Panzer Divisions 1944–45

by Battistelli, Pier Paolo

• ISBN13: 9781846034060
• ISBN10: 184603406X
• Edition: Original
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-07-21
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

This volume provides a detailed examination on the late-war changes to the German Army Panzer forces and the formation of new units, from the collapse on the Eastern Front, through operations on the Western Front in Normandy and the Ardennes, to the final battle for Berlin in 1945. The major organizational changes that took place in this intensive period are examined, together with the adaptation of German armoured doctrine, tactics, and the command. Details of unit histories and operations, illustrated in colour maps, are also provided in this packed treatment.

Author Biography

Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in military history at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is active in Italy and abroad writing titles and essays on military history subjects. A contributor to the Italian Army Historical Office, he is currently revising his PhD thesis for publication: The War of the Axis: German and Italian Military Partnership in World War Two, 1939-1943.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 4
Combat mission	p. 5
Doctrine and training	p. 6
Unit organization	p. 8
From 1943 to 1944
Divisional Headquarters
The Panzer Regiment
Panzergrenadier units
Panzeraufklärungs Abteilung
Panzerjäger Abteilung
Artillery
Panzer Pionier Bataillon
Communications and replacements
Divisional supply and services
The 1945 Panzer Division
Tactics	p. 46
Salerno, 13-14 September 1943 (16. Panzer Division)
Gorodok, 21-27 November 1943 (20. Panzer Division)
Cherkassy, 16-17 February 1944 (1. Panzer Division)
Targul-Frumos, 2 May 1944 (24. Panzer Division)
St. Lo, 11 July 1944 (Panzer Lehr Division)
Caen, 18 July 1944 (21. Panzer Division)
Arracourt, 25-29 September 1944 (11. Panzer Division)
Nyiregyhaza, 26 October 1944 (1. and 23. Panzer Divisions)
Hürtgen Forest, 2-9 November 1944 (116. Panzer Division)
Celles-Rochefort, 23-26 December 1944 (Panzer Lehr, 2. Panzer Division)
Wissembourg, 8-9 January 1945 (21. Panzer Division)
Stuhlweissenburg, 20-21 January 1945 (1. Panzer Division)
Weapons and equipment	p. 70
Command, control, communications and intelligence	p. 81
The German command system
The use of Kampfgruppen and the command system
Unit status	p. 85
Lessons learned	p. 91
Abbreviations and glossary	p. 92
Bibliography	p. 93
Key to vehicle silhouette identification	p. 94
Index	p. 95
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.