On 20 June, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the commander of "Heeresgruppe B" (Army Group B), was ordered by Hitler to launch a counter-offensive against the Allies between the towns of Caumont-l'Éventé (Caumont) and Saint-Lô. The objective was to cut a corridor between the American and British armies, by recapturing the city of Bayeux (taken by the British on 7 June) and the coast beyond. Four SS panzer divisions and one "Heer" panzer division were assigned to the task. Their assault was to be spearheaded by the II SS Panzer Corps, comprising the 9th SS Panzer Division "Hohenstaufen" and 10th SS Panzer Division "Frundsberg", recently arrived from the Eastern Front. The 1st SS Panzer Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler", 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" and 2nd Panzer Division would support the attack. Most of the tanks used by these formations were Panzer IVs and Panthers, supplemented by sturmgeschütz (assault guns) and Tigers—the Panthers and Tigers being among the most lethal and well-protected German armoured vehicles of the war.