Let's build Panzer Division "Clausewitz"

[Daniel L]

THE RHINE TO THE ELBE RIVER

After being penned for so many months by terrain and prepared defensive positions which was only suitable for Infantry, the terrain east from the Rhine River was a tank man's dream. Flat country and with a good network of highways. Once the Infantry had seized a bridgehead on the east bank of the Rhine and the Engineers had installed their pontoon bridges, the only limits on the armored forces was one of re-supply of rations and gas. Reminiscent of the hard driving, fast moving, armored slashes following the breakthrough at Avranches, France, last August, once again the 5th Armored Division and the Tank Destroyers were on the loose, deep in enemy territory.

In general, the operation was broken into three phases; Phase No. 1 - 1 April to 8 April, the attack from the Rhine River east to the Wesser River. Phase 2 - 8 April to 16 April, Wesser River to Elbe River and phase No. 3 - 16 April to 25 April, the mopping of the rear areas and the Von Clauswitz Panzer Division.

After crossing the Rhine, the three gun companies during phase No. 1 moved usually along three separate routes of march with Co. "C" on the right, Co "A" in the center and Co. "B" on the left or northern flank, with Battalion Hq., Reconnaissance Co. and Medical Detachment moving with Division Artillery Headquarters, usually along the center route.

Munster, Germany, was by-passed to the south on 2 April and subsequently was captured by the 17th Airborne Division. The Dortmund Ems Canal was crossed by some elements on 1 April and the remainder on 2 April. Bielfeld was by-passed to the north on 3 April and the entire Division went into an assembly area in the vicinity of Hereford on that date and remained there until 8 April 1945.

On 3 April, east of Bonn Hof Lohne, the CCB column ran into some enemy resistance. Lt. Duchscherer and the 2nd Platoon, Company "B" went into action and after knocking out one unidentified tank, one German Scout car, six 76 mm artillery pieces, two mortar positions and capturing eight prisoners and inflicting an unknown number of casualties, the CCB column continued its march. Nine rounds of AP and twenty-four rounds of 90 mm HE were used by Lt. Duchscherer's Platoon in this action. On the same date, in the vicinity of Exeter, Germany, Cpl. Crawford, Company "C" knocked out one enemy artillery field piece at 1500 yards.

In phase No. 2, all elements of the Battalion crossed the Wesser River at Hamelin, Germany. The Pied Piper town, on 8 April 1945, proceeded generally NE, by-passing south of Hannover. On 9 April in the vicinity of Rosenthal, Cpl. Winget and Cpl. Appling, Company "C" each destroyed an 88 mm A-T gun at 1900 and 2200 yards respectively. On 10 April in Pattensen, Germany, enemy artillery fired a 200 round artillery concentration which fell in the 400 yard space between Division Artillery Headquarters and Battalion Headquarters without incurring any personnel loss, although two Division Artillery vehicles were hit. The reconnaissance Company CP building was hit and the roof damaged but no casualties sustained. Reconnaissance Company screened the town which CCR had by-passed and picked up 114 prisoners of war in the vicinity. CCR swung north and CCA continued the attack east thru CCR's old axis of march thru Peine and east to capture Tangermunde and Stendal, Germany. Battalion Headquarters continued with Division Artillery Headquarters thru Diddease, Neuendorf and arrived in Demker, west of Tangermunde, on 11 April 1945. Enroute to Demker, Reconnaissance Company, while acting as rear guard to the Battalion, encountered an enemy patrol west of Deetz and engaged in fighting off and successfully routing the patrol after killing ten of their members.

At this point, CCA in Tangermunde was the closest U.S. Army unit to Berlin, however, this record was later lost in favor of the 2nd Armored Division who actually crossed the east bank of the Elbe River the next day against stiffening enemy opposition.

On 14 April 1945, the Battalion CP Headquarters, and Reconnaissance Company moved with Division Artillery Headquarters to Osterburg where these units remained until 16 April 1945.

The only loss on this movement from the Rhine to the Elbe Rivers was suffered by Co. "A" at Tangermunde, when SS troopers knocked out one M-36 vehicle, however, the gun sergeant was killed by small arms fire and the other four crew members were captured by SS troopers in Tangermunde. These four men with approximately 200 American Paratroop prisoners of war, were subsequently released the same day prior to the surrender of the town to CCA. Company "A" succeeded in destroying one locomotive and eight freight cars by direct fire and after taking Tangermunde, assisted CCA in the clearing of Stendal, capturing 59 prisoners on this mission.

CCB with Company "B" initially had the mission of following between CCR and CCA in a reserve status and to protect the bridge across the Wesser River at Hemelin. The Company subsequently moved east thru Osterburg to the Elbe River.

CCR with Company "C" had the mission of cutting the autobahn in the vicinity of Peine and then proceeding north and east toward the Elbe River and try to secure the bridges over the river in the vicinity of Sandau, but the enemy destroyed the bridges and ferry before they could be secured.

After reaching the western banks of the Elbe River on 11 April 1945, and consolidating the position there in anticipation of making a crossing and marching directly on to Berlin, word came in that the Von Clausewitz Division had moved south to escape the British and were making an effort to cut our rear supply line and to eventually tie up with other German units holding out in the Hartz Mountains in the south. Phase No. 3, therefore, found the Battalion moving with the various combat commands to meet this threat. For the first time since the drive started with the crossing of the Roer River, the Battalion was moving west instead of east, even though still on the offensive.

Battalion Headquarters, Headquarters Company and Reconnaissance Company moved from Osterburg to Klotz on 16 April 1945, then on to Rohrberg on 18 April, then to Wopel and arrived at Salzwedel on 22 April 1945.

Battalion Motor Maintenance Platoon under Capt. Bayer had been left in the vicinity of Klotz, when Battalion Hq. and Headquarters Company left for Rohrberg. On 20 April 1945, however, Capt. Bayer and his entire Platoon reported in unexpectedly at the Battalion CP at Wopel, that evening. It had been found that an estimated 400 enemy troops had infiltrated into the woods one mile from Capt. Bayer's area near Klotz. These enemy troops were subsequently captured and the estimate was found to be correct.

On 16 April 1945, Division Trains that utilized Battalion personnel trucks and drivers to haul supplies in a large convoy had proceeded about 15 miles west of Klotz when it was ambushed, and after the two lead vehicles had been destroyed, the remaining vehicles were abandoned and captured by the enemy. On 17 April, however, the truck belonging to this Battalion and one other truck was recaptured and returned to the division Rear Echelon. On the Battalion Personnel truck at the time of its capture by the enemy was the Battalion Standard and the silk parade flag, both of which were returned with the truck intact.

On 17 April 1945, CCA was relieved of the area in the vicinity of the Elbe River, and with Company "A" still attached moved west and then north on 18 April thru Knesbeck, Stiemke and Wittingen. On 21 April, Company "A" supported CCA on an attack north from Wittingen thru Kelnze and Hitzack. Opposition in general was light but Cpl. Rutkowski destroyed a 1/2 ton truck at 400 yard range in the vicinity of Harlingen on 22 April. In the vicinity of Kiefen, on 23 April, Cpl. Rutkowski, 2nd Platoon. Co. "A" had the honor of knocking out the last of the total of 56 tanks credited this Battalion when he destroyed a Mark V tank at 600 yard range. Cleaning up operations for Company "A" continued until 26 April when the Company reverted to Battalion Control.

Company "B" moved with CCB on 16 April to vicinity of Jubar, where it assisted in cleaning up a task force of the Von Clauswitz Panzer Division which had been harassing the supply lines in that area. On 18 April, 1st Platoon, Company "B" set up a defensive position against enemy armor reported moving from the direction of Ludelsen. The enemy was encountered in the woods north of Ludelsen and the 1st Platoon, Co. "B", destroyed on half track, two general purpose vehicles, one Jaeger Panther Tank and killed an unknown number of the enemy. Third Platoon, Co. "B" also destroyed one enemy half track and two general purpose vehicles the same day. On 25 April, Co. "B" reverted to Battalion Control.

On 16 April, Co. "C" with CCR moved in the vicinity of Salzwedel with a mission of cleaning up small pockets of resistance, then attacking north thru Luchow to the Elbe River. The entire company was attached to 10th Tank Bn. (Task Force Hamburg) on this mission, which moved thru Salzwedel, north to Luchow to Dannenburg. Cpl. Herman, 2nd Platoon, Co. "C" destroyed one 88-mm self propelled gun at 1500 yards on 22 April in the vicinity of Quicklen. Pvt. Helton took 6 prisoners in the vicinity of Dannenburg on 22 April. Co. "C" reverted to Battalion Control on 25 April. Thus ended the tactical commitment of all companies of this Battalion against the German Army in the European Theater after 266 days of combat.

from: http://www.dvrbs.com/WestmontWW2-WilliamMHernandez.htm

Best regards/ Daniel

[Daniel L]

da die 60. Panzergrenadierdivision in Stalingrad vernichtet wurde, entschloss man sich auf deutscher Seite diese Division neu aufzubauen, die Wiederaufstellung erfolgte bis zum 1. April 1944, wurde aber bis zum 8. Mai hinausgeschoben, aus den Resten der alten Division entstanden der Stab und das I./Grenadier-Regiment 92, I./Grenadier-Regiment 120, 13./92, 14./120, Stab und 1. Kompanie/Panzer-Abteilung 160, I./Artillerie-Regiment 160, Pionier-Bataillon und eine Nachrichten-Kompanie, da die Aufstellung des Grenadier-Regiments 92 am 9. April 1944 unabhängig von der Division als Heerestruppe erfolgte, wurden der Stab, I. Bataillon und 13. Kompanie/92 in Grenadier-Regiment 120 umgegliedert, der Aufbau erfolgte in Südfrankreich, die generell am 27. Mai verfügte Umbenennung in 60. Panzergrenadier-Division kam nicht zur Durchführung, sondern wurde sie am 20. Juni 1943 in Panzergrenadierdivision "Feldherrenhalle" umbenannt



