nee pos German Army Elite Units 1939-45 | Gordon Williamson + Illustrated by Ramiro Bujeiroborn in 1951 an crrenty Regier Hooper evon| ‘rar wn he mon Paice And hs pubes Work Wares fr Over. if Iortrate men Onn en Inching Woror 23° US arin in Visa and Men Servic: He's an experience teaorea nha native oy cfcetieer ioeest politcal and itary history CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ‘GROSSDEUTSCHLAND’ ‘FELDHERRNHALLE” INFANTERIE-REGIMENTER 119 & 9 ‘LIST’ PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISION ‘BRANDENBURG’ KAVALLERIE-REGIMENT 5 “FELDMARSCHALL VON MACKENSEN’ 44, REICHSGRENADIER-DIVISION ‘HOCH UND DEUTSCHMEISTER’ 116. PANZER-DIVISION (‘Windhund’) 24. PANZER-DIVISION 24, PANZER-DIVISION (130,) PANZER-LEHR-DIVISION 3. GEBIRGS-DIVISION 5. GEBIRGS-DIVISION ‘THE TIGER TANK BATTALIONS THE PLATES INDEX 12 14 16 18 20 24 33 35 37 39Sets a ‘ring aa: e O Pocono tng nr Artist's Note Fc a cr at a he pag a eh aro Bune, C028, 102 Fe, Anerne ‘he Poteet ht hye aia na covenant HIGHLAND. LIBRARIES 02033652 940.541343 Kenpani Paar Relmnt ‘Gronaeutchan nthe teoaton Schr ent ‘Storm nm ny armoured pevanna rh om oave elena wearing the 00" Cipher on hie shulser straps Doar sowing solders Inlet ow they wore GERMAN ARMY ELITE UNITS 1939-45 INTRODUCTION te GERMAN ARMY was no different from any other army in the T ‘world in having a number of units which were considered “lit Some of these were units or formations which, alter unremarkable beginnings, established themselves a élite through their performance ‘on the battlefield. Others were considered élite from the moment of their creation, having been formed around cadre elements from other ‘units which hiad already eared that reputation. In some cases entire ‘arms of service (eg, the Lufiwaffe’s paratroopers) were considered 10 belong to an élite due to the extremely high selection standards and procedures that they enforced. ‘The formations and units covered in this work represent a selection ‘and should in no way be considered exhaustive. Those included have been chosen, in the main, because they were granted some form of ‘sible distinction which indicated that there was something ‘special‘about them, whether it be a euffband, shoulder strap emblem, piping colour © their uniform, oF unofficial unit insignia. However such visible distinctions alone were not in themsehes an indication of truly élite status: not every unit granted such insignia could be considered outstanding on the balefield. On the other hand, as a general rule the majority of truly élite units were either granted, o ‘unofficially adopted, some form of distinguishing insignia. Inthe final analysis the truly élite units ~ those whose record will live om in the annals of military history ~ were those that distinguished themselves by deeds of gallantry and sacrifice on the field of bate. ‘GROSSDEUTSCHLAND’ “This, the premier formation of the German Army, had its origins in the Berlin Guard detachment. In 1936 Generaloberst von Frits Commanderin-Chiet of the Army, had decreed that every unit of the army should send its hesttrlled soldiers on rotation for service on ceremonial duties with the Guard in the capital city. The unit soon gained a reputation for the smartness of it drill and its immaculate ‘turn-out. Expanded to regimental size in June 1987, it was formally titled \Wachregiment Berlin and given the right to wear a distinctive 'W" cipher fn its shoulder straps. In April 1939, in refleetion of the fact that it soldiers were drawn not from a specific local region as with most army units but was made up of| the best from throughout the entire Reich, the regiment was renamed InfanterieRegiment "Grossdeutschland’ (‘Great Germany"). Frombeing a predominantly ceremonial unit the regiment, 10 which a draft from the InfanterieLehe =< Regiment demonstration 3 tunit was added in October 1989, was to become a superbly tained combate ready infantry unit ‘Still working up. on the outbreak of | war Grossdleutschland! did not take part in the Polish campaign, although an ‘offshoot from the regiment which was formed into a personal escort unit for Adolf Hitler under the ttle Fahrer-Begleit-Bataillon did see non-combat service in Poland. The first significant action for the new regiment came during the 1940 campaign in the West, where i took part in the march through Belgium and into France, seeing combat against both French and British troops. It was to be no easy baptism of fre ‘Grossdeutschlancl’ was involved in severe Fighting on several occasions After the fall of France, *Grossdeutschland” remained on occupation duty while being reorganised. and expanded to the strength of regimental combat group. In April 1941 it 190k part in the invasion fof Vigoslaia and was involved in the eapure of Belgrade where it Seized the radio station, reopening it as a German military station. By June, “Grossdeutschland’ had moved into reserve near Warsaw 28 ‘Germany prepared for her invasion ofthe Soviet Union ‘When Operation Barbarossa’ began, clements of 'Grossdeutschland’ ‘erossed the River Bug in spport of 7. Panzer-Division, taking partin the tencirclement and capture of Minsk before pushing on to the Dnieper. They continued north-east in the general direction of Moscow, reaching, Yelnya before being abruptly shifted south, where the formation engaged the Red Army in fierce fighting around Konotop. Putii and Romny to the east of Kiet. The regiment was then diverted northwards ‘once again, eventually being allowed some rest and recuperation Around Orel. By the end of 1941 the regiment was ving to the south of the River Oka in defensive postions confronting the Soviet counter attack before Moscow: Is ist year in Russia had cost Grossdeutsciland ver 4,000 killed or wounded, but had earned Ita firstclass reputation The early part of 1942 was spent in defensive actions against Red Army units and offensive sweeps against heavily armed partisans. ‘Grossdeutsehland”s performance hud been Impressive enough for the decision to be taken to expand it yet again, ths ime to divisional Status, and reorganisation began in April 1942, The formation was off tially redesignated as InfanterieDivision (mot) ‘Grossdeutschland! fon 17 April 1942, and was allocated its own Panzer bawalion. From its Rovner ‘oronesutecind poses pouty tors pera rotor eis black voce intr: normaly «pny aor woot sap. ‘haute stapes ah) Mie (Bnd, a et Ea car felgwene fd taht ah ‘neal epnere aa the oficer ‘amples at meta cipher es frs-up point at Ryetachiva the dvson tached oe tare Wronedh on July bloc ming oul Se and Fighting is way tothe junction of the Rivers Don and Donetz north-cast of Rostor by the end of that month. On I August the division moved into reserve based at Smolensk. Within a week of reaching Smolensk it was on the move again, however pushing northwards t engage the enemy at Rzhev from early September through to October: Twas here that “Grosdeutschland’ saw some of its heaviest fighting of the entire war, and in dreaclial conditions; the autumn rains had turned the landscape into something akin to the muddy bat ilefields of France in the Great War, The fighting in thisarea, and especially n dhe hellish Lutschesst Valley, cost the division over 12,000 men, In early 1948 the division was involved in the attempts to defend Kharkov and held buck the Red Army Tong enough for the predominantly Waffen-SS nits in the city to evacuate. Whilst in a rest area near Poltava the division received its own, integral detachment of P2Kw VI Tiger heaxy tanks ~ a clear mark of its élite status, since these tanks were almost invariably Himited 1 independent units under Corps or Am contol, The division then took partin the counterattack towards Kharkon, capturing Tomarovka before being pulled out of the line for rest and refitting, On 23 june 1943, unsuccessfi the division was redesignated once again, now being entitled Panzergrenadies rosseutschland! “The division took part in the early stages of Operation ‘Citadel’, the armoured offensive at Kursk, and made good progress against stiff ‘opposition hefore once again being pulled out ofthe line on 18 July “This was to be the be Division nning of a long period of employment as fe brigade” for the Easiem Front, rushed from crisis point to criss point the arrival ofthis seasoned and very powerful formation would often be sufficient to prevent an enemy breakthrough, though once again terrible cost in casualties, By this point many of the veterans who had started the war with the GD had fallen, yet the ésprit de corps of the German Army's premier combat formation never faltered, “The first half of 1944 was spent in furious defensive battles, hough fon a few rare occasions the division was uble to go onto the attack, ‘Grossdeutschland” distinguished itself yer again at the see-swing battles around Targul Framos, first defending then ‘counterattacking, then defending yet in. In the summer it was pulled out ofthe line again for a brief period of rest and reKtting: and during this period the “Grossdeutschland” elements serving with the Guard Battalion in Berlin were instrumental in putting down the atempted usc following the abortive auempt 10 assas ‘inate Hitler on 20 July. Thereafter the Guard Battalion was increased ro regimental status as theWachregiment. The summer of 1944 also saw elements of the divisional Panzer Regiment, in France for refiting with the PrKw V Panther tank sent into action against the Allis following the Normandy landings In November 1944 the PanzerKorps Grossdeutschland was created, comprising Panzergrenadier Division “Grosleutschland’ and Panzergrenadier Division ‘Brandenburg’. By late 1944 the GD division ‘was in action on the northern sector ofthe Eastern Front, defending the area around the Baltic port of Memel tweakened