Grossdeutschland's Panther Battalion?

[Fussballspieler]

In January 1944, Grossdeutschland’s Panther Battalion transferred west for training, but this battalion was replaced with the 26th Panzer Battalion. When did the GD Panthers return to fight with the division? Also would GD Panther Battalion have fought in D-day?

[hucks216]

I/Pz.Rgt GD were stationed north of Amiens but although there was an intention to join 12.SS-Pz.Division HJ in the area near Caen, this movement didn't come about due to the destruction of the railhead and it being too far to go by road. On 10th July it was sent to Lithuania and joined 6.Panzer-Division. It finally returned to Panzer-Grenadier-Division GD after an order on 7th November 1944 ordered its return to its parent division.

Source: Fire Brigades: The Panzer Divisions 1943-1945 by Kamen Nevenkin and Panzer Soldiers for God, Honor & Fatherland: The History of Pz.Rgt GD by Hans-Joachim Jung.

[Fussballspieler]

I/Pz.Rgt GD were stationed north of Amiens but although there was an intention to join 12.SS-Pz.Division HJ in the area near Caen, this movement didn't come about due to the destruction of the railhead and it being too far to go by road. On 10th July it was sent to Lithuania and joined 6.Panzer-Division. It finally returned to Panzer-Grenadier-Division GD after an order on 7th November 1944 ordered its return to its parent division.

Source: Fire Brigades: The Panzer Divisions 1943-1945 by Kamen Nevenkin and Panzer Soldiers for God, Honor & Fatherland: The History of Pz.Rgt GD by Hans-Joachim Jung.

Oberst Willi Langkeitz was the commander of Panzer Regiment GD from March 1 1944. There is a photograph of him in Romania June 1944. So was he leading the 26th Panzer Regiment at the time then? Also, is it possible to know the factory the Panthers came from? (MAN, MNH, etc...)

@hucks216 I would like to talk with you directly if you have the time! You seem rather knowledgeable on these subjects

[hucks216]

I/Pz.Rgt 26 were under GD's control at that time.

[Fussballspieler]

I/Pz.Rgt 26 were under GD's control at that time.

Would the regiment commander Oberst Langkeit still be considered commander of Panzer Regiment Grossdeutschland then? Or would he be commander of another 26th Regiment?

[hucks216]

You're getting confused. Langkeit was commander of Pz.Rgt GD from March to October 1944. During this time only a single battalion of Pz.Rgt 26 was attached (I/Pz.Rgt 26) and came under his command.

[Fussballspieler]

You're getting confused. Langkeit was commander of Pz.Rgt GD from March to October 1944. During this time only a single battalion of Pz.Rgt 26 was attached (I/Pz.Rgt 26) and came under his command.

Langkeit, Willy (GD & Kurmark) (3).jpg

Are you aware of when new shipments of Panthers were received in 1944? From my research only a handful were available during the defense at Targu Frumos in Romania. If at all possible what models were these and what factory did they originate from? (both the ones present at Targu Frumos and any received afterwards). I know Oberst Langkeit had a Befehlspanther. Any idea what model or factory this came from as well?

[Алексей]

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=10353&start=60