60. Infanteriedivision:
aufgestellt am 15. Oktober 1935 aus Teilen der Gruppe Eberhardt (bisherige Landespolizei) in Danzig

am 5. November 1939 wurde die Artillerie durch den Artillerie-Regiments-Stab z.b.V. 703, die leichte Artillerie-Abteilung 741 und 750 und durch die Artillerie-Abteilung 761 verstärkt, diese wurden am 1. April 1940 zum Artillerie-Regiment 160

ab dem 18. Juli 1940 wurde die Division motorisiert und das Infanterie-Regiment 243 aufgelöst

das Kradschützen-Bataillon 160 und die Aufklärungs-Abteilung 160 verschmolzen am 1. April 1940, am gleichen Tag wurde die Heeres-Flakartillerie-Abteilung 282 der Division zugeführt und unter dem Namen IV. (Flak)/Art.Reg. 160 geführt



im Januar 1944 wurde die Division an die Ostfront in den Raum Orscha und Witebsk verlegt, wo sie im Juli 1944 im Raum Minsk vernichtet wurde, erneut entschloss man sich die Division neu aufzubauen, dies geschah von September bis Dezember 1944, während dieser Zeit wandelte man sie in eine Panzerdivision um (aus Teilen der 13. Panzerdivision und der Panzergrenadier-Division "Feldherrnhalle") und sandte sie im Januar 1945 erneut an die Ostfront mit dem Namen Panzerdivision "Feldherrenhalle 2", im Mai 1945 ergab sich die Division im Raum Deutsch-Brod den russischen Kampfeinheiten



Gliederung Panzergrenadier-Division "Feldherrnhalle":

"Panzergrenadier-Regiment Feldherrnhalle" -ehemals 271. Grenadier-Regiment "Feldherrenhalle" der 93.Infanteriedivision

"Füsilier-Regiment Feldherrnhalle" - ehemals 120. Grenadier-Regiment (mot.) der 60. Panzergrenadierdivision

"Artillerie-Regiment (mot.) Feldherrnhalle - ehemals 160. Artillerie-Regiment

"Panzer-Abteilung Feldherrnhalle - ehemals 160. Panzerabteilung, ( Dezember 1943 in eine Regiment umgewandelt mit nur einem Panzerbataillon

"Panzer-Aufklärungsabteilung Feldherrnhalle" - ehemals 160. Panzeraufklärungsabteilung

"Pionier-Bataillon Feldherrnhalle"

"Feldherrnhalle Nachrichten-Abteilung (mot.)"

Feldherrnhalle Unterstützungseinheiten - ehemals Einheiten der 160. Reserve-Division

(siehe auch hier)



Gliederung Panzerdivision "Feldherrnhalle 2" 1945 Ostfront:

"Panzer Regiment Feldherrnhalle 2" - mit Panzerabteilung I und II

"Panzer Grenadier Regiment Feldherrnhalle 2" - mit Panzer-Grenadier-Bataillon I und II (II. Bataillon wurde Anfang April 1945 nach Hamburg überführt, wo es zum Aufbau der Panzerdivision "Clausewitz" verwendet wurde)

"Panzer Füsilier Regiment Feldherrnhalle 2" - mit Panzer-Füsilier-Bataillon I und II

"Panzer Artillerie Regiment Feldherrnhalle 2" - mit Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung I, II und III

"Panzer Aufklärungs- Abteilung Feldherrnhalle 2"
"Panzer Pionier Bataillon Feldherrnhalle 2"

"Panzerjäger Abteilung Feldherrnhalle 2"

"Panzer Sturmgeschütz Brigade Feldherrnhalle 2"

"Heeres Flak Artillerie Abteilung Feldherrnhalle 2"

"Panzer Nachrichten Kompanie Feldherrnhalle 2"

Panzer Versorgungstruppen



seit Sommer 1944 war eine Umbenennung der 13. Panzerdivision in Panzer-Division Feldherrnhalle 2 beabsichtigt und laut 1. Generalstabsoffizier (Ia) der in Wiederaufstellung begriffenen 13. Panzerdivision, wurde der Befehl am 24.02.1945 erteilt, zu dieser Zeit soll sich die FHH2 im Raum Nove Zamky (Neuhäusel) befunden haben

die neue Namensgebung soll sich teilweise schleppend bis gar nicht vollzogen haben, einhergehend mit der Neubildung wurden auch neue Feldpostnummern ausgegeben, doch die Neuausgabe der Feldpostnummern für die FHH2 im März/April 1945 ist nicht überliefert



Kommandeure:

Generalleutnant Otto Kohlermann, 6.??.43 - 4.3.44
Generalmajor Friedrich-Carl von Steinkeller, 4.3.44 - 7.8.44
??, 7.8.44 - 9.1.44
Generalmajor Günther Pape, 9.1.44 - 5.3.45
Generalmajor Dr. Franz Bäke, 9.3.45 - 8.5.45

from: http://www.balsi.de/feldherrenhalle.htm

Best regards/ Daniel

[Daniel L]

A boundary change gave the Regiment responsibility for a four-kilometer addition in frontage, and I Company moved to a sizable town of Rogatz on the 16th. (This same day the division passed to control of the XIII Corps.) Later the 2nd Battalion, relieved by the 3rd Battalion, 137th, moved by shuttling down to the sector on the right of the 3rd Battalion. Companies E and G relieved I at Rogatz (and I returned to Bertingen), and the remainder of the battalion went to Angern.