not only by combat loses butby providing the cadres for new formations such as the FihrerBegleitDisision, the FUhrer-Grenadier- Division and PanzergrenadiesDivision “Kurmark’. It spent the remaining few months of the war in desperate defensive actions in East Prussia, though some elements were successfully evacuated by sea to Schleswig Holstein and avoided capture by the Soviets. The achrogiment vas destroyed in the final hates for Berlin Growdeuschland’ had been Main elements (at peak divisional strength, 1944) PanzerRegiment "Grossdentschland’ Grenadier Regiment ‘Growdeuschland! FusilierRegiment ‘Grosleutscbland” Panzer Anillerie Regiment “Grosweutschland Panzeraufkbirungs Abteilung “Grosweutschland” Heres Fak-Abteiing “Grosdeutschland” Sturmgeschiitzbrigade “Grose PanzerPionierBat sebland’ lon “Growsdeutschland Satellite units ilbrer-Grenadior Brigade (expanded to divisional stars early 1945) Formed July 144; frst saw action in October 1944 around Gumbinnen and Goldap in East Prussia, Removed in November for rest and refit before being committed to the Ardennes offensive with 5.Panzerarmee. It provided rearguard cover for retreating units when the offensive collapsed, and was thereafter refited as a Panzer-Diision in February 1945. eas thrown into action at Stetin on the Oder in March 1945 and, vas involved ina failed attempt to recapture Kiistrin. In the elosing days Of the war it ws fighting around Vienna, and fought its way west to surrender to the Americans, but its personnel were promptly turned ‘over to the Soviets, This unit also wore the Grosseutslland culfband. A special shoulder strap with the cipher “FG' was produced but seems to have been worn only very rarely; it was in any case replaced by the standard “GD" cipher in the autumn of 1944, and in early 1945 the unit ‘ceased using a shoulder strap cipher: Filer Beet Brigade expanded to divisional stars early 1945) Initially bodyguard unit for Hitler, it was expanded into an armou brigade in November 1944 It too was used in the abortive Arden offensive before being thrown into defensive actions in East Prussia, afier being expanded yet again to divisional staus. Fighting around Vienna towards the end of the war, it was almost rally wiped out in ‘A curator tom Panserranaian Regiment ‘numeral ut below the “OD eier thisrare strap ‘ype was ony worn fora short pou 42-43. actions against the Red Army near Spremberg. ‘Those members of the Tiga actually on duty at Hitler's headquarters wore a cuffband in black with the legend Firrkaupiquartin in silver: sndard Growdeuschland euffband. The standard ‘Cl Ciphers were used by this unit, ‘thers used the shoulder strap PansngrenadierDivision ‘Kirmark* This late war creation, formed from GD replacement units in January 1945, was thrown into action on the Oder Front in February. In April i was involved in very heavy fighting around the Halbe Pocker, achieving, impressive inital progress before being swamped when the front finally collapsed: ts remnants went into Soviet capt ‘QD’ divisional commani ‘Oberstleutnant Wilhelm von Stockhausen (July 1939-February 1940) ‘Oberstleutnant Gerkard Graf von Schwerin (February-May 1940) ‘Oberst von Stockhausen (May 1940-August 1941) ‘Oberst Walter Hocralein (August 1941-Aprit 1943) ‘Generalimajor Walter Hoeralein (April 1942-April 1944) jaso von ManteufTel (April~August 1944) nher 1944-May 1945) Generalleutnan ‘Oberst Kart Loren (Sept The most significant piece of special insignia for most élite units was the cuffhand. A eulfba 1959, with the legend GasdeuseHand machine-woven in metallic aluminium dhread cthic seript characters on a dark green rayon hacking, with woven aluminium edge stipes. The cuffband was worn on the lower right sleeve an the edge of the cuff. At some time inthe summer of 1940 a new version was introduced with the inscription altered to read, Inf. Regt Grosdeutehland; 50 far no photographic evidence of its wear has emerged, but original surviving examples are known. These are of similar construction to the first pattern, being machineswoven in aluminium thread on a dark green fayon band. “The third, and most widely seen, version was introduced in 1980 and reverted 10 the single word Grossdewschand, but this time hand: ‘embroidered in aluminium bullion thread in old German Sitterlin script, and om a black rather than a dark green band. The base material ‘was usually of a fine doeskin finish with edging in aluminium “Rusia braid, This ype has often been referred to as an ‘officer's grade’ band Dut was in fact worn by all ranks. Akhough the frst type was generally replaced by the Siterlin script version by late 1940, photographic ‘evidence clearly establishes that it continued to be worn by veterans of the original “Grossdeutschland” regiment wel into the war In around mic+1944 orders were issued standardising the rmanulfactire of cuffbands in the interests of economy. The regulation issue Grostdnichland bands produced after this time are machine ‘embroidered in sikergrey yarn ona black woollen badgectot band with siimergrey Russia braid edging. Further, in November 144 it was ordered that all cuffbands be made in a length of no more than em, so that the band would not reach all the way around the sleeve — was first authorised in June onsen Abtetung ofthe Favor ‘renee ide hous = Spec FO" ier wes rete, ‘Ras used ont fra very short the stondor 2 peraDivon ie plctroaaing sn atscment tothe ‘achegiment in Brin aoe bt or th period {he Gatti W cipher his ehulerstape (Chts Boon ar aman ring Wacegimert Me wears ‘he tra.patirn Stern ‘Setotcelonal uteand, We it meta Wr ciphers a reasonable economy measure as the part t0 the Inside of the sleeve would Photographic evidence proves the use of these shortened ands, though their rarity suggests that sufficient socks of full Tength bands must sll have been available to. meet normal needs, A final version of the Grossdewschland cuftband was introduced in 1944 This had the legend machine-embroidered in, ‘copperplate’ handwriting style script. Being intror duced after the move to simple machine embroidery for euffband manufacture, this ype is almost invariably encountered in slver-grey yarn on black badgecloth, but a few original handembroidered aluminium thread examples have been noted — almost certainty privately commissioned, Shoulder strap ciphes il shoulder strap cipher consisting of the leter“W" for Wache “Guard’, was introduced for wear by members of Wachregiment Berlin, the immediate forerunner of “Grossdeutschland’. The cipher was machine-embroidered into the shoulder strap in white yarn for ranks up to Unteroftizie, stamped in white metal for senior NCOs (ie from Unterofizier upwards) and in gilt metal for officers. Although officially replaced by the later ‘GD’ cipher, the °W" cipher is known to have continued in use by personnel of the Wachbatallon element from ‘Grossdeutschland! when on rotation duty in Berlin In June 1939, when the unit name was changed to Grossicutschland’, a special shoulder strap cipher was introduced consisting ofthe intertwined letters ‘G’ and ‘D' This was embroidered directly into the strap for ranks up to Unteroffier, the colour of the embroidery matching the colour of the Walfenfarhe armakacevice Piping to the shoulder strap, For senior NCOs it was in white metal and for officers in gilt metal Before reorganisation into Grenadier and Fusilier Regiments, Grosadeutschland’s armoured infantry regiments were numbered I nd 2, Between March 1942 and June 1943 the appropriate numeral was worn on the shoulder strap below the "GD" cipher, belore being placed with loops of coloured braid above and below the cipher i White oF red respectively Other special insignia The Flak-Abteilung ‘Grossdeutschland” introduced, some time in 1948 @ unique identifying sleeve badge consisting of a winged Flak shel, ee (Let) Te specalhouler sap NCO» and git mal forofcors, (Conte A rave souseran ‘rom Panzergrenadier Repinent (an Ping ant omaraiered Sota in rege or a fal-gey ‘sional Feageniamere trop. ‘woven in red yarn on an oval dark green base. It ‘was worn on the upper right sleeve The Feldgendarmerietrupp “Grossdeutsch land” altered the standard military police gorget to produce their oven unique unic version A, blackened metal plate emblazoned with the "GD Sipher in white was added 10 the rear of the standard gorget plate, effectively filling in the gap in the halfmoon shaped plate between the two suspension buttons, Special uniforms roscleutschland” was unique in being the only lite unit to have its own special pattern of uniform, This was designed and launched in 1959, but was never generally issued, though it is believed it was tended to be the standard dress uniform for the unit after the ane. ‘pated final victory. The uniform consisted ofa special Waffenrockstle tunic and greatcoat, the headgear and wrousers being standard fue The tunic was in pale greygreen with dark green collar and cuff facings. The collar Lite were of special pattern, being much longer and narrower than the norm and without Waffenfarbe underlay: a Single bar was worn by NCOs and a double bar by other ranks ~ th narrower NCO mode! allowing space for NCO Tree braid along the top and front edges of the colar. The extreme edge of the collar was piped in white infany Waffenfarbe colour. The "French’ culls also differed from the standard Waffenrock. As well as a normal turnback cuff in dark green they had dark green vertical patches with a straight forward ‘edge and scalloped rear edge. These dark green facings were aso piped in white. Each of the vertical uff patches bore three single strips of braid Lito each with an aluminium button, This tunic was worn with the first type machine-voven aluminiun-on-green Gothic script ccutfband, and with the “GD" shoulder strap ciphers, There