5 th Panzer Division in the French Campaign

[tigre]

Thanks Bronsky and about your proposal, I agree; let it go. Cheers. Raúl M .

[gajabhau]

Thank you very much Mr Tigre and sorry I have been late this time in saying so. Regards. Gajabhau

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

And here is the battle calendar of 5. Panzer-Division in the Polish Campaign:

1. Breakout in Western Galicia - 01.09.1939 - 04.09.1939;
a) Fierce battle of Pszczyna against Polish 6. Infantry Division - 01.09.1939 - 04.09.1939*;
2. Pursuit fightings towards the Nida river - 04.09.1939 - 07 / 08.09.1939;
a) Combats at the section of Przemsza river near Chełmek;
b) Battle of Auschwitz;
c) Pursuit fightings towards the Nida river north of Krakow and north of Vistula river;
d) Battle of the Nida river and forcing the river near Pinczow;
3. Encircling battle south of Radom - 08.09.1939 - 10.09.1939 / 11.09.1939;
a) Combats against Polish 22. Infantry Division in the area Busko - Bronina - Stopnica - Staszow - Rytwiany
4. Approaching the Vistula river near Opatow, Ozarow and Sandomir - 10.09.1939 - 11.09.1939;
5. Withdrawal from the area near Sandomir, transfering the division to the southern section of the Army frontline, pursuit fightings towards Przemysl - 10.09.1939 / 11.09.1939 - 17.09.1939;
a) Withdrawal & transfering to the area south of Bochnia;
b) Pursuit fightings towards Przemysl - up to 17.09.1939;
6. Planned operation against Lemberg and Romanian Bridgehead - 17.09.1939 in the morning;
a) 17.09.1939 at 10:15 - orders for the division to: move to the area east of Przemysl, storm Lwow since 18.09, advance across Lwow towards the eastern suburbs of the city, later attack towards either Tarnopol or Stanislawow;
b) 17.09.1939 at 12:00 - headquarters of the Corps cancelled the previous orders due to the information about the Soviet Invasion of Poland and planned movements & operations of Soviet units against Polish forces including Lwow;
7. Battles west and south-west of Lemberg;
a) Combats of 15. Panzer-Regiment near Rzesna Ruska, Hołosko and Brzuchowice - 18.09.1939 - 20.09.1939;
b) Fights near Sambor, Drohobycz and Stryj - 18.09.1939 - 20.09.1939;
8. Withdrawal behind the river San towards the demarcation line;

---------------------------------

*Battle of Pszczyna 01.09.1939 - 04.09.1939:

01.09.1939:

1. Frontier combats. Capturing Rybnik and Zory;
a) Northern Column - Sumina, Chwalecice, Rybnik - 4:45 - 10:00
b) Southern Column - Raciborz, Sumina, Rydultowy, Radlin - 4:45 - 8:00
c) Southern Column - Mszana, Jastrzebie, Wisla Wielka, Warszowice - 8:00 - 10:00
d) Southern Column - Brzezce - 10:00 - 11:00
e) Northern Column - Rowien, Zory, Kleszczow - 10:00 - 14:00
f) Southern Column - Jastrzebie, Brzezce - 11:00 - 14:00
2. 5th Panzer-Division defeated in the battle against the Polish protruding defensive position;
a) Both Columns - initial operations against the Polish protruding defensive position - 10:30 - 14:00
b) Both Columns - assault against the line Brzezce - Wisla Wielka, Polish counterattack, German defeat - 14:00 - 23:00

Night 01.09.1939 / 02.09.1939:

1. Recovering, regrouping, reorganizing, reinforcements, supplies (ammunition and fuel), making new plans for the next day

02.09.1939:

1. Battle against the Polish defensive position - 8:30 - 14:00:
Phase 1 - Successful breakout and combats for Western Cwiklice - 8:30 - 11:00
Phase 2 - Combats for Stara Wies - 11:00 - 11:20
Phase 3 - Polish counterattack (it failed, seized and encircled by Panzers in the open field) - 11:20 - 13:00
2. German operational exploitation - 13:00 - 18:00:
Phase 4 - Sending a Kampfgruppe towards Bierun and bridge in Chelmek - 13:30 - 14:30
Phase 5 - Battle of Cwiklice and Miedzna, continuation - 14:30 - 16:30
a) Battle of Cwiklice and Miedzna, continuation
b) Failed German attack against Bojszowy and bridge there, 5. Panzer-Division lost the chance for operational success
Phase 6 - Sending a column towards Gora - 16:30 - 18:00, Germans fail to cut off Polish forces and capture the bridge
3. Polish reorganization - 16:00 - 22:00:
A - covering outpost of colonel Misiag in Jawiszowice
B - units around Pszczyna
C - Units in Goczalkowice
D - Group of major Balos

