Panzer III Historical Index

On 1 April 1943 at 05:00 the 6. Pz.Div. takes over command of the remaining sector of the division. Parts of the 11. Pz.Div. that could not be relieved because of the muddy roads (Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 without its I. Battalion, I./Pz.A.R. 119 and one company of Pz.Pi.Btl. 209, in the Werchne Ssaltow area) are subordinated to the 6. Pz.Div. until further notice. The remaining units are in the eastern and south-eastern part of Kharkov. The planned move to the refit area (Perekopi – Wyssokopolje – Schelestewo – Artemowka – Tschutowo) is interrupted because the roads are completely impassable. Pz.Rgt. 15, le.Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 and II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 are already in the new billeting area. On 4 April 1943 the last parts of the division are relieved by the 6. Pz.Div., but must remain in the operations area for the time being. On 6–7 April 1943, after the weather improves, the rest of the division marches by a detour via Krassnograd into the new area, and the divisional staff moves to its quarters at Nowo-Iwanowka.

On 14 April 1943 during an engineer course of Pz.Rgt. 15 and le.Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 at Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 in Resunenkowo, a wooden-box mine and a T-mine explode at about 15:00. 25 course participants are killed and 14 wounded.

On 19 April 1943 an order on the division (Aufteilung) of Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 is issued (no details in the KTB). On 24 May 1943 an order is issued to re-form Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 with staff and 2.(Sfl.)Kp.: the staff leaves Lehr-Abt./11. Panz.-Division, 1.(Sfl.)/Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 leaves the le.Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 and returns to the Jäg.Abt., and 2.(Rahmen)/Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 leaves the Lehr-Abt. A staff of Ersatz-Btl. 11. Panz.-Division is ordered to command the Lehr- and Ersatz-Abt.

Completion of the division's refit by the end of the month, in view of its new commitment, is not assured: deliveries of spare parts, weapons and equipment are delayed and a large part has not arrived at all. The division repeatedly reported this to its superior headquarters.

On 23 April 1943, upon receipt of A.H.M. 9. Ausgabe of 7 April 1943, Ziff. 31, Kradschtz.-Btl. 61 is renamed Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11.

On 25 April 1943 a preliminary conference takes place at the command post of Füsilier-Rgt. "Groß-Deutschland" in Nowo Borissowka; participants: Kdr. XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps (at the same time Kdr. 11. Panz.-Div.), Kdr. Inf.Div. "Groß-Deutschland", Kdr. Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110, Pz.A.R. 119, Pz.Pi.Btl. 209 and Ia 11. Panz.-Div. Afterwards the Ia of 11. Panz.-Div. establishes contact with 167. Inf.-Div.; reconnaissance of the terrain and of an assembly area in the sector of I.R. 339 of 167. I.D. On 26 April 1943 the reconnaissance results are evaluated; preparations for the march of the combat-ready parts of the division from the refitting area to the intermediate quartering area and the assembly area; difficulties with roads and marching (night marches, shortness of the night).

From 12:00 the division is subordinated for command purposes to Pz.A.O.K. 4 (cover designation „Auffrischungs-Stab Charkow”). Date according to the title page of the KTB (26–28 April 1943); page 10 gives only „ab 12,00 Uhr”.

On 26 April 1943 Heeresgruppe Süd grants 200–300 t of column space from 1 May 1943. On 27 April 1943 Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 improves the roads into accommodation area II; thanks to a diversion road the division can march on 2 roads, but only at night. On 28 April 1943 at 2:30 corps order XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps Ia Nr. 643/43 Chefs. of 27 April 1943 arrives (already destroyed); the march instructions are consolidated in division order Ia Nr. 108/43 g.Kdos. of 28 April 1943. Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 (about 2 companies), loaded onto the columns of Kdr. Div.Nachschb.Tr. 61, marches into accommodation area II. The corps announces that the tonnage space (240 t) will arrive on 29 April 1943 at noon; it is allocated half each to Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and 111. In the evening Panz.A.R. 119 and Heeres-Flak-Abt. 277 march into area II.

On OKH order, the tactical divisional sign and the divisional traditional insignia are to be removed from all vehicles, signs, etc.

At 00:00 the division is again subordinated tactically to Gen.Kdo. XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps. Conferences with the chiefs of Pz.A.O.K. 4 and XXXXVIII. Pz.K., the Ia officers of the 167. Inf.-Div. and the Inf.-Div. „Großdeutschland”, and with the commanders of the division's units: planned assembly, conduct of the attack, reconnaissance and assembly areas.