were no pockets; the tunic was fastened by eight sikered aluminium butions, and the front edge was also piped in white ‘A special greatcoat was also designed to be worn with this uniform, diflering from the standard issue in having white piping around the dark green collar collar and the tusnback cul ‘FELDHERRNHALLE’ Feldherrhalle’ was similar in some ways to “Grosdeutsehland” in being a unit whose recruitment, unlike that of most army units, was Hot restricted toa specific region or city but covered all comets ofthe Reich, “Feldhermnhalle’ was different, however in that its traditional links were nnot with the German Army as such but with the SA, and specifically with the SA Regiment (Standarte) of the same name, with which it maintained close links. A large proportion of “Feldhermhalle’s manpower were SA members; this politcal aspect, however, does not detract from the fact that the Army unit was a high quality formation which earned its eategorisation as an elite10 Polat. Tis SA Bopecetanrer ‘reporting to Rechemersenall ‘imps Feaherate! uta The ‘Feldherrnhalle’ Division’s origins can be traced back 10 10 separate earlier formations, 93. Infanterie-Disision and 60, Infanterie- Division, The first of these was formed from rescrvists in Berlin in September 1989, its major components being Infanteric- Regiment 270, based in the Saar area in 1940 and took part in the attack on the Maginot Line near Ssarbrucken in the summer of that year After ce, 93, Infanterte Division, mnching of Operation 7. Too lte to take part in the Polish campaign, te was, spending some time on garrison duty in F moved to Poland in preparition for the la ‘Barbarossa’ As part of Heeresgruppe Nord, the rd Division advanced into the northern part ofthe Soviet Union during the drive towards Leningrad 1 took heavy losses, around tworthirds of its strength being killed oF wounded by October 1941. Remaining in the northern sector of the front, in the autumn of 1942 InfanterieRegiment 271 was given the hhonout tie Infanterie Regiment ‘eldherrnhalle’ in recognition ofits link with the SA. Tn the spring of 1943 the division was withdrawn into Poland for rest and refitting, and IR 271 was moved to France where it was wed to form the nucleus of 60, Panzergrenadier Division, The 83rd Infantry Disision subsequently moved back to the Eastern Front in the area around Leningrad, where it eventually received Infanterie Regiment 278 as replacement for IR 271. It fought in the withdrawal from Leningrad and defensive actions inthe Kurland packet, whence i Prussia Ie was destroyed in combat with was evacuated by sea into E the Red Army in Mateh 1945 ‘The 60. nfanterie Division was formed in 1930) in Danzig, drawing heavily on personnel from the Heimweht Danzig (an SS home guard unit) and the SA Brigade Ehrhardt. Ie took part in the actions at the Westerplatte in September 1939, where the shots that aperied World War It were fired. It served in France in 1940, and took part in the invasion of Yugoslavia in 141, During} (Operation ‘Barbarossa’ the division saw action in many of the great battles in the Ukraine, the Donew Basin, at Kiey, Rostov and Kharkov, Involved in the push to the River Volga in 1942, it was one of the divisions caught up and destroyed] in the Stalingrad Cauldron in early 194. In the summer of 1943 the 60th Division was reformed in France, this time as al Panzergrenadier formation, based around] TnfanterieRegiment 271 *Feldherrnhalle Initially based in southern France, it moved] to the Eastern Front in the autumn of 1943} and distinguished itself in combat at the battles fof Vitebsk and Narva, It formed part of Heeresgruppe Mitte during the defensive battles following the launch of the great offensive of 1944, The division was smashed ‘during the fiercely fought bates along the River Dnieper and its commander, Generalmajor led Steinkeller, was captured. Tt Hungary, where its femnants were surroun und destroyed in the batle for Budapest In 194 decision was taken in principle finan a Armoured. Cusp along the same lines as PanzerKorps rossdeutschland’. Abo formed around this time re Panzer‘irigade 106 ‘Feldherrahalle™ and Panzer-Brigade 110 ‘Feldhermhalle’. The later vas eventually absorbed into 13. PanzerDisision, Wich in urn was redesignated as Panzer-Division Feldherrnalle’. While PanzerBrigade 106 Feldhermhalle” fought inthe West, Panze Division ‘Feldherrnhalle’ (formerly 13, PanzerDivison) was redesignated Panzer Division ‘Feldhermmballe 2. This was. the formation which, with PanzergrenadierDivision Feldhersnbhalle’ (ormerly 60, Panzergrenadier Dis subsequently redesignated PancerDivision “Feldherrntalle 1), would form waver Korps ‘Feldherrnhalle’. The newly formed corps spent the remaining months of the war Fighting on the borders between Hungary Cechoslovakia and Austria, ments (1943) Panzergrenadier Regiment 'Feldherenballe Fusilier Regiment ‘Feldherrohalle Panzer-Abteilung ‘Feldherrahalle Antllerie Regiment ‘Feldherrnhalle Panzeraufklirungs-Abteilung ‘Feldherrnballe Pioier Bauillon ‘Feldherrnhalle Divisional commanders Generalleumant Oto Kohlermann (June 1943-April 1944) Generalmajor Friedrich Karl Seinkeller (April-July 1944) Generalleurant Ginther Pape (July 1944-May 1945) Special insignia The Army ‘Feldherrnbualle’ units inherited the cuffband worn by the Gite SAStandarte ‘Feldherenhalle’, woven siher edging metalic ud the title Faldhermfallein Siterlin script. This lettering might be machine-embroidered in silergrey yarn, machine woven in flat aluminium thread, or hand-embroidered in aluminium thread. The ulfband! was worn on the lower left sleeve, Hc from the cuff In 1943 a fully machine woven version ofthe cuffband was produced alled BeVo style, in pale grey artificial silk on brown, This pattern was worn only by the Army "Feldhierrnballe’ units, not the SA. Examples wealso been m ted machine-embroidered in silvergrey yar on brown fen badgecloth and without edge stripes: these are believed to be late war Army patterns. Under mapnifeaten tne Unterofiser tam on be ‘Stand nd the S:Kemne inion on le suey conom Fallinae ofthe spoil wit nul na tration: ary ‘rotogriphed personnel ack ‘iter tw sheer st nina {cru he eons rbot Presumabiy tre tons of have bee esti eat ure (bert Noa 4‘htm pia of mwa Imenutactre, th ho SA Kempunen wte meta, ere te sump of he honing ne aerng shades Jetering on these examoles Shoulder strap ciphers The Army ‘Feldherrnhalle’ nits were permitted to wear the “Kanpfrun’ emblem worn on. the straps by the SAStandarte “Feldherenalle This comprised three horizontal “Wolfeonget” runes superimposed on a single vertical rune; in the centre was a small dixe with the ‘SA runic emblem, ‘The cipher was machineembroidered directly into the shoulder strap for ranks up to Unterofizer, stamped in white metal for senior NCOs and in bronze or gilt metal for officers, Gorgets Standard bearers in the Army ‘Feldhermbille” units wore the sime special pattern of gorget as ci the SAStandarte, rather than the Army's ‘equivalent. The SA piece comprised a plain halfmoon shaped gorget ‘with a lange national emblem in the centre; there was no other embel lishment to the plate other than this eagle and swastika, 90 the gorget ‘was much plainertooking than its elaborate Army counterpart Tt was coloured mat silver with a bronzed national emblem, and was suspended, around the neck on a plain opentink chain. unit colours eldherrnhalle’ was also unique amongst Army nits in that it colours were not of the normal Any regimental pattern, Instead] Feldhermhalle’ adopted the ‘Deutschland Erwache” type of vexillam standard used by political organisations ~ specifically, the same as carried by the SAStandarte ‘Feldherraballe’. This feanured a large meral eagle and svastika finial over a rectangular plaque bearing the legend Feldhernhalle (in place of a regional tide). From this, wis suspended a square red banner with white disk and black swastika, the: edges fringed in black and white, INFANTERIE-REGIMENTER 119 & 19 ‘LIST’ In 1035, Infanterie Regiment 19 vas selected (0 carry the traditions of| the 16th Royal Bavarian Reserve Regiment ‘List’, the unit with \which Adolt Hitler had served during the Great Wat; Ths lasted until For the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, 57. Infanterie-Division served with XLVI Panerkorps in the dash across southern Russia incurring heavy losses along the way. It fought at Kursk in July 1945 as part of Generaloberst Hoth's 4. Panzerarmee, In February 1944 the division was caught in the Cherkassy Pocket and only broke out atthe cost of many casualties. After a brief period of rest and recuperation the division rejoined the fray with Heeresgruppe Mitte in the central sector of the Eastern Front, [twas surrounded at Minsk with XXVIE Armeckorps, and the bulk of the division was destroyed. Shortly thereafter the surviving remnants were disbanded. 