03.09.1939 - 04.09.1939 - Polish detachment from the German forces and successful withdrawal:

03.09.1939:

Polish units detach from German forces:

Kobiorski Forest - 18:00 - 22:00 - group of 20. and 16. Infantry Regiments
A - 22:00 - morning on 04.09 - group of 20. Infantry Regiment of major Balos
B - 22:00 - morning on 04.09 - group of 16. Infantry Regiment of major Ryba
C - 23:00 - morning on 04.09 - garrison of Kobior (lieutenant colonel Adamczyk)
D - Group of colonel Misiag in Jawiszowice and Harmeze

German operations:

A - Column Lubbe - failed attempts of capturing all bridges
B - Column Streich - failed attempt of clearing out the forest near the river Gostynka (men casualties, 5 tanks knocked out), fail attempt of capturing bridge at the river Przemsza in Ruda Slaska
C - Column Lubbe - failed attempts of capturing bridges in Broszkowice and Rajsko

04.09.1939:

1. Fierce battle of Rajsko against cut off group of major Ryba - 4:00 - around 11:00 / 11:30

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a new and better history on that...................................

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

09 May 1940. Assembly area around Euskirschen, Munstereiffel, Geisdorf and Dusdorf. Near Bonn within the XV AK (Mot)’s framework together with the 62 ID. The 5 Pz had the PR 15 and PR 31 which could count on hand with 75 Pz Kw I (MG); 116 Pz Kw II (20 mm); 35 Pz Kw III (37 mm) and 32 Pz Kw IV (75 mm short). At that time the 7 Pz had within its PR 25 37 Pz Kw I (MG); 72 Pz Kw (20 mm); 23 Pz Kw IV (75 mm short) and 48 Pz Kw 38 (t) (45 mm). The division had attached the following units:

II./ AR 48 (field howitzers 150 mm); H.Pi. Btl 627; Nebelwerferabt 5 (less one battery); Strassenbaubtl 11 (only for the road Halschlag – border); Fla Abt 93; 6./ Fla Bat 48 and 2./ Fla Bat 55 (both light).

The Divisional Commanding Officer, General v. Hartlieb together with the Corps’ Commander General Hoth were at the training ground of Wahn where the AR 116 was carrying out a field training exercise when it was called off at 14:30 hours. The unit went back to its garrison and both generals drove to Köln where the Corps’ HQ was located. There General v. Hartlieb knew that the Unternehmen Fall Gelb would begin next day, May 10 1940 at 05:35 hours. The XV AK (Mot) should advance with the 5 Pz (IR 190 attached) on the left and the 62 ID on the right.

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

10 May 1940. Sharply at 05:35 hours the IR 190 (Oberst v. Loefen) together with the H.Pi.Btl 627 crossed the border line seizing a great number of obstacles and blocking posts along the road Andler – Schönberg – Atzenrath – St. Vith, which were unmanned.

At 09:30 hours the advanced guard’s spearhead got across the international border at Wischeid – Schönberg (advance guard CO was Oberst Werner from PR 31); the advanced guard was composed of AA 8, 2./Pz Jäg Abt 53, I./ SR 13, 3./ AR 116, 4./ AR 48 and II./ PR 31 H. The engineers of the Pi. Btl 627 suffered some casualties while clearing the panzer’s road (1 KIA and 6 WIA first day).



Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

10 May 1940. At 13:00 hours the vanguard’s spearhead entered St Vith and the bulk of it at 16:00 hours. In the meantime the III./ IR 190 leading its regiment had reached Vielsalm and went ahead with its 11./ IR 190 (reinforced with one mortar group and one MG group) to the right and its 9./ IR 190 (reinforced as the 11. Company), to the left.

The attack could reach the town’s western edge and was halted due to the lack of fire support; casualties 4 KIA and 10 WIA. At 19:30 hours the spearhead was halted before Petite Langlir; Oberst Werner sent one kradschützen Kp (motorcyclists Coy) in order to flank the blocking position. The bulk of the vanguard was deployed between Baclay and Bovigny. During the night 10/11 May 1940 came the order for next day: to win the ford on the river Ourthe at Hotton.

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Cheers. Raúl M .

[gajabhau]

Thank you very much Raul M (Tigre).
And many many thanks to you too Domen 121.
Let in saying so, but better late than never !

