Oberstleutnant Heinz-Werner Frank...

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Timo
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Oberstleutnant Heinz-Werner Frank...

#1

Post by Timo » 19 Dec 2003, 19:07

Can somebody provide more details about Oberstleutnant H.W. Frank, commander of Panzer-Regiment 1 (Heer)?

Thanks in advance,
Timo

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Elwyn W
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#2

Post by Elwyn W » 20 Dec 2003, 08:19

Hi Timo,

OTL Heinz Werner Frank, Ehrenblattspange 05.05.1944. The picture was taken at Erfurt June 44. The RKT in the middle row looks like Obst Ernst Philipp. The officer to the right of Philipp could be Frank since he was kmd of the regiment at the time. BTW, does anyone know who's the RKT sitting down in the first row?

Sorry I don't have more to contribute.

Cheers
Freiherr
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Timo
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#3

Post by Timo » 20 Dec 2003, 14:08

Thanks Freiherr!

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J.N. Houterman
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#4

Post by J.N. Houterman » 21 Dec 2003, 12:07

I've found:
Frank, Heinz-Werner
German Cross in Gold (DKG) 30.05.1942
Major
II./Panzer-Regiment 6


Assuming this is the same guy, he's NOT pictured in the photo as no DKG can be seen. My sources tell me that on 03.06.1944 the commander of Panzer-Regiment 1 was Obstlt. Wolf-Heinrich von Trotha, who was killed in July 1944. I have Oberst Philipp listed as commander since 15.04.1945.

So we have a few problems with the picture then.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Hans

Timo
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#5

Post by Timo » 21 Dec 2003, 12:26

Thanks Hans. This means Frank led Panzer-Regiment 1 in February 1944 but Von Trotha took over later that year?

Does anybody have a place and date of birth, etc., for Frank?

Also, does anybody know the composition of "Kampfgruppe Frank", February 1944 and is anything written (divisional history, books about these battles, etc.) about the actions of KG Frank between 08.02. and 18.02.1944? Especially info about 10.02. would be most interesting. The KG was in Repki that evening.

Regards,
Timo

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J.N. Houterman
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#6

Post by J.N. Houterman » 21 Dec 2003, 12:31

Frank is listed as commander from 10.01.1944 onwards. Von Trotha took over from him on 03.06.1944.

Cheers,

Hans

Timo
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#7

Post by Timo » 21 Dec 2003, 12:35

Thanks again :)

Some info Christoph provided some months ago:
At 10.Febr. there was no action of Kpfgr.Frank as they assembled at the Gef.Std. in Risino where they received order to start the attack on 11.Febr. 06:00.
Is Risino close to Repki? Can somebody provide more details?

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Juha Hujanen
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#8

Post by Juha Hujanen » 21 Dec 2003, 13:52

According to map in Horst Reibenstahl's Pictorial History Of 1.Pz.Division,Bereitstellung Frank am 10.2 was located 0.5-1 km North of Risino.Repki is 5 km North from Risino.

/Juha

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#9

Post by Mark V. » 21 Dec 2003, 16:45

Is Risino close to Repki? Can somebody provide more details?
Timo, the only 1.Pz.Div.'s unit in that area was II./Pz.Gren.Rgt.1 under Hptm. von Griesheim. It was sent to Winograd on 5 February to cover III.Pz.Korps's left flank. Reinforced with Panzer IVs from II./Pz.Rgt.1 - elements of 6. and 8. Kompanie under Lt. Stattelmann - it suffered considerable lossses in defense and local counterattacks.
On 15 February the battalion returned to its division and was integrated in Kampfgruppe Feig - formed to reestablish contact with the "Angriffsgruppe 1.Pz.Div" - PzKG Frank - with an attack towards Bushanka and bring the badly needed fuel and ammunition.

Will post some more info on Frank later.

Cheers
Marko

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#10

Post by Timo » 21 Dec 2003, 17:50

That's odd. From Lehmann's LAH divisional history:
10.02.1944 - Knittel entlastet die Kampfgruppe Frank der 1.Panzer-Division in Repki gegen 21.45 Uhr.

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#11

Post by Timo » 21 Dec 2003, 17:55

Juha Hujanen wrote:According to map in Horst Reibenstahl's Pictorial History Of 1.Pz.Division,Bereitstellung Frank am 10.2 was located 0.5-1 km North of Risino.Repki is 5 km North from Risino.
...Aha, so that would make sense! I'd say elements of SS AA 1 contacted elements from KG Frank south of Repki or perhaps (shouting or advance) elements from KG Frank in Repki.

