Osprey Men-at-Arms PUBLISHING Elite Units 1939-45

Gordon Williamson * Illustrated by Ramiro Bujeiro CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

‘GROSSDEUTSCHLAND’

‘FELDHERRNHALLE*

GORDON WILLIAMSON was INFANTERIE-REGIMENTER 119 & 9 ‘LIST’ born in 1951 and currently works for the Scottish Land Register. He spent seven years with the Military Police -DIVISION TA end has published a ‘BRANDENBURG* number of books and articles on the decorations of the Third Reich and their winners. KAVALLERI E-REGIMENT 5 He is author of a number of World War II titles for Osprey. ‘FELDMARSCHALL VON MACKENSEN’

44. REICHSGRENADIER-DIVISION ‘HOCH UND DEUTSCHMEISTER’

116. PANZER-DIVISION {‘Windhund’)

21. PANZER-DIVISION

24. PANZER-DIVISION

(130.) PANZER-LEHR-DIVISION RAMIRO BUJEIRO has illustrated many Osprey titles including Warrior 23; US 3. GEBIRGS-DIVISION Afanne in Vietnam and Men- at-Arms 357: Allied Women's 5. GEBIRGS-DIVISION Service. He is an experienced commercial artist who lives and works in his native city THE TIGER TANK BATTALIONS of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His main interests are the political and military history THE PLATES of Europe in the first half of the 20th century. INDEX first published In Great Britain In 2002 by Osprey Publishing. Artist’s Note Qms Court. Chapel Way. BotJay, Oxford 0X2 9LB United Kingdom GERMAN ARMY ELITE UNITS Email] info® osprey publishing, com Readers may care to note that the original paintings from which the colour plates in this book were prepared are available for © 2002 Osprey Publishing Ltd. sale. All reproduction copyright whatsoever is retained by the 1939-45 Publishers, All enquiries should be addressed to: All rights reserved- Apart From any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs end Ramiro Sujeiro, GC 28, 1602 Florida, Argentina Patents Act, 1983. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored In a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, The Publishers regret that They can enter into no correspondence electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, upon this matter without the prior written permission of ihe copyright owner. Enquiries should be addressed to the Publishers. INTRODUCTION ISBN 1 84176 405 1 The German Army was no different from any other army in the Editor: Martin Windrow world in having a number of units which were considered ‘elite*. Design: Alan Hamp Some of these were units or formations which, after unremarkable Index by Alan Putter beginnings* established themselves as elite through their performance Originated by Magnet Harlequin, Uxbridge. UK Printed in China through World Print Lid. on the battlefield. Others were considered elite from the moment of their creation, having been formed around cadre elements from other FOR A CATALOGUE OF ALL BOOKS PUBLISHED BY units which had already earned that reputation. In some cases entire OSPREY MILITARY AND AVIATION PLEASE CONTACT: arms of service (e,g the Luftwaffe’s paratroopers) were considered to The Marketing Manager, Osprey Direct UK belong to an elite due to the extremely high selection standards and PO Box 140, Wellingborough, Northants procedures that they enforced. NN8 2FA, United Kingdom Email: [email protected] The formations and units covered in this work represent a selection and should in no way be considered exhaustive. Those included have The Marketing Manager, Osprey Direct USA been chosen, in the main, because they were granted some form c/o MSI Publishing 729 Prospect Avenue, Osceola, Wl 54020, USA of visible distinction which indicated that there was something Email: info®ospreydirectusa.com 'special’about them, whether ii he a eitffband, shoulder strap emblem, piping colour to their uniform, or unofficial unit insignia. However www.QSpreypubfishing.com such visible distinctions alone were not in themselves an indication of Bernhard truly elite status: not every unit granted such insignia could be Klemz, commander of 5 considered outstanding on the battlefield. On the other hand* as Kompanle, Panzer-Regiment a rule the majority of truly elite units were either granted, or ^Grossdeutschiand', in the unofficially adopted, some form of distinguishing insignia. In the final regulation field-grey service uniform worn by armoured analysis the truly elite units — those whose record will live on in the personnel when on leave annals of military history -were those that distinguished themselves by or service away from their deeds of gallantry and sacrifice on the field of battle. armoured vehicles. Note that he Is not wearing the ‘GD1 ciphers on his shoulder straps; photographs showing soldiers GROSSDEUTSCHLAND’ failing to wear the special unit HIGHLAND insignia to which they were Tliis, the premier formation of the German Army, had its origins in the libraries entitled are not uncommon. Berlin Guard detach mem. In 1936 Gcneraloberst von Fritsch* Gommander-in-Chief of die Army, had decreed that every unit of the army should send its best-drilled soldiers on rotation for service on 02033652 ceremonial duties with the Guard in the capital city* The unit soon gained a reputation for the smartness of its drill and its immaculate turn-out. Expanded to regimental size in June 1937* it was formally tided 940.541343 Wachregiment Berlin and given the right to wear a distinctive *Wf cipher on its shoulder straps. In April 1939, in reflection of the fact that its 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 Infanterie-Regiment 'Grossdeuischkmd* (‘Great '). From 3 form-up point at Ryetachiza the division attacked being a predominantly eastwards towards Kursk in fate June 1942, getting ceremonial unit the as far as Voronezh on 6 July before turning south regiment, to which a draft and fighting its way to die junction of the Rivers from the Infan rerie-Lehr- Don and Donetz north-east of Rostov by the end Regime i \ t deni on strai ion of that month* unit was added in October On 1 August die division moved into reserve, 1939, was to become based at Smolensk. Within a week of reaching a superbly trained combat- Smolensk it was on the move again, however, ready infantry unit. pushing northwards i<> engage Lhe enemy at Rzhev Still working up on from early September through to October. It was the outbreak of wan here diat 'Grossdeutschland1 saw some of its ‘Grossdeutschland1 did not heaviest fighting of die entire war, and in dreadful take part in the Polish conditions: the autumn rains had turned the campaign* although an landscape into something akin to ihe muddy bat- offshoot from the regiment defields of France in the Great War, The fighting which was Formed into a in this area, and especially in the hellish Lutschcssa personal escort unit for Valley* cost the division over 12,000 men. under the tide In early 1943 the division was involved in the F u h r e r-B eg 1 e i t-B a la 111 o n unsuccessful attempts to defend Kharkov and held back the did see non-combat service 'CrossdGutschiantP cuffbands - ABOVE LEFT A young tank from top to bottom: long enough for die predominantly Waften-SS units in the city to in Poland. crewman from Panzer- First pattern, machine-woven evacuate* Whilst in a rest area near Poltava the division received its own The first significant action for the new regiment came during in aluminium thread Gothic Regiment ‘Grossdeutschlafid1 integral detachment of P/.Kw VI Tiger heavy tanks — a dear mark of the 1940 campaign in die West, where it took part in the march through poses proudly for a portrait script on dark green rayon. its elite status, since these tanks were almost invariably limited to Belgium and into France, seeing combat against both French and photograph in his black vehicle Third pattern, hand-embroidered British troops. It was to be no easy baptism of fire and uniform; normally a grey rather In aluminium wire Sutterlin independent units under Corps or Army control. The division tiien took 'Grossdeutscbland' was involved in severe fighting on several occasions. than a white shirt would be script on black doeskin* pan in the counter-attack towards Kharkov* capturing Tomarovka before worn. Note the -GD' ciphers on Fourth pattern, machine- being pulled out of die line for rest and refitting: On 23 June 1943 After the fall of France* ‘Grossdeutschland1 remained tin occupation embroidered in silver-grey his shoulder straps* embroidered the division was redesignated once again, now being entitled duty while being reorganised and expanded to the strength of a in rose-pink thread on the black yam on black wool. Pan ze rgren adier-Divisi on ‘ Gro ss dei i tschla n d'. regimental combat group. In April 1941 it took part in die invasion wool strap. Fifth pattern, machine- of and was involved in the capture of where it embroidered in 'copperplate' The division Look pan in the early stages of Operation 'Citadel1, die script on black wool. seized the radio station* reopening it as a German military station. By ABOVE ‘Diddo’ armoured offensive at Kursk* and made good progress against stiff' Diddens of Sturmgeschutz* [vine* 4GrossdeuLschland1 had moved into reserve near Warsaw as opposition before once again being pulled out of Lhe line on 18 July. Abteilung Grossdeutschland'* This was to be die beginning of a long period of employment as a fire Germany prepared for her invasion o£ the . He wears the standard third- brigade’ for die Eastern Front* rushed from crisis point to crisis point; When Operation ‘Barbarossa' began* elements of Grossdeutschland' pattern Sutterlin script cuffband crossed the River Bug in support of 7. Panzer-Division* taking part in the on the right sleeve, and the the arrival of this seasoned and very powerful formation would often be encirclement and capture of Minsk before pushing on to die Dnieper officer's gilt metal fGD* ciphers sufficient to prevent an enemy breakthrough, though once again at a on his shoulder straps. They continued north-east in the general direction of Moscow, reaching terrible cost in casualties* By this point many of the veterans who had Yelnya before being abruptly shifted south* where the formation started the war with the GD had fallen, yet the espriL de corps of the engaged the Red Army in fierce fighting around Konotop, Ptitivi and German Army's premier combat formation never faltered. Romny to ihe east of Kiev. The regiment was then diverted northwards The first half of 1944 was spent in f urious defensive batdes, though once again, eventually being allowed some rest and recuperation on a few rare occasions the division was able to go onto die attack, around Orel By the end of 1941 die regiment was lying to the south of OPPOSITE ‘Grossdeutschland' 'Grossdeutschland* distinguished itself yet again at the see-sawing battles shoulder straps: {Left} Nlid- the River Oka in defensive positions confronting the Soviet counter¬ around Targul Frumos, first defending then war type in field-grey wool counter-attacking* then defending yet again. In attack before Moscow, its first year in Russia had cost Grossdeutschland for the rank of Unterfeldwebel* the summer it was pulled out of the line again for j over 4,000 killed or wounded* but had earned it a first-class reputation. (2nd, 3rd & 4th left} Early dark The early part of 1942 was spent in defensive actions against Red Army green wool straps for FeidwebeL a brief period of rest and refitting; and during units and offensive sweeps against heavily armed partisans. Oberfeldwebel and Stabs - this period the 'Grossdeutschland' elements . (2nd right & right) ‘Grossdeutschland1's performance had been impressive enough for setring with the Guard Battalion in Berlin were Officers' straps for Leutnant instrumental in putting down the attempted the decision to be taken to expand it yet again, this time to divisional and * putsch following the abortive attempt to assas¬ status, and reorganisation began in April 1942* The formation was offi¬ All the NCO examples have white cial iv redesignated as 1 nlanterie-Division (mot) Grossdeutschland metal ciphers and the officer sinate Hitler on 20 July* Thereafter the Guard on 17 April 1942* and was allocated its own Panzer battalion. From its examples gilt metal ciphers* Battalion was increased to regimental status as the Wachregiment. The summer of 1944 also saw elements of the divisional actions against the Red Army near Spremberg, Those members of the Panzer-Regiment, in France for refitting with the PzKw V , brigade actually on duty at Hitlers headquarters wore a cuffband in sent into action against die Allies following the Normandy landings. black witli the legend Fuhrerhau(Hqimrtier in silver; others used the In November 1944 the Panzer-Korps ‘Grossdeutschland’ was created, standard GmssdmtsehLand cuffband. The standard ‘GD* shoulder strap comprising Panzergrenadier-Division 'GrossdeLiLschland’ and ciphers were used by this unit. Panzergrenadier-Division ‘Brandenburg’, By late 1944 the GD division was in action on the northern sector of the Eastern Front, defending the Panzergrmadier-Divisio n 'Kit r maiii' area around the Baltic port of Memei. 'Grossdeutsdhland5 had been This late war creation, formed Irani GD replacement units in January weakened not onlv by combat losses but by providing the cadres for new 1945, was thrown into action on die Oder Front in February. In April it formations such as the FuhrenBegleil-Di ! on, the Fuhrer-Grenadier- was involved in very heavy fighting around the Ilalhe Pocket, achieving Division and Panzergrenadier-Division ‘Kurmark’, It spent the im pr e s si ve i n i ti al progress be to re be i i ig swat 11 ped w h e n th e f r on t fin .ally remaining few months of the war in desperate defensive actions in East collapsed. Its remnants went into Soviet captivity. Prussia, though some elements were successfully evacuated by sea to Schleswig Holstein and avoided capture hv the Soviets. The ‘GD* divisional commanders Wachregiment was destroyed in the final battles for Berlin. Oberstle11tnani Wilhe 1 m vcm Siockhaxisen (j111y 1959-February 1940) OberstieutnaiH Gerhard Graf’von Schwerin (Fehmary-Mav 1940) Main elements A from Panzergrenadier-Regiment Oberst von Stockhausen (May 1940-Augusi 1941) Leutnant Willi Heinrich from the (at peak divisional strength, 1944) 'Grossdeutschland 2C with his wife and young Oberst Walter Hoemlein (August 1941-April 1942) Panzer-Abteitung of the Fuhrer- children. Note the shoulder straps with the small Grenadier-Brigade, Although a Pa i \ ze r-Regi m v n t * Gi c>ssde 11 tscIdan d' General major Walter Hoemlein (April 1942-April 1944} numeral l2’ just below the 'GO' cipher; this rare strap special 'FG' cipher was created, Generalleumant Hasso von Manteuffel {April-August 1944) G re n adi e r- Regi m en t 1 Grossdei use hi a n d1 type was only worn for a short period in 1942-43. it was used only for a very short F usi 11 e i -Re gi m e n t 1 Grt >s sde i i tsci i1 a n d1 Oberst Karl Lorenz (Sepremb<■ r 1944-N1 ay 1945) time before being replaced with Panzer-Arti lien e-Regi mem 4 Grnssdeutsch land5 the standard ‘GD’ cipher as worn here. Panzeratifk 1 amngs-Abteilung ‘Grt>ssdeutschlaiid’ Special insignia [ leeres-FIak-Abteiliing 1 Grossdeu tschland’ Cuffbands St11rmgeschutzbrigade ' G i ossdeu tsch 1 and The most significant piece of special insignia for most elite units was Panze r-Pi o n i er-Batai lion 1 Or o ssdeu tsc h l a n d' the cuffband. A cuffband was first authorised in June 1959, with the legend Grossdeutschland machine-woven in metallic aluminium thread Satellite units Gothic script characters on a dark green rayon backing, with woven Fuh rer-Gren adi er-Brigade aluminium edge stripes. The cuffband was worn on the lower right {expanded to divisional status early 1945) sleeve, 15cm from the edge of the cuff. At some time in the summer of Formed July 1944; first saw action in October 1944 around Gumbinnen The FQhrerhauptquartier 1940 a new version was introduced with the inscription altered to read and Goldap in East Prussia, Removed in November for rest and refit cuffband, hand-embroidered Inf RegL Grossdeu tsch la ml; so far no photographic evidence of its wear in aluminium thread Sutterlin before being committed to die Ardennes offensive with 5* Panzerarmee. has emerged, but original surviving examples are known. These are of script on a black doeskin base. similar construction to die first pattern, being machine-woven in It provided rearguard cover for retreating units when the offensive It was worn on the lower left collapsed, and was thereafter refitted as a Panzer-Division in February sleeve by all troops during aluminium due ad on a dark green rayon band. 1945, it was thrown into action at Stettin on the Oder in March 1945 and their attachment to Hitler’s The third, and most widely seen, version was introduced in 1959 and was involved in a failed attempt to recapture Kustrin. In the closing days headquarters, e.g, the Fuhrer- reverted to the single wTord Grossdeu tschland, but this time hand- Begleit-Brigade drawn from of the war it was fighting around , and fought its way west to embroidered in aluminium bullion thread in old German Sinter 1 in ‘GD* personnel. surrender to the Americans, but its personnel were promptly turned script, and on a black rather than a dark green band. The base material over to the Soviets, This unit also wore die Grossdeutschland cuffband, A was usually of a fine doeskin finish with edging in aluminium ‘Russia' special shoulder strap with the cipher TG' was produced but seems to braid. This type has often been referred to as an ‘officer's grade’ band have been worn only very rarely; it was in any case replaced by the but it was in fact worn by all ranks. Although die first type was generally standard *GIT cipher in die autumn of 1944, and hi early 1945 the unit replaced by die Sutter!in script version by late 1940. photographic teased using a shoulder strap cipher. evidence clearly establishes that it continued to he worn bv veterans of the original ‘Grossdeutschland’ regiment well into the war. Fit k m-Begleil-B) igade In around mid-1944 orders were issued standardising the (expanded to divisional status early 1945) manufacture ol cuffbands in the interests of economy. The regulation Initially a bodyguard unit for Hitler, it was expanded into an armoured issue Gmssdeutschimui bands produced after diis time are machine- brigade in November 1944, Ll too was used in the abortive Ardennes embroidered in silver-grey yam on a black woollen badge doth band with offensive before being thrown into defensive actions in East Prussia, silver-grey Russia braid edging. Further, in November 1944 it was after being expanded yet again to divisional status. Fighting around ordered that all Cuffbands he made in a length of no more than 25cm 6 Vienna towards the end of the war, it was almost totally wiped out in so that die baud would not reach all the way around Lhe sleeve - 7 a reasonable economy woven in red yarn on an oval dark green base. It measure m the part to the was worn on the upper right sleeve. inside of the sleeve would The Feldgendarmerietnipp ‘Grossdeutsch- in any case remain unseen. land1 altered the standard iMlitary police gorget Photographic evidence to produce their own unique unit version. A proves the use of these blackened metal plate emblazoned with the GD1 si i orteiic d bands, Ll i o ugh cipher in white was added to the rear of die their rarin suggests that standard gorgeL plate, effectively filling in the gap sufficient stocks of full in the half-moon shaped plate between the two length bands must still have suspension buttons. been available to meet normal needs. Special uniforms A final version of the ‘Grossdeutschland' was unique in being the only (rtossdeu l \ rh la n d c u ffb a n d elite unit to have its own special pattern of was introduced in 1944. uniform. This was designed and launched in Tli is had the legend (Left) The special shoulder strap 1939, bin was never generally issued, though it is believed it was math i n e-embroidered i n for those serving with the guard intended to be the standard dress uniform for the unit after die antic¬ * c oppe r pi ate h an dwri Li n g- detachment in Berlin; in this ipated final victory, [he uniform consisted of a special Waffen rock-style siyle script. Being intro- case the rank is FeldwebeJ. The ABOVE This Fefdwebel tunic and greatcoat, die headgear and trousers being standard issue. duced after die move to simple machine embroidery for cuffband ‘W‘ was embroidered for enlisted from the ‘Grossdeutschland' ranks, in white metal for senior I he tunic was in pale grey-green with dark green collar and cuff manufacture, this type is almost invariably encountered in silver-grey Division is pictured during NCOs and gilt metal for officers. facings. The collar Litzen were of a special pattern, being much longer an attachment to the yarn on black badgecloih, but a few original hand embroidered (Centre) A rare shoulder strap and narrower than die norm and without Waffenfarbe underlay; a Wachregi merit in Berlin. aluminium thread examples have been noted - almost certainly from Fanzergren ad ier-Regiment He retains his divisional privately commissioned. Grossdeutschland 2*, for the single bar was worn by NCOs and a double bar by other ranks - die cuffband but for the period rank Of UnterfeidwebeJ. narrower N CO model allowing space for NCO Treto braid along the top of his attachment wears Shoulder strap ciphers (Right) Piping and embroidered and front edges of the collar The extreme edge of the collar was piped the Gothic ‘W‘ cipher on cipher In orange on a field-grey in white infantry Waffenfarbe colour The ‘French' cuffs also differed his shoulder straps, In 19116 a special shoulder strap cipher consisting of the letter ‘W’ for strop for a member of the ’GO' from the standard Waffen rock. As well as a normal turn-back cuff in (Chiis Boomeaier) Wache ‘Guard’, was introduced for wear by members of Wachreghnenr divisional FekJgendarmerie troop. dark green they had dark green vertical patches with a straight forward Berlin, the immediate forerunner of ‘ Grossdeutschland’. The cipher ABOVE RIGHT Oberleutnant edge and scalloped rear edge. These dark green facings were also piped was machine-embroidered into the shoulder strap in white yarn for Karl Hausmann during in white. Each of the vertical cuff patches bore three single strips of ranks up to l nteroffiziei; stamped in white metal for senior NCOs (i.e. his attachment to the braid fj&tzgvi each with an aluminium button. This tunic was worn with Wachregiment. He wears ftom l nterofftzier upwards) and in gill metal for officers. Although the first type machine-woven alum in i u ni-o n-gree n Gothic script the thirds pattern Sutterlin officially replaced by the later ‘CD’ cipher, the ‘W cipher is known to cuffband, and with the GD shoulder strap ciphers. There were no script divisional cuffband, have continued in use by personnel of the Wachbataillon element with gilt metal 'W' ciphers pockets; the tunic was fastened by eight silvered aluminium buttons, from * Grossdeutschland1 when on rotation duty in Berlin. on his shoulder straps. and the from edge was also piped in white. In June 1939, when die unit name was changed to A special greatcoat was also designed to be vvorn with this uniform, Grossdeutschland . a special shoulder strap cipher was introduced differing from die standard issue in having white piping around die consisting of the intertwined letters lG’ and ’D’. This was embroidered dark green collar collar and the turnback cuffs. diteedy into the strap for ranks up to Unreroffizier, the colour of the embroidery matching the colour of the Waffenfarbe arm-of-service piping to the shoulder strap. For senior NCOs it was in white metal and for officers in gih metal. ‘FELDHERRNHALLE’ Before reorganisation into Grenadier and