Even at this late stage, the Germans had not abandoned their aggressiveness. All kinds of bands were roaming through the woods in the rear area (by 16 April, 73 different units were represented in the prisoners taken). The 1st Battalion and special units sent patrols through the area almost daily. Pfc. John R. Connelly, Jr., of the I and R Platoon, was killed less than 200 yards from the Regimental C.P. (now at an estate a mile and one-half southwest of Angern) when he moved out from his guard post one night to investigate strange footsteps. Movements of "Task Force Clausewitz," a collection of German soldiers with German and American vehicles, across the rear toward the Harz Mountains had many people worried until the force disintegrated under constant pursuit. But aside from these disorganized activities, the enemy even mounted some attacks from across the Elbe River. One hit K Company, at Kehnert, before daylight on 17 April. Pvt. Richard W. Stoll of New York was on outpost duty at the time, and remained at his post, firing his rifle, until his last round of ammunition was gone. He started moving toward his platoon C.P., and though wounded en route, he was able to get there. Germans got into the town and surrounded a squad. Staff Sergeant Bertice F. Womak of Kentucky ran through the fire to reach a building near the squad. A round from a bazooka knocked him down, but he got up and went into a building and began throwing hand grenades. This gave the squad a chance to deploy and drive out the enemy. Some further personnel changes occurred in the Regiment: Lt. Col. Frederick C. Roecker had returned, and, after acting as executive officer for a while, he now took command of the 3rd Battalion when Colonel Wood returned to the States; Captain Mason had returned, and now was executive officer of the 1st Battalion; Colonel Craig had returned, and now he was regimental executive officer; and 1st Lt. Don Craig (cut from the same piece of cloth), his younger brother, had joined the Regiment and was assigned to D Company as executive officer.

A second, and more determined, enemy attack came against K Company at 0530 on 23 April. This time the enemy, with a force of about 50 men, attacked Kehnert from two directions. After bazooka and machine gun fire had created a major disturbance in the center, larger groups of enemy began moving across the open ground toward the north edge (i.e., left flank) of the town. Sergeant Joseph J. Pogonowski of Ohio was on duty at his well-located light machine gun which covered that flank. He opened fire with deadly effect. An SS lieutenant approached the machine gunner from the flank, and when Pogonowski noticed him, the officer tried to lure him from his position by faking surrender - he walked up to within three feet of the foxhole and dropped a grenade; but it was ineffective. He, and his orderly as well, fell from a burst of machine gun fire. When machine gun ammunition began to run low the section leader, Sergeant Robert E. Ovitt of Illinois, braved the enemy fire to get a new supply. Meanwhile the 60mm mortars, shortening their range to within 50 yards of the front positions, were keeping up a continuous barrage. The final result was 17 enemy killed - by count after daylight - 7 wounded, and 12 others captured. That was the last combat for the 134th Infantry; that day's were the last battle casualties.

Patrols - in every direction - continued, but principal interest turned now to "watching for the Russians." Tardy arrangements for recognition signals finally had been made, and almost as soon as units were notified that the Russian signal would be two red flares, and the American reply was to be three green, the companies began to report red flares all along the front. Russian soldiers failed to arrive in this sector, however, while the Regiment was there.

Lieutenant Haugen arrived at 1730 on 24 April with a warning order. The whole division was to move back to the vicinity of Hanover on 27 April, with the mission to "clear any enemy from the area, occupy, and govern . . . Duration of occupation???" It appeared that the shooting war in Europe was over for the 134th Infantry.

from: http://www.coulthart.com/134/134%20history.txt

Best regards/ Daniel

[Daniel L]

106th Panzer Brigade

Formed: July 28th, 1944

Composed of:


2106th Panzer Battalion (4 Panther Tank companies)

1 Staff Platoon
1 Panzer Flak Platoon
3 Medium Panzer Companies (Mk V)
1 Panzerjaeger Company (Mk IV/L70)

2106th Panzer Grenadier Battalion (5 half track companies)
2106th Brigade Support Units
2106th Pioneer Battalion

Fate: Assigned to the Panzer Division Clausewitz on April 6th, 1945.

from: http://www.feldgrau.com/106ipb.html

Best regards/ Daniel

[Daniel L]

Orders to Take Minden
Meanwhile, at 1720 hours, CCB sent the folowing mesage: "Minden bridge reported intact. Town refuses to surrender. Make every effort to get there." To which Colonel Anderson sent the following reply at 2245: "Heavy enemy traffic into Minden. Request air tomorrow. We are interdicting. Enemy will strongly resist our moving into the valley and Minden. Will require a determined attack and I will need help. Bridge is mined and have no hope of securing it. Recommend bridge site south of ridge we are on." During the night orders were received to sit tight until higher headquarters had an opportunity to issue an ultimatum to Minden calling for unconditional surrender.

