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Tank Divisions of the SS. Development of the fascist tank troops of the SS Tank Division

Evolutionary biology
08.04.2021

12th Tank Division of the SS "HitlerGenge" (12. SS-Panzer-Division "HitlerJugend").
The formation of its this connection is obliged to the SS Gottlob Bergeru, the SS Henry Himmler, in January 1943, to create the SS division from Hitlergenda Division. On February 10, 1943, a decree was issued, according to which the formation of the SS Division "Hitlergendan" from the recruits of 1926 of birth (age - 17 years, earlier for volunteers who arrived in the SS existed age qualities at 23). The commander of the division was appointed Obberfür MOP Fritz Witt from Leibstandart-SS Adolf Hitler, which also provided other frames for newly emerging parts. By the competition, the distinguishing mark of the division was established, on which the rune owl (the symbol of the organization "HitlerGegenda") broke out with the launder (the SS Division SS "Leibstandart-SS Adolf Hitler", which arose from the last name of her first commander of Joseph Dietrich (it. Dietrich - Lock) ).
Fritz Witt

Building Division Tankists during the inspection of its General-Felmarshal Herre von Rundsteed, France, January 1944.

Captive German soldiers from the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergendan" under the convoy of the Military Police of the 3rd Army of the United States. These juvenile soldiers (16 and 17 years old) were captured on the outskirts of Maizhotte, east of Bastoni, Belgium.

Until September 1, 1943, more than 16 thousand members of the Hitlergenda were called on, which were six-month training. In addition, more than 1 thousand veterans of the SS troops were translated into the division, as well as experienced officers from the Wehrmacht. The total number of personnel exceeded 20 thousand people at 150 tanks. During training in Beverloo (Belgium), it was decided to reorganize the original tank-grenaderian division into tank and change its name to the SS Tank Division "Hitlergend." When rebuing the Waffen-SS parts on October 22, 1943, the division received number 12, and its Grenadier shelves are numbers 25 and 26.

Since June 1944, Division has been on the West Front in Normandy.
Grenader of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergenda" on the road in ORN (Orne), Nomandia.

On June 6, 1944, the Overlord Operations of the Allies began the invasion of Normandia. The 12th SS Division "Hitlergenda", together with the 21st tank divisions, were closest to the place of landing by tank parts. However, due to aviation raids, they reached the battlefield only about 22 hours near Evresa.
On June 7, the 25th tank-grenadier regiment of the SS, under the command of Standandfürera SS Kurt Meyer, together with the 12th tank regiment, the SS was able to repel the attack of Canadians, and 28 tanks were destroyed, and the infantry regiment "Highlanders of New Scotia" (English Nova Scotia Highlanders) Missed losses. At the same time, the losses of the division amounted to six people. During this operation, 20 Canadian prisoners of war were killed by the soldiers of the division in Abbaye D "Ardenne.
Kurt Meyer

On June 8, the 26th Tank-Grenaderian Regiment of the SS, under the command of Orashturmbannfürera, Wilhelm Monkey, reached the position of the west of the matera regiment. The regiment was hit in the direction of Saint-Manvyu-Norre and captured a strongegically important village.
Two tank M4 "Sherman" squadron "A" of the 2nd Canadian Tank Division, baked and burnt on June 11, 1944 on the street of the French town Ro (Rots) during a battle with the 12th Tank Power Commission of the 12th SS Tank Division "Hitlergend "

Captive soldiers of the 12th division of the SS "Hitlergenda" (12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend") for lunch in the field in the vicinity of the French town Ro (Rots).



On June 14, the Royal Fleet fireding the position in Venoix, while Witt died. His place was taken by Kurt Meyer, which became the most young commander of the division of World War II (33 years). Meyer was later accused of committing war crimes, as he demanded not to take prisoners from his parts.
The division received an order to seize the cat over the next four weeks, although the enemy significantly exceeded it quantitatively, and there was no support from the air.

Panzergrenader of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergendan", captured by Canadian explosion during the battle for Kan. August 9, 1944

Pz.KPFW tank. IV (Panzerkampfwagen iv, ausf. H, onboard number 626) 6th company of the 12th Tank Regiment of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergende" (6.Kompanie / SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 / 12.ss-Panzer-Division "HitlerJugend") on the march on the street of the French city of Kan (Caen).

Another tank pz.kpfw.IV with a tactical number 625 from the same company of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergenda".


In the first weeks of July, the division suffered heavy losses. Therefore, Meyer ignored the order to keep the northern border of the Cana and retreated with the remnants of his troops to the south. By this time, the division lost 4 thousand people killed, 8 thousand injured and a large number of missing.

Marthercher of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergenda" leads fire on the enemy from the MG-42 machine gun. France, July 1944.

Eighteen-year-old Stormmann (Efreitor) SS Otto Funk (Otto Funk) from the 25th Grenadier Regiment of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergendan" in RO (Rots) After the failed German attack on Norrey-en-Bessen (Norrey-En-Bessin), North-west of the city of Kan, France.
On June 26, 1944, Otto Funk (06/06/1926-11.09.2011) was injured in the area of \u200b\u200bSheux (Cheux), on May 8, 1945, the parts of the 65th United States Infantry Division in Annex, Austria.

Awarding the division soldier for the June-July fighting in Normandy

By August 17, the main forces of the division fell into the Falese boiler, where they acted north of the city of Falez. On August 29, the Division's remnants managed to escape from the environment, while losing about 9 thousand people from June 6, almost all the tanks and most of the heavy weapons and equipment. Until September, the personnel decreased by another 2 thousand people and amounted to about 3 thousand people. Meyer himself was captured on September 6 by Belgian partisans, as a result of which the command was accepted by Obersturmbannführer SS Hubert Meyer. Continuing the retreat, the division passed through Wielsalm and Malmeny. Having reached the Western defensive shaft, the Division took part in the defense of the canal and the Eiffel district.
In November, the division was translated into Nienburg, where she, in view of actual destruction, was formed anew. Meyer was replaced by the Obersturmbannfüher MOP Hugo Krasom. The division was attached to the 6th SS tank army under the command of the ObristGruphenfürera of the SS Zeppe Dietrich to participate in the operation "Watch on the Rhine".
Tank M4 "Sherman" (side number 14) of the Canadian shelf "Fuzilers Sherbrooke" (Sherbrooke Fusiliers) and soldiers "Fuzilers Mont-Royal" (Lesiliers Mont-Royal) in battle with a group of shturmbannfurr SS Krause 12th SS Tank Division "Hitlergenda" (12. SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend) on French Faleze Street (Falaise).