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#12

Post by Timo » 21 Dec 2003, 18:02

Okay, it's an odd mixture of German and English I know (it's still "under construction" :) ), but here's what I have about the combined LAH/1.Pz.Div.(Heer) actions in that area. I would be most gratefull if somebody can add missing details from other sources, and/or correct errors.

10.02.1944 - Knittel entlastet die Kampfgruppe Frank der 1.Panzer-Division in Repki gegen 21.45 Uhr. This is a Kampfgruppe led by Oberstleutnant Heinz Werner Frank, commander of Panzer-Regiment 1 (Heer).

11.02.1944 - Die Abteilung befindet sich in den südlichen, ostwärtigen und nördlichen Teilen von Repki, ihrem vorgesehenen Unterstützungspunkt

12.02.1944 - Um 04.30 Uhr greifen ziemlich starke Feindkräfte Knittels Stellungen in Repki an. Er ist gezwungen, sich während des Morgens in eine neue Stellung ostwärts Wotylewka zurückzuziehen. Um 07.00 Uhr greifen die Russen die Stellungen von allen Seiten an, unterstützt von schwerer Artillerie in Form von Sturmgeschützen und Flugzeugen. Alle Attacken werden abgeschlagen.

13.02.1944 - Die Aufklärungsabteilung befindet sich in Verteidigungsstellungen an der nordwestlichen Ecke von Winograd, nördlich der Senke zwischen Winograd und Repki.

15.02.1944 - Um 18.25 Uhr befinden sich die Aufklärungsabteilung und das SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 zu Fuß auf dem Marsch nach Schubenny Staw.

16.02.1944 - Teile der Division erreichen die ganze Nacht hindurch Schubenny Staw. Knittel versammelt seine Truppen in Schubenny Staw.

17.02.1944 - Kampfgruppe Knittel ist seit 04.00 Uhr auf dem Marsch von Schubenny Staw nach Lissjanka. Sie hat den Befehl erhalten, dort als Divisionsreserve zu bleiben. Sämtliche Truppenbewegungen müssen während eines heftigen Schneesturms und bei tiefen Temperaturen durchgeführt werden. Als die Kampfgruppe in Lissjanka eintrifft, wird sie nach Oktjabr geschickt, wo am frühen Morgen des 18.02. ankommt.

18.02.1944 - Um 02.45 Uhr stellen Sandig, Knittel und die Verbliebenen Männer ihrer Einheiten Verbindung mit Kampfgruppe Bäke, Kampfgruppe Frank und Kampfgruppe Heimann in Oktjabr her. Under orders from the Korps, the Kampfgruppen of the Leibstandarte in the Oktjabr area are subordinated to the 1. Panzer-Division. Vor Oktjabr beginnt der Feind bald erneut mit heftigen Angriffen gegen des Brückenkopf der 1.Panzer-Division (Heer). Um 11.15 Uhr greift der Feind aus dem Wald ostwärts Oktjabr die rechte Flanke der Kampfgruppe Heimann an. Die Aufklärungsabteilung und Kampfgruppe Sandig führen einen Gegenangriff und gegen 13.00 Uhr wird der Feind zurückgeschlagen. Eine Stunde später stellt Kampfgruppe Sandig ihre neue Verteidigungslinie her. Stark überlegene Panzer und Infanteriekräfte der 1.ukr.Front werfen gegen 15.30 Uhr die schwachen Aufnahmetruppen aus Oktabrj auf Lissjanka-Nord zurück. Hier stehende 'Panther', geführt von Oberleutnant Seemann, wehren weitere Einbrüche ab. Die russische Infanterie bleibt in der Folge im Sperrfeuer des Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 73 liegen. Hauptmann Ebeling stürmt mit den Resten seines III./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 wieder vor und besetzt mit wenigen Panzern und Infanterie erneut Oktabrj.

