Cult Icon wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 16:40
I read the preview for :
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612006353/?c ... _lig_dp_it
According to it, the IV SS PzK HQ was actually slated for a West Front commitment. Instead, it and its subordinate formations (3.SS and 5.SS) were historically sent to Warsaw in the aftermath of Operation Bagration, which started June 23rd, 1944. Both formations had been hastily refreshed and were more or less full divisions again.
There may be some confusion? IV. SS-PzK was originally organized 5 August 1943 in the West under Ob.West/HG-D to control 9. and 16. SS at Poitiers. Apparently little progress in creating the headquarters occurred since on 30 June 1944 the formation was halted and instead VII. SS-PzK, organized 3 October 1943 at Metz to control 10. and 17. SS, was renamed as IV. SS-PzK. 3. and 5. SS were assigned to the corps 28 July 1944 near Warsaw.
The 9.SS H and 10.SS F were also slated for a West front commitment and even given anti-airborne training. It may have been in Tiecke's Firestorm in the last year of the war or another book on H/F where I also read that their West Front mission was of such that in the SU they were only committed in the operations to relieve Fortress Tarnopol and linking up with 1st Panzer Army remnants. (preserve their strength) The addition of II SS PzK (9.SS, 10.SS) and IV SS PzK (3.SS, 5.SS) to the ATL counteroffensive in the West would be a major reinforcement. Movement orders would of course be given many days before a counteroffensive so I think it's possible that they would receive this prior to June 23rd. Of course, the German position East of Warsaw would be worsened without IV SS PzK.
Yes indeed, they came under command II. SS-PzK 27 April 1944. Much of spring 1944 in Ob.West was taken up with anti-airborne exercises, which were a major concern for Geyr. The famous 6 June Rennes exercise was actually anti-airborne.
IV. (nee VII.) SS-PzK received orders to move from Metz east by train under HG-Mitte on 19 July 1944. The elements of the corps headquarters arrived at Rembertow, Warsaw on 25 July and was placed under command of 2. AOK, but did not have any troops assigned, since the corps nominal CG, SS-Gruppenführer und GenLt. D.W SS Herbert Gille was still north of the Bug commanding 5. SS-Panzerdivision. It was 30 July before Gille took command of the corps and two divisions, assigned now to 9. AOK, but even then he was hampered by missing personnel and organization in the corps and so relied on his old Wiking staff to command.
I can find no evidence that such a commitment as you ascribe was ever contemplated or practicable.