6th Panzerdivision

The 6th Panzerdivision is one of the armor-plated division S of the German army (Wehrmacht) during the Second world war.

Creation

Divisional emblems

History of division

6th Panzerdivision was born from the 1e leichte division (light Division) which was reorganized the October 18th 1939.

The 1e leichte division was created in 1938, itself in the past 1e leichte brigade created in October 1937 on the model of the 1st and the 2nd light division mechanical French. In September 1939, it takes part in the invasion of Poland. Because of the gaps which the countryside revealed in the organization of the leichte division , which formed part of the cavalry then, it was reorganized like 6th Panzerdivision, in October 1939 with Wuppertal.

Little time afterwards, in May 1940, it takes part in the battles of France during which it destroys the the 2nd division French of battleships . Then, during the summer, it is transferred in Eastern Prussia.

In June 1941, it takes share with the Opération Barbarossa, at the beginning within the northern Groupe of armies in which it takes part in the Siège of Leningrad, then in the Groupe of armies in October 1941 centers, where it fights in the Bataille of Moscow. It undergoes heavy losses during the Russian counter-offensive of the winter 1941 - 1942.

Very weakened, division is repatriated in France close to Coëtquidan then close to Paris in May 1942 so that it is reconstituted. It regains the Russian face with the end of the year and takes part within the Groupe of southern armies in the attempt failed to help the 6th limed army with Stalingrad. Thereafter, division is found in the battles of Kharkov and Koursk during the summer 1943.

During its retirement following the Russian offensive of the beginning of year 1944, it continues its defensive actions through the Ukraine, in Kamenentz then with Tarnopol. Withdrawn from the face for 2 months to reconstitute itself, 6th Panzerdivision joined the Groupe of armies centers at the time of the surrounding of 4th and 9th Army.

To the beginning of 1945, it is sent in Hungary in the attempts aiming at relieving defense of Budapest, before folding up itself towards the Austria to end up going to the Russian forces in the area of Brno in Moravie in April 1945.

Commanders of 6th Panzerdivision

Battle order

In October 1939 composition

  • Schützen-Brigade 6
    • Schützen-Regiment 4
      • Schützen-Abteilung I
      • Schützen-Abteilung II
      • Schützen-Abteilung III
    • Kradschutzen-Battalion 6
  • Panzer-Regiment 11
  • Panzer-Regiment 65
  • Panzerjäger-Abteilung 41
  • Pioneer-Abteilung 57
  • Artillery-Regiment 76
    • Artillery-Abteilung I
    • Artillery-Abteilung II
  • Naschr-Abteilung 82
  • Versorgungsdienste 57

In January 1940 composition

  • Schutzen-Brigade 6
    • Schutzen-Regiment 4
    • Schutzen-Regiment 114
  • Panzer-Regiment 11
  • Panzer-Regiment 65
  • Kradschutzen-Battalion 6
  • Panzerjäger-Abteilung 41
  • Pioneer-Abteilung 57
  • Artillery-Regiment 76
    • Artillery-Abteilung I
    • Artillery-Abteilung II
  • Naschr-Abteilung 82
  • Versorgungsdienste 57

In March 1943 composition

  • Panzergrenadier-Regiment 4
  • Panzergrenadier-Regiment 114
  • Panzer-Regiment 11
  • Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 6
  • Panzerjäger-Abteilung 41
  • Panzer-Pioneer-Abteilung 57
  • Panzer-Artillery-Regiment 76
    • Panzer-Artillery-Abteilung I
    • Panzer-Artillery-Abteilung II
  • Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung 82
  • Feldersatz-Abteilung 76
  • Versorgungsdienste 57

Theaters of operations

  • September 1939 (in time that 1e leichte division)
    • Countryside of Poland
  • May 1940
    • Countryside of France
  • 1941
    • Operation Barbarossa, Leningrad
  • 1942-1943
    • Front of Is
    • Stalingrad, Bataille of Koursk, Kharkov.
  • 1944
    • Ukraine
  • 1945
    • Budapest

Rewards

  • 45 members of 6th Panzerdivision are made Chevalier of the iron Cross.
  • 4 members receive the cross of iron with sheets of oak.
  • 1 member receives the cross of knight of the cross of iron with sheets of oak and swords, in fact the Oberstleutnant Franz Bäke, ordering Panzer-Regiment 11 the February 21st 1944 (n°19).

Random links:Our wild years | Christine (first name) | Sharp derrick | Marsh of Tantramar | Antonín Bartoň | Récompenses_et_décorations_de_l'armée_d'Etats-Unis