87. Intanterie- Oskar Bliimm (September 139-Seprember 1941) General Anton Dustler (September 1941 April 1942) Generallewmant Oskar Bim — (Apri October 1942) General Friedrich Siebert (October 104: February 1943) Generalleutnant Ouo yon FretterPico (February= September 1943) Generalleunant Vincenz Miller (September 1943) Generalmajor Adolf Trowite (September 1943 July 1944) (On the destruetion of Infanterie-Regiment 119 with the 57. Infanterie: Division, the traditions of the Regiment ‘List’ reverted to InfanterieRegiment 19, part of 7, Infanterie- Division, This division hhad served as part of Heeresgruppe Mitte with XLMI Panzerkorps and had barely escaped destruction in the great Soviet summer offensive of 1944, It carried out a fighting retreat through Poland luntl finally cut off by the last great Soviet offensive of the war at the Hela Peninsula at the mouth of the River Vistula, where it surrendered on 8 May 1945, 1999 when the lineage was passed to Infanterie-Regiment 118, part of | Teintntre-Reginen unt Divisional commanders, 7. Intanterie-Division, 1944-45 57. Infanterie Division ‘suttand Tie wan chine: Generalmajor Hans Traut (December 1943-February 1944) This divsion acquitted itself exceptionally well in combat during Sten toad oreaun geen Gencralleutnant FritzGeorge von Rappard (February-August 1944) Generalmajor Alois Weber (August IH) both the Polish campaign and the fighting in the West. It waslf) toe orat rama nena responsible for blunting a strong French counterattack at Abbeville led ff embreeora wre stents Generalleutnant Frig-George von Rappard (August 1944-Febraary 1945) ‘Generalmajor Rudolf Noak (February-May 1993) by Gen. Charles de Gaulle; i inflicted heavy losses on the French after J Y=! are known. initially suffering severe casualties itself ~ is fight 3.7em anti-tank guns proved all but useless against the heavily armoured French tanks. The arrival of an 88cm Flak unit turned the tables, however, and in two) fdays of fierce fighting over 100 French tanks were destroyed. and De Gaulle's counterattack as halted, ‘Special ins: Cuffiand ‘The only special emblem worn by the regiment was its distinctive cuffband, authorised on | 43Fegmen rt erssing ‘omiaark ate dung {he company busters {he Rte (Robert Hoss), 12 November 1943; the first recipient was the regimental commander Oberst Alfons Konig. Ie was made in dark green doeskin wool, with silvergrey Russia braid edging, and with the legend InfantoieRegiment List machine | ‘embroidered in sihergrey thread in ‘copperplate'siyle handwiting script, The band was worn on the lower left sleeve 15cm from the cull PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISION ‘BRANDENBURG’ This formation owed its origins to the ébte ‘Brandenburg’ commando unit established in October 1939 under the innacentsounding tile fof BatrLehtsKompanie 800 (800th Construction Demonstration Company’). This special operations unit of trained saboteurs. came under the direct control of the Abwehs, the German Military Intelligence service. In January 1940 it was reorganised as BausLehe Bataillon 2bV 800 (800th Special Purpose Construction Demonstration Battalion’), and played a significant part in the campaign in the West ‘One wellknown operation in which the battalion were involved was the capture ofthe bridges aver the Juliana Canal in the Netherlands, carried out by ‘Brandenburgers' dressed as Dutch soldiers. It has been ‘estimated that fully 5 per cent of the unit's personnel received the Iron Gross for actions during the Westfeldrug. A huge range of skills and foreign language abilities was represented within the battalion fand Englishspeaking Brandenburgers were intended to be used, in British uniform, as an advance guard to the invasion force had the intended Operation ‘Sealion’ gone ahead. The Brandenburgers fought in virwally every campaign on every front, Following the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1841, unit penonnel deewed i Soviet imifirms infiiated colina of temp wounded being moved back from the front, enabling them to move ‘hchind enemy lines and seize the vital Dvina River bridge. The regiment rarely operated as a single ‘entity, its specialist nature dictating that elements be detached for dispersed special operations over several fronts. In 1942 the parent unit was raised to divisional status, its new complement inclading rrachneemtroiere, bot ‘roauced.Beow ls shown {he Grncnoury eutoana, 14 1 coastal raider detachment with volunteers from the Navy, and a battalion of renegade Russian volunteer Detachments operated in the Balkans in late 193, being heavily involved in antkparisan actions in Greece and Yugoslavia and playing a significant par in the capture of the islands of Cos and Leros from the British, Elements ofthe division took part in the occupation of Budapest in March 1944; and were aedvely involved in Operation "Roselsprung the attempe to capture Tito at his Drvar headquarters. During the investigations into the 20 July 1944 attempt to asassinate Hitler several Brandenburgers were implicated. His trust in these commandos gone, Hiller transferred responsibiliy for such special ‘operations 3s had uaditionally fallen to the Brandenburgess 10 SS commando units under SSObersturmbanntilhrer Ouo Skorzeny. In October 1944, “Brandenburg” was redesignated as a conventional fy for action in its new role Panzergrenadier Division, and was finally ea in December 194, Thrown into batle on the rapidly crumbling Eastern Front, it was steadily worn down in steength, ending the war in Moravia, Many of its survivors were captured by the Red Army or murdered by revengehungry Ceechs; but some, using their old special operations shi, managed 10 escape 1o the West posing a refugees Major elements (as division, Panzer Regiment ‘Brandenburg Jiger Regiment | ‘Brandenburg Jiger Regiment 2 ‘Brandenburg’ ParweriigerBataillon ‘Brandenburg’ AnuillerieRegiment ‘Brandenburg’ HeeresFlaketbteilung ‘Brandenburg Aufklirungs-Abveilung ‘Brandenburg’ PionierBataillon ‘Brandenburg’ 44-45) Unit commanders Oberst Hachling von Lanzenhauer (1040-43) Generalmajor von Pfublstein (1943-44) GeneralleatnantKahiwein (September October 1944) feneralmajor Hermann Schulte Heuthaus (October 1944-May 1945) s insignia The Brandenburg dssion was authorised its own cuffband on 17 August 1044; personnel had been permitted to wear the Gmsideutshland ccuffhand. ‘The new cuffband was made from Brandenburg machineembroidered in silver- arey thread in Gothie script. Being introduced ‘only in 1944, the official issue patiem was not produced in handembroidered bullion thread, ‘only in ser grey cotton yarn, Brandenburg units were also authorised to wear the special sleeve patch for Jager troops, consisting Fepiment x 600s he ‘ehicoves to i eights tot seere, and above the Dooge for dager unt.‘ofa spray of three pale green oakleaves within a pale grey rope-ffect border, all om a dark green, or later field-grey pate, This was worn ‘on the upper right sleeve. KAVALLERIE-REGIMENT 5 ‘FELDMARSCHALL VON MACKENSEN’ Despite the image of the German Army portrayed in most wartime newsreels as being heavily mechanised, the Welimache flelded a size wnted troops = particularly on the Eastern Front, where horsed cavalry plied an important part in the reconnaisance role and also in the war against the partisans’ Although the Ist Cavalry Division was withdrawn ar the end of 1941, and mounted troops were only found within reconnaissance in June 1943 both Heeresgruppe Nord and Heeresgrippe Sic were allocated their own cavalry regiments, entitled respectively Kavallerie Regiment Nord and. KavallerieRegiment Sid, under the command of Obersleinant Carl Prinz zu Salri. In May 1944 units for the next 18 months, the regiments were renamed as KavallerieRegimenter 42 and 41 respectively, and administratively merged to form 42, Kavallerie- Brigade, Is principal elements were KavallerieRegimenter 2 and 41, schwere KavallerieBauaillon 4 (mot); AvillerieAbteilung Sid, as well, asheayy mortar and signals detachments. A few days lates, however, the former Kavalleie Regis renamed KavallerieRegiment 5, in reference to the old 5th Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial German Army; henceforth the unit would carry the traditions of that esteemed regiment. The 4th Cavalry Brigade was expanded to divisional status in February 1945; it operated in Hungary for two months before withdrawing into Austia where it fought ont the remaincler of the war in actions against the Red Army, before finally surrendering to the British A member ota Brandenburg ahtwsaht trope! Fed dress, huts badge on ht broset Docket y ths wage nthe war ‘amy porarop eatcton edge ke echo sat Nord! was Known commanders, 4, Kavallerie-Division Generalleutnant Rudolf Hoste (February-March 1945) Generalleutnant Helmuth von Grolman (March-May 1945) Special insignia Guffiana A culfband was introduced for KavallerieRegiment 5 on 6 December 194, the occasion of Field Marshal von Mackensen's ith birthday. An ‘example oft was presented to him at Exbhof Briss in Pomerania in a special ceremony attended by Generalfeldmarschall Keitel from the ‘Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, and aks by an elie’, an NCO and a Gefreiter from the regiment, Tchad been doubted that euffbands apart from this special presentation piece were ever isued! but rare wartime ‘photographs show several members ofthe unit, including the regimental commander Oberstlcutnant Sauer and Majors Bollingen and Bischof: Teste said, however, that many other personnel shown in the same photox are not wearing the bund, so iti stil thought likely that only very eld, wearing it on the lower right sleee limited numbers were made The band wis 32cm wide, made from black wool with slvergrey Russia braid edging and the legend Feldmarchall Mackense machine-embroidered in silvergrey Latin script. A number presumably made as & (ae “ution badge as orm by ap The ean he seats {oe the standard pater a8 ‘of examples have appeared postwar others extremely elaborate, including one exceptionally i ‘quality piece which has the miliary rank expressed in full as Generatflimarchall von Machrnen in Sitterlin sript. The standard Latin scripe version is the only ype for which evidence of ative pieces for veterans; some are quite crude and actual wartime use exists thas been reported that due to the dificulty in obtaining supplies of regulation isuecuffbands, local “cttage industry’ facilities were ised = specifically, that nuns at a local convent were paid to use their fembroidery skills to make up examples of the band. This suggestion is perfectly logical and closely parallels the circumstances of manufacture of the Kurland campaign cuffban? 