Fusilier Regiments, Feldhermhalle was similar in some ways to ‘Grossdeutschland’ in ‘GrossdeutschIand’s armoured infantry regiments were numbered l being a unit whose recruitment, unlike that of most army units, was not and 2. Between March 1942 and June 1943 the appropriate numeral was restricted to a specific region or city but covered all corners of the Reich. worn on the shoulder snap below the GD’ cipher, before being ' Feldhermhalle’ was different, however, in that its traditional links were replaced with loops of coloured braid above and below die cipher in wh i te or re d respec I i ve! y. not widi the Get man Army as such but with the SA, and specifically with the SA Regiment (Standarte) of the same name, with which it Other special insignia maintained close links. A large proportion of * Feldhermhalle V manpower were SA members; this political aspect, however, does noL I lie 1" lak-Abteilung Grossdeutschhmd introduced* some time in 1943,, detract from die fact that the Army unit was a high quality formation a unique identifying sleeve badge consisting of a winged Flak shell which earned its categorisation as an elite. The ‘Feldherrnhalle’ Division's origins can be traced back to two Sieiukelier, was captured. It retreated into separate earlier formations, 95. Infanterie-Division and 60. Infamerie- Hungary, where its remnants were surrounded Division. The first of these was formed from reservists in Berlin in and destroyed in the battle for Budapest, Seplember 1959, its major components being lrdanterie-Regiment 270, hi 1944 a decision was taken in principle IR 271 and IR 272. Too late, to take part in the Polish campaign, it was to form a ‘Feldherrnhalle Armoured Corps' based in the Saar area in 1940 and took part hi the attack on the along the same lines as Panzer-Korps Magi not Line near Saarbrucken in the summer of that year. .After ’Giossdeutschland*. Also formed around this time spending some time on garrison duty in France, 93.I nfanterie-Di vision were Panzer-Brigade 106 ‘Feldherrnhalle* and moved to Poland in preparation for the launching of Operation Panzer-Brigade 110 ‘FeldherrnhaJ[e\ The latter * Barbara ssa*' was eventually absorbed into 13. Panzer-Division, As part of Heeresgruppe Nord, the 93rd Division advanced into the which In turn was redesignated as Panzer-Division northern part of the Soviet Union during the drive towards Leningrad, ‘Feldherrnhalle*. While Panzer-Brigade 106 it look heaw losses, around two-thirds of its strength being killed or ‘Feldherrnhalle* fought in the West, Panzer- wounded by October 1941. Remaining in the northern sector of the Division 'Feldherrnhalle* (formerly 13, front, in the autumn of 1942 In fan terie-Regi merit 271 was given die Panzer-Division) was redesignated Panzer- honour tide Infanterie-Regimeiit ‘ Feldherrnhalle' in recognition of its Division * Feldherrnhalle 2'. This was the link with the SA. In the spring of 1943 the division was withdrawn into formation which, with Panzergrenadier-D 1 vision Poland for rest and refitting, and fR 271 was moved to France where ‘Feldherrnhalle* (formerly 60. Panzer grenadier- The traditional roots of it was used to form the nucleus of 60. Panzergrenadier-Division . The Division, and subsequently redesign a Led 4 Feldherrnhalle' were entirely 93rd Infantry Division subsequently moved back lo die Eastern From in Panzer-Division Teklherrnhalle U), would form political. This SA-Brigadefiihrer the area around Leningrad, where it eventually received Infante rie- Panzer-Korps ‘FeldherrnhaiJ e \ The newly formed reporting to Reichsmarschalf Regiment 273 as replacement for IR 27L It fought in the withdrawal corps spent the remaining months of the war Goring wears the same gorget from Leningrad and defensive actions in die Kurland pocket, whence it and cuff band as adopted by the fighting on the borders between Hungary, Army’s ‘Feldherrnhalle* units - was evacuated by sea into East Prussia, ft was destroyed in combat with Czechoslovakia and , see Plate B. (Josef CharitaJ die Red Army in March 1945. The 60. In fan terie-Division was formed in 1939 Major elements (1943) in Danzig, drawing heavily on personnel from the Panzergren adier-Regimen t1 Feld herrnhall e' Heim we hr Danzig (an SS home guard unit) and Fusilier-Regiment Tcldh errn hallL Under magnification the the SA Brigade Ehrhardt. It took pan in the Pan/er-Atneilung Teldherrnhalle' Urvterofflzier at right can be actions ai the Westerplatte in September 1939, ArtiIlerie-Reginient 'FcldherrnHalle* soon to wear the FetdhermhaHe where the shots that opened World War II were Panzeraufkiarungs-Abteilung Feldhermhalle' cuff band and the SA-Kampfrune insignia on his shoulder straps. fired. It served in France in 1940, and took part Pionier-Ba tail Ion Tddherrnhalle1 Full issue of the special unit in the invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941. During insignia seems to have been Operation ‘Barbafossa’ the division saw action in Divisional commanders unusual in this formation; many many of the great battles in the Ukraine, the Generalleutnam Ouo Kohlermann (June 1943-April 1944) photographed personnel lack Donetz Basin, at Kiev, Rostov and Kharkov. General major Friedrich Karl Steinkeller (April-July 1944) either the shoulder strap insignia (usually), the cuffband, or both. Involved in the push to the River Volga in 1942, it Gen era 11 e utnan t Gunther Pape (July 1944—May 1945) Presumably large stocks of was one of the divisions caught up and destroyed cuffbands were made pre-war in the Stalingrad Cauldron in early 1943. Special insignia for the SA unit, so these would In the summer of 1943 the 60th Division Cuff hands have been relatively easily was re-formed in France, this rime as a The Army ‘Feidhermhalle1 units inherited the cuffband worn by the sourced, (Robert Noes) Panzergren tidier formation, based around elite SA-Standarte ‘Feidhermhalle1, W^ven in brown rayon with metallic Infamerie-Regiment 271 ‘FeldherrnhalleU silver edging and the tide Feidhermhalle in Sutterlin script. This lettering Initially based In southern France, it moved might he machine-embroidered in silver-grey yarn, machine-woven in to the Eastern From in the autumn of 1943 Mai aluminium thread, or hand-embroidered in aluminium thread. The and distinguished itself in combat at the battles cuffband was worn on the lower left sleeve, 15cm from the cuff. of Vitebsk and Narva. It formed part of In 1943 a fully machine-woven version of the cuffband was produced HeeresgrUppe Mine during the defensive battles Ln so-called Be Vo style, in pale grey artificial silk on brown. This pattern following die launc h of die great Soviet summer was worn only by the Army ‘Feidhermhalle1 units, not the SA, Examples offensive of 1944. The division was smashed have also been noted machine-embroidered in silver-grey yam on brown during die fiercely fought battles along the River woollen badge cloth and without edge stripes; these are believed to be Dnieper and its commander. General major late war Army patterns. 11 Shoulder strap ciphers For the invasion of the Soviet Union in {une The Army Teldhermhalle’ units were permitted 1941, 57, Infan terie-Division served with XLYIII to wear the 'Kaftipfrtmtf* emblem worn on Panzerkorps in the dash across southern Russia, the straps bv the SA-Standarte 'Feld he mil mile’. incurring heavy losses along the way. It fought This comprised three horizontal 'Welfsangel* at Kursk in July 1943 as part of Generaioberst runes superimposed on a single verdcal rune; HoLh's 4. Panzerarmee. In February 1944 the in the centre was a small disc with the 'SAT division was caught in the Cherkassy Pocket and runic emblem. only broke out at the cost of many casualties. After The cipher was machine-embroidered directly a brief period of rest and recuperation the division into the shoulder strap for ranks up to rejoined the fray widi Heeresgruppe Mi tie in the Unteroffizier, stamped in white metal for senior central sector of the Eastern Front. It was NCOs and hi bronze or gilt metal for officers. surrounded at Minsk with XXVII Armeekorps, and the bulk of the division was destroyed. Shortly Gorgets thereafter the surviving remnants were disbanded. A shoulder strap for the rank Standard bearers in die Army * Feldhermhalle? units wore the $aTne of Unterfeldwebel, m fieJd-grey special pattern of gorget as did the SA-Standarte, rather than the Army's Divisional commanders, 57. Infanterie- cloth typical of mid*war equivalent. The SA piece comprised a plain half-moon shaped gorget Division manufacture, with the SA- widi a large national emblem in die centre; there was no oilier embel¬ Kampfrune in white meter Gene rail eutn ant Oskar Blutnm (September above two examples of the lishment Lo the plate other than litis eagle and swastika, so die gorget 1939—Sep tern her 1941) Feldhermhatle cuffband was much plainer-looking than its elaborate Army counterpart. It was General Anton Dustier (September 1941— showing the differing shades coloured malt silver with a bronzed national emblem, and was suspended April 1942) of brown base material which around the neck on a plain open-link chain. Generalleumant Oskar Blumm (April- may be encountered. The lettering on these examples October 1942) is machine*woven, but Unit colours General Friedrich Siehert (October 1942- embroidered lettering Teldhermhalle’ was also unique amongst Army units in that its colours February 1943} was also used. were not of the normal Army regimental pattern. Instead Genentlleutnam Otto von Fretter-Pico {February- ‘Feldhermhalle' adopted the * Deutschland Erwache* type of vexillum September 1943) Oberst AI tons Konig. standard used by political organisations - specifically, the same as Generalleumam Vincenz Muller {September 1943) commander of Infanterie- carried by the SA-Standarte ‘Feldhermhalle'. This featured a large Regiment 'List1* He wears Adolf Trowitz (September 1943- the unit cuffband on the metal eagle and swastika finial over a rectangular plaque bearing the July 1944) lower left sleeve. (Josef Charita) legend Feldhermhalle (in place of a regional title). From this was suspended a square red banner with white disk and black swastika, the This Leutnant in attendance On the destruction of Infanterie-Regimem 119 with the 57. Infant erie- edges fringed in black and white, upon GFM von Rundstedt Division. the traditions of Lhe Regiment ‘List* 1 reverted to does not appear to have the Kampfrune insignia on his Infan terie-Regimem 19, part of 7. infamerie-Di vision. This division INFANTERIE-REGIM ENTER shoulder strap, but does had served as part of Heeresgruppe Mitte with XLVI Panzerkorps wear a fine example of and had barely escaped destruction in the great Soviet summer 119 & 19 ‘LIST’ the Feldhermhalle offensive of 1944. It carried out a fighting retreat through Poland divisional cuffband. until finally cut off by the last great Soviet offensive of the war at In 1935, Infan ten e-Regimen t 19 was selected to carry the traditions of the Hela Peninsula at die mouth of the River Vistula, where it the 16th Royal Bavarian Reserve Regiment "List', the unit writh surrendered on 8 May 1945. which Adolf Hitler had served during the Great War This lasted until 1939 when the lineage was passed to Infanterie-Regiment 119, part of The fnfanterie-Regiment List Divisional commanders, 7. Inf a n terie-Division, 1944-45 cuffband. This was machine- 57, Infan terie-Division. Generalmajor Hans Traut (December 1943-February 1944) embroidered in silver-grey This division acquitted itself exceptionally well in combat during cotton thread on a dark green Generalleumant Fritz-George von Rappard (February-August 1944) both the Polish campaign and the fighting in the West. It was base for ail ranks; no hand- Generalmajor .Alois Weber (August 1944) i espo n si bl e fo r bl u n ti ng a s Lro n g Freach c o u n ter-a t tack a t Abbe ville led embroidered wire officer's General 1 euintuit Fritz-George von Rappard (August 1944-Febmaj v 1945) by Gen. Charles de Gaulle; ii inflicted heavy losses on the French after versions are known. Generalmajor Rudolf Noak (Februnry-May 1945) initially suffering severe casualties itself - its light 3.7cm anti-tank guns proved all but useless against the heavily armoured French tanks. The Special insignia arrival of an 8.8cm Flak unit turned the tables, however, and in two Cuffband days of fierce fighting over 100 French tanks were destroyed and The only special emblem worn by the regiment De Gaulle's counter-attack was halted. was its distinctive cuffband, authorised on 13 Soldiers from Infanterie- a coastal raider detachment with volunteers from the Navy, and a Regiment 'List' crossing battalion of renegade Russian volunteers. an anti-tank ditch during the advance through Soviet Detachments operated in die Balkans in late 1943, being heavily Russia; none appear to wear involved in ami-partisan actions in Greece and Yugoslavia and playing a the cuffband on their combat significant part in the capture of ihe islands of Cos and Leros from the uniforms. Note, however, that British. Elements of the division took part in the occupation of Budapest the company bugler at left in March 1944; and were actively involved in Operation ‘Rosselsprung*, does carry his instrument in the attempt to capture Tito at his headquarters. the field. (Robert Noss) During the investigations into the 20 July 1944 attempt to assassinate Hitler several Brandenburgers were Implicated. His trust in these 12 November 1943; the first commandos gone, Hitler transferred responsibility for such special recipient was the regimental operations as had traditionally fallen to the Brandenburgers to 88 commander Oberst Alfons commando units under S^Oberstumibannluhrei Otto Skorzeny. In Kdnig. U was made in dark October 1944, ‘Brandenburg’ was redesignated as a conventional green doeskin wool, with Pan zergrenadier-Di vision, and was finally ready for action in its new role silver-grey Russia braid in December 1944, Thrown into battle on the rapidly crumbling Eastern Kari-Heinz Oesterwirtz of Bau-Lehr- edging, and with the legend /nfanlme-Re.gimmi List machine- Front, it was steadily worn down in strength, ending the war in Moravia. Regiment zbV BOO at the embroidered in silver-grey thread in ‘copperplate’-style handwriting Many of its survivors were captured by the Red Army or murdered by time of the award of the script. The band was worn on the lower left sleeve 15cm from the cuff. revenge-htmgry Czechs; but some, using their old special operations Oak!eaves to his Knight's skills, managed to escape to the West posing as refugees. Cross. The rare Brandenburg cuflband can be seen on the lieutenant-colonel's lower Major elements (as division, 1944-45] PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISION right sleeve, and above it the Panzer-Regiment ‘Brandenburg' embroidered oakleaf sleeve ‘BRANDENBURG1 Jager-Regimen t 1 'Brandenburg1 badge for Jager units. Jager-Regimeill 2 ‘Brandenburg* This formation owed its origins to the elite ‘Brandenburg’ commando Pan zerjager-Baiai lion ' Brandenburg’ unit established in October 1939 under the innocent-sounding title . Yrti lleri e-Regimerit ’ Brand enbu rg" of Bau-Lehr-Ko in panic 800 (‘800th Construction Demonstration H t ‘ere s-Fl ak-Ai j Leilung * B ra i id enbu r g' The sl&eve patch for Company*), This special operations unit of trained saboteurs came Aufklarungs-Abteiltmg ‘Brandenburg’ Jager units; this example is machine-embroidered, but under the direct control of the Abwehr, ihe German Military" P io nier-Ba taillon * Brand enbu rg ’ woven versions were also Intelligence service. In January 1940 it was reorganised as Bau-Lehr- produced. Below it is shown Batailkm zbV 800 (‘800th Special Purpose Construction Demonstration Unit commanders the Brandenburg cuff band; Battalion'), and played a significant part in the campaign in the West. Oberst Haehling von Lanzenhauer (1940—43) this was manufactured in one One well-known operation in which die battalion were involved was General major von Pfuldstem (1943—44) style only, machine-embroidered in silver-grey cotton yarn on the capture of the bridges over the Juliana Canal in the Netherlands, Ktdilwein (Sep tern ber- a black wool base. carried out by ‘Brandenburgers' dressed as Dutch soldiers. It has been Oc tuber 1944) estimated dial fully 75 per cent of the unit’s personnel received the Iron General major Hermann Schulte Heuthaus Cross for actions during the Westieldzug. A huge range of skills (October 1944-Mav 1945) and Foreign language abilities was represented within the battalion: and English-speaking Brandenburgers were intended to be used, in Special insignia British uniform, as an advance guard to the invasion force had The Brandenburg division was authorised its own die intended Operation Seal ion’ gone ahead. cuflband on 17 August 1944; personnel had The Brandenburgers fought in virtually every campaign on every been permitted to wear the Gmssd&iLschland front. Following (he invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, unit cuflband. The new cuflband was made from personnel dressed in Soviet uniforms infiltrated columns of enemy black badge cloth or doeskin finish wool, with wounded being moved back from the front, enabling diem to move Brandenhurg inacliine-embroidered in si 1 ver- behind enemy lines and seize the vital Dvina River grey thread in Gothic script. Being introduced bridge. The regiment rarely operated as a single only in 1944, the official issue pattern was not entity, its specialist nature dictating tiiat elements be produced in hand-embroidered bullion thread, rkandenburg detached for dispersed special operations over only in silver grey cotton yam. several fronts. In 1942 the parent unit was raised Brandenburg units were also authorised to wear to divisional status, m new complement including the special sleeve patch forjager troops, consisting of a spray of three pale green oakleaves within a pale grev rope-effect commander Oberstleutnam Sauer and Majors Bull ingen and border, all on a dark green, or later field-grey patch. This was worn BischofTSonsfeld, wearing U on die lower right sleeve. Tr must In- on the upper right sleeve. said, however that many other personnel shown in the same photos are not wearing die band, so it is still thought likelv that only very IKAVALLERIE-REGIMENT 5 limited numbers were made. The band was 3.2cm wide, made from hlack wool with silver-grey ‘FELDMARSCHALL VON Russia braid edging and die legend Feldmarschall v. Mackensen MACKENSEN* machine-embroidered m silver-grey Latin script. A number Of examples have appeared post-war, presumably made as Despite the image of the German Army portrayed hi most commemorative pieces for veterans; some are quite crude and wartime newsreels as being heavih mechanised, the others extremely elaborate, including one exceptionally high Wehrmadit fielded a sizeable number of mounted troops quality piece which has the military rank expressed in full as — particularly on rhe Eastern Front, where horsed Gmeralfeldmarschall von Madusnsm in Sutterlin script. The standard played an important part in the reconnaissance role Latin script version is the only type for which evidence of and also in the war against the partisans.5 Although the actual wartime use exists. 1st Cavalry Division was withdrawn at the end of 1941, and An unidentified Knight's Cross It has been reported dial due to the difficulty in obtaining supplies mounted troops were only found within reconnaissance winner with the death’s-head of regulation issue cuffbands, local "cottage industry' facilities were used tradition badge as worn by units for the next 18 months, in June 1943 both - specifically, that nuns at a local convent were paid ro use their KavaUerie-Regiment 5 in his embroidery skills to make up examples of the band. This suggestion 1 leeresgruppc Nord and Heeresgruppe Sud were allocated cap- The design of the death's- Lheir own cavalry regiments, entitled respectively Kavallerie- head varied; this one seems is perfectly logical and closely parallels the circumstances of Nnrd and Kavallerie-Regimem Sud, under the to be the standard pattern as manufacture of the Kurland campaign cuffband.2 mini and of Oberstleutnam Carl Prinz zn Salm. in May 1944 used on Panzer collar patches. the regiments were renamed as Kavallerie-Regun enter 42 and 41 Shoulder strap and cap emblem respectively, and administratively merged to form 42. Kavallerie- Kavullerie-Regiment 5 were authorised to wear A member of a Brandenburg Brigade, Its principal elements were Kavallerie-Regimenter 2 and 41: on the shoulder straps a deathVhead tradition commando unit involved in the schwere Kavallerie-Bataillon 4 (mot); Artillerie-Ab lei lung Sud, as well badge; this was the jawless’ or 'Prussian' type, capture of the island of Cos in as heavy mortar and signals detachments, identical to that worn on the collar patch by early 1944, He wears Army A few days later, however, the former Kavallerie-Rogiment Nord was Panzer troops. It was embroidered in cavalry lightweight tropical field dress, golden-yellow thread dire erf}' into the shoulder with the peaked field cap thrust renamed Kavallerie-Regimeni 5, in reference to the old 5th Cavalry into the front of his tunic. Note, Regiment of the Imperial German Army; henceforth die unit would strap for ranks up to Utueroffizier, and stamped however, the rare Army para¬ carry the traditions of that esteemed regiment. The 4th Cavalry7 Brigade in gilt metal for senior NCOs and officers. The chutist's badge on his left breast was expanded to divisional status in February 1945; it operated same tradition badge was also worn on both pocket. By this stage in the war in Hungary for two months before withdrawing into Austria where peaked service caps and field caps, between rhe Brandenburgers were the only eagle and swastika national emblem and the servicemen being awarded this it fought out the remainder of the war in actions against the Red Army, Army para troop qualification before finally surrendering to the British. cockade in national colours. badge, (Mike Bischoff) Known commanders, 4. Kaval lerie-Divis ion Arm patch Generalleumant Rudolf Hoste (February—March 1945) An unusual arm patch was worn on the upper right Generali cum ant Helmuth von Grolman (March—May 1945) sleeve by some members of 4. Kavallerie-Dimion - An example of the new including Kavallerie-Regiment 5 - in the last weeks of the war. Tins was Special insignia Feldmarschaii v. Mackensen an entirely unofficial insignia, and judging by the relative crudity cuffband was presented to Cuffband of surviving examples it seems to have been made up by local ‘cottage the field-marshal on the industry' facilities rather than being commissioned from a trade A cuffband was introduced for Kavallerie-Regiment 5 on 6 December occasion of his 95th birthday 1944, die occasion of Field Marshal v on Mackensen *s 95th birthday. An on 6 December 1944 by General- manufacturer. It consists of a yellow woollen shield with a black border, example of it was presented to him at Erhhof Briissow in Pomerania in a feldmarschall Keitel, attended vipoii which two opposed horses’ heads are worked in black.1 special ceremony attended by Generalfeldmarsehall Keitel from the by an officer, an NCO and an enlisted man of Kavallerie- Oberkommando der Wchrmacht. mid also by an officer, an NCO and a Regiment 5, (Josef Charita) Ge lie iter from the regiment. It had been doubted dial cuffbands apart RIGHT The Feldmarschatt v, Mackensen cuffband Feldmarschall v. Mackensen from liiis special presentation piece were ever issued; but rare wartime was officially produced in only one version, machine- photographs show several members of the unit, including the regimental embroidered in silver-grey cotton thread on a black