Captive soldiers of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergenda" captured in the Falez Cotelet.

The operation that started on December 16, 1944, despite all efforts, did not reach the task, to break through the defense of the enemy. The reason was the strong resistance of opposing American troops. Following this, the division was assigned to take part in the siege of Bastoni. Until January 18, 1945, the Division was, like other German units, is pushed back to the initial positions.
Grenadiers of the 25th Cartzhergrenaderian Regiment (SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 25) of the 12th NES-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend (12. SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend), killed in battle with the 509th parachute regiment of the US Army on December 26, 1944 during Offensive in Ardennes.

Captive young German soldiers of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergenda" captured by the soldiers of the 7th US Army in the city of Echillersdorf, France.

Captive soldiers of the 12th division of the SS "HitlerGegenda" (12. SS-Panzer-Division "HitlerJugend") shipped wounded in the body of the American truck GMC

Captive soldiers of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergendan".

On January 20, 1945, the 6th SS tank army received an orders for redeployment to Eastern Hungary to take part in the battles for Budapest, where 45 thousand people of the 9th mountain corps of the SS were surrounded. The transit of parts began on February 2, and on February 4, the first divisions of the profits in the south of the colts. On February 5, the Division passed on the offensive at the city of Gran on the Danube. By the end of the month, the bridge for the garnet was liquidated. Then the Tank Division of the SS "HitlerGirth" participated in the battles for the Paris Channel, Bart and at Beni.
In the future, the Division took part in the offensive on Lake Balaton, during which Germany planned to regain the oil fields. Parts of the division acted near the eastern part of Lake Balaton. Hitler tried to keep this operation in secret and ordered no exploration of the battlefield before the start of the offensive. After the initial success, the operation was interrupted by the Soviet counteroffensive.
Destroyed in the area of \u200b\u200bLake Balaton German tank pz.kpfw. V AUSF.G "Panther" from the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergend". Late release car, gun mask with a peculiar tide at the bottom - "beard", making it impossible to join the tower when the projectile hits, as well as not giving a shell ridge into a sweetened sheet. The car has a shit trunk of the gun. The number of the Soviet trophy team "79".


After March 15, the Division "Hitlergende" began a retreat on the Vesprem-Papa-Slave route. Crossing the slave and shop, the remains of the division accelerated march moved towards the upcoming American troops deep into Austria. After passing the enons, the remains of the division surrendered to the troops of the 65th Infantry Division of the 7th American Army on May 8, 1945. Of the 21,300 people of the personnel in division for December 1943, 455 soldiers and officers remained alive. The division has one tank.

List of tank parts of the SS troops

In the period from 1939 to 1945, the following tank parts were part of the Armed Forces:

Army: 1st - 27th Tank Divisions, 116th Tank Division, 233rd Reserve Tank Division, Training Tank Division, Feldhernhalla Tank Division, Grossdoychland Tank Division, Herman Goring Division. Total: 33 tank divisions, 11 separate heavy tank battalions (on "tigers"), 1 battalion (512-y) PT SAU "Yagdtiger", 13 separate tank brigades (101st - 113rd).

(In 1944, separate tank brigades were formed as part of the land forces, received the numbers from 101st to 113rd. Part of these brigades were used mainly to strengthen tank and motorized divisions until the end of the war.)

SS troops: 1st Tank Division SS "Labish Standard Adolf Hitler", 2nd Tank Division SS "Das Reich", 3rd Tank Division SS "Totenkopf", 5th Tank Division SS "Viking", 9th Tank SS Division "Gajenshtufen", 10th Tank Division SS "Frundsberg", 12th Tank Division of the SS "NIR" Nordland "(in the battle of Berlin), 561th battalion PT SAU" Yagdtiger " Total: 7 tank divisions of the SS, 3 heavy tank battalion of the SS (on "tigers"): 101th Heavy Pattal Runs of the SS in the composition of I Tank Corps, 102th Heavy SS Tank Battalion as part of the II Tank Corps, 103th Heavy Tank The SS battalion in the composition of the III of the Tank Corps (in 1944, the battalions were renamed in the 501th, 502nd and 503rd, respectively and received the "royal tigers").

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On June 6, 1944, the Allies finally opened the second front in Western Europe. On this day, American, British and Canadian parts successfully landed on five sites of the Normandy coast in France, the Overlord operation began. For the successful development of the offensive in the depths of the continent, the Allied troops needed to capture the French city of Kan. This city was considered the key that would opened the troops of the allies on the south-east of France.

Kan, this old city of Normandy, played an exceptional role in the transport communications system on the Norman coast of France. In fact, he was the main binder between the Cotane peninsula and the rest of France. It was perfectly understood and the Germans and the Allies. The main task of the 3rd infantry division of the British army was the seizure of this city on the first day of the invasion - June 6. In addition, the main tasks of the allied troops in this direction were the seizure and retention of the airfield of the carpick, located in the vicinity of Cana at a distance of 18 kilometers from the coast; access to the parachutist landing zones of the 6th English Airborne Division, which was able to capture a row of bridges across the River Organ; Capturing dominating heights near Kana.

Attempting the allies to take the cat with the go failed. Allied troops were able to capture the city only on July 20, 1944, and the battle itself for Kahn lasted until August 6. In many ways, allies were torn by German tank divisions. Already at 16 am, on June 6, 1944, the Germans were introduced into battle of the 21st Tank Division. It was the only tank division that began to act against the forces of the landing directly on the day of disembarking. To reset the British and Canadians in the sea, the division could not, but seriously confused their plans, not letting the can be taken on the first day of operation and allowing the opportunity to go to the city by other tank and mechanized parts of the Wehrmacht and the SS troops.

