I Panther Abteilung, GrossDeutschland

[Laurent]

I would like to know more about the actions of this unit in October 1944, especially on the 11th of the month. Especially if it fought with the main body of the division around Memel or with the Fuhrer Begleit Rgt or another unit on the East Prussia border in the Goldap/Gumbinnen sector.

I'm searching more details about Fw Zeugner of this unit, that was killed in his turret on "Hill 112" on 11 Oct 1944. I have found on the Volksbund site that a Fw Kurt Karl Zeugner, born 03.08.1913 at Bernau, died this day 6 km S.W.Rozan (Poland) and is buried in Mlawka (Poland, Block G Row 25 Grave 1959). Is it the same man ?

Thanks in advance.

[Mark V.]

Hi Laurent!

Yes, most probably this is your man. At that point I./Pz.Rgt.GD was attached to the 6.Pz.Div. and was heavily involved in battles in the Rozan bridgehead.

cheers

[Laurent]

Thanks Mark

Have you more info about this "Hill 112" and the action around it ?

[Mark V.]

Hans-Joachim Jung (The history of Panzerregiment Großdeutschland) confirms that Fw. Zeugner was killed near Rozan on 11 October 1944. I couldn't find any mention of the Hill 112 (in above mentioned book and in 6.Pz.Div.'s and Pz.Rgt.11's histories), there was however Hill 132.

Here's a short overview of the battles:

In September 1944 the 2nd Belorussian Front established a bridgehead on the river Narew at Rozan (N of Warsaw), 6.Pz.Div. was sent to help but it could only manage to contain the bridgehead. In early October, in order to enlarge their bridgehead for further operations, the Russians once again attacked German positions (now manned by 6.Pz.Div.'s infantry)and scored deep breakthroughs. In order to restore the situation 6.Pz.Div. launched counterattacks with its armor elements organized in two kampfgruppen (II./Pz.Rgt.11+II./Pz.Gren.Rgt.114 and I./Pz.Rgt.GD). On 7 Oct. 1944 I./Pz.Rgt.GD unsuccessfully counterattacked towards the important town of Napiorki. The counterattack was repeated on 10 Oct. 1944. While suffering heavy losses they managed to recapture some of the ground lost to the Russians but in the evening and early morning hours of the 11th they had to withdraw to their starting positions and supported by the remnants of I./Pz.Gren.Rgt.4 occupied positions on Hill 132 »..on the Rozan-Mackeim railway line east of Saluze. After lengthy artillery preparation the Russians attacked at about ten o'clock. We halted his first infantry attack at our first trench line. Feldwebel Zeugner, our left-hand neighbor, was knocked out by an enemy tank."

Hope this helps
Marko

[Laurent]

Thanks a lot, I will search this book

[adam.pl]

I have found that LARSEN Rudolf on 23 Oct 1944 took the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. I was looking for material about it but i couldn't find any interesting information. Do you know something more about it ?

[hucks216]

I have found that LARSEN Rudolf on 23 Oct 1944 took the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. I was looking for material about it but i couldn't find any interesting information. Do you know something more about it ?

Page 98 & 99 of Die Ritterkreuzträger des Panzerkorps Großdeutschland by Ralph Tegethoff covers Rudolf Larsen.

[adam.pl]

Thanks a lof for help.

[Cult Icon]

Thanks. Do you know the Servicable numbers by the time the Panther battalion returned to GD (now Panzerkorps GD) in November 1944?