wool base. Some privately commissioned wire- 2 See M AA 365r World War SS German Batlte Insignia 1 See MAA 361, Axis Cavalry in World War IS embroidered examples of 'officer quality’ are known. 3 See MAA 365. Wodd War SI German Battle Insignia. Plate H 44. REICHSGRENADIER-DIVISION Shortly afterwards a new 44. Division was raised in Austria under the honour tide Reichsgrenadiet-Division 'Hoch und DeutschmeisierA It ‘HOCH UNO DEUTSCHMEISTER’ served briefly in Nonheni as part of Heeresgruppe B under Rommel. At first its Austrian troops enjoyed good relations with the local The Gennan Army's original 44. Inf an terieD ivision was raised in populace until, after Italy's unilateral surrender, it was obliged to take Vienna, based on the former Austrian Army's Viennese 1th Infantry' part in the disarming of Italian Army units in the area. It subsequently Regiment, which bore the tradition tide ‘Hoch und DeutschrneisterT, carried out operations against Italian, Croatian and Slovenian partisans I he division fought well in Poland in 1939, making such rapid progress between Garz and Fiiime, before being inserted into the from line south as pan of 1 leeresgruppe Sud tliat it found itself well within the area of . Here it sened for over a yearin constant combat, its reputation allocated to die Soviet Union - it has been estimated that the division's tor reliability increasing with each battle it fought. In 1943/44 the average rate of advance was as much as 20 miles per day. During the division was involved in Lite defensive battles along the Sangro and Westfeldzug the division followed in the wake ol Panzergmppe Kleist, Rapido Rivers and in all three of the Gassino battles, before withdrawing taking pari in die attack over the Somme and into the Weygand Line, across the Abruzzi Mountains. resulting in heavy' casualties against a determined French resistance. After holding defensive positions on die Tiber and in die Ape nine Major Amulf Abate, commander ol I Ba tail Ion, Reichsgrenadier- The division s first Knight's Cross was won by Obersdeutnant Karl Eibl Mountains it spent a very brief period in resL and recuperation in early Regiment lHoch und Deutsch- for his pari in the capture of Chulgnolles. Elements of the 44rh Division November 1944, but was soon despatched to Hungary'. Until March 1945 meister\ Under magnification were also responsible for cap airing Beau gen cy on the Loire without loss die division fought against die adv ancing Red Army before withdrawing the 4 Staling rad Cross’ shoulder on 18June, winning another Knight’s Cross, this time for Leutnant Kaii- gradually from Hungary into eastern Germany, li was able to retreat strap emblem can just be seen Hein/ NoaL Fallowing die French surrender the division spent ten westwards and avoided Soviet captivity, surrendering at the far right of this image. months on occupation duties around La Rochelle before moving to For service in Italy he wears a to US troops at Hohenfuith on 10 May 1945. - . - _ high quality privately tailored occupied Poland in March 1941 for a period of intensive training. tropical uniform. In Operation ‘Barbarossa* in June 1941 the 44th served as part of L Main elements tnocR-unb lleutsctvmeister Panzergruppe on the southern sector of the G re 11 ad ie r-Regi m e n t 131 front, and took fairly heavy casualties breaking (* re n ad i e r-R egi rn e n t 132 through a series of Soviet bunker complexes. G re n ad ie r-Regi m ent 13 4 As the tanks rapidly pushed forward it was Hoch und Deutschmeister Pa n ze ij age r-Ab ie i 1 u n g 46 - - 1 ■ j - “ = left to 44. Infante rie-D ivision to defend the Aiifklaningsr-Abtei I ung 44 flank of the Panzergruppe against attacks by Artillerie-Regifiiem 96 Soviet stragglers and partisans coming out of Nachrich ten-Abteilung 64 f)ocf\- unb Ijeutsctimeister the Pripet Marshes to the north. In August Pionier-Bataillon 80 the division took part in the attack on Kiev, crossing the Dnieper near Gornostaipol. Once Divisional commanders The famous ‘Stalingrad Cross' again, die tanks carried out a classic p'mcer ("General leu in ant Albrecht Schubert (Se pteni be r-October 1939) shoulder strap emblem in yellow movement to encircle Kiev before moving on, General Friedrich Siebert (October 1939-May 1942) metal, with the arms of the cross infilled with light blue paint. and the division was left ro deal with the Soviet Gen eralleu in ant Heinrich Deboi (May 1942-January 1943) Below it are the three alleged forces trapped in Kiev city. Slowed down at (Generalleumant Dr Franz Bayer (March 1943-January 1944) variants of the unit cuffband: first by the onset of the autumn mud (the Getierallentnant Dr Fritz Franek (January-May 1944) (top) Gothic script on green for ‘SchlammzeiU), and later bv the coming of General leu inant Bruno Ortner (May-June 1944) the logistics element, (centre) Latin script on black for other winter, 44, In fan terieD ivision ended its first year Gen era 11 e u man t Han s-Gu nther \ron Rost (June! 944—M a rc11 1945) divisional units, (bottom) Gothic in Russia in defensive positions on die Donetz, Oberst Hoffmann (March-May 1945) script on black for Grenadier- which it held resolutely in the face of strong Regiment 134. There is no e n e my r o u n te r-a t lac ks. Special insignia known evidence that these In 1942 the 44th Division formed part of the Cuff band were ever issued and worn. 6. Arm re drive towards the Volga with the goal of A cuffband was certainly authorised on 26 February 1945, and a number capturing Stalingrad. The division provided cover of examples are known which appear to relate to this formation. All bear to the northern flank along the River Don to the die legend Hoch and fiteutscfmeister, machine-embroidered in silver-grey north-west of Stalingrad, and saw very heavy yam; some are in Latin script and others in Gothic. While these have fighting before slowly being forced eastwards generally been regarded as of post-war origin, in recent years there has into the pocket as the Gennan Forces were been some suggestion that die different styles of embroidery may have gradually surrounded. It suffered Lhe same fate had some significance: Gothic script on dark green for the divisional as the res i of Von Paul us" army, being destroyed logistics element, Gothic script on black for Grenadier-Regiment 134 IS in Stalingrad in February 1943. Hoch und Deutschmeister. and Latin script on black for other sub-units. Il is not impossible that some may have been mantifaclured in the this stage of the war) when it retook the town of Schmidt from Iasi weeks of die m bin never issued. Until positive proof emerges die US 28th Infantry Division during fierce fighting in which it lost these pieces must be considered suspect; but collectors should always just 15 tanks. remember that for many years the Metz 1944 cuffband was believed never Following this success the division was moved back from the front line to have been manufactured during the war, but is now firmly established to prepare for its part in the forthcoming Ardennes offensive, from wartime photographs to have been made, issued and worn, albeit Operation AVacht am Rhein*, fi was one of the spearhead formations in small numbers. on the southern flank of die offensive, where it fought with distinction. On die failure of the operation it was moved to Kleve on the Dutch Shoulder strap emblem border, fating a mixture of troops from the US 9th Army advancing A special insignia, widely referred to as the 'Stalingrad Cross', was worn hom the south, and Canadian 1st Army and British XXX Corps troops on die shoulder strap by members of the divisional staff and of in die north. The 116th found itself in danger of being trapped in Infanterie-Regimem 134 ‘Hoch und DeUtschmeisierk This was stamped die Wessel Pocket, and on 5 March 1945 was forced to withdraw over from sheet metal and featured a cross ol the tvpe worn by the Order of die Rhine, destroying the bridge behind it. Teutonic Knights, with a shield in the centre bearing the German The division then became part of XLVII Paiizcrkurps in national emblem over a scroll with the legend ’Stalingrad'. The held of Armeegruppe TL and was tasked with halting the advance of US each arm of the cross was painted in blue (see Plate C4). No forces to die soudi of die River Lippe on 24 March. Over the next two embroidered version has yet been noted, so ii may well be that the metal days the by now once again seriously weakened ‘Greyhound1 Division cross was intended for wear by all ranks. Original examples of this halted all attempts by US troops to advance eastwards, but was eventually insignia are rare and it has been widely faked. forced to withdraw when the British 6di Guards Armoured Brigade successfully outflanked it. April 1945 found die remnants of the division defending the north flank of die Ruhr Valley where, on 18 April, its 116. PANZER-DIVISION (‘WINDHUND’) survivors surrendered to die US 9th Army when resistance in die Ruhr Pocket finally collapsed. This formation, unofficially nicknamed the ‘Greyhound Division\ was Like the Panzer-Lehr-Division. 116. Panzer had shown that when created only in March 1044, bva merger oi the remnants of the battered new formations were created around a strong nucleus of experienced 16. Famergrenadier-Division - which donated Paii/er-Ableilung 116, veterans and equipped to a high standard, a very- high level of per¬ later re-formed as Panzer-Regiment 16 - and 179. {Reserve) Panzer- formance and reliability could be expected. These qualities were of little Division. Since it was formed from existing units only limited time was use. however, when faced with lack of fuel, supplies and replacements, necessary for training and working up. Within three months most of and with overwhelming enemy superiority, especially in the air. the division was in position on the banks of the Seine awaiting the Major Heinz-Gunther Guderian, anticipated Allied invasion. However, the Panzer-Regiment's I Abteihmg Main elements son of Generatoberst Helm was still at die Grafenwohr tank training grounds reequipping with new Pan ze r-Re gi m e n t 16 Guderian, senior staff officer (Iaj of 116. Panzer-Division. Panthers; and its TI Abteilung in France still had a number of older PzKw Panzergrenadier-Regiment 6U Below him is shown an example IVs and even a few obsolete PzKw Ills, Panzergrenadier-Regi merit 156 of the divisional emblem worn In die event die division was not committed to action until July, Panzer-Art illei it-Regime ni 146 as a badge on the left side of attached to XLVII Panzerkorps as part of 7, Armee in Rommel’s Panzerattfklarttngs-Abteilimg 116 the peaked cap and field cap. Heeresgruppe B. It participated in the German counter-attack at Heeres-Flak-Ab tedung 281 Mortain, one of the biggest tank battles in the West, which failed to halt Pan ze rj age r-Al i te il uiig 2 2 6 die US armoured break-out (Operation 4Cobra the 116th was gradualh l\i i i z erpi < )i i ier-Ba t a i 11 o n 67 5 pushed back into the Falaise Pocket, from which it only escaped after suffering very heavy losses. After its withdrawal from Normandy die Divisional commanders division's strength was down to a mere 600 men and just 12 tanks; Gene nil m aj o r Ge rard i\ i u Her (March—N1 m 1944) but it was soon tasked with defending the border city of Aachen. The Gen end G e rhard G ral von Schweiin (M ay—Se p t em ber 1944) rump of die division succeeded in lending off the first US attacks against Generalmajor Heinrich Voigtsberger (September 1944) the Westwall. before finally being driven back. Withdrawn to Dusseldorf Generalmajor Siegfried van Waldeburg (September 1944—May 1945 ) for a brief period of refitting and rebuilding, 1 16. Panzer-Division returned to die Aachen area in early October 1944, but still at only Special insignia around 50 per cent of its original strength, and with only 41) tanks. On 21 Only one special insignia was worn by this unit, in the form of an unof¬ October, Aachen became the first German city to fall to the Americans. ficial cap badge. This consisted of a small horizontal oval zinc plate with In late October, 116. Panzer-Division was committed to the defensive two prongs on the reverse for fitting to the cap, ft was painted black with battles against US forces in the Hurt,gen Forest, On 8 November it a raised silver rim. enclosing a raised silver greyhound (the Windhuntf) 20 achieved a significant victory (almost any victory seemed significant at at full stretch, above a stylised ground line with three dumps of grass. It was worn on dm left side of die Held cap and on the left side of the Panzer-Regiment 22), but this unit was initially equipped with obsolete band of the peaked service cap. This insignia has been widely faked in French tanks of dubious combat value. By the summer of 1944 German the post-war years. tanks had replaced many of these, but even then there was a fair repre¬ sentation of obsolete vehicles such as the PzKw Wll and IVC and even a few old P/Kw Ills. The newly formed division remained on occupation 21. PANZER-DIVISION duty in France, being declared unfit for service on the Eastern Front due to its poor equipment, This division was originally formed as 5. Leiclite Division in late 1940* Tn June 1944, 2L Panzer-Division was the only armoured unit incorporating Panzer-Regiment 5 which was transferred from 3. to actually counter-attack the Allied landings on D-Day. Elements of Panzer-Division - a Berlin unit first raised in 1935, The manpower of the the Panzer-Regiment were on exercises when the invasion was reported, 5th l.ighi Division retained the predominantly Prussian/Silesian mix of but being armed only with training ammunition they had to be 3. Panzer-Division, It was sen I to North Africa in spring 1941, and hurriedly recalled to be issued with live rounds. In die weeks which shortly after its arrival took an active part in the Afrikakorps1 first drive followed die division Look a hammering as it doggedly defended towards Egypt and the attack on , In the summer of 1941 it its area in front of Caen, contributing significantly was enlarged by the arrival of Panzergrenariier-Regimem 104, and to the severe delay imposed on the Allied redesignated as 21. Panzer-Division. timetable. Alter escaping from the Allied pincer The division became one of the premier formations of Rommel's attack around the Falaise Pocket the division Panzerarmee Afrifct, heavily engaged in all the major battles of the was used as a mobile ‘fire brigade1 on the south¬ west sector of the Western Front. The Leulnant Johannes Lutz, campaign. During die British Operation 'Crusader in November 1941 commander of the Divisions- it indicted serious losses on the attacking 7th Armoured Brigade* Panzer-Regiment^ commander, Oberst Hermann Begleit-Kompanie of 116* but fought itself virtual]) into the ground in the process, ending die ion Oppeln-Bronikowski, was decorated with Panzer-Division. The field-grey battle with no tanks remaining* it retreated into Oyrenaica and then* ihe Oakleaves to his Knight's Cross in recognition version of the special uniform re-equipped, took part in die May 1942 counter-offensive, retaking of his regiment's performance in Normandy* for armoured personnel was In January 1945, 21. Panzer took part in the widely worn in this division, before going on to overrun the Gazala Line. Tt look part in even by nan-armoured units. the attack on Tobruk, but during the first failed attempt to capture German push towards Strasbourg, before being die port die divisional commander was blamed by transferred to the southern sector of the Russian Rommel for his lark of success and removed from Front* where it ended die war. his post. The division continued to play* a major part in Rommel's attempts on the ElAlameiii line Major elements (1944) that summer. At Second Alaraein in October it Panzer-Regime n r 100 was ground down to a remnant of its former Panzergrenadier-Regiment 125 strength* counting just 12 remaining tanks in 1 'an zergt en adi er-Regi men t 192 November when the full-scale Axis retreat began. Panzerau 1kla mn gs-Abtei 1 ung 200 The division withdrew in good order and with Panzer-Pi on ier-Abteilung 220 excellent discipline, providing a rearguard for the Stunngeschutz-Abtahing 200 German retreat. It was reinforced in Tunisia in P llii zer-Artill e r i e-Regx mcnt 155 February 1943 and most of its losses in tanks were made good. It then took part in the batdcs around Divisional commanders Skit Sou Zid and Sbeida, and at Kasserine Pass General major Johannes Streich (February- it inflicted serious losses on the recently arrived July 1941) American II Corps. Worn down by attrition and Genera] major Johann von Rave ostein lack of fuel and supplies. 21st Panzer was finally (Ju ly-N o ve m her 1941) Major Hermann von Oppeln- trapped in northern Tunisia with llie rest of Obersdeutnant Gustav-Gecrg Knahe (November 1941) Bronikowski, commander of the tank regiment in 21* Panzerarmee Afrika, its remnants surrendering Generalleutnam Karl Boucher (December 1941-February 1942) Ranker-Division, An aristocratic on 13 May 1943. General major Georg von Bismarck (February-August 1942) cavalryman, he survived the Shortly thereafter the division was re-formed in Oberst Cari-Ilans Lmigershausen (September 1942) war and later served in the Normandy; a considerable cadre of former Generalleutnant Heinz von Randow (Septembei-December 1942) . In retirement 'Africans' who had served with the original 21st Generalleutnam Hans-Georg Hiklebrandt (January-March 1943) he became heavily involved in equestrian sports, helping ensured continuity of die divisions traditions Generalmajor Heinrich-Herniaim von Hulsen (April-May 1943) to train the Canadian team for and esprit de corps* The new formation was Generalleutnam Feuchtinger (May 1943-January 1944) the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. principally built around the former Panzer- Gene ralmajor CL win Grolig (January-March 1944) 22 Regiment 100 (subsequently renumbered as Generalleu man t Fra n z Westhoven (March-May 1944) 23 Generalleumant Feuchtmger (May 1944—[annan 1945) Oberst Helmut Zolleukupf (January-Fehmary 1945) Genera\major Marcks (Fellniary-A])ri 1 1945)

