World War Photos

Panzer III code 731 of the 17. Panzer Division eastern front 1942

The 17th Panzer Division was formed in October 1940 from elements of the 27th Infantry Division. It included a variety of units such as Panzer Regiment 17 (with two battalions), Rifle Brigade 17 (composed of Rifle Regiments 40 and 63, each with two battalions), Motorcycle Battalion 17, Artillery Regiment 27 (three battalions), and other divisional support units.

Combat History:

• Russia (June 1941 – November 1942): The division initially fought in the central sector of Russia, participating in operations during the early stages of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.
• Stalingrad Relief Efforts (Late 1942): The division moved south, joining Fourth Panzer Army in the attempt to relieve the encircled German 6th Army at Stalingrad. The relief attempt was unsuccessful, and the 6th Army was ultimately destroyed.
• Ukraine (1943 – 1944): In the summer of 1943, the 17th Panzer Division operated in the Donets and Dnepr regions. It then participated in the general German withdrawal from northern Ukraine in 1944, facing increasing pressure from Soviet forces.
• Baranow Bridgehead (January 1945): By early 1945, the division was engaged in the defense of the Baranow bridgehead in Poland, holding positions against advancing Soviet forces.
• Destruction (April 1945): The division was ultimately overrun and destroyed by Soviet forces in the final stages of the war in Europe.

Final Establishment (1945):

• Panzer Aufklärung Abteilung 17 (Armored Reconnaissance Battalion)
• Panzer Regiment 17 (Two battalions)
• Panzergrenadier Regiment 40 (Two battalions)
• Panzergrenadier Regiment 63 (Two battalions)
• Panzer Artillerie Regiment 27 (Three battalions)
• Heeres Flak Abteilung 297 (Army Anti-Aircraft Battalion)
• Panzerjäger Abteilung 27 (Tank Destroyer Battalion)
• Nachrichten Abteilung 27 (Signal Battalion)
• Panzer Pionier Bataillon T1 (Armored Engineer Battalion)

Notable Changes and Reorganizations:

• 1942: The I Battalion of Panzer Regiment 39 was transferred to the 29th Panzergrenadier Division, leaving the division with just one battalion of tanks.
• 1943: The Aufklärung Abteilung 27 (Reconnaissance Battalion) was merged with Motorcycle Battalion 17 and renamed Panzer Aufklärung Abteilung 17.
• Late 1944: The division was restructured and briefly integrated into XXIV Panzer Corps, with some of its units, like Panzergrenadier Regiment 63, disbanded. The I Battalion of Panzer Regiment 39 was rebuilt with elements from the 103rd Panzer Brigade.
• January 1945: Following heavy losses, the division was reorganized into a smaller Kampfgruppe (combat group) consisting of Panzergrenadier Regiment 40, part of Panzer Regiment 39, one artillery battalion, and smaller support elements.

The 17th Panzer Division played a significant role on the Eastern Front, particularly in some of the fiercest battles of the war. Despite being heavily engaged in combat for much of the war, the division faced constant reorganization due to attrition and losses. Its final destruction came in the final months of World War II.