1p and cap emblom KavallerieRegiment 5 were authorised to wear fon the shoulder straps a death'shead tradition badge; this was the jawless” or “Prussian” type, identical to that worn on the collar patch by Panzer troops. Te yas embroidered in. cavalry goldenyellow thread directly into the shoulder ‘tap for ranks up to Unteroffiier, and stamped in gikt metal for senior NCOs and officers. The same tradition badge was also worn on both peaked service caps and field caps, between the eagle and swastika national emblem and the cockade in national colours Arm paten An untisual arm patch wis worn on the upper right sleeve by some members of 4. Kavalerie-Divsion — including KavallerieRegiment 5 ~ in the last weeks of the war This was an entirely unofficial insignia, and judging by the relative crudiy ff surviving examples it seems to have been made up by local ‘cottage industry’ facilites rather than being commissioned from a trade manulacturer. I consists ofa yellow woollen shield with a black border, lupon which wo opposed horses’ heads are worked in black WE ALT ‘an eae of th ne ‘lrtand wee prevented real fh 8 they or 6 December 1048 by ner ‘yam otows an NCO and Fogiment 5 (one Chr) ‘re ofcay produce i ony one version, machine “Inbroisered i savor-grey coin tend on » lk ‘eal base. Some priate srmmstoned wie- = [Smovlceredcramole of oar gully ee Kran iS 719 44. REICHSGRENADIER-DIVISION ‘HOCH UND DEUTSCHMEISTER’ The German Army's original 44. InfanterieDivision was raised in Vienna, hased on the former Austrian Army's Viennese ‘th Infantry Regiment, which bore the tradition ttle “Hoch und Deutsehmeister” The division fought well in Poland in 1989, making sch rapid progress as part of Heeresgruppe Sil that it found itself well within the area allocated to the Soviet Union ~it has heen estimated that the division’ average rate of advance was as miich a8 20 miles per day. During the Westfeldzug the division followed in the wake of Panzergruppe Kleist, king part in the attack over the Somme snd into the Weygand Line, resuliig in heavy casualies against 4 determined French resistance “The division's First Knight's Cross was won by Oberleutnant Karl Eibl for his par in the capture of Chuignolles Elements ofthe 44th Division were ako responsible for capturing Beagency on the Loire without loss fon 18 June, winning another Knights Gross, this time for Leutnant Karl Heing Noak. Following the French surrender the division spent ten months on occupation duties around La Rochelle before moving to ‘occupied Poland in March 1941 for a period of intensive traning. 1 Operation "Barbarossa in June 1041 the 44th served as part of 1 Panzergruppe on the southern sector of the front, and took fairly heavy casualties breaking, through a series of Soviet bunker complexes, As the tanks rapidly pushed forward it was left to HL InfanterieDivision to defend the flank of the Panzergruppe against attacks by Soviet stragglers anc! partisans coming out of the Pripet Marshes t0 the north, In August the division took part in the attack on Kiev crossing the Dnieper near Gornostaipol. Once again, the tanks carried out a clasic pincer movement to encircle Kiev before moving on, and the division was left to deal with the Soviet forces trapped in Kiev city: Slowed down at first by the onset of the autumn mud (the Schlammzcit), and later by the coming of winter, 44, Infanterie-Divsion ended is frst year in Russia in defensive positions on the Donet, which it held resolutely in the face of strong ‘enemy counterattacks, In 1942 the 4ith Division formed part of the 6, Armee drive towards the Volga with the goal of captiring Stalingrad. The division provided! cover to the northern Plank along the River Don to the northacest of Stalingrad, and saw very heavy fighting before slowly being forced eastwards into the pocket as the German forces were gradually surrounded. Ie suffered the same fate 4 the rest of Von Paulus’ army, being destroyed jn Stalingrad in February 1948. Shortly afterwards a new 44. Diviion was raised in Austria under the honour title ReichsgrenadierDivisn ‘Hoch und Deutschmeister. It served briefly in Northern aly a part of Heeresgruppe B under Rommel, At fis its Austrian troops enjoyed good relations withthe local populace until, alter Italy's unilaterdl surrender, it was obliged to take part in the diseming of Kallan Ary units in the area. I subsequently Cauried out operations against Italian, Croatian and Slovenian partisans between Girzand Fiume, before being inserted into the frontline south of Rome. Here itserved for aera yearn constant combat, ts reputation for reliability increasing with each battle it fought. In 1943/44 th division was involved in the defersive battles along the Sangro and Rapido Rivers and in all three ofthe Cassino battles, before withdrawing actoss the Abruzzi Mountains. After holding defensive postions on the Tiber and in the Apenine Mountains it spent a very brief period in rest and recuperation in early November 1944, but was soon despaiched to Hungary. Cail March 1945 the division fought against the advaacing Red Army before withdrawing ‘gradually from Hungary into eastern Germany. It was able 19 retreat westwards and avoided Soviet capriviy, surrendering 1 US woops at Hohenfurth on 10 Nay 1945, Main elements Grenadier Reyiment 181 Grenadier Regiment 182 Grenadier Regiment 134 PanverjagerAbtelung 46 AufklirungsAbteilung 44 AnillerieRegiment 96 Nachrichten-Abteilung 64 PlonierBataillon 80 Divisional command: nerallewtnant Albrecht Schubert (Seprember-October 1939) ‘General Friedrich Siebert (October 1980-May 1942) Generalleutnant Heinrich Deboi (Nay 1942-January 1943) Generalleuinant Dr Franz Bayer (March 1943-January 1944) Generallewtnant Dr Fritz Franek (January-May 1944) Generaleuinant Bruno Ortner (May-June 1944) Generleuinant Hans-Ganther von Rost (June 1944-March 1945) ‘Oberst Hoffmann (March-May 1945) ‘Special insi Giff A eufThand sas certainly authorised 9 26 February 1945, anda number ‘of examples are known which appeat to rekate to this formation. All bear the legend Hoch und Deutschmeisr machineembroidered in sivergrey yarn; some are in Latin script and others in Gothic. While these have generally been regarded as of postvar origin, im recent years there has been some suggestion that he different syles of embroidery may have had some significance: Gothic script on dark green for dhe divisional logistics element, Gothie script on black for GrenadieRegiment 134 ‘Hoch und Deutsclmeister’, and Latin script on black for other sub-unit i 191k is not imposible thar some may have been manuactured in the last weeks of the war but never ised. Unit positive proof emerges these pieces mast he considered suspect: bat collectors should alvays remember thatfor many years the Ma: 144 cuban wis believed never to have been manufactured during the war, but is now firmly established from wanime photographs to have been made, issued and wor, albeit in small numbers, Shoutd p emblem A special insigria, widely referred to asthe ‘Stalingrad Cros, was worn fon the shouleer strap by members of the divisional staf and of Infanterie Regiment 134 ‘Hoch und Deutschmelster’. This was stamped {rom sheet mesil and featured a cross ofthe type worn by the Order of ‘Teutonic Knights, with a shield in the centre bearing the German national emblem over a seroll with the legend ‘Stalingrad, The field of each arm of the cross was painted in blue (see Plate C4). No ‘embroidered version has yet been noted, so it may well be that the metal cross was intended for wear by all ranks, Original examples of this Insignia are rare and it has been widely faked. 116. PANZER-DIVISION (‘WINDHUND’) ‘This formation, unofically nicknamed the “Greshound Dission’, was created only in March 1944, bya merger of the remnants of the batered 16. PanzergeenadierDivision ~ which donated Panzerbtelang 116, later re-formed as Panzer Regiment 16 ~ and 179, (Reserve) Panze Division. Since i was formed from existing units only limited time was necessary for taining and working up. Within three months most of the division ws in position on the banks of the Seine awaiting the anticipated Allied invasion, However, the Panzer-Regiments I Abteilung eas still at the Grifenwobr tank uaining grounds re-equipping with new Panthers; and is IT Abteilung in France sll had a numberof older PaKs [sand even a few obsolete P2Kw IIs In the even: the division was not committed 10 aetion until July auuched 10 XIVIL Panzerkorps as past of 7. Armee int Rominel’s Heeresgruppe B. It participated inthe German counterattack at Morin, one of the biggest tank battles in the West, the US armoured break-out (Operation Cobra’); the 116th was radially pushed back into the Falaise Pocket, from which it only escaped after suffering very eayy losses. After its withdrawal from Normandy the division's strength was down to a mere 600 men and just 12 tanks; bout it was soon tasked with defending the border city of Aachen, The rump of the dision succeeded in fending off the first US attacks against the Westwall before finally being driven back. Withdrawn to Duseeldort for a brief period of refiting’ and rebuilding, 116. PanzerDivision returned 10 the Aachen area in early October 194, but sail at ony around 80 per cent ofits original strength, and with only 40 tanks. On 21 ‘October, Aachen became the first German city 10 fall to the Americans In late October, 116. PanzesDivision was committed wo the defensive battles against US forces in the Hurigen Forest. On 8 November it achieved a siguificant victory (almost any victory seemed sigaificant at this stage of the war) when it retook the town of Schmidt from the US 28th Infantry Division dusing fierce fighting in which it los just 15 tanks, Following ths success the