Sumy to stop the promotion of the British and Canadian troops on the city on June 6, 1944, the German command began to enter the powerful offensive plan on this site. On June 7-9, trying to improve its position before the upcoming offensive, the German troops carried out several local counterdashers on the allied troops. The most stubborn battles eventually had to lead the Canadians, fought in the area of \u200b\u200bthe settlements of Ro, Brevili L'Orgeyz and Nuries-An-Bessen.

Here the allies first encountered German "panthers", which during the battles in Normandy were "solid nuts" for them. In total, at the time of the allied troops in France, on June 6, 1944, in the tank joints of the SS and Wehrmacht's troops in the West there were a total of 663 "Panther". This tank was distinguished by good head armor and a formidable long-term 75-mm tool that made it possible to effectively hit all the types of allies tanks. The only truly formidable rival for the German Panther was only the British Sherman Firefly Tank (Sherman-Firefly), reoperacted by the English 17-pound anti-tank gun (76,2 mm gun, length of 55 calibers).

British and Canadian parts could face under Kan with a large number of Panther, but the German industry could not produce this tank in the volumes that was required by the military. Initially, Panther tanks in combat units were planned to replace all PZ III and PZ IV tanks, but the mass production rate could not satisfy the need for troops in armored vehicles. In the end, the general inspector of the Wehrmacht's tank tank troops General-Colonel Geyntz Guderian, consulted with the Minister of Armament by Albert Speer, decided that only one battalion in the tank shelf was subject to re-equipment of new tanks.

The battalion should have included 4 companies on 17 panther tanks in each. At the same time, at the headquarters of the battalion there were 8 more tanks, the air defense unit, armed with Mobelwagen or Wirbelwind, and a sapper platoon. Also in the battalion there was a technical company, equipped with various vehicles and evacuation tractors. In practice, the number of parts in the German army never corresponded to a staffing schedule. So in parts of the Banzervaffa there was an average of 51-54 tanks "Panther" in the battalion, and in the SS troops - 61-64 tank.

The first appearance of Panther

The first appearance of the tanks "Panther" did not produce a special impression on allies. The debut of the Grozny Cat on the Western Front went out crumpled and led to a large loss of tanks. The first three companies "Panther" (approximately 40 tanks) arrived at the front under the cat in the evening of June 8, 1944. These were combat vehicles from the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergenda". The division was formed by more than 16 thousand members of the Hitlergenda. It was called on 17-year members of this Nazi organization, which then passed 6-month training. In addition, about a thousand soldiers and officers of veterans of the SS troops and experienced commanders from the Wehrmacht were translated into the division. The division was transferred to Normandia in the spring of 1944, at that time it had more than 20 thousand people and about 150 tanks. It was one of the most fanatically battle-fighting German units. By July 9, 1944, the Division lost 60% of its initial composition in battles.

Tank commander PZKPFW V "Panther" of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergendan", in the commander's ruined hatch, during a march as part of the column. Machines from the composition of the 3rd company. Photo: Waralbum.ru.

Arriving at the front on the front of June 8, 1944, the "Panthers" of the 12th Tank Division "Hitlergendan" had attacked allies at night, trying to capture the settlement of RO. Canadian infantry, which was in the village, did not resist for a long time, retreating to Brevylu, where the Germans waited for well-trained defense. When the German tanks approached Brevyville, they were greeted by a squall of the fire of anti-tank artillery, tanks and hand grenade launchers. As a result, several Panther were shot down and burned. Municipality of Joe Lapoint, who entered into a duel with Panther, which entered into a duel with a "Panther", picked up the tank with three shots from the Piato grenade launcher. The German infantry also did not succeed and had to retreat, leaving their tanks without support. As a result, Panthers moved away after it.

Failing to capture Bretville and Norrai in the night attack from 8 to 9 June 1944, the Germans decided to repeat the offensive day. However, they failed to prepare a truly powerful impact on the allies, since the 12th Tank SS Division entered into battle in parts. Such a development of events not only weakened the offensive capabilities of the division, but also prevented to organize a full-fledged interaction between tanks, infantry and artillery.

At noon on June 9, the 1st and 3rd Rota "Panther" (approximately 25 tanks) took part in the offensive to NORRI. Another tank company covered their actions by driving fire. At the same time, the German infantry attack almost did not support, most likely, for the reason that the strong artillery fire chairs were pressed towards his trenches. As a result, German tanks were forced to act practically without support, accompanied by only two or three dozen soldiers.

Panther, povered by Joe Lapoynt

Panthers rushed to normal at maximum speed. At the same time, the tanks of the 1st company made a small stop and fired the spire of the Church, believing that Canadian observers could be hidden. After that, Panthers again rushed forward. Tanks have not yet reached the village when the Canadian anti-tank guns opened on them. There was a speed fight. Although in this battle, German tank workers destroyed a couple of guns, without losing a single tank, the commander of the company decided not to tempt fate by ordering tanks to retreat. On this participation of the 1st company Panther from the 12th Tank Division of the SS in the battles on June 9 ended.

Beating "Panther" at Brevil L'Orgeyosis

The 3rd company "Panther" of the same tank division expected a much more saddest fate. This company was commanded by Captain Lüderman, who was urgently found on replacing the main commander of the division that was wound on the eve. It is known about his personality very little, in the sources it has not even been preserved by his name. It is known that 12 tanks of his company fell along the railway. At some point he gave an order to slow down the speed and turn left, towards Norreya. According to Luderman, thus, his Panthers turned to the Canadian anti-tank guns with their most protected part - forehead. However, in practice, this order turned out to be fatal, only a few seconds passed and the shells of allies flew into the "Panthers", but not in front, but on the right side. In just a few minutes of battle, the Germans lost 7 tanks - five destroyed and two shot.

Everything happened so quickly that the crews of German tanks did not even understand who felt on them. "Panthers" just light up, and their crews tried to leave the last minute as soon as possible. Those who participated in this battle survived, in the future they remembered him with horror. "Panther", which was commanded by Germany (name and title not survived), got hitting the right side of the tower. The projectile fell under the seat of the gunner, causing fire. Germany was an experienced tanker, before the fight he did not lock the lid of the commander hatch. Thanks to this, he managed to first leave the burning tank. The flood had to be selected through the flame, he received serious burns.