Planned operation (name not given in the KTB): on 30 April 1943 at 02:00 „x-Tag” (the day operations were to begin) is announced; at 16:45 a corps order postpones it by 4 days. On 3 May 1943, by corps order, the start day ordered so far is cancelled; a new x-Tag will be ordered. On 10 May 1943 the commander of Heeresgruppe Süd, at the headquarters of Pz.A.O.K. 4, announces that the operation planned so far is postponed until further notice and will be carried out later, possibly in a changed organisation.

II./Pz.Rgt. 6 (3. Pz.Div.) was to be subordinated to the 11. Pz.Div.: on 30 April 1943 the corps promises the subordination; on 1 May 1943 the battalion commander reports to the divisional command post and the transport of his battalion is delayed by 4 days. On 8 May 1943 the battalion, partly already in the unloading area, is ordered to return to the 3. Pz.Div.; the subordination does not take effect.

On 30 April 1943 the following are placed under the division: Art.-Rgt.-Stab z.b.V. 70 with s.Art.Abt. 101 (s.F.H.), I./A.R. 108 (le.F.H.) and III./A.R. 109 (mortars); they assemble in accommodation area II. Kw.Transport-Komp. z.b.V. 941 is allocated half each to Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and 111. Brüko B 22 is placed under Panz.Pi.Btl. 209. On 9 May 1943 the staff of A.R. 70 with s.Art.Abt. 101 departs. On 11 May 1943 the subordination of I./A.R. 108, III./A.R. 109 and Brüko B 22 ends.

On 7 May 1943 a bombing raid on Skorodochowo station causes "considerable losses": in one Heeres-Flak-Abt. 25 dead and at least 50 wounded. During the night of 7/8 May 1943 further raids with flares and bombs on the Rollbahn and the entire accommodation area of the division, minor damage.

On 10 May 1943, after a conference at Pz.A.O.K. 4, each panzer division is to field a reaction group (Eingreif-Gruppe) behind the main line of resistance. At 23:00 the corps announces a reserve: 1 Panzergrenadier regiment, 1 artillery battalion, 1 panzer battalion and 1 engineer company, assembly to be completed by 13 May 1943. On 11 May 1943 at 09:00 the executing order follows: II./Pz.Rgt. 15, II./Pz.A.R. 119 and 2./Pz.Pi.Btl. 209 are subordinated to the commander of Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 (Eingreifgruppe Henze), march from 19:00. During the night of 11/12 May 1943 II./Pz.Rgt. 15 and II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 reach the intermediate area around Ssenoje; on 13 May 1943 they reach the ordered area north-east of Graiworon.

During the night of 14/15 May 1943 enemy aircraft drop about 40 paratroopers, partly in German uniforms, north-east of the division's billeting area. The counteraction begins immediately and ends on 16 May 1943 after the forest south of Kolontajew has been combed through.

On 17–18 May 1943 Generalmajor Mickl takes over command of the division as deputy for Generalleutnant v. Choltitz, who has been sent on leave to Germany because of illness.

On 19–22 May 1943 the division is assigned one battery of 6 heavy field howitzers (s.F.H.) on Panzer IV chassis.

From 19 May 1943 to 22 May 1943 intensive training of the division's units, geared to its future employment: breaking through a deeply echeloned defensive system, cooperation of the Panzergrenadiers with tanks and assault guns, gas training. On 21 May 1943 Brüko B 22 is temporarily placed under the division for training purposes. On 27 May 1943 a war game is held at the division staff (planned conduct of combat). On 28 May 1943 a commanders' conference at XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps; new orders arrive on the march into the assembly area and the intended conduct of combat. From 29 May 1943 to 31 May 1943 the division submits a report on the planned conduct of the attack. On 2 June 1943 the division commander and the Ia attend a war game at Pz.A.O.K. 4, on 5 June 1943 at XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps.

From 1 August 1943 to 20 September 1943 the division is subordinated to the XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps. According to the list in KTB No. 11, in this period: fighting in the Graiworon area, withdrawal to the Boromlja sector, fighting north of Achtyrka, withdrawal to the Olesochnja position, and rearguard fighting west of the Worskla between Achtyrka and Oposchnja.

On 2 August 1943 at 06:00, after the night relief of III./Gren.Rgt.164 (57. I.D.) by II./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110, the division takes over the sector of Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 (II./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 subordinated to PGR111). 1./Panz.Jäg.Abt.61 and 1./Stu.Gesch.Abt.911 are additionally attached.