[tigre]

Hello to all ; hey gajabhau thanks to JH I could get the pages from 20 till 29 May 1940. Now another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

11 May 1940. At 05:00 hours the line on the Roncebach was swept with the 6 and 5./ PR 31. At 08:25 hours Regne had been reached. Meanwhile within the II AK’s sector the Kradsch. Btl 7 (7 Pz’s spearhead) had reached the woods west of Gouchy at 10:00 hours. From Regne two roads were led to Hotton; the northern ones: Liernueux – Grandmenil – Briscol – Erezee – Soy – Hotton was taken by Marschgruppe Stegmann (SR 14 reinforced); the southern ones: Baraque de Fraiture – Odeigne – Amonines – Soy – Hotton followed by Marschgruppe Lübbe (SR 13 less one battalion - reinforced).

At 18:00 hours the vanguard’s bulk reached Hotton and the Ourthe River; the recce patrols reported the bridge there had been blown up. The 6./ PR 31 could ford the river without enemy reaction. The bridges at Melreux and Hampteau were also destroyed. At 21:00 hours the divisional CP at Soy. At 23:45 hours came the Corps’ order for next day: advance from Marenne to Houx. The vanguar had established a bridgehead along the line Marenne – Baillonville – Noiseux.

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

12 May 1940. The third day of the campaign in the west was dawning . As the previous ones this day also promised to be a beautiful day of spring. At 06:00 hours the vanguard (Werner) left Marenne towards Yvoir and Houx. While the 4 French DLC advanced with a battle group towards Marche and another one towards Durbuy; forward edge of resistance on Haversin - Havelange and second on Dorinne - Maillen. At 08:30 fights at Hogne and 3 kms west of Sinsin with the French 4 DLC. At 12:00 hours again met French troops 5 kms far to the west.

German patrols reported that around 40 french tanks Hotchkiss were moving from Ciney to Pessoux. Oberst Werner moved forward half company of Pz Jäg Abt 53 and the II. /PR 31 (Maj Hildebrandt) attacked from the flank capturing three tanks with their crews besides 30 Dragons Portés; others tanks were destroyed also so the enemy withdrew. At 12:15 hours the Marschgruppe Stegmann (North column) reached Erizee while it hoped to cross to the Ourthe River behind the Marschgruppe Lübbe. The last one had crossed the river around 13:00 hours; the Marschgruppe Stegmann did the same at 15:00 hours.

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

At 15:00 hours the MG Btl 8 took positions along the line Assese – Crupet – Boqubach in order to protect the northern flank (troops from the VIII AK were still 40 kms far behind). A Fi-156 Storch (stork) took off from one airfield next to the locality of Ciney - XV AK (Mot) – the plane belonged to the 2. /H (Pz) 31, and was to carry out an aerial reconnaissance; behind the pilot one staff officer. The officer knew that between the German lines and the Mosa River was the 4 DLC (Francesa). In order to avoid the fire of the enemy the Storch flew to about 800 meters and it came near the river with precaution. Suddenly a great discovery, in the town of Yvoir a bridge stayed intact but more inquiries could not be realised because the hostile fire intensified.

In the CP of the Army Corps the news was received without greater enthusiasm surely the bridge was ready to be blown as soon as the French cavalry withdrew through it. Despite of this, the importance of the finding was clear and it worth the effort to try its capture; at 16:45 hours the report was received by the division and the forward units under Oberst Werner got the order to take the bridge, although it would not be a easy task. At 16:40 hours, the vanguard had to fight to enter Purnode; Oberst Werner was nervous and cursed to each French soldier who prevented him to approach his goal.

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

At 17:00 hours, the armored assault group (panzerstossgruppe) Zöbel finally reached the heights located to the East and in front of Yvoir observing that the bridge on the Mosa River was intact still; nevertheless Jean de Wispelaere a Lieutenant engineers of 27 years of the Army Belgian was there with the order to blast the bridge as soon as the rearguard of the French cavalry had passed the river. The lieutenant together with three of his men and one antitank gun had taken position in a small bunker located to the west of the bridge.

At 17:00 hours the Belgian Officer saw the approaching French rearguard that still moved about to 3 kilometers of distance. Few moments later he saw also what he had feared, stuck to the heels of the cavalry, there were the German tanks. He could not fire upon them for fear of hurting to the allies also but despite of it, he knew that he must blow the bridge as soon as the first German vehicle it would have rolled on it, it would have crossed the French troops or not.

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

A half-track APC (schützenpanzerwagen) covered by one panzer, went at great speed to the bridge. When it was crossed by the last French cavalry troops, the Germans still were some hundreds of meters and Lieutenant De Wispelaere lowered the switch but nothing happened, the electrical detonator had failed. The German vehicle reached the bridge and was immobilized by the firing of the Belgian antitank gun. The Belgian Lieutenant had another chance, the normal explosive detonator, but he must run until the neighborhoods of the bridge to ignite the wick. In a sudden action the Lieutenant ran to the bridge and managed to activate the second circuit of demolition but at the cost of his own life since he was hit when returning to the cover. At the same time the bridge blew into the sky along with the German vehicle. The advance of XV AK (Mot) had been blocked for the time being. No far than one kilometer of distance a similar fact took place, the Belgian soldier Henri Darche of the Ardennes hunter, gave his life also while defending the railroad bridge in neighborhoods of Houx; there it was destroyed just in time also.