The following day, at daybreak, "C" Company dispatched Lieutenant Pearce's platoon to the west pass, which was secured against any opposition. Firing at targets of opportunity in the valley from their exellent position, Sergeant Clay, with one round of H.E., destroyed an enemy truck and three Germans who were working desperately to get it in motion. At the same time the liaison cub plane of the attached artillery went up for a "look-around" and spotted in the vincinity of Dutzen, an enemy battery of six 88mm guns. There were neutralized by the very accurate shelling of the 47th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, with the consequent result that no more enemy fire was received in the passes.

At 1400 Lieutenant Pearce reported a foreign armored column on the north flank, moving towards Minden from the west. Preliminary speculation contended that it was British, who were supposed to be working their way eastward on the left flank of the Task Force. Captain Guthrie sent a section of Lieutenant Pearce's tanks down the pass for positive identification of the foreign column and, if friendly, to make contact. Captain Guthrie returned to the Battalion C.P. an hour later, after having contacted Third Brigade of the 6th British Airborne of the British Second Army, who were determined to capture Minden in spite of the fact that it was in the sector assigned to the Task Force.

Later that evening, the British confirmed that the bridge over the Weser River had been blown by the enemy upon learning of their approach, which meant that all the bridges over the Weser were destroyed by the enemy in their retreat eastward. The ultimatum having expired at 2000 hours, the following message was received from CCB: "British moving into Minden. They have Churchills with them." From the same headquarters, later in the evening, came another message reading: "335th Infantry will pass through TFA tonight and establish a bridgehead on C813090 (several kilometers southeast of Minden). TAB Division now clearing Minden and says will clear tonight."


Volunteer Prisoners
The Task Force remained in place for two days, rounding up scores of prisoners of every description, all of whom were marched to Service Company, which had set up a VooDoo Prisoners of War cage, Each night a count of the prisoners would be effected in the cage and each morning they would be hauled to the Division cage. Peculiarly enough, the count in the morning would exceed the precious evening''s tally, although no new PW's were admitted to the cage. It developed that German soldiers hiding in the woods would make their way into the cage during the night, thus surrendering ex cathedra.

Lieutenant Plass' platoon had moved into Hehne-Lohne, where they destoyed eight flak guns. Here they located several hospitals full of German wounded. One arrogant Nazi doctor, in the course of a preliminary interrogation, told Lieutenant Plass, "I speak English as it should be spoken and not as the Americans speak it."

Captain Markov, Lieutenant Wheeler and Lieutenant Stofflet were in the process of searching the rear area for hidden weapons when they entered a Gasthaus whose deserted beer tap looked inviting. While trying to draw some of the desired liquid from the tap, they heard a noise in the back room. Lieutenant Stofflet kicked the door open and in his best German shouted, "Rous mit you." Much to the amazement of the Americans, 103 German soldiers tumbled out of the huge room with the usual "Kamarad" greeting.


The Advance Continues
On the 8th of April the Task Force garrisoned Minden until the following evening, when orders were received for "C" Company, plus one section of the assault gun platoon, to move to the vicinity of Division Headquarters, to which they were attached as an advance guard. On the 10th of April Task Force Anderson, less the troops constituting the Division advance guard, moved in a southeasterly direction, crossed the Weser at Hamelin (where the Pied Piper was supposed to gain eternal fame) and turned northeast to Gastrop, where a refueling halt was effected at 1930 hours. Resuming the advance one hour later, the column moved under cover of darkness through Peine, then north to Stederdorf, coiling at 0730 on the 11th of April, having traveled 102 miles. After a four-hour nap, the column moved forward once again through Edemission, Eltze, northeast to Wetze, east to Gifhorn for a short halt, then onward with the advance to Grussendorf, where the troops bedded down for the night. They awakened early the following morning for the march through Veitze, Henferchen, Klatze, Chimitz and finally on to Siepe.

In the meantime, on the 12th, Lieutenant Lombardi's first scation of "D" Company's second platoon, with a squad of the 22nd Engineers, reaced many miles to the rear to clean out a small pocket of enemy resistance. On this mission they assisted in the capture of 220 prisoners, twelve wagons and twenty six horses.

The following day, 13 April, the Task Force was reconstituted for the mission of driving to the Elbe River, establishing a main supply route to the river's edge. The Task Force, less "B" Company, which had been guarding some vital bridges in the rear, drove on Osterburg. This town of 8,000 inhabitants surrendered unconditionally. "C" Company, leading the Task Force, resumed its rapid pace and reached the Elbe by 1300 hours of that day.


At the Elbe
While approaching Iden Lieutenant Pearce's tank came upon a wagon load of American PWs whose joy at being liberated defied description. Pushing forward, a cage full of Russian prisoners were found at Burch by the same platoon, who unlocked the gates. Upon returning to the cage several hours later, the Russian PWs were still in the cage, evidently not knowing what to do with their newly found freedom.

The leading platoon, upon arriving at the river near Sandau, discovered sixty enemy trucks fully loaded with all types of equipment, waiting for a ferry which never arrived. Some vehicles were also seen on the far side, desperately attempting to extricate themselves from the muddy banks. Sergeant Ame's section took them under fire and destroyed them, as well as several barges and the ferry for which the enemy trucks had been waiting on the west bank. The assault gun section registered on the ferry site as "C" Company pulled back to Iden, after having effected a most satisfactory day's work. The remainder of the Task Force, less "B" Company, remained in Osterburg, where the booty of shotguns, pistols, and other enemy weapons proved very lucrative. In the interim, "B" Company, having accomplished its mission in the rear, joined the Task Force.