Special insignia None.

24. PANZER-DIVISION

This formation traced its origins to L(Ostpreussische) 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 Narcv and Bug rivers in the drive to Warsaw. It was expanded to divisional status in December 1939 as 1. Kavallerie-Division.4 In the Western campaign of 1940 this horsed Formation advanced into Friesland in die northern Netherlands against fairly weak opposition until it ran up against the Dutch fortress of Kon i werderzand, which was supported by Dutch gunboats on the Waddenz.ee; however, the Dutch surrender saved the division from the possibility of heavy casualties in any attempted assault. Thereafter the 1st Cavalry Division moved into France, advancing with XXXV1I1 Korps of 4. Armee over die Somme and the Seine, and reaching La Rochelle by the time of the French capitulation on 23 June. After a period in France on occupation duties the division was withdrawn to the east to prepare for Operation ‘BarbarossaF During the invasion of Russia in summer 1941 the 1st Cavalry Division served with XXIV Korps in Army Group Centre, protecting the right flan k of Guderians 2nd Panzer Group during the crossing of the Dnieper and the drive on Smolensk, and fighting around the Bryansk Pocket. The horsemen were particularly successful against by¬ passed Soviet units counter-attacking from die northern fringe of the Pripet Marshes. Before the onset, of winter 1941 it was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and moved to France, for re-organisation as the 24. Panzer-Division in November The new division was attached to 6. Annee under von PauliLs and took part in the fateful 1942 summer offensive to the Volga. It perished at Stalingrad with the rest of 6, Armee, its pitiful remnants passing into Soviet captivity in March 1943. The division was re-formed 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. Panzer-Division took part in the relief of the Cherkassy Pocket, the gallantry of its troops earning it a formal mention in despatches. During the German collapse of that summer die division made a fighting withdrawal through Poland and into Hungary; where it counter-attacked west of Debrecen, but later took very heavy casualties in die defence of Kecskemet. In the final weeks of the war die remnants of 24. Panzer-Division were fighting in north-east Prussia, where diey went into Soviet captivity in May 1945.

24 4 See MAA 351 r Avfs Cavalry in Wbrtd War It (continued on page 33) 1: Hauptmann, PzGren-Regt Feldherrnhalle1* 1943 2: Funker, PzGren-Div ‘Feldhermhalle', 1943-44 3: Obergefrejter, Pz-Abteilung 'Fekthermhalte1, 1943

B C 1; Leutnant, Sturmartillene, 116. Pz-Div, 1944 e/r/> 2: Feldwebel, Pz-Regt 22, 21. Pz-Div, 1944 3: Unterotfizier, PzGren-Lehr-Regt 901, (130.) Pz-Lehr-Oiw, 1944 D 1: Fetdwebel of Panzertruppe, Fuhrer-Begleit-Brigade, 1944 1: Leutnant, Kav-Regt 5 2: Panzergrenadier, Fuhrer-Grenadier-Diviston, 1945 ■Feldmarschall von Mackensen\ 1945 3: Fefdwebel, Wachbataillon Berlin, c.1943 2: Oberreiter, Kav-Regt 5 Teldmarschall von Mac ken sen'. 1945 3; Feldwebel, Pz-Regt 24, 24. Pz-Div. 1943

G F Main elements Panzer-Regiment 24 Pan ze rgre n ad i e r Regime n t 21 Pan ze rgre n ad i e r- Re gi mem 2 6 PanzerarLillene-Regiment 89 Pa n ze rau fklan i n gs-Abte i 1 u ng 24 Heer es-Fiak-Abte ilu n g 283 Panzerpionier-Bataillon 40

Divisional commanders Generalleuinant Run Feldi (November 194i-April 1942} Generalmajor Bruno Ritter von Hauenschild (April-September 1942) (.’Generallent nan t Arno von Lenski (September 1942—January' 1943} General lent nan ( Maxi mi Ilian Reichs-F reib e rr von Edelsheim (March 1948-August 1944} Generalmajor Gustav Adolf von Nostitz-YValhvitz (August 1944— Major Josef Rettemeier of 24, March 1945) Panzer-Division, a veteran of Generalleutnant Rudolf von Kuehel Doberitz (March-May 1945} the , (Throughout the war the division's officers included a higher than usual wears the Afrika commemorative pro poi“tio n of arisi ocrats, re0ecting the (>Id cavalry tradidon.) cuff band on the left sleeve of his black vehicle uniform with that formation's special golden- Special insignia yellow piping. While no special badges were worn, this formation was unique among the Panzer divisions in its visible reflection of the cavalry roots from which it sprang. Instead of the regulation rose-pink of the Panzertmppe, all uniform and insignia piping - lo die peaked service cap, field cap, and the shoulder snaps, collar patches and collar of the black vehicle uniform jacket-was in the cavalry's golden-yellow WafFedfarbe. Within other Panzer divisions die crews of armoured reconnaissance vehicles were authorised cavalry yellow Waffonfarbe; but the 24th was unique in that this colour was also worn by its tank crews.