The commander of another tank "Panther" leaned out of the tower, in order to look around, and was killed by the direct hit of the projectile. Another "Panther" received many hikes in caterpillar and rollers, but managed to keep the move and somehow retreated to the starting position. Some of the 7-destroyed in this attack "Panther" explosion of ammunition torn the towers.

As a result, the remains of the 3rd tank company of the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergendan" retreated, and not seeing his opponent. Many tank workers after the battle were shocked by what they saw and survived. The commander of the company Liderman even had a nervous breakdown. The captain was sent to the hospital, where he needed a few days to come to himself. One of the German officers who witnessed the beating "Panther" in that battle, after the completion of World War II, said: "I could then cry from rage and grief."

Canadian "Fireflies"

Who ultimately got "Panthers"? The Sherman Tanks from the backup unit arrived to replenish the 1st Canadian Gusar Tank Regiment were their killers. Among the 9 arriving tanks were somewhat in the modification of Fireflay ("Firefly"), armed with long-tested 76.2-mm implements that perfectly made any of the German tanks. It was this allies that could fight the German "panthers" and "tigers." The armor-piercing projectile of the English 17-pound gun accelerates to 884 m / s, a podcaliber shell - up to 1204 m / s. At the same time, at a distance of 900 meters, the usual armor-piercing shell of this tool pierced the armor with a thickness of 110 mm, located at an angle of 30 degrees. Armored with a ballistic tip in the same conditions - 131 mm armor, and a podkalibal shell - 192 mm. This was more than enough to fight the tank "Panther".

When the German tank workers went to the attack on Norrai, Shermans were located next to the neighborhood, not far from Bretville. "Panthers" of the 3rd company, having made his turn, confused by Canadian tanks. Bourt Panther had a reservation only 50-40 mm (top and bottom of the case, respectively), booking the side of the tower - 45 mm. The shooting distance was the same 900 meters. At such a distance of the battle, the first shells issued by Canadians were able to find goals.

Tank Sherman Firefly.

In this battle, the crew of the Canadian tank, which was commanded by Lieutenant Henry. His gunner managed to bother 5 panther attacking five shots. Two more "Fireflaw" were able to write to their own account on one of the seven Panther, which remained to burn on the battlefield. At the same time, all existing Shermans existing "Shermans" were the fire in German tanks, so some "panthers" received several hits at once. While "Fireflaye" quite easily flashed their boards with armor-piercing shells, ordinary Sherman tanks led the fire with fragantive fugasic shells. They could not seriously harm the German tanks, but they knocked their crews with a sense, and also did not give observation of the surroundings, finding goals. That is why for German tankists and remained a mystery, who exactly shot them.

Canadian tanks "Sherman" during the day June 9, 1944 were at the right time in the right place. And although German troops spent Construdar suddenly, the Canadians managed to quickly navigate and perfect their work, no loss in tanks for their part. At the same time, the German command was again convinced that hasty in the organization and holding of tank attacks inevitably leads to the failure of the offensive. At the same time, this fight was the first victory of the Canadian tankers and their Shermans over German "panthers."

Sources of information:
http://worldoftanks.ru/ru/news/pc-browser/12/panthers_defeat_near_bretteville
http://armor.kiev.ua/tanks/wwii/pzv/txt/pzv2.php.
http://narkompoisk.ru/arhivy-dokumenty-analitika/2015/10/28/diviziya-ss-gitleryugend.html
Materials from open sources

Tank Divisions SS

SS-Panzer-Division

1st Tank Division SS "Labish Standard SS Adolf Hitler" (1. SS-PANZER-DIVISION LEIBSTANDARTE SS ADOLF HITLER, Leibstandarte SS AH, Lssah, Lah) It was formed as the 1st Motorized SS Division "Leibstandart Adolf Hitler" from the Motorized SS team "Labishtandand SOC Adolf Hitler" in January-June 1942, while at the southern sector of the Eastern Front. In July 1942, she was sent to Northern France on vacation and recovery. In November 1942, the division was renamed to the SS-Parcertader Division "Leibstandard SOC Adolf Hitler". In January 1943, the division was transferred to Ukraine: he participated in the battles on the Seversky Donets River, in the spring - in the repeated seizure of Kharkov, in the summer - in the operation "Citadel". From August 1943, she was in Italy. On October 22, 1943, the Division was renamed to the 1st Tank Division of the SS Lakebstandart SS Adolf Hitler. From November 1943, the Division fought on the Eastern Front in the area of \u200b\u200bKiev. In April 1944, part of the division were aimed at restoring to Northeast France and Belgium. From June 17, the 1st Tank Division of the SS "Lakebstartart SS AG" led heavy battles in Normandy. She then retired across France and Belgium, and at the end of August was brought to replenishment to the Aachen area. In December 1944 - January 1945, the 1st Tank Division of the SS "Lybstandard SOP Adolf Hitler" fought in Ardennes. In February 1945, the division as part of the 6th Tank Army SS was transferred to Hungary, participated in brutal battles near Budapest and Balaton; Then retreated to Austria. On May 8, 1945, the remains of the 1st Tank Division of the SS "Lakebstartart SS AG" were surrounded by the rustle and surrendered to American troops.

2nd Tank Division SS "DAS RIX" (2. SS-Panzer-Division Das Reich) Formed October 19, 1939 as a Division of SS strengthening or V-Division (SS-Verfügungsdivision, or V-Division). In May-June 1940, the SS strengthening division took part in the invasion of France. In December 1940, the Division was reorganized in the Motorized Infantry Division of the SS "Reich". In April 1941, the Motorized SS Division "Reich" participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia. From June 1941 to March 1942, he fought on the Eastern Front as part of the Center for Army Center. From March 1942 to January 1943, the Division was restored in Germany, and then in Northeast France. In May 1942, the Division was renamed the Motorized Division of the SS DAS RIX. In November 1942, the Division was renamed to the 2nd SS-Parcertader Division "Das Reich" (2. SS-PzGren.-Division "DAS REICH"). From February 1943, the Division fought on the Eastern Front: Fights under Kharkov, participation in the "Citadel" operation. October 22, 1943 was renamed the 2nd Tan Division of the SS DAS RIX. In February 1944, the Division was aimed at restoring to France. From June 1944, the 2nd Tank Division of the SS "DAS REYX" fought in Normandy; The end of August and in September retreated to Ruzana, Saint-Witu and then to the border of Germany. In December 1944 and January 1945, she participated in the offensive in Ardennes. In February 1945, the 2nd Tank Division of the SS DAS RIX was transferred to Hungary; In April, retreated to Austria. On May 8, 1945, the remains of the Division surrendered to American troops.