Word was received on the 16th of April that enemy mechanized groups were harassing the main supply route in the vicinity of Klatze. The Task Force, with "B" Company leading, immediately moved back towards Klatze, searching for the enemy, of whom no trace could be found. The search continued the next day with road-blocks set up in the general area of Klatze, where the infantry were combing the woods. Still no trace of the enemy.

The Task Force then moved to Hanum, where at 2200, orders were received to move immediately to the vicinity of Stockheim, setting up road-blocks at Stockheim, Rohrberg and Mehmka, prepared to counter a threat of enemy armor reported moving down from the north. Later interrogation of prisoners elicited the information that the SS Von Clausewitz Panzer Division was given the mission of moving down from north Germany to the Harz mountains, therby isolating all the Allied armor up to the Elbe.


Enemy Takes to the Woods
There was no sign of the enemy that night, but the search began to yield its prey on the following day, for the liaison cub plane of the 71st Field Artillery Battalion spotted three enemy vehicles parked on the road southwest of Hinchof. As a section of "B" Company worked its way towards Jutar, twelve enemy vehicles, including tanks, sped cross-country and disappeared into the thick woods. Captain McNab's company, in the process of completing the roundup of the marauding Germans, moved to Wittengen, from where Sergeant Candito's platoon was dispatched to Ohrdorf for outposting.

From this position they noticed a column of enemy vehicles edging along the woods southeast of Wittengen. At a range of about 2,000 yards, they knocked out one Jager Panther and one half-track. "C" Company immediately sent a platoon to Bonsen and a section to Hudelsen. The woods were now completely surrounded and the artillery commenced to pound the area, direted by the cub plane.

After a lengthy barrage, the troops of the destroyed platoon, dismounted, plus a newly acquired M26 General Pershing tank, were sent into the woods to develoop the situation. They moved down the fire break, where the M26 destroyed two enemy vehicles. The dismounted platoon encountered intense small arms fire. At this time word was received that a squadron of P-47s were in the air, seeking employment. Captain Boyson, in contact with Horsefly (the code name for the cub plane), which communicated with the P-47s, designated the targets.

Recalling the TD dismounted troops, the go-ahead signal was given the air squadron, consisting of six flights of four planes each. The planes devastated the wooded area with bombs, rockets and .50 cal. bullets, whose tracers seemed to come down like a perpetual waterfall. The Thunderbolts wrote finis to the enemy's attempt to escape from the woods via the north entry, destroyed two Panther tanks trying to move across the woods to the west and caused a mass abandonement by enemy personnel of their vehicles. Inspection of the woods the following day revealed eleven vehicles - five half-tracks, three trucks, two tanks and one small vehicle - destroyed, all of which resulted from a superb display of air-ground coordination.

Just before dark S/Sgt. Peterson's platoon of "A" Company went up from Ohrdorf through Haselhorst and set up a road-block in the little village of Lindhof. Their mission was two-fold: firstly, to prevent any enemy elements from moving west and, secondly, to protect the 71st batteries, which had taken up positions to the south of Haselhorst. The platoon had been told that friendly forces might be in the area. About 2130 that night a powerful force of tanks and armored vehicles descended from the north and rolled into the village. The column was led by three American half-tracks, which seemed to indicate the presence of friendly troops.

The mutterings of a gutteral language, however, very clearly manifested that an enemy column was boring down on the platoon. Just as the positive identification was made, Corporal Diskson's tank was hit by what appeared to be a high velocity weapon. When the Germans started to surround the platoon, the tankers fought their way out of the trap and moved towards Haselhorst. From a ridge near this hamlet, Sergeant Hoffman, tank commander, directed artillery fire on the enemy using the knocked out blazing tank as a reference point, and halted the advance of the German armor.


The Foe Identified
When the enemy assault wave first hit the road-block at Lindhos, a prisoner was taken; one who revealed not only the identification of this enemy force but also its strenth, mission and operational plans. He stated that it was the Von Clausewitz Panzer Division which was attempting to push south across the Weser-Elbe Canal and then head for the Harz Mountains. The recon party that had been sent out to find a clear route south of Jubar was the force that had been destroyed in the woods that afternoon.

The main body of the Panzer Division, the prisoner continued to relate, consisted of three task forces, each of which contained approximately 1,000 men, one Mark V tank, two tanks mounting a 75mm, one Mark IV mounting a 75 mm rifle, one tank destroyer mounting an 88, twenty-five half-tracks, four 105 mm self propelled howeitzers, three towed 105 mm guns, many cargo trucks and several American peeps, trucks and half-tracks. This invaluable information was immediately dispatched to all the organizations in the Battalion.