division was moved back from the frontline to prepare for its part in the forthcoming Ardennes offensive Operation “Wacht am Rhein’. Iwas one of the spearhead formations ‘on the southern flank ofthe offensive, where it fought with distinction, (On the failure of the operation it yas moved to Klexe on the Dutch harder, facing a mixture of troops from the US Sth Army advancing. fom the south, and Canadian Ist Army and British XXX Corps troops in the north. The 116th found itself in danger of being trapped in the Wessel Pocket, and on 3 March 1945 was forced to withdraw over the Rhine, destroying the bridge behind it ‘The division then became part of XLVI Panzerkorps in Armeegruppe H. and was tasked with halting the advance of US forces to the south of the River Lippe on 24 March. Over the next ova days the by now once again seriously weakened "Greyhound" Division halted allatempts by US troops to advance eastwards, but was eventually forced to withdraw when the British 61h Guards Armoured Brigade fy outflanked it April 1945 found the remnants ofthe division defending the north flank of the Ruhr Valley where, on 18 April, its survivors surrendered to the US th Army when resistance in the Ruhr Pocket finally collapsed ike the PanzerLehrDivision, 116. Panzer had shown that when new formations were created around a strong nucleus of experienced Seterans and equipped to a high standard, a very high level of per= formance and reliability could he expected. These qualities were of litle use, however, when faced with lack of fuel, supplies and replacements, an with overwhelming enemy superiority, especially in the ai. Main elements PanzerRegiment 16 Panzergrenadier Regiment 60 Panzergrenadier Regiment 156 PanzerAnillevicRegiment 146, Panzeraufklarungy-Abteilung 116 HoeresFlakAbteilung 281 Panzerfager Abteilung 226 PanzerpionierBatallon 67: Divisional commanders Generaliajor Gerard Miller (March-May 1944) General Gerhard Graf von Schwerin (May-September 194) Generalmajor Heinrich Voigtsberger (September 1944) Generalmajor Siegfried von Waldeburg (September 1944-May 1945) ‘Special insignia Only one special insignia was worn by this unit, in the form of an unof ficial cap badge. This consisted of a small horizontal oval zinc late with two prongs on the reverse for fitting wo the cap. It was painted black with A raised siker rim, enclosing a raised silver grevhouncl (the Windhund) at full stretch, above a stylised ground line with three clumps of grass 21Leutnat Johannes tt Danser Onion, The ory ‘reny worm ts Ovo, ‘ren by man-emoure nits Ik was worn on the left side of the field cap and on the left side of the band of the peaked service cap, This insignia has been widely faked in the postwar year, 21. PANZER-DIVISION Tis division was originally formed as 5. Leichte Division in late 1940, incorporating PanzerRegiment 5 which wis transferred from 3. PanzeDivsion ~ Berlin unit fits raised in 1935. The manpower of the 5th Light Division retained the predominantly Prussian/Silesian mix of 3, PanzerDinision. It was sent wo North Afviea in spring 1941, and shortly alter its arrival took an active part in the Affikakorps' fist drive towards Fgypt and the attick on Tobruk. In the summer of 1941 it wae enlarged by the arial of PanzergrenadierRegiment 104, and redesignated as 21, anzerDivision, The division became one of the premier formations of Rommel’s Panzerarmee Afrika, heavily engaged in all the major bates of the ‘campaign. During the British Operation ‘Crusader’ in November 1941 it inflicted serious losses on the attacking 7th Armoured Brigade, but fought itself virally into the ground in the process, ending the Datu with no tanks remaining. It retreated into Cyrenaiea and then, reequipped, took part in the May 1912 counteroffemive, retaking Benghazi hefore going on to overrun the Gavala Line. It took part in ck on Tobruk, but during the fist failed attempt to capture the port the divisional commander wis blamed by — Rommel for his ack of siceess and removed from his post. The division continued to play a major part in Rommet’s attempts on the El Alamein line that summer: At Second Alamein in October it was ground down to a remnant of its former strength, counting just 12 remaining tanks in November when the fullscale Axis retreat began, he division withelrew in good order and with excellent discipline, providing a rearguard for the German retreat. It was reinforced in Tunisia in February 1948 and most ofits loses in tanks were made good. [then took part in the bates around Sidi Bou Zid and Sbeitls, and at Kaserine Pass it inflicted serions losses on the recently arrived American Il Corps. Worn down by attrition and lack of fuel and supplies, 2st Panzer was finally trapped in northern ‘Tunisia with the rest_of Panzerarmee Afvka, its remnants surrendering ‘on 13 May 1943, ‘Shortly thereafter the division was reformed in Normandy; @ considerable cadre of former Africans’ who had served with the original 21st censured continuity of the division's traditions land ésprit de corps. The new formation wis principally built around the former Panzer: Regiment 100 (subsequently renumbered as Panzer Regiment 22), but this unit was initially equipped with obsolete French tans of dubious combat value. By the summer of 1044 German tanks had replaced many of these, but even then there was a Fair repre sentation of obsolete vehicles such as the P2Kw IVB and IVC and even few old Paley Hs, The newly formed division remained jty in France, being dectared unfit for service on the Eastern Front ie to its poor equipment. Tn June 1944, 21. PanzerDivision was the only armoured unit w actually counterattack the Allied landings on D-Day. Elements of he Panzer Regiment were on exercises when the invasion was reported, but being armed only with waining ammunition they had w be hucriedly recalled to be issued with live rounds. In the weeks which followed the division took a hammering as it doggedly defended iss area in front of Caen, contributing significantty o the severe delay imposed on the Allied timetable. After escaping from the Allied pincer attack around the Falaise Pocket the division ‘vas used as a mobile ‘ire brigade” on the south wrest sector of the Western Front. The Panzer Regiment’s commander, Oberst Hermann von Oppeln-Branikowski, was decorated sith the Oakleaves to his Knight's Cross in recognition of his regiment's performance in Normandy in January 1945, 21, Panzer took part in the German push towards Strasbourg, before being transferred to the southern sector of the Russian Front, where it ended the Major elements (1944) Panzer Regiment 100 PansergrenadicrRegiment PanzergrenadlierRegiment 192 Panzerautklanange Abteilung 200 PanzerPionierAbteilung 220 Sturmgeschint Abteilung 200 Panzer-ArillerieRegiment 155 Divisional commanders Generalmajor Johannes Streich (February- July 1941) Generalmajor Johann von (July-November 1941) Oberstleutnant Gustav-Gec ag Knabe (November 1941) Generalleutnant Karl Bottcher (December 1041-February 1942) Generalmajor Georg von Bismarck (February-August 1942) ‘Oberst Carl Hans Lungershausen (September 1942) Generalleutnant Heinz von Randow (September-December 1942) Generalleutnant Hans-Georg Hildebrandt (January-March 1913) (Generalmajor Heinrich-Hermann von Hilsen (April-May 1943) Generalleutnant Feuchtinger (May 1943-January 1944) Generalmajor Oswvin Grol (fannary-March 1944) Generalleutnant Franz Westhoven (March-May 1944) Ravenstein he become hay vote {he 1964 Toye OpiesGeneralleutnant Feuchtinger (May 1944-Janvary 1945) Oberst Helmut Zollenkopt (January-February 1945) Generaliajor Marcks (February~Aprl 1945) Special insignia None 24. PANZER-DIVISION his formation traced its origins to 1.(Ostprewssische) Kavallerie- Brigade in 1921. On the outbreak of war in September 1939 the brigade saw action in the Polish campaign, advancing with 3. Armee via Myseinice and Frankovo and crossing the Narev andl Bug rivers in the drive to Warsaw: Iewas expanded to divisional status in December 1939 as I. Kavallerie- Division. In the Western campaign of 1940 this horsed formation advanced into Friesland in the northern Netherlands against fairly weak opposition until it ran up against the Dutch fortiess of Kornwerderzand, which was supported by Dutch gunboats on the Waddencee; however, the Dutch surrender saved the division from the posibiliy of heavy casualties in any attempted assault, Thereafter the Ist Cavalry Division moved into France, advancing with XXXVI Korps ‘oF 4. Armee oner the Somme and the Seine, and reaching La Rochelle by the time of the French capitulation on 28 June. After @ period in Franice on occupation duties the division sas withdrawn to the east 10 prepare for Operation “Barbarossa During the invasion of Russia in summer 1941 the Ist Cavalry Division served with XXIV Korps in Army Group Centre, protecting the right lank of Guderian’s 2nd Panzer Group during the crossing of the Dnieper and the drive on Smolensk, anid fighting around the Boyansk Pocket, The horsemen were particularly successful against by: pawed Soviet units counterattacking from the northern finge of the Pripet Marshes. Before the onset of winter 194] i was withdrawn from tte Eastern Front and moved to France, for re-organisation as the 24 PanzerDivision in November. The new division was attached to 6, Armee under Generaloberst von Paulus and took partin the fateful 1912 summer offensive to the Volga. Ie perished at Stalingrad with the rest of 6. Armee, its pitiful remnants passing into Soviet captivity in March 1943, ‘The division was reformed shortly thereafter: and after a brief spell in Northern Italy the new formation moved to the Eastern Front, where it suffered heavy losses in the ferocious battles around Kiev in November 1943, In March 1944, 24, PanzerDivision