On 3 August 1943 at 08:45 the XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps (the enemy is attacking the LII. A.K.) orders the armoured group (Panz.-Rgt.15), I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 and I./Panz.Art.Rgt.119 to be alerted and moved to Striguny at the disposal of the 4. Panzer-Armee. Subordination to the corps remains unchanged, employment by the army only; departure at about 11:30.

From 04:30 on 4 August 1943 the enemy attacks I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 with an infantry battalion and breaks in; Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 counterattacks at Nowo and Russkaja Beresowka. I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.111, defending a 9 km sector with very low strength, falls back to the northern edge of both Beresowka villages; contact with one company is lost.

On 4 August 1943 a battalion of the 332. I.D. (III./Gren.Rgt.678) and the security company of the corps staff are subordinated to the division. The 7. Pz.-Div. arrives in the Potschajewo area; its commander is briefed on the situation at the divisional command post at 16:00.

From 06:25 on 5 August 1943 a Russian attack after heavy artillery preparation; at about 08:30 an attack by about 20 enemy tanks along the Rollbahn to the south. Both battalions of Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 and III./Gren.Rgt.678 are shattered, a 6 km gap opens between PGR111 and PGR110. The 7. Pz.-Div. counterattacks north along the Rollbahn.

On 5 August 1943 the first elements of the armoured group reach Lomnaja at 16:35 and engage enemy tanks. In the evening the corps orders the line 218.5 – Iwanowskaja Lissiza – 213.3 to be held, and the corps Ia demands a thrust to Pokrowka in accordance with the army order.

The KTB mentions the fallen commander of Panz.Art.Rgt.119 (the date of death is not given in the text). On 5 August 1943 at 20:45 temporary command of the regiment by the commander of Heer.Flak-Abt.277 is approved.

On 6 August 1943 Panz.-Rgt.15 clears Golowtschino (09:15); III./Panz.-Rgt.15 is in heavy fighting against strong Pak in Iwanowskaja Lissiza. At 15:40 II./Panz.-Rgt.15 enters the southern edge of Chotmyshsk, but capturing the village is judged impossible and the battalion is pulled back; at about 16:00 15 enemy tanks attack from hill 213.3.

In the afternoon of 6 August 1943 enemy tanks appear in Graiworon (Panz.Pi.Btl.209 takes over the defence). At 19:05 30 enemy tanks break into the northern part of Dorogoschtsch; at 20:00 Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 repels the attack on Dorogoschtsch (about 12 enemy tanks destroyed), scattered units fall back.

On 6 August 1943 Panz.-Rgt.15 reports at 19:05 a lack of fuel preventing the execution of its task and at 19:20 supply difficulties (it cannot disengage from the enemy). At 19:10 Stu.Gesch.Abt.911 is reported as completely scattered and leaderless after the loss of its commander.

On 7 August 1943 Gruppe Lomnaja is cut off by the blocking of the bridges at Graiworon (01:40); Gruppe Buchholz (Panz.Gren.Rgt.110) is temporarily subordinated to the 7. Pz.-Div. (until 09:17). The corps orders Gruppe Lomnaja to be pulled back to the Worskla and a defensive front to be formed. At 12:00 Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 leaves Lomnaja after a successful counterattack and blows up 3 bridges.

On 7 August 1943 about 20, then 22 enemy tanks and a column of about 50 vehicles are observed (15:00–15:40); about 45 tanks and 1–3 infantry battalions of the enemy stand at Popowka (16:45). At 15:50 the corps orders a withdrawal in the night of 7/8 August 1943 to the line Tarassowka–Dernowoka. The bridges over the Worskla and Worskliza are blown, Panz.-Rgt.15 and Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 are to fight their way through to Achtyrka (16:45). Divisional command post: 06:00 Jesdozkoje, 13:30 Poshnja, 18:00 Petschiny.

On 7 August 1943 Gruppe Lomnaja is supplied from the air (19:45) and is to reach Trostjanetz. Gruppe Lauchert (Panz.-Rgt.15 with attached units) halts at 23:00 north of Bairak, to continue to Achtyrka.

On 7 August 1943 at 10:45 order to Panz.-Rgt.15: with the remnants of artillery and panzer grenadiers, marching via Golowtschino, to fight its way through to the west.