19.02.1944 - The elements deployed with the 1.Panzer-Division, the Kampfgruppen Knittel, Sandig and Heimann, repulse a new russian attack from the small forest east of Oktjabr. The russians have to leave several tanks behind. At 09.30 Uhr they recapture the Hauptkampflinie as far as the railway embankment on the northern edge of Lissjanka. Um 14.00 Uhr wird from the weak remaining elements of the 1.Panzer-Division and the attached LAH Kampfgruppen, die Kampfgruppe Sandig gebildet, geführt von Sturmbannführer Rudolf Sandig:

Teile der 1.Panzer-Division (Heer):
- II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, geführt von Hauptmann Von Griesheim
- III./ Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113, geführt von Hauptmann Ebeling
- elements of Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment, geführt von Hauptmann Braun
- II./Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 73, geführt von Hauptmann Schneider
- I./Panzer-Regiment 1, geführt von Hauptmann Graf von Wedel
- Panzerjäger-Abteilung 37, geführt von Leutnant Heinz

Teile der Leibstandarte:
- Teile des SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, geführt von Obersturmführer Edgar Gevelhoff
- Teile des SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, geführt von Untersturmführer Karl Fimberger
- SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1, geführt von Sturmbannführer Knittel
- SS-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 1, geführt von Hauptsturmführer Hermann Heimann
- Teile des of II./SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment geführt von Obersturmführer Alfons Guß
- Teile des of III./SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 1, geführt von Obersturmführer Walter Funk

Ihre Aufgabe ist es, den Sektor vom Gniloi-Tikisch Fluß, über die ostwärtige Ecke von Lissjanka entlang der Bahnlinie bis zu dem Punkt, an dem die Schienen nördlich Lissjanka abbiegen, zu verteidigen.

Um 18.00 Uhr greifen zwei russische Kompanien die Aufklärungsabteilung und das SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 an. Dieser Angriff kann zwar abgewehrt werden, aber die Russen können ungestört bis nach Lissjanka vorrücken. Die deutsche Artillerie eröffnet das Feuer auf sie. Um 23.30 Uhr führt die Kampfgruppe einen schnellen Rückzug durch den tiefen Schnee nach Bushanka durch. Die Russen stoßen nicht nach.

20.02.1944 - Gegen 02.15 Uhr haben alle Teile der Kampfgruppe Sandig Bushanka erreicht. Eine von Knittel ausgesandte Aufklärungsgruppe stellt fest, dass schwache Feindkräfte nahe Höhe 235.3, zwei Kilometer südostwärts von Bushanka, vorhanden sind. At 06.30 Uhr the Aufklärungsabteilung is located just northeast of Shabinka, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 is in the area west of Höhe 235.3 and streches to the northeast as far as the forest between Tarasoff and the road junction 1,3km northeast of Höhe 235.3. SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 is just west of Höhe 238.4 facing north, where it joins the III./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 (Kampfgruppe von Griesheim) on the northern edge of Bushanka blocking the road to Lissjanka.
By 13.45 Uhr, III./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 captures Shabinka from weak enemy forces and establishes contact with SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1. This move allows Knittel to move the remaining elements of his Abteilung to the left wing of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 to establish contact with the elements of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2. The Korps intends to pull back to a line on both sides of Kutschkowka behind the Batscha sector.

22.02.1944 - At 21.00 Uhr, Hauptmann Ebeling reported large enemy forces to his rear. The Aufklärungsabteilung is deployed to make a counterthrust at the point of the enemy breakthrough. At 21.25 Uhr follows a heavier attack along the entire defensive front and this time the weak remains of III./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 - one officer, four NCO's and 29 men - are pulled back to the northern edge of Jablowka. The remains of the Aufklärungsabteilung are moved up a subordinated to Ebeling and by 23.50 the defensive line, about 1km northeast of Jablowka, is completed.

23.02.1944 - At 11.00 Uhr, the order comes from 1.Panzer-Division to pull back on the 'Erna Line' after nightfall. The Korps is to pull back to this line, which is to serve as a covering position in the sector from the northern edge of Wishnewka to Tolstoje Rog, and all elements from the Leibstandarte are to be releived when the line is occupied. The signal to begin the move is to be three green flares followed by one red one. Knittel receives orders to cover the pull-back from its position 1km east of Schubenny Staw. Sturmgeschützabteilung 1 also offers cover from the high ground southwest of Jablowka.

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#13

Post by Mark V. » 21 Dec 2003, 18:15

Timo Worst wrote:That's odd. From Lehmann's LAH divisional history:
10.02.1944 - Knittel entlastet die Kampfgruppe Frank der 1.Panzer-Division in Repki gegen 21.45 Uhr.
Well the 1.Panzer Division's history doesn't mention when exactly was II./Pz.Gren.Rgt.1 relieved, just that it was available to division on the 15th.

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#14

Post by Mark V. » 21 Dec 2003, 18:23

Also looking at some otherer maps (Lehmann, Stoves, Werthen) the distance between Repki and Risino seems to be well over 10 km :( .