took part in the relief of the Cherkassy Pocket, te gallantry of its roops earning ita formal mention in despatches, During the German collapse of that summer the division made a fighting withdrawal through Poland and into Hungary, where it counterattacked west of Debrecen, but later took very heavy casualties in the defence of Keeskemet, In the final weeks of the war the remnants of 24, PanzerDiision were fighting in north-east Prussia, where they went into Soviet captivity in May 1945, ‘een Gay A (continued on page 3) 1 Sent nt et Grosedetctane, 098 2 Fetiwebe Fesgensoretein 6D 041ae aor Joust Rattamalar of 24 {pe Nort Aan eampalan ‘hat matin spc goen- elow ns. Main elements PanzerRegiment 24 Panzergrenadier Regiment 21 Panzergrenadier Regiment 26 PanzeranillerieRegiment 89 PanzeraufklirungyAbteilung 2 Heeres Flak Abteiting 285 Panzerpionier Batallon 10 Divisional commanders Generalleutnant Kurt Feldt (November 1941-April 1942) Generalmajor Bruno Ritter von Hauensehild (April-September 1942) Generalleutnant Amo von Lenski (September 1912-Janiary 1943) Generalleutnant Maximillian Reichs Freiherr von Edelsheim (March 1943-August 1944) Generalmajor Gustav Adolf von Nostite Wallwite (August 1944 March 1945) Generalleutnant Rudolf von Knebel Daberitz(March-May 1945) (Throughout the war the divsion’s officers incladed a higher than sal proportion of aristocrats, reflecting the old cavalry wadition.) Special insignia While no special badges were wor, this formation was unique among the Panzer divisions in its visible reflection of the eavalry roots from which it sprang, Instead of the regulation rose-pink ofthe Panzertruppe all uniform and insignia piping — to the peaked service cap, field ‘ap, and the shoulder straps, collar patches and collar of the black sehicle uniform jacket ~ was in the cavalry’ goldenellow Waffentarbe Within other Panzer divisions the crews of armoured reconnaissance Vaflenfarbe; but the 24th vehicles were authorised cavalry yellow ‘was unique in that this colour was also worn by its tank crews, (130.) PANZER-LEHR-DIVISION This relaively ‘new’ division, formed only on $ December 1943, was created from some of the best and most experienced Panzer soldiers in the German Army. The title ‘Lehe’ indicates an élite evaluation and demonstration unit, At the suggestion of the Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppe, Generaloberst Heine Guderian, the PanzerLebr Division was built around a strong cadre of men who had served as instructors in the Army's various tank training schools, most of whom had already seen extensive combat on the Eastern Front, Guslerian also ensured that these highly experienced troops were issued with only the best equipment, including a full complement of the excellent Pekw V Panther tank, often in short supply. He also saw (0 it that command was given to one of his most trusted subordinates, Generalleutnant Frite Bayerlein, who had proved himself in North Africa under Rommel. The division was fully motorised, and its infantry were true Panzergrenadiers, all transported in armoured halfracks instead of the more usual mix of half-tracke and “softskin’ trucks,34 By the spring of 1944 the formation was at fll srength, and its first operational posting was to Hungary: but it remained there only briefly before being transferred to France in preparation for the anticipated Allied invasion. On 6 June 1944 the division was in the area around Paris, under the fcomtrol of | SSPanzersKorps, it was immediately ‘dered to move toward the coast, But under skies ruled by the Ais the journey took rwo full days. By the time PanzerLeht reached the vicinity of Gaon on 8 June it had already lost over 200 vehicles tw the Allied fighterbombers before it even sw ‘ction. The division went into combat the next day ‘only to find that part ofits assigned area of oper sions had already been taken by the British 8th Armoured Brigade. PanzerLehs atacked, but the Siation had already deteriorated to the extent that the operation was called off because of enemy presure on the division’s flanks: however, they fuceesslully fended off further British attacks around Tilly, operating alongside SS Panzer unit By 11 June it had become clear thatthe original task wihich the division had been allocated ~ 10 destroy the Allied bridgehead ~ was no longer feasible: and Panzerehr, with the rest of 1 SS- PanverKorps, went onto the defensive, For the next two days the division resisted strong enemy attacks which were supported by heay naval gunfire from warships ling off the coast, On 13 June British units penetrated PanzerLehr’s flanks, but were thrown back by a counte hack at VllerrBocage, the scene of the historic action by Waffe Tiger tank ace Michael Witunann, The arvival of 8. Panzer-Division in the area in midune eased the pressure on Pancer-Lehr slightly, but the division had already suffered almost 20 per cent loses. ‘The division's darkest day came in the second half of July 1944. On the 25th a massed USAAF bomber attack saw over 4,000 tons of bombs tdropped on PanzerLehr’s positions in preparation for the US break-out offensive in southern Normands, Operation ‘Cobra’. The divisional commander Gen, Bayerlein described the resulting appearance ofthe area as heavily eratered moonseape; andl it was estimated that up to 70 per cent of PanzerLeht’s personnel were killed, wounded, or temporarily disabled due to concussion and shock inzerd’chr took part in the general withdrawal from Normandy in late summer 1844, crossing the Seine andl moving right hack to the German border. In October 14 ic was completely refitted but with a reduced! entblishment, Featuring only a single battalion of tanks rather thai a tworbattalion regiment. In December; Panzer-Lehr took partin the iated Ardennes offensive as part of 5, Panzerarmee under Gen, von Manteuife, fighting around the Bastogne area. When the offensive wis halted PanverLehr relocated to Holland, whence it gradually withdrew into Germany, fighting on the Saar and against the Remagen bridgehead. Te finally surrendered to US forces inthe Ruhr Pocket in April 1945, oy doourated slr who ere th evra presto ‘omationsincusng Panzer Fegmont“Gressortschan! Fegimert 130, the cre of 5: GobgeDson ater the Main elements PanverLehiRegiment 180 Panzergrenadier LehrRegiment 901 PanzerAnilleicRegiment 130 Panzeraufklirungy-Lehr-Abk PanzerjagerLehr Abteilung 130 Heeres Flak Abteilung 331 PanzerPionierBacallon 130 ng 150 Divisional command: Generafleuinant Fritz Bayerlein (January-June 1944) Generalmajor Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von GroseZauche und Camminetz (June-August 194) Oberst Rudolf Gerhardt (August-September 1944) (Oberst Paul Freiherr von Hauser (September 1944) Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein (September 1944-January 1945) Generalinajor Horst Niemack (Jannary-April 1945) Oberst Paul Freiherr von Hanser (April 1945) Special insignia ‘The ony special insignia was the letter “L’ for Lehr which wis worn on the shoulder straps by all divisional personnel ~ embroidered in th relevant Waffenfarbe for junior ranks, stamped in white metal for senior NOO ranks (see Plate D5) snd gilt metal for officers 3. GEBIRGS-DIVISION As with many of the German Army's mountain unis, 3. GebirgsDivision had its origins in the Austrian Army Following the Anschluss in 1938 the Austrian 5th and 7th Divisions were amalgamated to become 8. GebirgeDisision, The division served in the brief Polish campaign with Hleerexgruppe ‘iad; but although committed to the Eifel region for the forthcoming ‘campaign inthe West it sw no significant action before being chosen as ‘one of the lead formations for the atack on Narvik during the invasion ‘of Norway in April IMO, The mountain woopers were transported to Narvik in ships of the Kriegsmarine’s destroyer flilla; most arrived at their destination weakened by seasickness after several hours caoped up below decks on destroyers tossed about in rough seas. The Gebirgsager accepted the surrender of the Norwegian garrison, but were themselves isolated by the arival ofthe Rosal Navy, which over the course of several brief but ferocious engagements involving British destroyers and the battleship HMS Wangitesank the entire force often German destroyers, In appalling weather conditions the mountain troops fought cious to defend theie perimeter against Polish, French, Norwegian and British troops. Hitler, not known for allowing his commanders to retreat, proposed the evacuation of the ‘of having thern march into neutral Sweden and accept intern Sebingsiiger or the alternative nt rather than surrender. The diisional commander, Gen. Eduard Diet persuaded Hider that the mountain woopers should hold fast: by this point over 15,000 enemy troops were pressing in on his shrinking butstubbornly held perimeter. A few paratroopers ~ including volunteers from the 2. GebirgsDivision ~ were dropped to reinforce Diets ‘command, but the position remained precarious, Other elements of the 2nd Mountain Division struck out overland in an attempt to reliewe the Sed Division, 125° miles aseay, Selecting the fittest and most texperienced troops for an advance force, the commander of 2. Gebings- Division asked his men for an allot effort wo reach their comrades, Fate ‘eas t reward Diets determination, however; when the relief force was Sill dhree days’ mareh away Norway surrendered, Diet| would thereafter bre feed asthe “Hero of Narvik’, but would admit that he had been on the point of conceding de Tin June 1941, 3. GebirgeDivision took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union, striking northeast from Finland towards Murmansk, Denied the eapture of the Soviet port, the division spent over a year in degrenive bur ewenially static warfare against the Red! Army