caen, and prepared to launch a counter attack against the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (supported by tanks of 6th Armoured Regiment, 20th Canadian Armoured Brigade) around the towns of Breteville and Norrey - en - Bessin, slightly south of Rots, and about 1 mile (1.6km) to the west, beyond a railway line that ran west to east. (apologies for the misspelling of Breteville and Canadian on the satellite image).
This attack was delegated to the 3rd Kompanie, with 12 Panther tanks, with the infantry riding on the tanks. The column drove south from Rots, under the railway bridge, then turned west, crossing over open fields, with the raised railway embankment on their right, which they may have thought would give some cover to their unprotected right flank.
On the eastern edge of Norrey-en-Bessin, there was a line of Canadian 6pdr AT guns, dug in and well camouflaged, and the Panthers charged towards them, in open country, in a head-on attack.
As this was happening, three troops of Sherman tanks, including some Fireflys (normally one per troop) appeared to the north of the railway line, with a clear view to the Panthers, and opened fire.
With Shermans to their northern, exposed flank, and AT guns to their front, the 3rd Kompanie took a battering, and within minutes, 7 Panthers were either burning, or totally disabled, their horrifically burned crews trying to escape as best they could, with a naval barrage, called up by the Canadians, to help them on their way.
The five surviving Panthers withdrew, back to Rots, to regroup and assess the damage, and this is when that series of photographs was taken.
(the knocked out Panthers remained in the field for a number of years after the war, and a photo of one is included below, presumably on its side after scavenging for scrap by locals.)
Photos below show the locations then, and now, with the map showing the location of Rots, and the satellite image showing the key positions, along with the 12th SS route and attack, and the Canadian AT guns and Shermans.
Pic 1. Map showing location of Rots.
Pic 2. Satellite image of the battle area.
Pic 3. The railway bridge south of Rots.
Pic 4. View from the 6 pdr AT guns location.
Pic 5. One of the knocked out Panthers after the battle, with Canadian officer inspecting the damage.
Pic6. One of the Panthers some time after the war, almost certainly the same one.
Pic7 Panther "326" and other elements of 3rd Kompanie, returning to Rots immediately after the battle.
Pic 8. The same view today.
Pics 9 and 10 Crewman cleaning the blood off the turret of Panther "326", where the Commander had been cut in half by a shell.
Pic 11. The same location today.
Pics 12 and 13. Panzer Grenadiers of 12th SS in an alleyway opposite Panther "326", Otto Funk in the first photo.
Pic 14. The alleyway today.
There are a number of articles and videos on-line, describing this incident, but to actually be there and see the locations, was quite powerful stuff.
Back, hopefully tomorrow, with more in this area.