1./ SS-Pz.Rgt. 1 at Kursk?

[davidcandance]

Greetings all,
I am a new member of the forum so forgive me if I appear ignorant of some what may be some basic facts here. I am currently researching the Leibstandarte during 1943 and I seem to be getting myself in quite a muddle over something, so I have a question for you gentlemen:
I believe this is true; Werner Pötschke transferred from the SS-Div. "Das Reich" in 43 and was the SS- Hauptsturmführer of of the 1st company SS-Pz.Rgt. 1. The former battalion commander was SS-Stubaf. Herbert Kuhlmann, but he, like so many others, had transferred to the 12. SS-Div. in the spring of 43. The new commander was SS-Ostubaf. Georg Schönberger. The Regiments Commanding officer was Jochen Peiper

But here is where I am getting really confused; did Werner Pötschke and the 1. Kompanie Pz.Rgt. 1 LSSAH actually fight at Kursk, or were they still training on the Panthers in Austria?
Have I got this right? Or have I tangled myself up??

[j keenan]

II/SS-Pz.Rgt.1 at Kusrk along with the Tigers

[davidcandance]

Hi,
Many thanks for your reply! But with I/SS-Pz.Rgt 1 do you know? Forgive my ignorance, I am under the impression the I kompanie remained behind in Austria training on Panthers, but can not find solid confirmation of this.
Really appreciate the help!
Thanks

[Harro]

The Regiments Commanding officer was Jochen Peiper

Peiper was in command of III./SS-PzGren.Rgt. 2 (LSSAH) at Kursk. He took over as commander of the Panzer-Regiment on November 20, 1943 after Schönberger was mortally wounded. At Kursk Schönberger was regimental commander, with Groß in command of II. Abteilung (8. Kompanie did not see action at Kursk because it did not have its tanks)

The former battalion commander was SS-Stubaf. Herbert Kuhlmann, but he, like so many others, had transferred to the 12. SS-Div. in the spring of 43.

I. Abteilung was not at Kursk. Kühlmann replaced Wünsche as commander of the II. Abteilung on June 21, 1943. He remained in this position untill he became commander of the whole SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 (LSSAH) in March 1944. It wasn't before late 1944 / early 1945 that he was transferred to SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 (HJ).

[davidcandance]

Many many thanks!! you are a star, this makes everything clear to me now. I was getting in a real muddle trying to locate I Abteilung and sorting the commanders out. Thanks again!

[davidcandance]

just want to say thanks again, this has really helped me out

[EugE]

(8. Kompanie did not see action at Kursk because it did not have its tanks)

Except of the other Pz Div's LAH had special KStN of the pz. comp., in that time the established composition were 14 tanks per coy. Altogether it had 83 KpfPzW IV if it could divide by 14 tanks per coy we should receive 6 coys.

[Harro]

I based my comment that 8./SS-PzRgt1 did not have tanks on the remark in page 306 of Tiemanns divisional history (English edition) : "The 8. Kompanie did not take part in Operation Zitadelle because of an insufficient number of Panzers".

[EugE]

It would be very strange that the Pz.Rgt. has enough tanks to form 4 pz.coys but the personnel of the 8 coy did not take part in Operation Zitadelle, they were distributed among the 5, 6 and 7 coys like additional platoons.

[davidcandance]

Greetings all,
Could I trouble you guys with one more question?
I seem to be having trouble with I/SS-Pz Rgt I............ again.
Am I right in thinking it did not withdraw with the rest of the 1st SS division back to Belgium after the Korsun-Cherkassy battles, and was part of the Kampfgruppe that remained behind and fought at the Kamenets-Podolsky Pocket?
If so, any ideas what units stayed behind?

[j keenan]

There was no SS-Pz.Rgt.1 as such in that time frame having less than 10 operational tanks.The whole LSSAH was burnt out

[davidcandance]

That's what I was thinking, but I am under the impression that some of what was left, was left behind and formed a KG. They then re-joined the Div later in Belgium, I just cannot seem to find out who.