before being moved to the southern sector of the fro ‘The 3rd Mountain Division ultimately formed part of 6, Armee, rebuilt after the disaster at Stalingrad, and fought in the defensive battles a the Germans withdrew from the Ukraine and into Hungary and Slovakia, It served out the last few ‘weeks of the war in defensive operations in Silesia, where it Finally surrendered to the Red Army: Main elements GebingsjigerRegiment 138 Gebirgjiger Regiment 139 GebirgeArillerie Regiment 112 ‘Gebingy Autklirunge Abteilung 12 Gebirgy PionierBatillon 82 Gebirgy Panzerabweht-Abteilung 48 Divisional commanders Generaloberst Eduard Diet! (September 1989-June 1940) ‘General Jalius Ringel (June-October 1940) General Hans Rreysin (October 1940-August 1948) Generalleuinant Fbert Picker (August 1943) General Siegied Rasp (August-September 1943) Generalleutnant Egbert Picker (September 1943) ‘Generalleutnant August Wittmann (September 1948-July 1944) Generatleutnant Paul Kt uly 194-May 1945) Special insignia Te oeetn Nak campaign shi wor on th et aleve. Thi avard Scion 0 Aug 940 a ke fo of here ta “Mt tppea'hy a eagle and sya and he Tegend "Nari: On ehucPere depees propeller Cor ah Lf) an anchor (or Ihe Ras) a at Eater ine Geiegger,smbolsing the Mean con made yall tre sere nthe ba of Nari on ot 2. oxbrge Onision ‘he Obergrster wine tt for Narva vanced pth anc Sitd onto et ‘oe of is reatcoet Note the Edatvoinbaape onthe erpmitzen cps (sot Sharts) “he Na ied lesved The divisional personnel naturally alo wore the special Edelweiss insignia which identified all mountain units, ‘The right sleeve patch comisted of a white Edelweis flower with yellow stamens and green stem, set within asilvergrey twisted rope border with a piton at its top. This was made in both machine-embroidered and woven forms for lower ranks, and occasionally in handembroidered bullion thread for officers. The standard metal Edelweiss emblem was also worn om the side of the Bergmitze 5. GEBIRGS-DIVISION ‘This division had its roots in the mountains of Bavaria where most of its personnel were reeruited, though its home base was at Graz, Austra. “The division was formed in 1940 around a cadre element transferred from 1. GebirgeDivision. After training in the Alps it was moved into the Balkans, taking part in the imasion of Greece and the destruction of the "Meuxas’ defence line. Almost immediately afterwards it fought its most significant battle when, in May 1941, in the invasion of the island of Crete. hy Mountain had not been one of the formations originally intended for this operation, but was pulled in at the last moment to make up a shortfall in available troops. From is base in Greece it was w move wo Crete in stages 10 back up the Fallschirmjager ‘who would have already landed, The first wave was to be transported by the Litfwaffe in Ju32 transports to Maleme airfield as soon as i hhad been captured ‘(although each plane could carry only 12 men with their full equipment, so many fights would be needed). The second wave was to be transported by sea, also to Maleme; for this purpose the divisional commander, Generalleutnant Julius “Papa Ringel, commandeered a fleet of more than 60 small Greck fishing. vestels (caiques). Disaster struck when the caiques were intercepted fon 19 May and sunk by warships of the Royal Navy: of the to fall battalions being transported, only 52 men made it to Crete “The Gebirgsjiger transported by air found their planes coming under heavy fire a they landed, from New Zealand troops who sill held the heights overlooking Maleme. Each squad was forced to dash for cover as soon a they exited the aircraft, which had to turn around and take off again immediately, sill under fire and avoiding the wrecked aircraft which littered the runway. Eventually, by midday on 22 May 4 full bataion had been landed, and they began to first secure and then gradually ta expand their perimeter. The troops at Maleme were formed into three Kampfgruppen, One Gobingsjager battle group would defend Maleme itself the second, predominantly Fallschirmger, would defend the easter approaches to the town andl airfield; while the third, another Gebirgxjiger group, would attack the enemy positions overlooking Maleme, The later group made good progress until they reached Modion, where they ran into stubborn resistance from New Zealand troops. In combat skills and determination the opponents were evenly matched, and the Germans took significant casualties before finally driving the defenders off the heights overlooking Maleme, With the airfieldhow safe from enemy fire there was a rapid increase in the rate of reinforcement, The division pushed on towards Galatas where a combined attack by Gebirgsjager and Fallschirmjager once again successfully over ame the New Zealanders, bat valy after heavy ghting, With Substantial German reinforcements now available the tide had finally tured against the defenders, and 9. GebirgsDivision continued to pursue the retreating British and Commonvealth troops through the mountains to the ports from which their emnanss were finally evacuated. After their successful involement on Crete, the division moved to the Eastern Front in March 1949, being thrown into the festering swamps of the Volkhow region in northem Russia to prevent the escape of large numbers of Soviet troops caught in the Volkhov Pocket. ‘The enemy carried out many brave but pointless head- ‘on attacks in an attempt to break through the German encirclement, nd suffered extremely heay losses in the process; over 33,000 Soviet prisoners were eventually taken. The division was then tasked with hunting down the large groups of Soviet stragalers, stil heavily armed, who had taken to the dense forests in this region, Tn the summer of 193 the Sosicts launched a major counter offensive, which saw the division severely battered and fragmented, Despite their loses the weakened Gebirgsjiger fought with great determination — at one point a single battalion vas holding off ree entire Soviet regiments, in terrain il-suited for defence. The Sth Moumtain Division was eventually relieved in July 1943 and transferred to warmer climes, moving to Ialy as part of 10. Armee. Hire it took part in the bates to the south of Rome and the defence ff the Gothic Line belore being pulled back to the Franco Taian border. It eventually surrendered to US forces at Turin in May 1945. Gebirgyiger Regiment 85 Gebirggiiger Regiment 100 cbinge-Arillerie Regiment 95 binge Aufklinungs Abteilung 95 Pionier Batallon 95 ‘General Jlius Ringel (November 1940-February 1944) Generalleutant Max Schrank (February 1944-January 1945) Generalmajor Hans Sects (January-May 1945) Special insignia Apart from the regulation distinctions of the Mountain Troops, the 5. GebingeDivision unofficially adopted a special badge worn on the left side of the Bergmitve beside the Edelweiss. In the form of a stylised white metal chamois mountain antelope standing on a {tiple mountain peak, this was known asthe ‘Gams’? ‘Stove poten, olson, ‘ite and pale goon with 2 ‘Thergre vope and pte ecb te worn variate fone backing st sor Wty J8he0, commander E52 wearing the sheepskin rerlchet ppulr wih some THE TIGER TANK BATTALIONS In the 60 years since its first appearance on the battlefield the PeKw VI jget tank” has achieved a statis which can only be described as legendary When it ira rolled off the production line in 1942 the Tiger wat the most powerful armoured fighting vehicle in existence. Tis frontal armour was virtually impervious to all known antitank ‘weapons, and its 8.8m gun was capable of destroying all known enemy tanks well before they came within the effective range of their orn ‘min armament. It is in this sense, of employing an outstanding ‘weapons system which achieved remarkable results, that the Tiger tank tunts may properly be considered an élite. Tigers were extremely expensive to produce in terms of material and manpower resources, and were carefully husbanded. Although in the cay dass ofits combat service several élite divisions were allocated thet fown Tiger units (eg, ‘Grossdeutschland’, the Lultwafle’s "Hermann Goring’ Division, and the three premier Waffen-SS Panzer divisions), as a general rule they came to be deployed at Corps, Army of even Army Group level in specially formed Heary Tank Battalions (schwere Panzer Abieiungen). The higher command would then decide which sector of the front most needed these scarce assets, shifting them from area to area to deal with crises. A typical schwere PanzerAbteilung had a headquarters element and three companies of Tigers, cach nominally 14 tanks strong, plus service and support elements. In some caves, particularly during the early days ofits use, there ‘were insufficient Tigers to fully equip the heavy hataions, and a company of Tighter tanks such 4s Pek Ills were substituted. The following Army Heavy Tank Battalions were formed: Schwere Panzer-Abtoilung 501 Formed in 142, One full company of this unit yas shipped to Tunisia in November 19 ing action against the Allies at Tebourba and Hamra, and in February 1943 around Kaserine The elements in North Africa were forced to surrender along with the rest of the Axis Forces in May 1943 after fierce combat in the Medjerda Valley; but the batalion was re-formed around the companies which had remained in Europe fon occupation duty in France. Fully up to strength, it was sent to the Eastern Front and ‘was immediately involved in defensive actions around Vitebsk and Gorodok, The battalion was Fefitted with the even heavier Tiger Il (CKénigstiger’) in July 1044, Thereafter it fought fon the defensive as the German armies retreated through Poland, seeing particularly heavy fighting at Radom and Kleice. In December 1944,sP2

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