Fritz Bayerlein would lead a counterattack spearheaded by the Panzergrenadier Regiments 901 and 902 of Panzer-Lehr Division. The division took two days to assemble and used the poor weather to their advantage to avoid heavy Allied aerial attack. In the early hours of 11 July, they launched their counterattack towards the American lines.
Panzer-Lehr were very well equipped, including a large number of Panther tanks. Dividing into two Kampfgruppen, they attempted to bludgeon their way through the thin hedgerow-lined roads. The II Battalion/901 Group headed north from the main western attack and headed towards La Caplainerie, held by the 47th US Infantry Regiment. The American infantry attempted to hold up the German advance but were forced to yield ground initially without armoured support. The Germans meanwhile were struggling to move their heavy Panther