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#15

Post by Mark V. » 21 Dec 2003, 18:47

Here's a short bio on Heinz Werner Frank, compiled from both divisional histories (Geschichte der 3.Panzer-Division and 1.Panzer-Division 1935-1945)

Major Frank was the Kdr. of the independent Pz.Jäg.Abt.521 at the start of Operation Barbarossa, which was attached to the 3rd Panzer Division (Gen.Lt.Model). The unit had 3 companies equipped with 4,7cm selfpropeled anti-tank guns. During the summer he also lead various KG composed from different divisional elements (usually K3 or AA1, 1 kp Pz.Jäg.Abt.521, 1 kp Pz.Rgt.6, 1 zug Pi.Btl.39 and 1 zug Artillery). In one particularly successful operation his KG penetrated 100 km deep behind Russian positions, destroyed an important railway bridge and then returned back to division, suffering only light losses. Next was during the battles to close the huge Kiew pocket, where his KG formed the 3.Pz.Div.'s Vorausabteilung and managed to seize the important bridge at Karabutow intact, followed by the capture of Romny and Lochwiza.
At the end of September 1941, Pz.Rgt.6 was reformed and the companies of Pz.Jäg.Abt.521 were attached to each Battalion (staff and support units nevertheless still operated). At the same time Oberstlt. Schmidt-Ott (Kdr. I./Pz.Rgt.6) went for a brief vacation back to Germany and Frank replaced him. Then at the end of October he replaced Oberstlt. Munzel (became Kdr. Pz.Rgt.6) as Kdr. of II./Pz.Rgt.6. Again trusted with the role of the spearhead unit (this time for the whole Pz.Brigade Eberbach) KG Frank (II./Pz.Rgt.6 and 2./GD) lead the thrust towards Tula. On 5 November yet another reorganization of Pz.Rgt.6 into: 1 Pz.Kampfstaffel (Hptm. Schneider-Kostalski), 1Pz.Nachschubstaffel (OberstLt. Schmidt-Ott) and Pz.Jäg.Abt.521 (Major Frank). After heavy battles at Tula the division is sent to Kursk and then Kharkov - Frank takes over the command of the remaining division's panzers on 12 March 1942 which lasts only a couple of days when on 14 March Munzel returns to division. Frank then becomes Kdr. of II./Pz.Rgt.6 and receives the DKiG (30.5.1942) for successful operations around Kharkov in spring 1942. He lead the battalion through some more successful operations in summer and fall 1942. In early November he again took over the regiment when v.Liebstein became the temporary division commander and a month later returned to his previous position. In late November or early December he left the division and was in 1943 transferred to the newly formed Gen.Insp.d.Pz.Tr.

On 6 December Oberst Feller leaves the Pz.Rgt.1 and Major Phillip (Kdr. I./Pz.Rgt.1) temporary takes over the command and turns it over to OberstLt. Frank on 10-13. January. Frank officially becomes the Kdr. on 18.January and Hptm. Graf von Wedel at the same time relives the ill Phillip as Kdr. I./Pz.Rgt.1.
On 10 Feb »Angriffsgruppe 1.Pz.Div.« (Kdr. Oberstlt. Frank with Stab Pz.Rgt.1) is formed:
I./Pz.Rgt.1 (Hptm. Graf von Wedel) - 55 Pz.V,
II./Pz.Rgt.1 (Hptm. Düntsch) - 20 Pz.IV,
II./Pz.Gren.Rgt.113 (Hptm. Ebeling),
Stabs-Kp.Pz.Gren.Rgt.113 (Hptm. v. Pogorell);
with orders to offensively cover the southern flank of the attack, but due to the stubborn Russain resistance in the 17. and 16.Pz.Div.'s sector the Pz.KG Frank becomes the II.Pz.Korps's spearhead. On 17. Feb Frank was wounded and Oberstlt. Dr.Bäke took over the command of the Pz.KG Frank until early March. On 15 May he receives the Ehrenblattspange for his actions during the Winter 1944/45. It seems (according to Stoves) that he leaves the regiment at about this time and Major Phillip again takes over until the end of May, when he's transferred to Gen.Insp.d.Pz.Tr. and Major Düntsch replaces him, till the end of June when the new Kdr. Oberstlt. von Trotha finally arrives.

Unfortunately no other info on Frank after May 1944. There is a picture of him together with Guderian in Stoves.

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