Panzer IV Ausf G code 712 of 1. Panzer Division in Greece
The 1. Panzer Division was one of the oldest and most experienced divisions of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Here’s a detailed overview of its formation, structure, and key campaigns:
Formation and Early Structure
- The 1st Panzer Division was formed in October 1935 in Weimar, originally based on the former 3rd Cavalry Division.
- It initially comprised:
- Panzer Brigade 1 (with Panzer Regiments 1 and 2, each with two battalions).
- Motorized Rifle Brigade 1 (consisting of Rifle Regiment 1, two battalions, and Motorcycle Battalion 1).
- Aufklärung Abteilung 4 (reconnaissance unit).
- Artillery Regiment 73 (two battalions).
- Other divisional units, including Nachrichten Abteilung 37 (signals unit).
- By 1939, Panzer Regiment 2 was reassigned to help form the 16th Panzer Division.
Key Campaigns
- Poland (1939): The division participated in the invasion of Poland in September 1939, gaining early experience in mobile warfare.
- Western Europe (1940): In May–June 1940, the division played a major role in the invasion of France, including attacks on Dunkirk during the evacuation.
- Eastern Front (1941–1942): It fought in the north and center of the Soviet Union from June 1941 until the end of 1942, as part of the German invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa).
- France and the Balkans (1943): In early 1943, the division was transferred to France for refitting, and later sent to the Balkans (Greece and Yugoslavia) for security and anti-partisan operations.
- Eastern Front (1943–1944): In November 1943, the division returned to the Eastern Front, fighting in the northern Ukraine and participating in a counter-offensive west of Kiev.
- Carpathians and Hungary (1944–1945): By late 1944, the division fought in the Carpathian Mountains and took part in the Debrecen counterattack during the Soviet advance into Transylvania.
- End of the War (1945): The division fought in Hungary and eastern Austria, where it ultimately surrendered in the Austrian Alps at the end of the war in May 1945.
Final Structure
By the end of the war, the 1st Panzer Division had undergone several reorganizations and its final structure included:
- Panzer Regiment 1 (two battalions).
- Panzergrenadier Regiment 1 (two battalions).
- Panzergrenadier Regiment 113 (two battalions).
- Artillerie Regiment 73 (three battalions).
- Panzer Aufklärung Abteilung 1 (reconnaissance).
- Heeres Flak Abteilung 299 (anti-aircraft).
- Panzerjäger Abteilung 37 (anti-tank).
- Nachrichten Abteilung 37 (signals).
- Panzer Pioniere Bataillon 37 (engineers).
- Divisional headquarters and various service units.
Notable Changes in Structure
- October 1939: The division gained additional infantry and support units, including elements from the 20th Infantry Division.
- October 1940: Panzer Regiment 2 was transferred to the newly formed 16th Panzer Division.
- July 1942: The division’s Schützen Regiments 1 and 113 were renamed as Panzergrenadier Regiments to reflect their mechanized infantry role.
- January 1943: The division was refitted in France, receiving additional artillery and the inclusion of a new Panzer Abteilung 116.
- 1944: The division absorbed elements of Grenadier Ausbildungs Bataillon 1009 from the Panzer Division Tatra, reinforcing its infantry strength.
Deployment and Operations
Throughout its operational history, the 1st Panzer Division demonstrated a high level of mobility and effectiveness, particularly in the early war years. However, like many German units, it suffered from overextension and attrition as the war progressed, especially on the Eastern Front.