7th Panzer Division numbers in France.

[Gen. Erwin Rommel]

When 7th Panzer division started the battle of France how meany tanks they got? and which kind of tanks?i heard about 700 dead and 42 tanks lost, i would also like to know about the types of lost tanks.

Thanks in advance.

[daveh]

Strength 10/5/40

Pz I: 34
Pz II: 68
Pz 38(t): 91
Pz IV :24
Pz 38(t) PzBef: 8

In the western campaign the 7 th Panzer division took 97468 prisoners, 277 guns, 458 AFV, 4000 trucks. The division lost 52 officers, 630 men, 1646 wounded, 296 missing; 42 tanks are total losses.

I dont know the types lost but on 2/6/40 the following replacements were issued:
2 PzI, 20 Pz 38(t), 1 Pz IV

[Gen. Erwin Rommel]

Thanks a lot

[Reali]

Is it true that 7th panzer only had half of of the panzers normally designated to panzer division?(one regiment instead of normal two at the time) Atleast during the initial phase of fall gelb.

I remember reading that somewhere but cant remember exact source anymore.

[Christoph Awender]

Yes the 7.Pz. had just one tank regiment and two Schützenregimenter.

\Christoph

[Stauffenberg II]

But the PR 25 had 3 batallions whereas the Panzerdivisionen 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 were equipped with 2 Regiments with 2 batallions each. Therefore I would say 3/4 of the tank strength of these divisions.

btw: Same situation at Panzerdivisonen 6 and 8 (3 batallions). The No. 9 was the weakest (only 1 Regiment with 2 batallions).

One independent batallion was in Norway (No. 40)

Regards

[daveh]

Tank strengths 10/5/40

Pz Div light and command tanks gun armed tanks
Pz I and II Pz III , IV, 35(t), 38 (t)
1 ..................161....................................... 98
2 ..................175....................................... 90
3...................272...................................... .68
4...................259...................................... .64
5...................243...................................... .84
6.................... 59..................................... 159
7...................109..................................... 110
8.................... 58......................................154
9.................... 97....................................... 56
10..................185...................................... 90

The greater number of gun armed tanks in the 6th , 7th and 8th Panzer divisions was due to these being equipped with Pz 35 (t) - 6th and Pz 38(t) in the 7th and 8th gun armed tanks

Pz divs 1 to 5 and 10 had 4 medium and 8 light tank companies in 4 battalions
Pz divs 6 to 8 had 3 medium and 6 light companies in 3 battalons
Pz div 9 had 2 medium and 4 light companies in 2 battalions.

[Reali]

Thanks to all Most helpful.

[Gen. Erwin Rommel]

Thanks a lot

[Marcin B.]

Hi,
I know, that this topic is old, but I'd like to ask about numbers on tanks from 7th Panzer Division from 1940 in France, so there is no sense to make another topic I hope moderators will not disagree. It's good to keep information together.

I'm looking for tank numbers of tanks used in French campaign by 7th Panzer Division in 1940.
I wonder how tanks were organised in battalions and companies in that division and how it was reflected in Tank markings and numbers. I know there was some sort of system in numbers painted on tanks turrets, but I don't know how to decrypt it

I also know, that panzerbefehlswagen had other markings on turrets - probably with letter and 2 digits, but I also don't know the system.
I think, that 7th panzer Division in France in 1940 had big red numbers with white borders (3 digit numbers) on thanks turrets.

many thanks in advance for help

[John Hilly]

Basic three-number system was:
1st digit = company
2nd -"- = platoon
3rd -"- = tank

Company HQ = 101, 102; 201, etc.
Battalion HQ numbering differed. It could be I, II, III or I 01, II 02 etc.

Lifgt platoon was numbered 01-07.

with best, J-P

[Marcin B.]

John, thanks a lot for your help

Do you know maybe how many platoons where in company and how many tanks where in platoon?

And another question if I may - in 1st battalion there were 3 Companies:

1. Panzer Company (light)
2. Panzer Company (light)
3. Panzer Company (medium)

Do you maybe have information what kind of tanks were in this companies? I know what kind of tanks 7th Panzer Division had in total, but I wander is there any document where it can be checked.

For example where in 1st company of 1st battalion Pzkpfw.II or only Pzkpfw.38(t)? In 3rd Company of 1st battalion were only Pzkpfw.IVD or also some light tanks?

[John Hilly]

Pz Kompanie had four platoons in a company. Here's a link to the numbering system:
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/divis.htm#num

4th Platoon commanders tank (1) of the 8th Company, 7. PzD or 841

841

7.PzD France.jpg (40.51 KiB) Viewed 1511 times

With best, J-P