3rd Tank Division SS "Dead Head" (3. SS-Panzer-Division Totenkopf) I started the formation of October 16, 1939 in Dachau from divisions of concentration camps on the staff of the motorized division. In May-June, 1940 participated in the campaign in France. From June 1941, he fought on the Eastern Front as part of the North Army Group. From October 1942 to February 1943 was restored in France. On November 9, 1942, the division was reclassified to the 3rd SS-Parcertader Division "Dead Head". From February 1943, she again on the eastern front as part of the South Army Group: Fights under Kharkov, Belgorod, in July - participation in the "Citadel" operation, then retreat to the Dnieper and defensive battles on the right bank of Ukraine. On October 22, 1943, the Division was renamed the 3rd Tank Division of the SS "Dead Head" (3.ss-pz.div. Totenkopf). In June 1944, the Division was moved to the central part of the Eastern Front. In December 1944, the 3rd Tank Division of the SS "Deadly Head" was transferred to Hungary into submission of the South Army Group. In January 1945, the Division attempted to breakthrough in Budapest. Then the division retreated and went to Austria in April. On May 9, 1945, the remains of the 3rd Tank Division of the SS "Deadly Head" surrendered to the district of Linz by American troops. Subsequently, they were transferred to the Russian occupation zone.

5th Tank Division SS "Viking" (5. SS-Panzer-Division Wiking) The formation of November 20, 1940 as a motorized SS Division "Germany". In January 1941, the Division began to be called: Volunteer Motorized SS Division "Viking". The personnel of the division consisted of Germans, Dutch, Flemis and Scandinavians. In 1941-1943 The division entered the Finnish battalion "Nordost". From the summer of 1943 to July 1944, the Estonian SS battalion "Narva" was located in the division. Since June 1941, SS Division "Viking" fought on the Eastern Front as part of the South Army Group. November 9, 1942 5th Motorizov. The SS Division "Viking" was renamed the 5th SS-Parcertadersian Division "Viking". October 22, 1943 Division was reorganized in the 5th Viking Tank Division. At the end of 1944, she was sent to Hungary and in January 1945 participated in the offensive at Budapest, then retreated to Austria. The remains of the division surrendered to the American troops in Bavaria near Radstadt on May 5, 1945

9th Tank Division SS "Gogenstaofen" (9. SS-PANZER-DIVISION HOHENSTAUFEN) I was formed from December 31, 1942 until March 1944 in France. In March, the division was sent to Ukraine, and in June 1944 was transferred to France to reflect the landing of the Allied Troops in Normandy. After fierce fighting in Northern France, the division retreated across Belgium to Arne. In September 1944, the main forces of the Division were brought from the front to restore. Competitive division divisions were left at the front and fought as part of the combat group of the Hartzer. In December 1944 and January 1945, the 9th Tank Division of the SS "Gogenshtufen" participated in the Ardennes operation. In February-March 1945, the division was heavy batteries west of Budapest, then retreated to Austria. On May 5, 1945, the remains of the division surrendered to the American troops under the rustle.

10th Tank Division SS "Frundsberg" (10. SS-PANZER-DIVISION FRUNDSBERG) I started the formation of February 1, 1943 in southern France as the 10th CCs-Parcertaderer Division and was formed throughout 1943. On June 1, the division received the name of the 10th SS-Barrzegrenadader Division "Karl Great." On October 3, 1943, the Division was renamed the 10th Fruundsberg SS Tank Division. In March 1944, the division was sent to the Eastern Front to Ukraine, and in June 1944 she was transferred to France and participated in heavy battles in Normandy until August. Then the division retreated with battles through Eastern France and Belgium, then it was allotted from the front and placed in the Arnhem district. In early 1945, the division was fighting at the Upper Rhine and in the area of \u200b\u200bStrasbourg. In February 1945, the 10th Pan Division of the SS Frundsberg was transferred to Polaria to the 11th Army of the Army Group "Vistula", then moved to Oder. The remains of the division surrendered to the Soviet troops under the Shenau on May 5, 1945

12th Tank Division SS "Hitlergent" (12. SS-PANZER-DIVISION HITLERJUGEND) The formation in Belgium at the Beverlow site from February to July 1943 as the SS-Parcerterer Division "Hitlergendan". In October 1943, she was renamed the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergend". In June-July 1944, Division participated in heavy battles in Normandy. The main forces of the division fell into the Falez "bag". Then the remains of the division were on recovery. In December 1944 and January 1945, she fought in Ardennes. In January 1945, the 12th Tank Division of the SS "Hitlergenda" was transferred to Hungary, where he had heavy battles west of Budapest. Then the division retreated to Austria, where she was broken by Soviet troops. The remains of the division surrendered to the American troops near Annex in Austria. 8.05.1945

The offensive of German troops July 5, 1943 near Kursk received the code name "Citadel". The last transfer of the date of the offensive - from June 13 to July 5 - gave Germans the opportunity to direct two more battalions of Panther tanks in the division of General Model on the northern flank of the arc, as well as a certain number of new average tanks on the southern section of Kursk. The main blows applied the 4th Tank Army Army Colonel Gota from the South and the 9th Tank Army General Colonel Model from the north. Both groupings were to connect east of Kursk, cling to the steel "pliers" the large forces of the Red Army on the protrusion. The 4th tank army was the forces of the 48th Tank Corps (3rd, 11th Tank Divisions and Motorized Division "Great Germany") and the SS Tank Corps of Three Divisions (LSSAH, "Reich" and "Dead Head") .

