Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The Battle of Kasserine Pass

This picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Seinig, and it shows German Panzer IIIs of 10. Panzer-Division in the Battle of the Kasserine Pass.  The Battle of Kasserine Pass was a significant military engagement during World War II that took place in the Kasserine Pass, located in western Tunisia, in February 1943. The battle was fought between German and Italian forces under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and the Allied forces of the United States, led by General Lloyd Fredendall. The battle began on February 14, 1943, when the German forces launched a surprise attack on the US troops, catching them off guard and causing chaos and confusion. The inexperienced US soldiers were outmatched by the experienced German troops and suffered heavy casualties as they were pushed back. Over the next several days, the Germans continued their advance, and it seemed as though the Allies would be defeated. However, General George Patton was brought in to take command of the situation, and he immediately set about reorganizing the US forces and implementing new tactics. Under Patton's leadership, the US forces were able to turn the tide of the battle. They began to make progress against the German forces and were eventually able to push them back, securing a victory for the Allies. Although the Allied forces suffered significant losses during the battle, it was a turning point in the war and marked the first major defeat of the Germans in North Africa. The Battle of Kasserine Pass highlighted the importance of leadership, tactics, and experience in warfare, and it demonstrated the need for the Allies to improve their military capabilities in order to defeat the Axis powers.

Source :
https://biaarma.com/post/the-battle-of-kasserine-pass-and-the-failure-of-general-lloyd-fredendall

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Kampfgruppe von Strachwitz (March-April 1944)


"Kampfgruppe von Strachwitz" - part of Heeresgruppe Nord - had different elements through March and April 1944. At that time, Strachwitz was also "Höherer Panzerführer bei der Heeresgruppe", and his task was keeping the few Panzers and Panzergrenadier companies together in counterattacks. In March 1944, Panzerverband Strachwitz was given to the 11. Infanterie-Division. In April 1944, it was given to the 61. Infanterie-Division and the 122. Infanterie-Division.

Panzergruppe Strachwitz contained ad-hoc units as follow:
V.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment "Großdeutschland" (Tigers)
Panzer-Abteilung Feldherrnhalle (5 Panzer IV)
Füsilier-Bataillon. 61
Füsilier-Bataillon 122
III.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 410
Pionier-Bataillon 122
2.Kompanie / schwere-Panzer-Abteilung 502
1.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 652
1.Kompanie / Pionier-Bataillon 676

From KTB (Kriegstagebuch) XXXXIII. Armeekorps:
19.03.1944 10:45 p.m : Oberst Graf Strachwitz will be assigned to Gen.Kdo. [XXXXIII.A.K.] as adviser on tank and assault gun deployment for the upcoming attack.
02.04.1944 12:00 p.m : As part of the preparations for the attack, Gen.Kdo. [XXXXIII.A.K.] from III./Gren.Rgt.410, Pi.Btl.122, 2./s.Pz.Abt.502, V./Grossdeutschland and parts of the Pz.Gren.Div.Feldherrnhalle formed the "Panzerverband Oberst Graf Strachwitz".







Source :
ECPAD archive photo collection
KTB XXXXIII.A.K. NARA T314, roll 1017
https://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27053
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=104857
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Three German Panzer Soldiers in a French Beach



Three Panzermänner - possibly from 7. Panzer-Division - on a newly conquered French beach. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Heinz Boesig of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 698 in May-June 1940.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-126-0316-21A

Friday, March 10, 2023

Michael Wittmann with His Tank Commanders

 


Panzer ace Michael Wittmann with his men from 2.Kompanie / Schwere SS-Panzer-Abtailung 101 during training in Northern France, May 1944. From left to right: SS-Unterscharführer Kurt Kleber (Tiger "232"), SS-Hauptscharführer Hans Höflinger (Tiger "213"), SS -Oberscharführer Georg Lötzsch (Tiger "233"), SS-Obersturmführer Michael Wittmann (Chef 2.Kompanie. Tiger "205"), SS-Unterscharführer Karl-Heinz Warmbrunn (Tiger "214"), and SS-Unterscharführer Balthasar "Bobby" Woll (Tiger "212"). They were all tank commanders in the second company and - with the exception of Kompaniechef Wittmann - all of them wore camouflage uniforms of the new SS-Erbsenmuster type (pea-dot pattern). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Scheck of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 698.



From left to right: SS-Obersturmführer Michael Wittmann (Chef 2.Kompanie / schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 101. Tiger "205"), SS-Unterscharführer Karl-Heinz Warmbrunn (blocked by Wittmann, Tiger "214"), SS-Hauptscharführer Hans Höflinger (Tiger "213"), SS-Oberscharführer Georg Lötzsch (Tiger "233"), SS-Unterscharführer Balthasar "Bobby" Woll (Tiger "212"), and SS-Unterscharführer Kurt Kleber (tidak terlihat disini, Tiger "232").


Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/08/album-foto-michael-wittmann.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-299-1802-05,_Nordfrankreich,_Michael_Wittmann,_Panzersoldaten.jpg

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Panzer IV of 2. Panzer-Division during Training in the West 1940


Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.D with Crew of 5.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / 2.Panzer-Division during training in the West, 21 March 1940. In the Fall Gelb (German invasion of France and Low Countries), 2. Panzer-Division consisted of two panzer regiments (15 and 31), part of Panzer-Brigade 8. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Huschke of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 698.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-124-0216-11,_Im_Westen,_Panzer_IV.jpg
https://id.pinterest.com/pin/9077636727409850/