PanzerLehr-Division

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Andy
Unregistered User
(2/7/00 1:18:23 am)
Reply PanzerLehr-Division
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I'm looking for info on the PanzerLehr-Division.

Thanks.

Jeff Viguers
Unregistered User
(2/7/00 2:07:50 am)
Reply 130. Panzer-Lehr-Division
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From Jason Pipes' site,

"The 130.Panzer-Lehr-Division was formed 1.10.44 in the Nancy-Verdun area from various units of the German Army training and demonstration units, otherwise known as Lehr units, hence the name, Panzer-Lehr. Upon formation, the 130.Panzer-Lehr-Division was already considered an elite unit because of the fact that so many of the demonstration units that it was formed from already had elite status due to their use as demonstration units. the 130.Panzer-Lehr-Division would live up to its crack unit status during its one year of combat service.

Upon formation, the 130.Panzer-Lehr-Divisoin was located in France until it was transfered to the Eastern Front to Hungary and then back to France in May, 1944, for use in the planned counter-offensive against the Allies when their anticipated invasion of Europe in France finally came.

When the full fury of the massive Allied landings against Normandy, France finally hit in June, 1944, 130.Panzer-Lehr was one of the strongest units in the West. Panzer-Lehr fought the Allies in fierce battles for Caen and St. Lo, until it was so depleted that it had only a mere fraction of the armor it had stated with. Shattered, Panzer-Lehr then withdrew across France along with the rest of the retreating German forces in the West, until it was pulled out of the lines and reformed in the Saar and then in Paderborn.

The Division was sent back to the Saar to fight against the advancing allies, after which it was used during the massive German offensive against in December, 1944, Wacht am Rhein, where it took part in the siege of Bastogne.

When the Ardennes offensive failed, Panzer-Lehr saw action in Battles for the Maas Line in the Netherlands, and then in Battles to smash the American bridgehead at Remagen, which it failed to do.

Depleted, shaken and smashed, the 130.Panzer-Lehr-Division entered into the Ruhr Pocket in April, 1945, a mere shadow of the unit that had so fiercly meet the Allies in front of Caen in June and July, 1944. Panzer Lehr surrendered to the Americans when the Ruhr pocket finally fell."

Commanders:

Gen.Lt. Fritz Bayerlein (1.10.44 - 6.07.44)
Gen.Maj. Hyanzinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche u. Camminetz (6.08.44 - 8.23.44)
Oberst Rudolph Gerhardt (8.23.44 - 9.08.44)
Oberst Paul FrHr. von Hauser (9.44)
Gen.Lt. Fritz Bayerlein (9.44 - 1.15.45)
Gen.Maj. Horst Niemack (1.15.45 - 4.03.45)
Oberst Paul FrHr. von Hauser (4.03.45 - 4.15.45)


Richard Murphy
Unregistered User
(2/13/00 10:50:55 pm)
Reply Strachwitz not in Normandy
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Whilst not disputing Jeffs quotation, it is commonly thought that whilst Hyanzinth MAY have been pencilled in to replace Bayerlein as commander, this never happened. Quite why this anomally crops up is not clear- maybe one of the others can shed some light?

I would have thought it quite likely that Bayerlein was temporarily replaced whilst the remnants of the division were temporarily absorbed by "Das Reich" (Which were themselves reduced to little more than a weak regiment themselves.) after the breakout from Falaise in late August, but no source I can find confirms this.

GHaLL

RFM

J REHER
Unregistered User
(2/17/00 2:22:49 am)
Reply PANZER LEHR
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For a good insight into Panzer Lehr's operations in and arround Caen during the normandy breakout, look for Max Hasting's OPERATION OVERLOARD, published by PAN BOOKS, 1984.
Definitely well worth reading. The book also
covers the movement of other Panzer Divisions,
i.e. 12SS Panzer,1SS Totenkopf,2nd Panzer,9th SS,10thSS,2ndSSPanzer and many more.Extremely well written the text also includes an extensive
reference, index and bibliography section.
Some info you'd never thought you'd find or would even be looking for.
Well here it is.We could always count on Mr. Hastings to bring us the best.Thanks Max,where ever you are.