The Battle of the Kursk Arc was preceded by an invisible concentration of armored vehicles in military history. In the photo - a column of the Division Division Division of the SS "Leibstandart Adolf Hitler" stretched to the horizon. In the foreground - Pz.KPFW tanks. IV AUSF. G from the 7th company of the Division Tank Regiment.

Her right flank covered the army group of General Kempfa, which caused a blow to the northeast, is one tank (300 tanks) and two infantry corps. Due to the delenits of other sections of the Eastern Front, the German group of troops near Kurk looked exclusively formidable. In two percussion German groups there were more than 900 thousand people, about 10 thousand guns and mortars, up to 2,200 tanks and self-propelled artillery plants and about 2050 aircraft. They were opposed by the troops of the Central and Voronezh fronts, as part of which, by the beginning of July 1943 there were 1336 thousand people, more than 19 thousand guns and mortars, 3444 tanks and self-propelled guns and 2172 aircraft. In the troops of the backup steppe front, 573 thousand people were concentrated, 7401 guns and mortars, 1551 tank.

The SS tank corps, which was in the center of Manstein's group on the southern flank of the arc, came to Kursk and Oboyan. The 6th Guards Army opposed the Germans, which contained two tank corps. At the beginning of the offensive parts of the SS managed to achieve some success - the Red Army was forced to give up advanced defensive frontiers. SS parts, applying PZKPFW VI tanks from heavy tank battalions and PZKPFW V "Panther" from specially formed Panther Brigade, were able to break through the defense of the Red Army in several places. Aerial support was played by a major role: a special anti-tank version of the famous Junkers Junkers aircraft "Stuka" was relealed by German tanks and infantry. Only in one day, covering the leading fierce battles of the 4th Tank Army Gota, German aviation produced 1700 flights. By noon, on July 6, the regiment of the SS "FUUR" (SS Division "Reich") took the meadows 30 km in the depths of the defense of the Soviet troops. However, the promotion slowed down. By July 9, he managed to drive away three deep wedges in the defense of the Russians, but because of the fierce resistance, they could not connect in any way and, undergoing continuous flank counterattacks carried serious losses in the lively strength and technique. The 3rd tank case, which was supposed to support the flank of the SS Division "Reich" moved forward too slowly.

Divisions of the SS "Dead Head" managed to force the Psel River and split into the defense of the Soviet troops. On July 11, Lssah and Reich were able to connect with each other, but the "dead head" still acted alone. By July 12, the commander of the 4th Tank Army decided to break through the defense of the Red Army and reach the operational space. On the morning of July 12, all combosal tanks of Campfa Corps, Hauser and Knobelsdorf are about 750 cars, including more than 100 "tigers" were collected in a fist and thrown into a decisive fight. The Germans opposed the 5th Guards Tank Army of Rothmistrova, in which there were about 850 tanks (T-34, kV-1 and T-70, and the last - 261 pieces). The tank battle near Prokhorovka began in an unusual manner, and his beginning was unexpected for both opponents. When Soviet tanks left their shelters and moved forward, the observers noticed that the same formidable German Armada also moved to the offensive and moves towards the help of their tanks, the Soviet and German aircraft rushed to the aid of their tanks, but the thick panel of smoke and dust and mixed combat orders prevented the pilots to distinguish His owns from others, as a result, air Armades clung to each other and over the battlefield from morning to evening fierce air battles were boiling. After a few minutes, the first Soviet tanks, leading fire on the go, crashed into the combat orders of Germans, literally piercing them with a diagonal end-to-end blow.

Kursk battle. Counteroffensive Soviet Forces

German tanker, a participant in the fight under Prokhorovka, later wrote: "We were warned that we will meet with anti-tank guns and individual tanks in the ground, and also, perhaps with several separate tank brigades of low-speed kV. In fact, we have faced a seemingly inexhaustible mass of Russian Tanks - never before I did not receive such a visual impression of Russian power and numbers, like that day. Clouds of thick dust made it impossible to receive support from Luftwaffe, and soon numerous T-34 broke through our advanced barrier and, like predatory animals, I spit battle. "

In this close battle "Tigers" and the tanks "Panther" lost their advantage, which they gave them more powerful guns and thick armor. It seemed the whole world shuddered from a deafening screamer battle. The hum of hundreds of basin of roaring motors, feverish artillery fire, breaks of thousands of shells and bombs, the roar of exploding tanks, howl falling aircraft - everything merged in hell, which did not grow before the occurrence of darkness. More than 1,200 tanks and self-propelled lines mixed in a giant whirlpool, shrouded water and dust, inspired outbreaks of hundreds of tank guns. The T-34 attack was carried out so rapidly that the carefully worked German battle plans were torn, and the Germans did not get the opportunity to establish management of their parts and divisions. Tanks circled around the battlefield, sharpened on each other in the middle of the rumble of guns, rasions of fire, sudden bright outbreaks of exploding tanks and self-propeller. The battlefield seemed too close for such a number of combat vehicles, and after an hour it was graduated by the isos of burning, smoking, fascinated tanks; From the explosions of the buzz of the tower flew into the air and flew over tens of meters. The surviving tank crews could not get out of the battlefield - under the shower of shells flying fragments and machine-gun queues to go through the battlefield was tantamount to suicide. The battle broke up into fierce contractions between individual groups of tanks, which continuously maneuvered, concentrating fire on the adversary. Rothmisters, apparently, was shocked and stunned by the picture that discovered him from his supervisory point. In a thick cloud of dust, where hundreds of tanks were pulled by the torchs and the solid oily poles of smoke stretched over motionlessly frozen cars, it was difficult to determine who comes, and who defends himself. In the night MGL lowered on the battlefield, there was still a long time to see firewood bonfires and aircraft. The Germans lost 400 tanks, and the surviving machines needed repair, maintenance and refueling the fuel and replenishment of the wip. There were other irrevocable losses - more than 10,000 people: the crews of tanks, infantrymen, as well as tens of aircraft with crews.

SAU "Ferdinand" fell in a Kursk battle.

German historian Leo Kessler in the book "Iron Kulak" wrote: "On the evening of July 12, the goth itself arrived on the battlefield on the Commander Tank. He was displeased with what he saw. Hauser lost 300 tanks and was unable to take the following attack before the approach urgently caused He is for the rescue of the 6th Tank Division. " The 5th Guards Tank Army lost about 300 tanks.