(130.) PANZER-LEHR-DIVISION

This relatively 'new1 division, formed only on 30 December 1943, was created from some of the best and most experienced Panzer soldiers in the German Army. The title Lehr1 indicates an elite evaluation and demonstration unit. At the suggestion of the Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppe, Generaloberst , the Panzer-Lehr- Division was built around a strong cadre of men who had served as instructors in die Army's various tank training schools* most of whom had already seen extensive combat on the Eastern Front, Guderian also ensured ihat these highly experienced troops were issued with only the best equipment, including a full complement of the excellent PzKw V Panther tank, often in short supply. He also saw to it that command was given to one of his most trusted subordinates. General lent nam Fritz Baverlein, who had proved 1; Feldwebel. Gebirgsjager-Ftegt 136, 3. Gebirgs-Oiv, c.1942 himself in North Africa under Rommel. The division was fully 2: Generatoberst Eduard Dieil, 1943 motorised, and its infantry were true , all transported 3: Gefreiter, 5. Gebirgs-Div, 1943 in armoured halftracks instead of the more usual mix of half-tracks and lsoftskin' trucks. 33 H By the spring of 1944 the formation was al lull Main elements strength, and its first operational posting was to Pan z e r-Lc 1 i r-Re gi i n c n l 13( > Hungary: but it remained there only briefly before P an ze rgren adi er-Le hr-Regimen i 901 being transferred to France in preparation for the Pan ze r-ArtiLleri e-Regimen i 13 () anticipated Allied invasion. On 6 June 1944 the Panzeratifklarmigs-Lelir-Abtriliing I30 division was in die area around Paris, under the P an z c rj age r-Le h r-Abtedung 130 control of I SS-Panzer-Korps; it was immediately He ere sTlak-Ab te LI u ng 3 31 ordered to move towards the coast, but under skies Pan ze rPion ie r-Baiaillon 130 ruled bv the Allies the journey took two full days. By the time Panzer-Lehr reached the vicinity of Divisional commanders Caen on 8 June it had already lost over 200 vehicles Gene rail r u mam Fritz Baverlein (januarv-Juiie 1944) to the Allied fighter-bombers before it even saw General major lhazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche mid action. The division went into combat the next day, Camminetz (June—August 1944) only to find dial part of iLs assigned area of oper¬ Oberst Rudolf Gerhard i (August—September 1944) ations had already been taken by the British 8th Oberst Paul Freiherr von Hauser (September 1944) Armoured Brigade. Panzer-Lehr attacked, hut the Generalleutnant Fritz Baverlein (September 1944—January 1945) situation had already deteriorated to the extent General major Horst Niemack (January-April 1945) that the operation was called oft hecause of enemy Oberst Paul Freiherr von Hauser (April 1945) pressure on the division s flanks: however, they successfully fended off further British attacks Special insignia around Tilly, operating alongside SS Panzer units. The only special insignia was the letter 'L for Lehr which was worn on By 11 June it had become clear that the original dm shoulder straps by all divisional personnel - embroidered in die task which die division had been allocated - to relevant Waffenfarbe for junior ranks, stamped in white metal for senior destroy the Allied bridgehead - was no longer NCG ranks (see Plate D5) and gilt metal For officers. feasible: and Panzer-Lehr, with die rest of I SS- Panzer-Korps. went onto the defensive. For the next two days the division resisted strong enemy 3. GEBIRGS-DIVISION attacks which were supported by heavy naval Oberstleutnant Bruno Kahl, a gunfire from warships lying off the coast. On Li June British units As with many of the German Army’s mountain units, 3. Gebirgs-Division highly decorated soldier who penetrated Panzer-Lehr’s flanks, but were thrown back by a counter¬ had its origins in the Austrian .Army, Following the in 1938 served with several prestigious the Austrian 5 th and 7th Divisions were amalgamated to become attack at Villers-Bocage, die scene of die historic action by W&ffen-SS formations including Panzer- Tiger tank ace Michael Wittmann. The arrival of 2. Panzer-Division in Regiment ‘G ros sdeutsc h I a n d \ 3. Gefeirgs-Di vision. the area in mid-June eased the pressure on Panzer-Lehr slightly, but He commanded Panzer-Lehr- The division served in the brief Polish campaign with Heeresgruppe die division had already suffered almost 20 per cent losses. Regiment 130, the core of Sud; but although committed to the Eifel region for the forthcoming the P a nze r-L e h r-Di vis ion. The division’s darkest day came in the second hall of July 1944. On campaign in the West it saw no significant action before being chosen as die 25dt a massed USAAF bomber attack saw over 4,000 tons of bombs one of the lead formations for the attack on Narvik during ihe invasion dropped on Panzer-Lehr’s positions in preparation for the US break-out of Norway in April 1940. The mountain troopers were transported to offensive in southern Normandy, Operation ‘Cobra’. The divisional Narvik in ships of the Kriegs marine's destroyer flotilla; most arrived at commander Gen. Bayetiein described the resulting appearance of the their destination weakened by seasickness after several hours cooped up area as a lieavilv cratered moonscape; and it was estimated that up to below decks on destroyers tossed about in rough seas, i he Gebirgsjager 70 per cent of Panzer-Lehr’s personnel were killed, wounded, or accepted the surrender of die Norwegian garrison, but were themselves temporarily disabled due to concussion and shock. isolated bv the arrival of the , which over the course of several Panzer-Lehr took pan in the general withdrawal from Normandy in brief but ferocious engagements involving British destroyers and the late summer 1944. crossing the Seine and moving right back to the battleship HMS Warspite sank die entire force of ten German destroyers. German border. In October 1944 it was completely refitted but with a In appalling weather conditions die mountain troops fought reduced establishment, featuring only a single battalion of tanks rather General , the ‘Hero tenaciously to defend their perimeter against Polish, French, Norwegian than a two-battalion regiment. In December, Panzer-Lehr took part in the of Narvik1 and commander of and British troops. Hider* not known for allowing Ills commanders to 3. Gebirgs-Division, after the ill-fated Ardennes offensive as part of 5. Panzerarmee under Gen. von retreat, proposed the evacuation of die Gebirgsjagei; or the alternative award of the Oakleaves to his of having them march into neutral Sweden and accept internment rather Mameuffcl, fighting around the Basiogne area. When the offensive was Knights Cross. He wears the halted Panzer-Lehr relocated to Holland, whence it gradually withdrew Narvik Shield on his upper than surrender. The divisional commander, Gen. Eduard Diet!, into Germany', fighting on the Saar and against die Remagen bridgehead. left sleeve. See Plate HZ. persuaded Hider dial the mountain troopers should hold fast; by this It finallv surrendered to US forces in the Ruhr Pocket in April 1945. point over 15*000 enemy troops were pressing in on his shrinking but 35 The divisional personnel naturally also wore the special Edelweiss stubbornly held perimeter. A lew paratroopers - including volunteers insignia which identified all mountain units. The right sleeve patch from the 2. Gebirgs-Division - were dropped to reinforce Dietl's consisted of a white Edelweiss 1 lower with yellow stamens and green command, but the position remained precarious. Other elements ol stem, set within a silver-grey twisted rope border with a pi ton at its top. the 2nd Mountain Division struck out overland in an attempt to relieve This was made in both machine-embroidered and woven forms for the 3rd Division, 125 miles away. Selecting the fittest and most lower ranks, and occasionally in hand-embroidered bullion thread for experienced troops for an advance force, the commander of 2. Gebirgs- officers. The standard metal Edelweiss emblem was also worn on the left Division asked his men for an all-out effort to reach their comrades. Fate side of the Bergmutze. was to reward Dietl's determination, however; when the relief force was still three days' march away Norway surrendered. Died would thereafter he feted as the ‘Hero of Narvik’, but would admit that he had been on the 5. GEBIRGS-DIVISION point of conceding defeat. In June 1941, 3. Gebirgs-Division took part in the invasion of die This division had its roots in the mountains of where most of Soviet Union, striking north-east from Finland towards Murmansk. its personnel were recruited, though its home base was at Graz. Austria. Denied the capture of the Soviet port, die division spent over a year in The division was formed in 1940 around a cadre element transferred aggressive but essentially stadc warfare against the Red Army before from T Gebirgs-Division. After training in die Alps it was moved being moved to the southern sector of die front. into the Balkans, taking part in the invasion of Greece and the The 3rd Mountain Division ultimately formed destruction of the 'Meiaxas’ defence line. Almost immediately part of 6. Armee, rebuilt after the disaster at afterwards it fought its most significant battle when, in May 1941, Stalingrad, and fought in the defensive battles as it took part in die invasion of the island of . the Germans withdrew from the Ukraine and into The 5th Mountain had not been one of the formations originally Hungary and Slovakia. It served out the last few intended for diis operation, but was pulled in at die last moment weeks of the war in defensive operations in Silesia, to make up a shortfall in available troops. From its base in Greece where it finally surrendered to the Red Army. it was to move to Crete in stages to back up the Fallschirmjager who would have already landed. The firsi wave was to be transported Main elements by the Luftwaffe in Ju52 transports to Maleme airfield as soon as it Gebirgsjagcr-Regiment 138 had been captured (although each plane could carry only 12 men Gebi rgsjager-Regi m en t 139 with their full equipment so many flights would be needed). The Gebi rgs-Artillerie-Regi merit 112 second wave was to be transported by sea, also to Maleme; for this Gebirgs-Atifklarungs-Abtei lung 12 purpose die divisional commander, Generalleutnant Julius 1 Papa' Gebirgs-I’ioi)ier-Batail Ion 82 Men of 3. Gebirgs-Division Ringel, commandeered a fleet of more than 60 small Greek fishing Gebirgs-Panzerabweh r-Abt eil tmg 48 on the Eastern Front in 1942; vessels (caiques). Disaster struck when the caiques were intercepted the Obergefreiter with the on 19 May and sunk by warships of die Royal Navy; of the two full Divisional commanders binoculars is a veteran of the TOP The Narvik Shield, issued battalions being transported, only 52 men made it to Crete, Generaloberst Eduard Died (September 1939-June 1940) battle for Narvik as evidenced in silver (actually light grey zinc) Hie Gebirgsjager transported by air found their planes coming General Julius Riugel (June-October 1940) by the Narvik Shield on the left tor the Luftwaffe and Army and under heavy fire as they landed, from New Zealand troops who still held General' Hans Kreysin (October 1940-August 1943) sleeve of his greatcoat. Note gold for the Navy, Jn the case the Edelweiss badge on the die heights overlooking Maleme, Each squad was forced to dash for Generalleumant Egbert Picker (August 1943) of awards to Gebirgsjager, as left side of the short-vlsored here, it is mounted on a piece cover as soon as they exited ihe aircraft, which had to turn around General Siegfried Rasp (August-September 1943) Bergmutzen caps, (Josef Charita) of field-gray backing cloth for and take off again immediately, still under fire and avoiding the wrecked Generalleutnant Egbert Picker {September 1943) stitching to the uniform sleeve, aircraft which littered the runway. Eventually, by mid-day on 22 May, Generalleumant August Wittmann (September 1943-July 1944) ABOVE The Mountain Troops' a full battalion had been landed, and they began to first secure and Generalleutnant Paul Klatt (July 1944—May 1945) Edelweiss sleeve patch in a dien gradually to expand their perimeter. hand-embroidered officer's quality example using aluminium The troops at Maleme were formed into three Kamplgruppen. One Special insignia and gold-coloured wire. Gebirgsjager battle group would defend Maleme itself; the second, The most significant piece of insignia pertinent to this division was predominantly Fallschirmjager. would defend the eastern approaches the special Narvik campaign shield worn on die left sleeve. This award to the town and airfield; while the third, another Gebirgsjager group, was instituted on 19 August 1940 and took die form of a silvered metal would attack the enemy positions overlooking Maleme. The latter shield topped by an eagle and swastika and the legend ‘Narvik’. On group made good progress until they reached Modi on. where they the shield were depicted a propeller (for the Luftwaffe), an anchor (for ran into stubborn resistance from New Zealand troops. In combat the Navy) and an Edelweiss (for die Gebirgsjager), symbolising the skills and determination the opponents were evenly matched, and combined effort made by all three services in the battle of Narvik.3 the Germans took significant casualties before finally driving the defenders off the heights overlooking Maleme. With the airfield 37 36 5 See MAA 365. World War tl German Balfte insignia now sale from enemy fire there was a rapid increase in the iatc THE TIGER TANK BATTALIONS of reinforcement. The division pushed on towards Galatas where a combined attack In tile 60 years since its first appearance on the battlefield the PzKw VI by GebirgsjSger and Fallschirmjager once again successfully over¬ Tiger tank' has achieved a stains which can only be described as came the New Zealanders, but only Lifter heavy fighting. With legendary. When it first rolled off the production line in 1942 the Tiger substantial German reinforcements now available the tide had was the most powerful armoured fighting vehicle in existence. Its finally turned against the defenders, and 5. Gefargs^Division frontal armour was virtually impervious to all known anti-tank continued to pursue the retreating British and Commonwealth weapons, and its 8.8cm gun was capable of destroying all known enemy troops through the mountains to the ports from which their remnants tanks well before thev came within the effective range of their own main armament, Ii is in this sense, of employing an outstanding we re f in a 1 ly e vac ua ted. After their successful involvement on Crete, the division moved weapons system which achieved remarkable results, that the Tiger tank to the Eastern Front in March 1942, being thrown into the festering units mav properly be considered an elite. swamps of the Volkhov region in northern Russia to prevent Tigers were extremely expensiv e to produce in terms of material and the escape of large numbers of Soviet troops caught in the Volkhov manpower resources, and were carefully husbanded. Although in the Pocket The enemy carried out many brave but pointless head- early days of its combat service several elite divisions were allocated their on attacks in an attempt to break through the German encirclement, own Tiger units (e,g. ‘GrosscteuischiancT, the Luftwaffe's 'Hermann and suffered extremely heavy losses in the process; over 33.000 Goring* Division, and the three premier Waifen-SS Panzer divisions), as Soviet prisoners were eventually taken. The division was then a general rule they came to be deployed at Corps, Army or even Army tasked with hunting down the large groups of Soviet stragglers, still Group level in specially formed Heavy Tank Battalions {schwere Panzer- (Wtajor Willy J3hde, commander heavily armed, who had taken to the dense forests in this region. Abteilungen). The higher command would then decide which sector of of schwere Panzer-Abteilung the front most needed these scarce assets, shifting them from area In the summer of 1943 the Soviets launched a major counter¬ 502, wearing the sheepskin to area to deal with crises. A typical schwere Panzer-Abteiluog had offensive, which saw the division severely battered and fragmented. over-jacket popular with some Despite their losses the weakened Gebirgsjager fought with great Tiger crews on the Eastern a headquarters element and three companies of Tigers, each nominally determination - at one point, a single battalion was holding oft Front - see Plate E. 14 tanks strong, plus service and support elements. In some cases, three entire Soviet regiments, in terrain ill-suited tor defence. The particularly during die early dav^ of its use, there 5th Mountain Division was eventually relieved in July 1943 and were insufficient Tigers to fully equip the heavy transferred to warmer dimes, moving to Italy as part oi 10- Armee. battalions, and a company of lighter tanks such The Edelweiss, symbol of the Here it took part in the battles to the south of Rome and the defence as PzKw Ills were substituted. mountain troops: The following Army Heavy Tank Battalions of the Gothic Line before being pulled back to the Franco- TOP White metal cap badge with kalian border. It eventually surrendered to US forces at Turin in gofd*coloured painted stamens. were formed: May 1945. CENTRE The machine- embroidered version of the schwere Panzer-Abteilung 501 sleeve patch, in golden-yellow, Formed in 1942. One full company of this Main elements white and pale green with a unit was shipped to Tunisia in November 1942. Ge b irgsj ager-Regime n t 85 silver-grey ‘rope and piton*. seeing action against the Allies at Tebourba and Geb i i gsj ager-Regimen t 10 0 BELOW The woven variant, still Hamm, and in February 1943 around Kasserine. Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regimem 95 on its backing strip. The elements in North Africa were forced to Ge birgs-Auiklarungs-A bteilu n g 95 surrender along with the rest of the .Axis forces Gebi rgs-Pion i er-BataiHon 95 in May 1943 after tierce combat in the Medjerda Geii i rgs-Pail zerjagei -Abteilung 95 Valley; but the battalion was re-formed around the companies which had remained in Europe, Divisional commanders on occupation duty in France. Fully up lo General Julius Ringel (November 1940-Febmary 1944) Generali eutnant Max Schrank (February 1944-January 1945) strength, it was sent to the Eastern Front and was immediately involved in defensive actions Gene r aim a j o r H a n s S tee ts (Jan ua ry—M ay 1945) around Vitebsk and Gorodok. The battalion was refitted with the even heavier Tiger II Special Insignia Apart from the regulation distinctions of the Mountain Troops, the (4\6nigstiger) in July 1944. Thereafter it fought 5, Gebirgs-Division unofficially adopted a special badge worn on on the defensive as the German armies retreated the left side of the Bergmutze beside the Edelweiss. In the form of through Poland, seeing particularly heavy a stylised white metal chamois mountain antelope standing on a fighting at Radom and Kleice. In December 1944, triple mountain peak, this was known as the Gams . __ 7 See New Vanguard 5, The Tiger I 38 6 See MAA 363 World War II German Battle Insignia Plate H sfeAbt 501 was disbanded and used to form the new sPz-Abt 424, which of Hungary, hi January 1945 it was renamed as sPz-Abt Tcldherrnhalle? was attached to XXIV Panzerkorps; this was little more than a renaming and attached to the Paraergrenadier division of that name, with which exercise, as the unit remained in die same sector of the Iiont under the it was destroyed in the final battles on the Eastern Front same commander. I he battalion was finally completely disbanded in Unit commander: Ohemleutnani Post (May 1942-Jan 1943); Obersdeutnant Hoheisel February 1945, Jan-May 1943); Hauptmann Clemens Graf von Kageneck (May Unit commanders: Major Erich Lowe (Sept-Dec 1943); Qbersrieutnant von Legal (Jan-Aug 1943-Feb 1944); Hauptmann Rolf Fromme (Feb-Dec 1944); 1944); Major Saemisch (Aug 1944—Feb 1945) Hauptmann Nordewin von Diest-Koerber (Dec 1944-Jan 1945) Unit insignia: Unit insignia: An emblem depicting a prowling tiger was painted on some oi the unit's The unit emblem painted on some of its vehicles consisted of a tigers tanks. In some cases, diough prohibited by this time in die war, unit head. Some personnel also wore a small white metal badge in the shape personnel, principally officers, wore the gill numerals 501 on tlieii of a King Tiger tank on the left side of the Held cap. shoulder straps. schwere Panzer-Abteiiung 504 schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 Formed in February 1943. Elements of this battalion were committed Formed in August 1942. Tanks from this unit were the first Tigers to in Tunisia, seeing action around Maknassy and Medjerda. The remainder see action on the Eastern Front when die unit was committed to of the battalion, located in Sicily, was withdrawn onto die Italian mainland after resisting the Allied invasion of the island. It then Faldwebel Albert Kerscher, Leutnant Dtto Carius, com¬ combat near Leningrad, bin were at first of dubious value; many moved to Holland for a refit before returning to Italy in June 1944. It one of the highly decorated mander of 2 Kompanie/ suffered mechanical breakdowns or bogged down in marshy terrain, NCO Tiger commanders from schwere Panzer-Ableilung subsequently took pan in operations to contain the Allied bridgehead several being captured almost intact by die Soviets, 1 he Tigers vveie schwere Panzer-Abteiiung 502. 502, wearing an optional committed without infantry support, allowing die enemy to attack their a l Anzio, and also fought in the defence of the Gothic Line facing British private purchase white more vulnerable flanks, and some were lost simply due to their tracks troops. It remained in Italy until the German surrender in May 1945. summer tunic. This photo Unit commanders: was taken while he was still being damaged by enemy infantry. The unit remained on the northern Major August Seidensticker (Feb-May 1943); Hauptmann Kuhn (Nov recuperating from wounds sector of the front until die great Soviet counteroffensives of 1944, received in the action for when it withdrew into Kurland, In late 1944 it fought on die defensive 1943-Sept 1944); Major Nil! {Sept 1944—May 1945) which he was decorated with around Memel and Konigsberg. The unit was re-formed in early 1945 the Oakleaves to his Knight's as sPz-Abt 511, equipped with the Tiger II. By die time it finally schwere Panzer-Abteiiung 505 Cross - cf Plate E. He was Funned in January 1943, the battalion first sawr serious action at the shot five times while ca (Tying surrendered to the Soviets on 9 May 1945 this single battalion had battle of Kursk that July when it wras attached to 9. Art nee on the out a reconnaisance on foot, recorded a tout! of some 2,000 Soviet armoured vehicles destroyed. northern flank of the salient. It subsequently came under command but recovered to return to Unit com m&nders: front-line duty. Hauptmann Arthur Wollschlager (Nov 1942-Feb 1943); Major Richter of Heeresgruppe Mitte, fighting at Smolensk, Re-equipped with Tiger (Feb-Juiy 1943); Hauptmann Erich Schmidt (July-Aug 1943); I Is in late summer 1944, it was committed to action once again in Hauptmann Lange (Aug-Oct 1943); Major Willi Jahde (Oct the defensive battles for East Prussia, providing heavy support to 24. and 1943-March 1944); Major Schwaner (Apr-Aug 1944); Hauptmann von 25. Panzer-Divisions. It was heavily involved in the defence of the Narev Foerstner (Aug 1944-jan 1945) bridgehead, remaining in East Prussia until the end of the war. 17? it com m a n ders: Unit insignia: The emblem of a woolly mammoth with large curved tusks w^as painted Major Bernhard Sauvant (Feb-Aug 1943); Hauptmann von Karlowitz on some of the unit's vehicles. (Aug-Sept 1943); Hauptmann Werner Freiherr von Besehwilz (Sept 1943—Nov 1944); Major Senfift von Fiisach (Nov 1944-Apr 1945) schwere Panzer-Abteiiung 503 Unit insignia: This battalion was formed in spring 1942. it had originally been destined An emblem depicting a charging armoured knight on horseback, for North Africa but in die event was committed to action on the southern armed with a lance, was painted on the turret side of some of the sector of tire Eastern Front, where it helped to cover die German retreat battalion's tanks. from the area around Stalingrad. It took part in the great tank batdes at Kursk in July 1943 before being attached to Panzer-Regiment Bake, with schwere Panzer-Abteiiung 506 which it fought with great elan in the batdes around Cherkassy destroying Formed in July 1943, diis unit first fought in the defensive battles over 260 enemy tanks in one action over five days. It remained with along the Dnieper River as part of Heeresgruppe Mitte; it saw action the regiment until April 1944, when it was withdrawn to the West for at Lem burg, Tama and Krivoi-Rog. Withdrawn from the front in refuting with die Tiger II. It was caught up in the battles following the August 1944, it returned to Germany to refit with the Tiger II. In Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944, and many of its tanks w^ere September it was committed to action at Oosterbeek following the lost to enemy fighter-bombers and naval gunfire. In September, hilly Allied airborne landings at Arnhem, In November 1944 it received - unusually for a Tiger unit — a fourth company. It saw action in the 41 40 refitted, it returned to die Eastern From to take part in the defence Ardennes offensive before fighting in the defence of the Ruhr, where I’au/.er-Korps, and was gradually forced back into Austria where it it was encircled and forced to surrender to US forces in April 1945. Miirendcred to US forces, Rv diis point it had no tanks left, its vehicles I hiit commanders: i (insisting of just one amphibious VW Schwimmwagen. one Funkwagcn Major Gerhard Willig (July-On 1943); Major Lange (Oct 1943-Jan and one truck. 1945); Hauptmann Heiligenstadt (Jan-Feb 1945); Hauptmann von Unit commando's: Romer (Feb-April 1945) Hauptmann Hannibal von Luttichau (Aug—Nov 1943): Major Gierka Unit insignia: (Nov 1943-Feb 1944); Hauptmann Radtke (Feb—March 1944): Painted on some vehicles was a letter ‘W’ for Willig* over which leans a Hauptmann Hans-Jurgen Burmester (March 1044—Feb 1945); Tiger holding a red shield emblazoned with a white cross. Hauptmann Dr Konig (Feb—May 1945) / hut insignia: schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507 A tiger's head on a shield is recorded as a vehicle emblem, Formed in September 1943, this battalion was first committed to action in March 1944 on the Eastern From, where it saw heavy defensive schwere Panzer-Abteilung 510 fighting at TarnopoL Vitebsk and on the Narev River front. After Formed in June 1944, this unit had reached the northern sector of refitting with the Tiger II in February 1945 it returned to the Eastern the Eastern Front within a month. In East Prussia die battalion was Front, lighting in defence of Czechoslovakia in the closing months divided, part being sent to support 14. Pa nzei>Di vision and the Hauptmann Walter Scherff, Major Clemens Graf von of the war Having lost all its Tigers in action, the battalion tried to make remainder to 30. In fan ten e-Divisi on. The elements operating with 14. commander of 3 Kompanie/ Kageneok, commander of its way west to surrender to US forces but was intercepted and captured Panzer-Division saw heavy combat in die Kurland peninsula in early schwere Panzer-Abteilung schwere Panzer-Abteilung by the Soviets. 1945. In March two companies were withdrawn to Kassel in Germany 503, wearing the Feldbluse 503, Many members of the Unit commanders: arid die rest, with 13 remaining Tiger I tanks, were assigned to 14, mit Vorstossen or ‘piped German nobility served In field service tunic1. This incor¬ armoured units. Major Erich Schmidt (Sept 1943-Aug 1944); Hauptmann Fritz Schbck Panzer-Division. The last Tiger was lost on 8 May, and the battalion porated some features of the (Aug 1944-May 1945) surrendered along with the other .survivors of die fierce Kurland battles. Waffenrock\ piping in branch Hauptmann Wolfgang Unit insignia: This was the only schwere Panzer-Abteilung never to have been colour round the collar and Ko I term arm, commander of The unit emblem painted on some vehicles was a shield showing a equipped with the Tiger II, all of its tanks being late model Tiger Is. cuffs and down the front edge, 3 Kompame/schwere Panzer- blacksmith fashioning a sword on an anvil. and collar Utzen mounted on Abteilung 507. Koltennann patches of branch colour. was of very diminutive stature, but his size schwere Panzer-Abteilung 508 was belied by Formed in August 1943, this unit was sent to the Italian Front, where THE PLATES bravery. it suffered heavy casualties at Anzio and Nettuno, It fought A1: Schtitze, Infanterie-Regiment throughout the subsequent retreat up Italy, eventually being ‘GrossdeutschlancT, 1939 disbanded in February 1945 when ail its tanks had been This private wears the special pre-war parade dress uniform; destroyed or disabled. The remaining personnel were although this was never generally issued, stocks were stored returned to Germany for re-allocation to other units. for issue after the anticipated successful conclusion to Unit commanders: the war. Note the special cuff design, quite different to that on normal Waffertrock parade tunics; and the unique Major Hudel (Jan-May 1944); Hauptmann Stelter collar patches with much longer silver braid Litzen than (Aug 1944—Feb 1945) ' was normal. His shoulder straps bear the regimental ‘GDr Unit insignia: ciphers embroidered in the white Waffenfarbe of the infantry; A black bison within a black outline shield is and on his right cuff is the first pattern machine-woven recorded as the vehicle emblem. Grossdeutschland cuffband In silver Gothic script on dark green. The white-piped trousers are in stone-grey. A2: Feldwebel, Feldgendarmerietrupp schwere Panzer-Abteilung 509 kGrossdeutschland\ 1941 Formed in September 1943, this unit was first used This 1S3C0 from the divisional military police troop wears the on the Eastern From, seeing heavy action at standard Ml 936 Feldbluse with orange military police piping Kirovograd, Zhitomir and Kiev, In late 1943 it was to the shoulder straps and lights1 on the collar patches, and briefly attached to 2. SS-Panzer-Division ‘Das ReichT the orange police-style wreathed eagle badge on his upper during actions at Kaminets-Podolsk. In 1944 it was heavily committed to defensive lighting in the Major Otto Ernst Remer of the lGrossdeutschland\ southern sector following the launch of the Soviet shown here after the award of the Oakleaves to hrs KnighVs Cross. He was ultimately promoted to summer offensive, once again going into action at Kiev Generalmajor and commanded the Fithrer-Begleit- and Zhitomir. In late 1944 it returned to Germany where, at DI vision. Renter was instrumental in suppressing die Sennelager tank training grounds, it was re-equipped with the attempted seizure of power in Berlin following the Tiger Us, In January 1945 it was sent to Hungary' as part of IV SS- abortive assassination attempt on Hitler on 20 July 1944. This Unterofflzier E32: Funker* Panzergrenadier-Division C3: Unteroffizier, Grenadier-Regiment 134, Oberleutnant Max wears the regulation iFeldherrnhalle,f 1943-44 44. Reichsgrenadier-Division 'Hoch und Wirsching, Feldhermhatte An enlisted signaller from a 'Feldhermhalle’ headquarters DeutschmeisterT 1944 commander of 2 cuff band, but not company wears a late war Ml 943 Feldbluse in coarse field- A seasoned Eastern Front veteran, this NCO cleaning the Kompanie/schwere the SA-Kampfrune grey wool with a high shoddy content. His shoulder straps action of an MG34 squad light machine gun wears late Panzer- Abte i I u n g insignia on the are piped in the lemon-yellow Waffenfarbe of the signals war combat uniform of the Ml 943 tunic, ankle boots and 507; cf Plate E. This shoulder straps; branch; although examples with the runic insignia canvas gaiters. Most high quality leather equipment from Tiger tank officer cf Plate B. (Josef embroidered in Waffenfarbe existed, photographs show that the first part of the war had by this stage been replaced wears the gilt unit Chartta) many junior ranks simply pinned the white metal NGOs1 with utilitarian webbing, though this soldier has managed number *507' on version on to plain straps. He wears a ‘BeVo'-woven to retain a black leather belt. His shoulder straps bear the his shoulder straps* example of the Feldhermhatte cuffband in grey silk thread on coloured metal 'Stalingrad Cross' emblem commemorating and the Honour Roll brown. His helmet is the Ml 942 with flared rim, by now the destruction of the former 44. Inf-Div in that battle. We Clasp of the Army devoid of insignia decals and field-camouflaged with mud. ,'iustrate on his left sleeve the cuffband Hoch- und on the ribbon of Again, he carries full rifle equipment Including a couple of Deutschmeister embroidered in grey Gothic script on a the in Sti el hand gran ate 24 stick grenades and a 250-round black background; Its use is somewhat speculative - his buttonhole. machine gun ammunition box; no matter what their specialist despite assertions from some veterans no photographic function, under the conditions of the Russian Front all evidence to support its wear has yet come to light. personnel needed to be able to fight as infantrymen. Inset C4: The Stalingrad Gross. B3: Obergefreiter* Panzer-Abterlung sub-machine gun and wears its triple magazine pouches. 