First Combats 1 SS Panthers in Russia

[Miles Krogfus]

Page 1: 1 SS 1 a's Fernschreiben November 16,1943 about Herbert Kuhlmann's Panthers.
Page 2: Paragraphs from the RK recommendation for Kuhlmann dated January 31, 1944.
Page 3: 48th Panzer Korps report giving combat details first for November 18 then November 11-18 1943.

[Yoozername]

From Panzertruppen 2

The following status report, dated 16 November 1943,
reveals how the I.Abteilung/SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 of the
1.SS-Panzer-Oivision fared directly after its arrival at the
front:

Panther-Abteilung Kuhlmann was unloaded in the area
Shitomir - Berditschew - Kasatin on 7 and 8 November. On
orders of the commander of the XXXIX.Panzer-Korps, the
Abteilung assembled in the area east ofBerditschew during
the night of 8/9 November. On 8 November 1943, the corps
commander ordered Panther-Abteilung Kuhlmann to advance
toward the northwest along the rai/line from Kasatin.
Without maintenance and in continuous action, within six
days the Abteilung had advanced 210 kilometers and shot
up 40 enemy tanks. Resupply offuel was possible only by an
armored train. The Panther was known by the entire Abteilung
to be an excellent weapon.
Summary oflosses: Seven total write-offs caused by hits
on the sides and rear. Mechanical breakdowns consisted of
4 clutches, 38 motors, 1 starter, 1 hydraulic pump, 5 final
drives, 1 magneto, 1 suspension, 1 fan drive, 1 turret traverse
drive, and 1 radiator. Of these it was estimated that 22 could
be repaired wit/7in six days and 32 needed over six days. 35
operational Panthers were available on 14 November.
, During the attack on Ssolowjewka on 15 November, 5
Panthers were lost through enemyaction (it was notyet known
if they were total write-offs) plus 9 temporary losses from
mechanical breakdowns.

[Yoozername]

Created with Rgts.Stab and II.Abt. with three m.Kp.
for SS-Div. LSSAH
Created s.Pz.Kp. for SS-Pz.Rgt.1 on 15Nov42
SS-Pz.Abt.1 renamed I./SS-Pz.Abt.1
Orders on 1May43 for I./SS-Pz.Rgt.1 to convert to Panthers
and II./SS-Pz.Rgt.1 reorganized with four m.Kp.
Ordered on 22 0ct43 to reorganize with a Panther-Abt with
four Kp. and a Pz.IV Abt. with four Kp.
Ordered on 11Apr44 to refit with two Abt each with four Kp.
Decimated in Falaise pocket Aug44
Ordered in Sep44 to refit and reorganize with a single Pz.Abt.
with two Panther and two Pz.IV Kp.

[seppw]

From Panzertruppen 2

The following status report, dated 16 November 1943,
reveals how the I.Abteilung/SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 of the
1.SS-Panzer-Oivision fared directly after its arrival at the
front:

Panther-Abteilung Kuhlmann was unloaded in the area
Shitomir - Berditschew - Kasatin on 7 and 8 November. On
orders of the commander of the XXXIX.Panzer-Korps, the
Abteilung assembled in the area east ofBerditschew during
the night of 8/9 November. On 8 November 1943, the corps
commander ordered Panther-Abteilung Kuhlmann to advance
toward the northwest along the rai/line from Kasatin.
Without maintenance and in continuous action, within six
days the Abteilung had advanced 210 kilometers and shot
up 40 enemy tanks. Resupply offuel was possible only by an
armored train. The Panther was known by the entire Abteilung
to be an excellent weapon.
Summary oflosses: Seven total write-offs caused by hits
on the sides and rear. Mechanical breakdowns consisted of
4 clutches, 38 motors, 1 starter, 1 hydraulic pump, 5 final
drives, 1 magneto, 1 suspension, 1 fan drive, 1 turret traverse
drive, and 1 radiator. Of these it was estimated that 22 could
be repaired wit/7in six days and 32 needed over six days. 35
operational Panthers were available on 14 November.
, During the attack on Ssolowjewka on 15 November, 5
Panthers were lost through enemyaction (it was notyet known
if they were total write-offs) plus 9 temporary losses from
mechanical breakdowns.

The problem with the final drives was known since the introduction of the Pz IV and multiple important men in qc asked for the delivery to be blocked, because the ritzel was obviously too weak. But they were overruled by some high-ranking party member who was returning some favours. Holzhäuser and Saur are the relevant names here.

[David Thompson]

Everyone -- Please stay on topic (First Combats 1 SS Panthers in Russia).

[Yoozername]

My first post was an English translation of what Miles posted?

I meant to post that second one to another thread but it got here in error...delete it, thanks.

[Miles Krogfus]

Later 1 SS Panther combat details for December 1943 and January 1944:
Pages 1 and 2 from DK in Gold recommendation for Hans Malkomes dated May 2,1944.
Pages 3 and 4 more paragraphs from Kuhlmann's RK recommendation.

[Cult Icon]

Thanks for posting these. The period 1/25- 1/29/1944 was the battle against the first Tank Army.

So that's 116 tank kills, 89 At guns, 11 x 122mm artillery , 14 ?, 250 soviet dead reported for Operation "Watutin" for the Panzer KG?

Operation Watutin- XLVI & III Pz Corps

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=5803&p=1254782

[Miles Krogfus]

This list shows the combat dates and locations for Gert Jahn, 3rd Kompanie of Kuhlmann's Panthers from their arrival in Russia: