Flammpanzer II “Flamingo” 124 of the 19. Panzer-Division
The 19th Panzer Division was established in October 1940, from elements of the 19th Infantry Division, as part of the German Army’s mechanized forces during World War II. The division participated in several major campaigns, primarily on the Eastern Front, but also saw action in East Prussia and later in Silesia before the war’s end.
Initial Formation and Structure (1940-1941)
Upon its formation, the division included:
- Panzer Regiment 27 (two battalions).
- Rifle Brigade 19, consisting of:
- Rifle Regiment 73 (two battalions).
- Rifle Regiment 74 (two battalions).
- Motorcycle Battalion 19.
- Aufklärungs Abteilung 19 (Reconnaissance).
- Artillerie Regiment 19 (three battalions).
- Other divisional support units numbered 19, such as:
- Panzerjäger Abteilung 19 (Anti-Tank).
- Nachrichten Abteilung 19 (Signals).
- Panzer Pioniere Battalion 19 (Engineers).
Operations in Russia (1941-1943)
The division joined Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, in June 1941 and fought in the central sector of the Eastern Front until April 1943. In July 1943, it participated in the Belgorod offensive, part of the southern pincer of the Battle of Kursk, one of the largest tank battles in history. The division suffered heavy casualties during this campaign.
Withdrawal and Reorganization (1944)
Following its losses in the Kursk battle and the retreat through northern Ukraine in March 1944, the 19th Panzer Division was gradually reorganized. It withdrew to East Prussia from July 1944 to the end of the year. Subsequently, it was moved to Radom, located south of Warsaw, Poland. During this period, the division continued to battle the advancing Soviet forces.
The Final Battles (1945)
In January and February 1945, the division fought against the Soviet offensive breaking out from the Baranow bridgehead, situated on the Vistula River. The 19th Panzer Division was pushed back and withdrew towards Breslau (modern-day Wrocław, Poland). In February 1945, it relocated further south to Silesia in Bohemia, where it remained until the war’s conclusion in May 1945.
Final Full Establishment (as of 1943-1945):
By the time of its reorganization and final actions, the 19th Panzer Division consisted of:
- Panzer Aufklärungs Abteilung 19 (Reconnaissance).
- Panzer Regiment 27 (two battalions).
- Panzergrenadier Regiment 73 (two battalions).
- Panzergrenadier Regiment 74 (two battalions).
- Panzer Artillerie Regiment 19 (three battalions).
- Heeres Flak Abteilung 272 (Anti-Aircraft).
- Panzerjäger Abteilung 19 (Anti-Tank).
- Nachrichten Abteilung 19 (Signals).
- Panzer Pioniere Battalion 19 (Engineers).
Key Changes During the War:
- August 1941: The III Battalion of Panzer Regiment 27 was disbanded.
- March 1942: The I Battalion of Panzer Regiment 27 was dissolved, leaving only one battalion, which became I Battalion.
- October 1943: Panzer Abteilung 138 was added to the division as a second battalion for Panzer Regiment 27.
- 1944: The division was reinforced and restructured as a Panzer Division 44 while under the control of the Wehrmacht Commander in the Netherlands.
The division fought until the final days of the war in Silesia, where it was stationed when Germany surrendered in May 1945.