'Feldhermhalle1, 1943 PI; Leutnant, SturmartrMerie, 116. Panzer- Inset D4; The 116. Pz Div ‘Windhund1. D5: The ‘L1 cipher of left sleeve. The senior NCOs' ‘GD1 cipher in siamped white The standard early wartime biack Panzer vehicle uniform is Division* 1944 the Panzer-Lehr-Div, in white metal. metal is pinned between the rank 'pips' on his shoulder worn by this junior NCO from the tank battalion of the This armoured assault gun troop commander of a unit from straps, which are trimmed - like his collar - with silver-grey newly formed Panzergrenadier-Division. The Feldhermhatte i id. Panzer-Division during the Normandy battles wears El: Feldwebel, schwere Panzer-AbteHung 503, Tresse braid. The machine-woven Feidgendarmerie cuffband in artificial silk weave is worn on the left sleeve* the field-grey version of the special Panzer uniform as 1944 cuff band is worn on the lower left steeve, and the third and the embroidered Kampfrune Insignia on the black wool issued to Sturmgeschutz crews. His headgear is the popular The central figure of this plate represents a typical Tiger pattern Sutterlin script Grossdeutschtand cuffband on the shoulder straps in the rose-pink Waffenfarbe of armoured ‘old style officer's field cap1 or ‘crusher cap', bearing on the crewman in 1944. His uniform Is the standard black right. Of special interest is the unique gorget used by this troops. The cuffband and shoulder ciphers appear not to left side of the band the small greyhound1 emblem of the Panzerbekleidung with Ml 943 Einheitsfeldmutze. On the unit; an unofficial but tolerated affectation, ft was the have been as universally worn within this formation as was division. His shoulder straps, collar patches and cap piping side of his cap is a small white metal badge representing standard Feldgendarmerie pattern with the addition of a the case in 'Grossdeutschland' units. show the scarlet Waffenfarbe of the artillery branch, a King Tiger1 tank as adopted by men of this battalion. His blackened plate bearing the unit cipher LGD'. His equipment Inset B4: The political-style Fahne of the SA-Standarte, also D2: Feldwebel, Panzer-Regiment 22, shoulder straps show the battalion number in white metal includes a hoistered PG8 pistol, a map case and a field torch. carried by the Army unit. B5: The Kampfrune cipher in 21. Panzer-Division, 1944 numerals; although the use of such insignia had long since A3: Unteroffizier, Flak-Abteilung stamped white metal, worn by senior NCOs but also by A veteran of the North African campaign, this NCO tank been discontinued, a few individuals continued to wear *Grossdeut$chland\ 1943-44 many junior ranks due to shortages of embroidered shoulder commander wears the standard black Panzer trousers and them throughout the war* and the 500-series would have The typical appearance of a junior squad leader in the has retained the popular Ml938 black Panzer field cap. been a proud sign of service with the Tiger battalions. second half of the war. This Unteroffizier wears the Ml943 straps. B6: The special SA-style standard bearer’s gorget However, instead of the biack Panzerjacke he wears the The other images on this plate show some of the Feldbluse with plain field-grey collar, and plain grey Utzen\ worn by ‘Feldherrnhaile’ units. lightweight field-grey denim fatigue version with a large variations of appearance noted in Tiger an Ml942 steel helmet with a roughened paint finish; and external pocket - this was adopted by many troops during tank units: ankle boots with canvas gaiters. On his right sleeve is the Cl: Hauptmann, Infanterie-Regiment 119 ‘List*, the warm summer months. On his left cuff is the campaign E2: A Luftwaffe-style black final pattern copperplate script Grossdeutschtand cuffband: 57. Infanterie-Division* 1943 cuffband Afrika, rarely seen on the Panzer jacket as field cap, lacking on his shoulder straps, the divisional cipher in the red Apart from the regimental cuffband on his left sleeve, the majority of Africa veterans went into captivity in Tunisia the front ‘scallop’ Waffenfarbe of the Flakartillerie; and on his upper right embroidered in 'copperplate' script* this captain from in May 1943; this man was presumably absent on detached to the flap usually sleeve the red winged shell badge special to this unit, The Infanterie-Regiment List' is fairly typical of the appearance depot dirties or convalescent leave* and later joined the associated with ^ , men of the anti-tank unit had to be prepared to defend their of an infantry officer in the second half of the war. He re-formed division. Army caps, and gun positions against infantry attack, and this NCO has full wears an altered enlisted man's Feldbluse. more appropriate D3: Unteroffizier, Panzergrenadier-Lehr- also lacking rifleman s equipment, with an entrenching spade thrust into for combat wear than an officer's tunic, with the service Regiment 901* Panzer-Lehr-Division* 1944 dress Dienstmutze peaked cap, breeches and regulation his belt and his Seitengewehr 84/98 bayonet fixed. This unit was known for the adoption of the field-grey officer's boots. A highly decorated soldier, he wears at his Inset A4: ‘Grossdeutschland' shoulder strap cipher in senior Panzer-type uniform by its grenadiers. His steel helmet has throat the Knight’s Cross with Oakieaves. NCOs1 stamped white metal format. a camouflaged cloth drawstring cover In the usual ‘Zeltbahn C2: Major, Panzergrenadier-Division pattern'. The shoulder straps bear the "L' insignia of the Lehr B1: Hauptmann, Panzergrenadier-Regiment ‘Brandenburg*, late 1944 units; normally this would be worn in conjunction with others One of the rarest elite insignia was the Brandenburg ‘FeJdherrnhalle’, 1943 to indicate the branch, e g. ‘PL’ for Panzerjager-Lehr, etc, cuffband. Here it is worn by an officer from one of the two This captain from the armoured infantry regiment of the but in the case of this division the V was worn alone. The Panzergrenadier-Division formed in 1943 round the nucleus Jager (Rifles) regiments of Panzergrenadier-Division cipher is embroidered, and the shoulder straps and outer 'Brandenburg' in the closing stages of the war. On the upper of Jnfanterie-Regiment 271 is in field service dress. He wears edges of the collar patches are piped in the grass-green of the officer's quality version of an Ml936 Feldbluse, privately right sleeve is the doth patch showing an oakleaf spray, the the Panzergrenadiers, He has been awarded the Iron Cross traditional emblem of the light infantry. By this stage in tailored but maintaining some of the basic features of the 2nd Class (see buttonhole ribbon), the biack Wound Badge, the war the Brandenburg Division was operating in a enlisted ranks' version. His shoulder straps, collar patches and the bronze Panzergrenadier version of the Tank Battle and cap bear the grass-green piping of a Panzergrenadier, conventional infantry role, though a proportion of veterans Badge, As a squad leader he carries the 9mm Erma MP4G the former with the pin-on gilt metal Kampfrune insignia of of the early commando operations - tike this officer - were this division. On his left cuff is the Feldhermhatte cuffband in still with the unit He has been decorated progressively with woven aluminium wire on brown fabric. His decorations the Iron Cross 1 st Glass, the German Cross in Gold, and the A Gefreiter on leave from Infanterie-Regiment 'List’, with include both classes of the Iron Cross, the bronze Tank Knight’s Cross wrth Oakleaves, and also wears the black the regimental cuffband on his left sleeve* poses proudly Battle Badge of the Panzergrenadiers, and a Wound Badge. Wound Badge and the Infantry Assault Badge. with his young child; cf Plate C, (Robert Moss) F3: Feldwebel, Panzer-Regiment 24t 24, Panzer- General der without doubt Gen. Eduard Diet!, in 1940 the commander Gebirgstruppe Julius Division, 1943 of 3. Gebirgs-Division, He was a skilled mountaineer, and Ringel, commander The cavalry roots of this formation are displayed on this the rare ‘Heeresbergfuhrer’ badge can be seen on his right of 5. Gebirgs-Division NCO tank commander's black Panzer uniform by means of breast pocket; a hand-embroidered Mountain Troops' during the battle for golden-yellow cavalry Waffenfarbe piping to the shoulder Edelweiss badge is obscured here on his upper right sleeve Crete. A popular and straps and collar patches, and as a soutache over the As well as the Narvik Shield. Knight’s Cross with Oak leaves, instantly recognisable national cockade on his black Panzer Feldmutze. and decorations from . Dietl wears the Pilot- figure, ’Papa' Ringel Observer Badge with Diamonds, an honorary award G1: Feldwebel of Panzertruppe, Fuhrer-Begleit- invariably sported presented by Reichsmarschall Goring. Rarely will more than a moustache and Brigade, 1944 one photograph of Diet! show him wearing the same number goatee beard. This NCO serving at Fuhrer Headquarters wears a unique of decorations: on many occasions he wore only his Knight s combination of insignia. As a member of an armoured unit Cross with Oakleaves and his Narvik Shield. His stone grey he wears the black Panzer uniform, but with white rather breeches have the general officer’s red stripes and seam than pink piping to his shoulder straps, collar, collar patches piping; he normally chose to wear mountain boots with the and as a soutache on his field cap. He has white metal GD' more traditional style of puttees, wrapping all the way up A fine, rare example of a cavalry officer's ’crusher' cap. ciphers on his shoulder straps: on his right sleeve is the to the knee, rather than riding boots or the ankle puttees. It features cavalry golden-yellow piping and the metal Grossdeutschland cuffband, and on his left the cuffband Diet! also wears a unique version of the naval dress dagger death's-head emblem worn by Kavallerie-Regiment 5; Fuhrerhauptquartier worn by personnel actually on duty presented to him by the Kriegsmarine in commemoration of cf Plate F. (Francois Saez) at Hitler’s headquarters. This unusual combination is known G2: Panzergrenadier, Fuhrer-Grenadjer-Drvision, the close inter-service co-operation at Narvik. This modified from a handful of surviving examples of this jacket and a 1945 piece had miniatures of the Destroyer War Badge and the cockade in national colours, was regularly worn by At first glance this soldier wearing the short Ml944 Mountain Troops’ Edelweiss set on to the scabbard, and Leutnant Otto Carius, a Tiger 'ace1 from schwere Panzer- few rare wartime photos. ‘baftledress’ blouse with tapered trousers, ankle boots was suspended from regulation Army rather than Navy Abteilung 502. and canvas gaiters is fairly typical for a Panzergrenadier at hanging straps. The badly damaged remains of this unique E3: An unusual variant of the Ml 943 officer's field cap was this late stage of the war. What sets him apart are the ‘FG’ dagger were found many years after the war at the site of worn by some personnel of schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507; cipher embroidered in grass-green Waffenfarbe into his Dietl's fatal plane crash in summer 1944. not only the crown bore aluminium piping, but also the top shoulder straps, and the Grossdeutschland cuffband worn H3: Gefreiter, 5. Gebirgs-Division, 1943 edge of the scalloped front portion of the side flaps. In on his right sleeve; this combination of insignia identifies This junior NCO of Gebirgsjager proudly displays on his left this study of Major Erich Schmidt the national cockade is him as a member of the short-lived Fuhrer-Grenadier- sleeve the Kreta cuffband commemorating his service either missing, or hidden by the deep two-button flap. Division. The 'FG1 straps were only worn for a short period during the hard-fought invasion of Crete in May 1941. On E4: Some members of Tiger units took to wearing sheepskin and are extremely rare. He carries a semi-automatic Kar 43 the left side of his Bergmiitze, just ahead of the Mountain overjackets during winter months on the Eastern Front, rifle and wears its canvas magazine pouches on late war Troops1 regulation Edelweiss badge, is pinned the Gams’ - Major Willi Jahde, commanding officer of schwere Panzer- webbing equipment; and his Ml942 helmet has a makeshift the semi-official divisional badge adopted by 5. Gebirgs- Abteilung 502, was photographed wearing an example, with chic ken wire cover for attaching camouflage, Division, in the shape of a small white metal chamois on a the green-on-black sleeve rank insignia introduced in 1942 G3: Feldwebel, WachbataiMon Berlin, c.1943 mountain peak. His tunic is the Ml 943 Feldbluse, with plain for all clothing which did not bear shoulder straps, This represents an infantry NCO of the 'Grossdeutschland’ field-grey coliar and subdued collar patches; Waffenfarbe Division on rotation for duty with the Guard Battalion in piping appears only around the field-grey shoulder straps. FI: Leutnant, Kavallerie-Regiment 5 Berlin. His basic Ml936 service dress is that of a Both the rankers on this plate wear conventional black ‘Feldmarschall von Mackensen\ 1945 'Grossdeutschland’ NCO, but on his shoulder straps, instead leather equipment and carry the 9BK rifle. He wears the Dienstmutze service cap, a standard officer’s of the normal 'GD* cipher, he displays the Gothic W1 (for pattern Ml936 type Feldbluse, riding breeches with Wache, 'Guard1) which was wom while serving a tour with reinforced inner legs, and standard cavalry riding boots; the guard unit in the Reich capital. Such detached service cap and tunic bear yellow cavalry Waffenfarbe distinctions. was considered an honour, open only to exemplary soldiers. His peaked cap bears the metal death's-head tradition Inset G4: The 'FG1 cipher of the Puhrer-Grenadier-Division. badge (originating In that of the old Prussian Life Guard Hussars) between the Army and national insignia, and HI; Feldwebel, Gebirgsjager-Regiment 138, this is repeated on his shoulder straps. On the right forearm 3. Gebirgs-Division, c.1942 is the regimental cuffband Feldmarschall v Mackens&n\ This seasoned NCO of mountain infantry is a veteran of the and on the upper sleeve the yellow patch adopted by Narvik campaign of April/May 1940. He still retains the some members of 4, KavalIerie-Division in 1945. regimental numeral 138’ on his shoulder straps, though F2: Oberreiter, Kavallerie-Regiment 5 these were officially phased out after the outbreak of war. ■Feldmarschall von Mackensen1, 1945 The piping round the shoulder straps and the lights’ on This enlisted man astride an NSU motorcycle has the the collar patches of hts Ml936 tunic are in the bright green Ml 943 field uniform with ankle boots and canvas gaiters. of the Gebirgstruppe. On his left sleeve is the Narvik Photographs of horsed cavalry units at the end of the war campaign shield, and on his right the Edelweis patch of the often show the old Ml938 Feldmufze retained alongside mountain troops, whose white and yellow metaJ cap badge the Ml943 peaked field cap; here a death's-head badge is pinned to the left side of his Bergmiitze. He carries full rifle (larger than regulation, and perhaps privately acquired?) The unique jacket worn by armoured personnel equipment with a couple of Ml 939 egg’ grenades attached, is pinned between the eagle and the cockade. The motif serving with the Fuhrer-Begleit-Brigade at Hitler’s and has been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the is repeated In golden-yellow embroidery on his shoulder headquarters; cf Plate G1. The piping to collar patches Infantry Assault Badge, straps, and he has received the regimental cuffband; these and shoulder straps was white rather than the traditional H2: Generaloberst Eduard Diet!, Gebirgsjager relaxing - cf Plate H. Note the Edelweiss may well have been made up locally by 'cottage industry' rose-pink of the armoured troops. On the left sleeve is wom the cuffband FQhrertiauptquartler, and on the right Oberbefehlshaber Lappland, 1943 sleeve patch, and the metal badge wom on the side of the in Austria, Note that this ranker wears the band on hrs One of the most charismatic figures in the Gebrrgsjager was Grossdeutschland. (Chris Boonzaier) Bergmutze. (Ian Jewison) 46 left sleeve. INDEX