While one enemy column was pushing from Lindhof to Haselhorst that night, another started down a second route which led to Hanum. Throughout the night enemy vehicles could be hard moving about and getting into position for the attack the next morning. At his command post, Captain McNab organized his men and prepared to meet the full weight of the thrust. Lieutenant Lant's first platoon was sent to reinforce S/Sgt. Peterson's third platoon at Haselhorst, where they set up defensive positions around the town, which incidentally was the CP of the supporing artillery. At daybreak both platoons took up new positions around the town, positions which afforded better cover. As Lieutenant Lant and S/Sgt. Peterson were displacing their tanks, a German column came barreling out of Lindhof from the north. Corporal Lane, the gunner in the platoon leader's tank, scored two direct hits on the leading vehicle, a souped up 75mm rifle, and set it ablaze.

At about 0800, Sergeant Harrison spotted some enemy trucks sitting in the woods near the northern approach to Haselhort. With several well placed rounds, Corporal Curtis, the gunner in Sergeant Harrison's tank, knocked out two of these trucks. About a half hour later, an enemy tank, which had been either sitting in the woods under excellent cover or had moved towards the edge of the woods, although no man heard any track movements at that time, opened fire on Lieutenant Lant's tank, putting a round through the track. The same round went through two walls of a brick barn which was the CP of the 71st F.A., continued on through a stone house and landed on a road beyond the house. A close scrutiny showed the round to be absolutely intact. This same enemy tank, at this time assumed to be a Mark V, set S/Sgt. Galpin's tank afire. Sergeant Harrison immediately took this tank under fire and bounced three rounds off the hull. Whereupon the enemy fled. Immediatley after this furious fire fight, Major Smith, the EX-O of the 71st, hastily moved his CP to the south of Ohrdorf. This short lived encounter cost the company two tanks, four men killed and three wounded.

The remainder of Lieutenant Lant and Sergeant Peterson's platoons moved back at noon to the vicinity of Ohrdorf with the mission to protect the supporting artillery in the town. "A" Company now had two tanks in the town, plus a TD, and three tanks in the woods 500 yards to the east of Ohrdorf covering the road to Haselhorst. Matters simmered down to a halt in this position.


Panzer Advance Halted
At 0200, on the 20th, many enemy vehicles were heard starting their engines, stopping, milling around. All these vehicular noises seemed to be coming from the woods north of Ohrdorf. Two hours later the enemy column started for the town. Due to the darkness of the hour, the TD started to fire at the column, or at least at what the gunner thought to be the exhausts from the vehicles. A call was put through for supporing artillery at the suspected position of the leading elements of the German column. However, the 71st called back that artillery fire was impossible, due to the fact that the position of the target was too close to the battery for any indirect fire.

The German column was evidently moving on, for the noises were continuing and the occassional flash of the exhausts indicated they were attempting to move towards the woods lying to the southwest of Ohrdorf. As day began to break the 71st saw the enemy vehicles moving and laid direct fire with the 105s onto the Germans, knocking out two of the vehicles, the remainder taking refuge in the thickly wooded area. S/Sgt. Peterson's tanks moved out of the woods east of Ohrdorf that night, joining Lieutenant Lant's two tanks in the town. All of them then moved to the southwest of the town with the mission of staving off any attack which might come from the woods, so that the artillery positions might be defended. All was quiet that night. The following noon, the 71st received orders to move towards Lindhof. After the artillery pulled out, the "A" Company tanks moved to Ohrdorf, where they remained for two days. That was the last tactical mission of the war for "A" Company.

On the 20th of April, the Task Force was ordered to clear the woods and seize the villages of Haselhorst and Lindhof, which were in German hands. "B" Company, supported by the assault gun platoon, started through the woods at 1000 hours. In the interim, P-47s flying in support of the TFD, operating northwest of TFA, bombed and strafed the enemy column, which had moved out of Hinchof. "Baker" therefore took both villages without any opposition. This marked the end of Division Von Clausewitz, "which had the dubious distinction of having been virtually destroyed and its entire staff captured within 13 days of its original commitment," according to a quotation from the Divsion G-2 Periodic Report of 23 April. From the same source, dated 26 April, General Lt. Unrein C.G.Pz.Div. Clausewitz, in an interrogation by XIII Corps, stated that "his first mistake was when he pulled into the woods just south of Lindhof, he soon noticed that he was surrounded." TFA had cornered him and his troops.

April 20th marked the last day of contact for the Battalion with the enemy, for from that date until the 7th of May, Colonel Anderson's Battalion was engaged in administering military government in the vicinity of Barwedel. At 0800 on the latter date a telegram from General Eisenhower's headquarters reached the C.P., stating that the German High Command had signed the unconditional surrender instrument at Theims at 0200, May 7th. However, the telegram went on to say, the official announcement terminating the war would come simultaneously from Washington, London, and Moscow. On May 9th, 1945, President Truman, Prime Minister Churchill and Marshall Stalin, formally announced that Admiral Doenitz had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies.

http://www.5ad.org/units/81st.html

Best regards/ Daniel

[jman]

Can anybody suppy details of his capture?
I understand he spent ten years in a POW camp - Russian?

