Why was Rommel's 7th panzer division called Gespensterdivision, ghost division?
From all we know it earned its name during the Battle of France.
Rommel led his 7th panzer division in such a way that made it a division phantom not only for the French side
but also his own superiors. So the question is what did Rommel do to earn this name for his division?
Well it comes down to the actions of the 16th - 17th of May 1940.
Rommel's break through at a Avesnes and as so often with Rommel the situation or better any proper interpretation
Is quite complicated. So at first we take a look at the situation and then put it into perspective.
The whole incident starts basically with an order to not advance any further
since the consensus among a number superiors was that the extended parts of the Maginot Line should be penetrated by the
infantry and the the panzers should be preserved for future operations
As such the Fourth Army released an order in the morning of the 16th of May
that the French fortification lines should not be crossed although during the day and in the early afternoon
The directive was given to advance. Yet this was not in written order from the Corps which would have included
Which would have included restrictions as well
This order actually arrived too late
This should have serious consequences
Because at that time Rommel had already disappeared with the tanks
So let's look at Rommels advance.
At around 1800 hours Rommel starts the advance and soon spots the outlines of the extended parts of the Maginot Line
pillboxes, turrets and various barricades
Now Rommel during the first world war was a successful infantry commander that often used surprise attacks for great effect
Yet now He was moving with panzers without air support against the fortified position nevertheless
He assaulted the position with his Panzers, although the French initially
We were surprised he soon fought back fiercely several Panthers were lost to the anti-tank and fire
it ultimately depends us with the help of motorcycle troops (Kradschützen) and
Combat engineers managed to break into the French lines and disable French pillboxes with direct fire flamethrowers and satchel charges
additionally artillery support suppressed the other parts of the French defense
where textbook example on how to attack fortifications with tanks see this video on offensive panzer tactics.
After way was breached the Panzers advance into the defensive line fireing to both sides during the move
Which should usually be avoided according to the German field manuals.
A few hours later at 2300 a second defensive line was penetrated and the Panzers have broken through the French lines and were facing a French artillery position
Which they charged while firing on the move.
Now Rommel continued to advance towards Avesnes along the road
Here the 5th French motorized infantry division had established the camp for the night
The Panzers raced through this formation and fired towards both sides. Thus completely overwhelming the French unit
Additionally parts of the 18th Infantry Division at the 1st armored divisions were hit as well never again in this campaign did such
Never again in this campaign did Apocalyptic scenes occur as in the night of the 16th to 17th of May
On the road from Solre-le-Château to Avesnes
The 5th Motorized infantry division was literally rolled over during the sleep