At 19:30 hours, the CP of the Army Corps was installed in Sesenne. Some elements, belonging to the 3. /AA 8, had discovered the dock Nº 5 which had not been blown, perhaps to avoid that the waters descended too much, reducing the value of the water obstacle; in order to cover the finding it was detached the 6. / PR 31 reinforced with a Platoon of the 5. /PR 31. Across of the river were deployed elements of the II. /39 RI of the 5 French DIM.

At 10:15 hours the XV AK (Mot) had ordered that the Forward detachment Werner (5 Pz) had to be attached to the 7 Pz after its arrival to the Mosa River, nevertheless the detachment Werner never fulfilled that order because did not have contact nor liaison with the 7 Pz during their approach to the water obstacle. Nevertheless based on that order, many historians has asserted that troops under Rommel command already had reached the Mosa River on May 12 of 1940, which would be inexact according to the history of the 5 Pz.



Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

13 May 1940. Around 01:00 hour General Boucher was informed about the German movements on the damm Nº 5. That night the March Groups Lübbe and Stegmann had finally reached the river bank.

At 04:30 hours the II./ SR 13 supported by the 6./ PR 31 began the river crossing to the south of Yvoir, its mission was to secure the crossing north flank. At 05:30 hours the Schützenbrigade (I./ SR 14, II./ SR 14 y el I./ SR 13) began to cross around Houx. On the western river bank the 3./ AA 8 had established a little bridgehead without heavy weapons. Feldwebel Blunk of 3./ SR 14 recalled the crossing:

At 08:00 hours we got the order to cross; in little bunches (five soldiers) we got across the coverless ground (100 meters) up to the river bank. Then the river crossing over the narrow passage (1 meter) under enemy fire coming from the bunkers located in the other bank. The French artillery fire was heavy for the time being. Before us the ground (200 x 200 meters) seemed plowed by the shells. The bunkers were fired by ours tanks and guns. At 10:00 hours the company had got across suffering 10 % of casualties.

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968
Fuente: Private Sales List-Pz Rgt 15 - 5 Panzer Division. 19 de Diciembre de 2009, 00:10:34

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; another part of it..............

In the shade of Rommel (Im schatten Rommel) – 5 Pz Div. in the French Campaign 1940.

The II./ 39 RI (Frech) isolated from the 5 DIM was swept by the attack carried out by three German battalions. The Motorised Reconnaissance Group of the 5 DIM managed to reestablish the connection with the 18 DI, lost after the defeat of the II. /39 RI. The German casualties were 24 KIA (2 Offrs) and 110 WIA (11 Offrs). Almost the entire II. /39 RI (around 1000 men) was taken prisoner.

The I./SR 14 attacked to the right due north of Chau de Senenne towards the forest and after heavy fights it captured the Height 109 by 16:00 hours. At 17:00 hours the II. /SR 14 advanced by Chau de Senenne and reached the North edge of Haut Le Wastia. The I./SR. 13 advancing within the forest located 1 kilometer due west of Chau de Senenne was stopped by artillery fire and dug in there. By order of the division the I./SR 14 attacked towards the Molignée Stream and reached a point located some 1.5 kilometers due northwest of Anhée. The II. /SR 14 led by Hauptmann Witzel (Chief of the 6. /SR 14) was able to seize Haut Le Wastia at 20:00 hours. When the night fell, the Pi.Btl 89 could finalize the laying of a bridge of 8 ton but when Leutnant Zobel tried to pass with his Pz KW IV the bridge yielded falling the tank into the water obstacle due to it was useless for the heavy tanks (Pz Kw III and IV).

Sources: Historia de la 5 Pz. Anton Detlev v. Plato.
Die Roten Teufel Sind die Hölle.
15 Fotoalben mit über 1200 originalen Fotos ! bei eBay_de 1918-1945 (endet 16_08_09 185430 MESZ). Martes, 11 de Agosto de 2009, 19:04:52
El Tercer Reich. Tomo 4. ANESA 1975.
Die 62. Infanterie-Division 1938 - 1944, die 62. Volks-Grenadier-Division 1944 - 1945 - A. Reinicke/H.G. Hermann/Friedrich Kittel, Kameradenhilfswerk der ehem. 62. Division, Fulda 1968
Fuente: Private Sales List-Pz Rgt 15 - 5 Panzer Division. 19 de Diciembre de 2009, 00:10:34

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[gajabhau]

Thank you very much Raul M ! THIS IS A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO ME !
Gajabhau