[mdx]

According to Stoves et al. the PD Clausewitz destroyed a number of Allied tanks in a night fight at Bienenbüttel (Between Lüneburg and Uelzen) in April 1945 (1). However, I can not find relative documents in other books. According to Brunes et al. and Voss et al. the PD Clausewitz did hit the Allied tanks south of Uelzen on 10/11 April 1945 and a night fight at Stadensen-Nettelkamp (South of Uelzen) on 15 April 1945 (2, 3). My question is:

A.Was there a night fight at Bienenbüttel?
B.Did PD Clausewitz had the infrared equipment for night fight?

1.Die Gepanzerten und Motorisierten Deutschen Grossverbaende
2.Die Panzerbrigade 106 FHH
3.Letzte Divisionen 1945

Dr.Chuang, MD and MSc
Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.geocities.com/mdx.geo/

[Kamen Nevenkin]

deleated

[mdx]

PzD Clausewitz never had any infrared equipment. The panthers equipped with BIWA fought exclusively on the Eastern Front.

Hope this helps

Thank you, Master Nevenkin. Before my reply I have read the thread http://www.feldgrau.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1220 very carefully and fully understand the discussion had been done before. I still have some doubt while I read the following information (1):

Am 21. April, kurz vor 2.00 Uhr, rollten die letzten zehn Panzer der Panzerdivision Clausewitz auf die Brücke zu. Dicht hinter ihnen folgten General Decker und Major iG Scharnhorst in einem "Puma", einem Funkspähwagen, und in einem VW der Chef des Stabes, Oberst iG Kühlein. Dahinter fuhren einige Halbkettenfahrzeuge der Pionier-kompanie sowie die Versorgungskompanie mit Instandesetzungs- und Betriebsstofflastwagen. Die stark geschrumpfte Panzeraufklärungs-kompanie war - von den Amerikanern unbemerkt - vorausgefahren und hatte über Funk bereits die Pak-Stellung auf der Deichkrone gemeldet. Unerklärlicherweise zögerten die Amerikaner mit der Feuereröffnung unnötig lange. Erst als die deutschen Spitzenpanzer bis auf gut 300 m heran waren, schossen sie mehrere Leuchtpatronen ab. Die beiden ersten PSW befanden sich zufällig auf Höhe des Querweges und bogen im Licht der amerikanischen Gefechtsfeldbeleuchtung sofort von der Reichsstraße ab. Dann eröffneten die amerikanischen Kanonen das Gefecht. Von den noch auf der Straße stehenden deutschen Panzern konnte nur der erste mit StFW Hermann das Feuer erwidern. Der zweite Panther hatte einen Schaden am Bremszylinder und mußte gesprengt werden.

Der deutsche Angriff schien erwartungs gemäß zusammenzubrechen. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt waren die beiden Panther mit den BIWA in Schußposition gefahren und jagten eine Granate nach der anderen auf die Deichkrone. Als das amerikanische Feuer immer spärlicher wurde und schließlich vollständig verstummte, fuhr der Spähpanzer des Generals Decker in voller Fahrt zur Brücke.

When the remnants of PD Clausewitz with GCO Decker ran through a bridge across the central canal (near Fallersleben) two Panthers with BIWA fired the defending US in the early morning on 21.4.1945.

Die "Kampfgruppe von Bennigsen" stieß bei Lauenburg an der Elbe zur "Panzerdivision Clausewitz". Hier wurde "Major von Bennigsen" als Führer der "Kampfgruppe von Bennigsen" mit 15 Kampfpanzer, meist vom Typ Panzer V Panther, zum Durchbruch zur 11. Armee nach Süden eingesetzt. Nach Saft waren dabei zwei Panther mit eingebauten IR-BIWA die in der Nacht zum 21. April an der Kanalbrücke über den Mittellandkanal bei Fallersleben amerikanische Pak ausgeschaltet haben, bevor die Kampfgruppe durch Fallersleben weiter nach Süden auf den Elm bei Braunschweig angriff.

Two Panthers with BIWA were belonged to Kampfgruppe von Bennigsen which also joined the PD Clausewitz.

Nach Ritgen erreichte die "Gruppe Graf von Werthern" nach abenteuerlichem Marsch über die Elbe den Raum Berlin, wurde dort nach Norden abgedreht und kapitulierte vor den Engländern bei "Bad Segeberg". "Major Thilo Graf von Werthern" wurde mit einer kleinen Gruppe von Spezialisten und den Infrarot-Geräten rasch nach England zu einer Vorführung geflogen.

Major Thilo Graf von Werthern with some specialists flown to British after they were captured to demonstrate the IR equipment.

My question is:
A. Did Kampfgruppe von Bennigsen really have any Panther with BIWA?
B. Was Major Thilo Graf von Werthern the same person who led the Panzergrenadier-Brigade von Werthern in the east front in 1944?
C. What kind of IR equipment did Major Thilo Graf von Werthern demonstate to British?

1.Letzte Divisionen 1945

Dr.Chuang, MD and MSc
Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.geocities.com/mdx.geo/

[ak365]

There is a little chapel in Külsheim (Baden) with a memorial plate of Martin Unrein inside.

See the chapel and memorial of the 14. Pz Div here:
http://www.kuelsheim.de/fileadmin/_proc ... 398f6a.jpg

Attached see two pics of the memorial.