Figures in bold refer to illustrations Infantry divisions panzer divisions 7. Infamerte-Division 13 2. Panzer-Division 34 Abwehr, the 14 44 Reirhgrenadter-Diiiskm Hoch 5. Leichte Division 22 Ardennes offensive, the, 194-1 ft, 21, und DeuisthmeisieG C3> 18. 18-20, 13, Panzer-Division 1 I 34, 42 19. 45 14. Panzer-Division 43 57. Infamene-Dmsion 12-13 21. Panzer-Division D2. 22-24. 23, 45 Bau-Lchr-Kom panic- 800 14 6M. Infante rie-Difision 10-11 24. Panzer-Division F3. 21. 33, *33, 46 Bayerlem* General tenmanr Frit/ 93. liiiimtetie-Dhisi on 10 ! 16. Panzer-Division {'WindhundB (1899-1970) 33 infantry regiments Dl, D4. 20-22* 21. 22, 45 Infanlrrk-1 .eb r-Regimcne 4 (130.) Panzer-Lehr-Division D3. D5, Garins, Leutnant Otto 40 InfanLerie-Regiment 19 'List* Cl, 12, 334)5* 34. 45 cavalrv F lfi-17. 17. 24, 4ft, 4ft 12-14, 13. 14, 44. 45 pai i ze i grtj iiadie r d i vi sii >i r s colours B4. 12, 44 Infantene-Regimem 119 12-14 [ (L Fiulzergrei jadier-D i vision 26 Crete, invasion of. 1941 37-38 hi fame ri e-Re gi mem 134 'Koch und 60. Panzergrenadier-Divisiun 10, 11 cufFbands DeutscllmeisteT, C3, 19, 20, 45 Feld berm ha He' B* 9-12, 10, II, 12. Afrika D2, 33, 45 Infamerie-RegiiTiem 271 10 13; 41, 44* 44 RumdnrJntrg C2. 14, 15, 15, 44 insignia 3, see fiho ruttbands Pa nzergre n ad ic r-Di visit i n Fddhrrnihtrfk B, 10. II. llT 12. 13, 24, Panzer-Division 33 Brandenburg’ C2. 14, 14-16. 15. 44, 44 116. Panzer-Division f VVindhiuid1) 16, 44 Feldmarsck&llvon Siatketisen F1-2V 16 D4, 21* 21-22, 45 Panze rgre n adie r-DivisL ) n 1 Kin-mark' 17, 17,46 (130.) Pan/er-Lehr-Division D5, 6* 7 k'dhrtrhauptqvartier Gl. 0. 7, 46, 46 35. 45 Polish Campaign* 1939 4, 12, 18, 35 Grussdeutschhmd A* G, 4, 5, 6. 7, 7-8, Feldhen uhalle B5, 44 8,9, 15. 43-44, 46. 46 the Ffdirer-Begleit-Brigade Gl, 46 Re met. Major Otto Ernst 43 Hoi ft und Dpujsthmrister C3. 10, 19 the Fuhrer-Grc n ad ie r-Division RlngeL Julius 47 20, 45 G4. 47 Russia E4, 4-5. 16. 14, 14-15, 18. 24, 36* /nfntifmr-ffrg-t-mmi 'List* Cl, 12, 13, Grossrieutschland1 A4, K-9. 44 38* 3946* 41* 42. 46 13-14, 44, 45 KavaJlerie-Regim^it 5 Feldmarschall KrtHa H3, 47 von Mackenscn FI-2, 16“ 17. 46, 46 5A. die 9, 10 mountain units H, 36, 36-37, 37, 38, shoulder straps 6. 7 Died, General Eduard (1890-1944) 38. 17. 47 (' 130,) Pa tizer-Leh t-Division D 3. H2, 35, 35, 36. 47 Pa i i zergre n ad ie r- D i vis ioi i 35* 45 Brandenburg" 14. 15. 15-16 Feldherrnhalle B* 12* 12, 44 Fibi, Obemleutnant Karl 18 Tiger lank battalions 40, 41,42, 43 Lite elite staui-s 3 Ffth re r-Grenad ie t -Division Italy 19* 38. 41,42 G2. 47 France 4* 10, 12, 18,22-23,24 "GrossdeiiLsrhland' A, 3. 4. 5. 6, 8, 9. Fritsch, Generalubersl Wemer von Kahl* Oherstleutnant Bruno 34 43-44 (1880-1939) 3 Kavalle tie-Rcgi ment 5 HFeldmarsc hall Koch und Dcutschnieister C3. 18, Fuh re r-Regleit-Brigade, the Gl, 4. 6. fi, von Mackensen1 F12. 10-17* 17. 20* 45 6T* 46, 46 4ft, 46 Kavallerie-Regimeni 5 Feldmarschail FCduet-Grenadier-Division. the G2, G4, Klein/, Hauptmann Bernard 3 von Maekensen' 17 6. 7, 47 Konig. Glfeersi Alfoits 12, 14 Tiger tank battalions El, 45 Kursk, battle of. 1943 5. I 3, 40. 41 Sk< irzenv, SS-Obe rs t li rm bam ifu 11 re r gorgets A2. B6, 10, 12, 44 Otto (1908-67) 15 GrossfleuLM hiand' 3, 3-6, 4, 8, 39, 43 Lutz* Leutnant Johannes 22 Stall n grad. ha trie fo r, 1942-3 10r 18, cuffbands A G. 4, 5. 6, 7-£* 8. 9, 15, 24* 40 43-44. 46, 46 Mackensen, Field Marshal von 16, 17 Stalingrad Cross, the C3-4, 18. 19, 45 divisional commanders 7 mountain divisions 37, 38. 47 standard bearers 12 Felcigendarmerietmpp A2. 9, 9. 2t Gebu gsT)ivision 36 43, 44 3, Gebirg.vDi vision HI. 35-37. 36, 47 Tiger tank battalions 39 Flak-Abteihing A3. 84), 44 5. GehirgSrDivUttm H3, 37-38, 47, 47 sc 11 we re Pai t ze r-A bte i I u n g 501 3SM f) insignia A4. 8-9* 44 sc h we re Panzer-Abteihing 502 E2, main elements 6 Narvik Shield* the HI, 35, 3ft, 36. E4, 39, 40. 40, 41,45-46 Pan/e i -Re gin ten i ’ G r< >ssd e 11 tsc h Ian d1 37. 47 scliwere Panzer-Abtrilung 308 El. 3,4 Netherlands, invasion of the. 1940 40-41.42. 43; 45 Panzergrenadier-Regimem 6, 9 14* 24 sc h we re Panzer-Abtei lung 504 -11 satellite units 6-7 Noak, Leuuiant Karl-Heinz 18 schwere Panzer-Abreilung 505 4J shoulder straps A, 3, 4, 5. 6. 8, 9 Normandy landings, 1944 6, 23, 34* 40 sch were Pat ize r-Ab l ei 1 ung 506 41-42 43,44 North Africa 22. 39-10. 41 st hwe re Pa nze r-Ab toil in i g 507 E3. Guderian* Generalobem Heinz Norway, invasion of, 1940 35-36 42. 42. 45. 46 (1888-1954) 33 schwere Panze r-Ab lei lung 508 12 Gudenan. Major Heinz-Gtmther 21 Operation ’Biubarossa1 4-5, 10. 13* 18. sc h we re Pa n ze r- Abtei I u n g 509 42-43 24* 36 sell we re Pan ze r-Ab i ei I u ng 516 13 Heeresgruppe Mitte 10, 13, 41 Operation 'Citadel' 5 uniforms and dress E. 39. 40. 43, Heeresgruppe Nurd 10, 16 Operation "SeaUon1 14 45, 4f i Heeresgnippe Sud 16 O ppe 11i-Bj oilikows ki, O bc rst Hentiann Hide r. Ad oil (1889-1945) f 2, 15, 35 von 23, 23 Wach regiment* die G3* 3, ft. 8* 8* 9* 47 Men-at-Arms • 380

The uniforms, equipment history and organisation German Army of the world's military forces, past and present Elite Units 1939-45

In World War II a number of German Army units and divisions were classed as elites, and were distinguished by special insignia of various kinds. For some this status was simply a matter of lineage - e.g. the Infantry Regiment 'List', which traced its identity to the Bavarian unit with which Hitler had served in World War I. Some, like the ‘Grossdeutschland’ and

Full colour artwork Panzer-Lehr divisions, were Photographs raised from particularly high grade personnel. Other titles honoured extraordinary battle¬ field exploits or heroic sacrifice, tike the 'Brandenburg' and 'Hoch und Deutschmeister' J8van6enbutB divisions. This fact-packed introduction to these famous units is illustrated with rare photographs and detailed

Unrivalled detail Insignia colour plates.

Osprey ISBN 1-84176-405-1 PUBLISHING www.ospreypublishing.com 9 78184 764