TauchPanzer III of the 11. Panzer-Division during Battle of Kiev 41
The 11th Panzer Division, also known as the “Ghost Division” (Gespensterdivision), was a notable German armored division formed in August 1940. It was created from the 11th Rifle Brigade and included elements from the 15th Panzer Regiment and cadres from the 5th Panzer Division.
Initial Formation
The division’s original structure comprised:
- Panzer Regiment 15 (two battalions)
- Rifle Brigade 11, including:
- Rifle Regiment 110 (two battalions)
- Rifle Regiment 111 (two battalions)
- Motorcycle Battalion 61
- Aufklärungs Abteilung 231 (Reconnaissance)
- Artillerie Regiment 119 (three battalions)
- Nachrichten Abteilung 341 (Signals)
- Pioniere Abteilung 209 (Engineers)
- Other divisional units numbered 61.
Combat History
Balkan Campaign (1941)
The 11th Panzer Division first saw action in the Balkan campaign. Between January and April 1941, it advanced from Bulgaria, pushing north through Nis and capturing Belgrade on April 12, 1941, for which it received credit.
Eastern Front (1941-1944)
In July 1941, the division was transferred to the Eastern Front, where it initially fought in the southern sector before moving to the center of the front. By June 1942, it was redeployed back to the south. The division took part in various major operations, including:
- The Belgorod offensive as part of the southern pincer during the Battle of Kursk in July 1943.
- Fighting around Krivoy Rog in the Dnieper bend.
- In early 1944, the division suffered heavy losses during the Korsun encirclement south of Kiev.
By June 1944, after severe losses, the remnants of the division were withdrawn to France for rest and re-fitting.
Southern France and Alsace (1944)
In August 1944, following the Riviera landings by the United States Seventh Army and the French First Army, the 11th Panzer Division fought in southern France. It withdrew to Alsace in September 1944, defending the Belfort Gap before moving north to the Saar.
Western Front (1945)
In March 1945, the division fought at Remagen and was involved in the defense of the German homeland during the final stages of the war. It ultimately surrendered to American forces in Bavaria in May 1945.
Final Structure (1944-1945)
By the end of the war, the division’s structure was:
- Panzer Aufklärungs Abteilung 11 (Reconnaissance)
- Panzer Regiment 15 (three battalions)
- Panzergrenadier Regiment 110 (two battalions)
- Panzergrenadier Regiment 111 (two battalions)
- Artillerie Regiment 119 (three battalions)
- Heeres Flak Abteilung 277 (Anti-Aircraft)
- Panzerjäger Abteilung 61 (Anti-Tank)
- Nachrichten Abteilung 89 (Signals)
- Panzer Pioniere Bataillon 209 (Engineers)
- Divisional headquarters and support units.