In early July 1944 Panzer Division Lehr was brought from Caen to near St Lo to lauch a counterattack against American advances. Pz Div Lehr was formed on the 10th of Janurary 1944 from various tank training units. The division was ordered to recapture the villiage of Le Dezert, that had been taken over by the Americans during their advance from St Jean-de-Daye. Lehr's commander, Lt General Fritz Bayerlein had misgivings of the use of the Division, as the hedgerows surrounding the villiage reduced the engagement ranges to only 100-200 yards. In Bayerlein's opinion Lehr's Panther tanks were not suitable for such close quarter fighting.