Panzer Divisions The Eastern Front 1941–43

by Battistelli, Pier Paolo

• ISBN13: 9781846033384
• ISBN10: 1846033381
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-21
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

On June 22, 1941 when Germany attacked the Soviet Union, her Panzer divisions were to play a major role in this titanic struggle. At its peak, 19 out of the 21 existing Panzer Divisions were deployed against the Soviets. Although overwhelmed by Soviet numbers, the superior skill and capability of the German Panzer divisions meant that in three months the Germans, with the Panzers as their spearhead had advanced deep into Soviet territory, inflicting terrible losses on the Soviets. However, after these initial successes the German offensive began to falter, culminating in the disastrous defeat at Kursk. In this book, the organizational history of the Panzer divisions is covered, from the early successes of 1941 through to the dramatic re-organization of the Panzer Divisions and the introduction of revised Blitzkrieg tactics as the war began to turn and the Panzer divisions experienced their first taste of defeat. Pier Paolo Battistellii examines the impact of the introduction of the Panther tank shortly before the final failure at Kursk, and goes on to explain the evolution of German armored doctrine, tactics and the command system, providing a detailed overview of the major combat actions of the Panzer Divisions on the Eastern Front.

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 works both 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, 'The War of the Axis: German and Italian Military Partnership in World War Two, 1939-1943', for publication.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 4
Combat mission	p. 5
Doctrine and training	p. 7
Unit organization	p. 10
Reorganizing the Panzer Divisions
The Panzer Regiment
The Schutzen/Panzergrenadier Regiment
Reconnaissance units
Artillery
Anti-tank and engineers
Signals, replacement, supply and divisional services
Tactics	p. 42
II. Panzer Division's drive to Dubno, 23-25 June 1941
The Dvina River crossing, 7 July 1941
The raid across the Susha River, 23-24 October 1941
Counter-attack at Klin, 11 December 1941
The battle for Charkow, 16-20 May 1942
Defence at Belyj, 30 November 1942
The drive on Stalingrad, 18-19 December 1942
Last battle at Rostow, 13 February 1943
III Panzer Korps at Kursk, 11-12 July 1943
Defence at Orel, 16 July 1943
Weapons and equipment	p. 63
Command, control, communications and intelligence	p. 76
Auftragstaktik: the German mission command system at work
The 'lead forward' concept
Leading a Panzer Division on the battlefield
Unit status	p. 82
Lessons learned	p. 88
Abbreviations and glossary	p. 90
Bibliography	p. 92
Key to vehicle silhouette identification	p. 94
Index	p. 95
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