Tiger I coded 932 of the 9th Company/3rd SS Panzer Regiment, 3rd SS Panzergrenadier Division Totenkopf
The 3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf” was one of the most notorious Waffen-SS divisions of World War II, known for its brutal combat history and involvement in some of the war’s most significant battles on the Eastern Front. It originated from the SS-Totenkopfstandarten, units initially responsible for guarding concentration camps.
Formation and Early History
- Formation: After the Polish campaign in 1939, the SS “Totenkopf” regiments were formed into the SS Division Totenkopf (Motorized). The division was formally created in Dachau on October 16, 1939.
- Reorganization: In November 1942, it became the SS Panzer Grenadier Division “Totenkopf”, and on October 22, 1943, it was officially renamed the 3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf”. This occurred after the division had seen extensive service on the Eastern Front.
Combat History
Eastern Front (1941-1945)
- Demjansk Pocket (1941-1942): The division was heavily involved in the defense of the Demjansk Pocket during the Soviet winter counter-offensive. During this time, it was reinforced with units like SS Infantry Regiment 9 “Thule”.
- Battle of Kharkov (February-March 1943): The division played a pivotal role in the recapture of Kharkov alongside other Waffen-SS units.
- Battle of Kursk (July 1943): The division participated in the famous Battle of Kursk, particularly in the fight near Belgorod. After the failure of the German offensive, the division was pushed back into defensive operations.
- Southern Ukraine (1943-1944): The division fought in the defense of the Dnepr Bend and Kriwoi-Rog.
- Bialystok (July 1944): It was transferred to Bialystok, near Warsaw, where it continued to engage Soviet forces in defensive battles.
- Hungary and Austria (1945): In January 1945, the division was moved to Hungary, where it took part in the fierce fighting near Budapest. By April, it retreated through Vienna to Linz, where it ultimately surrendered to American forces in May 1945.
Final Structure of the Division
By 1943, the division had been reorganized and established as follows:
- Aufklärung Abteilung (Reconnaissance)
- Panzer Regiment 3 (Two Battalions)
- SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 5 “Thule” (Three Battalions)
- SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 6 “Theodor Eicke” (Three Battalions)
- Artillerie Regiment (Four Battalions)
- Flak Abteilung (Anti-Aircraft)
- Sturmgeschütz Abteilung (Assault Gun)
- Panzerjäger Abteilung (Tank Destroyer)
- Nachrichten Abteilung (Signals)
- Pioniere Bataillon (Engineers)
Campaign Highlights
- 1942-1943: Defense of the Demjansk Pocket, Kharkov, and Kursk.
- 1944: Retreat through Southern Ukraine and participation in the defense of Bialystok.
- 1945: Final battles in Hungary and Austria, leading to the division’s surrender near Linz.
Notable Subunits and Leaders
- SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 5 “Thule”: Named after the ancient mythical land of Thule.
- SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 6 “Theodor Eicke”: Named in honor of SS-Obergruppenführer Theodor Eicke, the first commander of the Totenkopf division and an early leader of the Waffen-SS.
The 3rd SS Panzer Division “Totenkopf” was infamous for its fanaticism, stemming from its roots in the SS concentration camp guard units. Its combat effectiveness on the Eastern Front made it one of the most feared divisions in the German military, but it was also closely associated with war crimes and atrocities committed during the war.