On 7 August 1943 at 12:35 order to Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11: march under the command of the Kdr. Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 with Panz.-Rgt.15, I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 and parts of Panz.Artl.Rgt.119 attached to Bolschaja Pissarewka and north-west of it.

On 8 August 1943 at 05:05 Gruppe Buchholz (Panz.Gren.Rgt.110) is thrown out of Poshnja, a new position is taken at Dernowoje. The Gef.Std. moves to Ljudcha at 13:30 and at about 16:45 is threatened by enemy tanks from the north; evacuation takes place without casualties. Trostjanez is under tank fire and abandoned (17:00), heavy penetration at Panz.Gren.Rgt.110; in the evening the regiment withdraws to Boromlja.

On 8 August 1943 the Ib is tasked with combing the workshop company for serviceable tanks and sending them to the Gef.Std. At 18:50 Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 reaches the Feldlager 2.5 km west of Ljudsha escorted by 3 Panther tanks supplied by the corps.

From 07:00 on 9 August 1943 Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 captures Trostjanez by an attack from east to west. The remnants of Panz.-Rgt.15, Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11, Panz.Artl.Rgt.119, Panz.Jäg.Abt.61 and Stu.Geschtz.Abt.911 have fought their way through to Achtyrka; the armoured group with 20 tanks reaches Trostjanez (08:28). Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 with Panz.-Rgt.15 also captures Ssmorodino.

On 9 August 1943 the commander of the 4. Panzer-Armee, Generaloberst Hoth, is briefed at the divisional command post at 10:00. State of the division according to the KTB: combat strengths have dropped to a minimum, the physical and especially moral condition of the men is “bedenklich” (alarming), cooperation of the arms is impossible. Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 assembles at Klimentoff and must be completely re-equipped and rearmed (shortage of anti-tank weapons and small equipment); signal equipment is lost, staffs have to be re-formed.

On 9 August 1943 at 19:50 the XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps orders the attack to be halted and a defence behind the Boromlja sector. The division defends the sector from the southern edge of Trostjanez to the mouth of the Belka-Bach into the Boromlja (Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 on the right, Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 on the left); neighbours: LII. A.K. (19. Pz.-Div.) on the right, 7. Pz.-Div. on the left.

On 10 August 1943 the withdrawal to the Boromlja sector proceeds without difficulties, the enemy infiltrates Belka. At 12:20 an attack by a company with tanks at the bridge: the only serviceable Sturmgeschütz destroys 2 and then another 4 T34 tanks. In the evening the operation “Zuckerfabrik” (I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.111, Panz.Pi.Btl.209, all serviceable tanks): the sugar factory is taken, the enemy still holds a small wood west of it, taken at about 22:15; “Eigene Verluste” (own losses). Belka is reoccupied by Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 (21:15), signs of disintegration and exhaustion.

On 11 August 1943 at 04:00 an attack by a weak enemy infantry battalion north of Stanowa, counterattack. At 12:15 strengths: Aufkl.Abt. about 50 men, I./Panz.G.R.111 about 80, II./Panz.G.R.111 about 100; the Div.-Führer reports to the corps commander that the troops are “am Ende ihrer Kraft” (at the end of their strength) and that there are few officers of the personal calibre needed. At 13:00 the enemy reaches the centre of Belka, at 16:45 Belka is cleared; at 17:10 an attack by a battalion from Trostjanez-Ost (Smorodino) on the sugar factory is repelled by the remnants of Panz.Pi.Btl.209.

On 11 August 1943 at 10:25 the corps tactically subordinates the remnants of the 19. Pz.-Div. (from 16:00). At 10:38 le.F.H.Abt.818 (2 batteries) is attached, at 13:05 a battery of Sturmgeschütze with 10 guns for the destruction of the enemy bridgehead. The sector up to the Worskla is taken over by G.D.; Panz.G.R.74 of the 19. Pz.-Div. holds the main line of resistance from the Worskla to Trostjanez.

From 04:50 on 12 August 1943 the attack “Sandschlucht” on the last enemy bridgehead west of the Boromlja: the enemy is essentially thrown back, enemy losses, booty and prisoners. At 02:00 the railway bridge at Trostjanez over the Boromlja was blown by Panz.Pi.Btl.209. The Gef.Std. moves at 13:50 to the wood 3 km north of Maschtschanka.

On 12 August 1943 at 11:30 the Div.-Führer draws the corps chief's attention to the lack of officers, in particular 4 battalion commanders; battalions are partly led by very young lieutenants.