Pantry tank "Panther" (PZKPFW V AUSF. D2) In the "Citadel" operation

By July 17, it became clear that the offensive was finally choked. In addition, the Anglo-American troops landed in Sicily and there was a danger of the exit of Italy from the war. Therefore, the operation "Citadel" was officially discontinued. Hitler decided to transfer the SS tank corps in Italy. In fact, only SS LSSAH Division was sent to Italy. Before Divisions of the SS "Reich" and "Dead Head" managed to dive into the wagons, they decided to use to strike a bridgehead, captured by the Red Army on the Mius River. Their attacks were successful and the front line on this site was stabilized. However, these battles no longer had a decisive value, since the Red Army moved to the offensive throughout the front. "Reich" and "Dead Head" were urgently transferred to the north. For the third time this year, the SS division under the command of Hausser was included in Kharkov. However, their stay in the city turned out to be a short - German part began to retreat to the Dnieper. On August 22, "Reich" and "Dead Head" left Kharkov, and in early September were in the reserve in the region of Kiev, having received only a short respite. Division of the SS "Viking", who did not have time to recover after last year's campaign, during the battle on the Kursk arc was in reserve. When the Red Army began a major offensive in the Eagle area, this division was transferred to this section of the front to stop the promotion of the enemy. But everything was in vain: "Viking" did not have sufficient combat power to solve the task. After the fierce fighting, the division retreated for the Dnieper to the Gomel area and then was directed to the Balkans for recreation and re-equipment. Lssah Division was in Italy. By the end of the summer, a new tank regiment was included in its composition, which included a battalion of heavy PZKPFW VI tanks "Tiger". At the same time, the division was renamed 1-SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler". When the German units in Russia were not able to stop the offensive of the Red Army and killed farther and farther to the Dnieper, Lssah was urgently transferred to the Eastern Front.

The location of the division of the division was to become Kiev, however, while the division was on the way. The Red Army has already entered the capital of Ukraine. By the beginning of 1944, the location of the SS divisions was as follows: Lssah held positions for Dnieper, "Reich" - in the region of Kiev, "Dead Head" was in the reserve in the Dnepropetrovsk region, "Viking", after returning to the front in December 1943, was sent To the district of Cherkassy. Meanwhile, the first of the four new divisions of the SS "Nordland" entered the battles on the Leningrad direction. She participated in bloody fights during the winter retreat of German troops to Narva. When the Red Army forced the Dnieper north of Kiev in November 1943, only the SS Division "Reich" was able to counterattack the enemy. The Germans no longer have remained to stop the adversary promotion. On November 6, 1943, Reich was forced to leave positions in the Kiev district and start the retreat to the southwest. After continuous stubborn battles of the division, it was possible to consolidate only in the Fastov district. The entry into the battle of the SS LSSAH division on November 12 could not change anything: by this time to discard the advancing parts of the Red Army for the Dnieper, it was already impossible. Between November 15 and on December 30, the 48th tank corps, the basis of which was LSSAH and strongly batted "Reich", inflicted several rather powerful counterdovern. Throwing three Russian buildings to Brusylov and capturing Radomyshl, Lssah cut off the considerable strength of the opponent in the Coro Wall area. The front line in the Kiev area was temporarily stabilized. All further events in the Korosten area clearly showed how the disastrous Germans lacked reserves.

Lssah, the 1st and 7th tank divisions were opposed on this section of the front of seven Soviet buildings. The Germans not only failed to keep surrounded by part of the Red Army, but also had to urgently retreat, so as not to be defeated by their own recent victims. Parts of the Red Army broke through the defense line in Brusylov's defense, while defeating the 24th tank corps, in which by this time it was a Division of the SS "Reich". The retreating LSSAH has connected with the remnants of the SS Division "Reich". This group, leading stubborn battles, retreated to Zhytomyr, where, finally, the defensive frontiers of the Germans were restored. We have not yet managed to get rated the battles in the Zhytomyr region, as Lssah, together with the 1st tank division, entered the battles in the Berdichev district. Only reflecting the onset of the Red Army in this direction, the division received the following respite to her. By this time, troops on both sides of the front were very exhausted and the decisive battle for Ukraine was postponed. The backbone heavily thin in battles near Kiev and Brusyl Division "Reich" was led to France in early February 1944. Several disparate divisions of this division were reduced to the Lamerding combat group (number to battalion), and together with Lssah left on the Eastern Front.

Tiger tanks from Das Reich Division in the forest under Berdichev.

Subsequent battles broke out under Cherkasy. The onset of the Red Army was stopped north of Berdichev and Kirovograd (where the division "Dead Head" and "Great Germany" participated in heavy battles). Now the Soviet command planned to apply a powerful blow to the Center of German Positions. The Russians threw two buildings into a breakthrough, which began an offensive on the defense line of the German troops between Cherkasy and Kanev. After stubborn battles of the Red Army, on February 1, the defensive borders of the enemy in the south and north were surrounded, and surrounded six German divisions (including the Viking Division) in the city of Korsun. Prior to this, German units have come across the environment. Before the catastrophe near Stalingrad, the Germans always managed to save their surrounded parts. Based on this experience, the divisions were given the order to hold his position and expect help from the outside. However, it was the largest surroundings of German troops after Stalingrad and the Russians were determined to destroy surrounded parts, having prepared the fate of the 6th Army Paulus. For the breakthrough of the environment, the Germans gathered four tank divisions led by the 1st Tank Division of the SS LSSAH. Strength should have crushed strength. Arriving in the area of \u200b\u200bthe buzzhanovka, on February 3, Lssah immediately entered into battle in the village of Shenderovka village, where the distance to the surrounded parts was the smallest.

Partly due to the fact that the German compounds by the OKM solution were thrown into battle, for several days, and most importantly, due to the fact that four exhausted divisions had insufficient combat power (they were opposed by two tank and one guards tank army) attempter Failed. After twelve days of continuous desperate fighting, the Germans hardly overcame only half of 30 km who separated them from the surrounded grouping. After another four days, the German command realized that the breakthrough troops urgently need help from surrounded divisions. On February 7, the SS Division "Viking" was transferred to the village of Shenderovka. On the morning of February 11, the Polish "Germany" took the village. The next six days of highly bleed German troops reflected continuous attacks of the Red Army, which sought to return these key positions. However, all the efforts of the Germans did not lead to anything - the troops of the breakthrough could not overcome the remaining 5 km, which they were separated from the surrounded troops. In this regard, the German command ordered surrounded divisions to break through from the ring alone. On the morning of February 16, the German units led by the Viking Division "Viking" attempted to breakthrough. After one and a half days of fighting, the cost of huge losses to individual German units managed to escape from the ring and go to her.

During this attempted breakthrough, most of the German divisions were actually defeated. The Russian breakthroughs threw the main forces of the 5th Tank Army. The Belgian officer, who was in the "boiler", together with the drafts of the SS "Vallonia", later described the terrible picture of the strike of Soviet tanks at the tried to escape from the environment of the German columns. Tanks T-34 by the waves rolled into Germans, crushing carriages, cars and guns. When the German units reached the river, many soldiers and officers rushed into ice water in the hope of reaching the opposite shore, while Soviet tanks watered with lead rain this flounder mass of people. Thousands of German soldiers found death on the snowy banks of the river. Another column, which consisted of the remnants of the SS Division "Viking" and the SS Vallonia Brigade at dawn on February 17 in the area of \u200b\u200bthe village of Shenderovka also underwent massive attacks. Divisions who managed to connect with LSSAH were in a deplorable state. They have only retained about 30% of the staff and lost all heavy weapons. At that time, when "Viking" escaped from the boiler, having lost almost all the combat technique, it was officially renamed the "tank" Division of the SS.

After the catastrophe under the Corsune, the German command became clear that their defensive binds should be significantly reduced. The northern front, on which the relative lull with the spring of 1942, reigned, after the winter fighting 1943-1944 was on the verge of collapse. SS Division "Nordland" led battles on this front since November 1943, and in mid-January 1944 she was forced to retreat before the Natius of the superior enemy forces. Due to the acute lack of tactical reserves, the German command was forced to transfer several mobile compounds to the north. Due to the danger of the Russian offensive on the Vistula, the Viking "Viking Division and a relatively still strong SS Division" Dead Head "was transferred to Warsaw, where they amounted to the 19th Tank Corps. SS LSSAH Division, "Reich" and Lamerting Group were transferred to German defensive frontiers in Western Ukraine.

It was not a secret for anyone that the next onset of the units of the Red Army in the south could lead to the surroundings of a large number of German troops and the enemy's exit to Rivne and Uman. The occurrence began unexpectedly before the end of the spring dismotence, which, as a rule, made it impossible to carry out major offensive operations. Nevertheless, the Red Army moved to the offensive not in April or in May, as the Germans believed, and on March 4, 1944, capturing the German parts by surprise, as they were still not prepared. Advanced positions were occupied with minimal losses. Despite the confusion, Lssah, being part of the 4th tank army, immediately began a counterattack in the direction of exactly, but it was impossible to stop the offensive of the Russians with such forces. After a few days, the division was drawn into bloody battles and was forced to start the retreat to the west. The Lamerting combat group and the SS Division "Reich" (the 1st tank army) also quickly retreated before the superior enemy forces to Kamenets-Podolsk on the Dniester. In just a few days, the coming wedges of the Red Army, breaking through the defense of the enemy, delved into the rear of the Germans by 80 km and dismembered the two German armies.

Manstein, commander of this grouping of troops, was extremely concerned more and more expanding the gap between his armies. He understood that if the 1st Army continues to retreat south, then the Russians will have a great opportunity to surround this connection. Manstein could not afford to lose eight tank divisions at once, so the 1st tank army received an order to break out to the West. The task was unusually difficult - the 1st and 4th tank armies shared more than 100 km and all new and new armored compounds of the Red Army rushed into this gap. The attack of the Germans began on March 29. Two armies fell towards each other and had to connect in the Bukhacha district. Two new SS divisions (9th Tank Division of the SS "Hoenstaofen" and the 10th Tank Division of SS Frundsberg "), which formed the 2nd COP Tank Corps, were urgently transferred to the Eastern Front and took part in this offset. After several days of stubborn The fighting 2nd Tank Corps SS captured Bukhach and the two German armies were able to connect. However, the position remained catastrophic. The losses of the Germans were huge, many divisions were practically destroyed, and the last strong and mobile SS mobile divisions, such as LSSAH, after continuous fighting Inside needed in vacation and re-equipment. At the same time, with the onset in the south, the Soviet command conducted a slightly smaller operation on the scale of operation in Eastern Poland, during which the Russians were surrounded by Kovel. The attacks were taken by the Germans in which the SS division "Dead Head" and "Viking" participated, and Somewhat later, "Hoenstaofen" and "Frundsberg", allowed several sustaining Soviet parts and establish a connection with a surrounded city. After that, the front line on this section of the front stabilized until mid-July.

By this time, the Waffen SS paper was formidable strength, including 17 divisions, 12 of which had in their composition tank parts. In fact, even these 12 divisions were not fully equipped. The most definite ones were deployed to the west for rest and protect the coast from a possible landing of the Allies. Lssah and literally assembled in pieces of the SS Division "Reich" were stationed in France, there were two new SS divisions "Hitlerjugend" and "Goetz Von Berlichingen". PEICHSFUEHRER SS brigade, which fought in Anzio, together with the PRINZ EUGEN Division, were transferred to the Balkans, and the SS Division "Nordland", "Florian Geyer", "Hohenstaufen", "Frundsberg", "Totenkopf" and " Wiking "were left on the Eastern Front.

PS parts by this time were no longer a relatively few elite troops, which were the color of the German nation. Heavy losses and numerous replenishments strongly diluted those specially selected frames that were sent to the SS before. The only difference between the elite troops, on which the SESS parts could still be applied, was relatively good equipment, compared with army divisions. Nevertheless, in the early summer of 1944, the SS Division continued to be considered as the most terrible and combat-ready German compounds, even despite their heavy losses incurred and technique incurred by them.

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