SS-Pz.Abt 501

[HouweTrouwe]

Did SS-Pz.Abt 501 passed Thirimont on the 26th of december 1944? Or KG Peiper?

Thanks
/Bart

[Greg]

Not on the 26th of December; by the 26th of December what remained of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 was in scattered assembly areas trying to recover and regroup from the defeat of Kampfgruppe Peiper.

Elements of s. SS-Pz.Abt. 501 did pass through Thirimont on Rollbahn D as they were bringing up the rear of the KG Peiper column on the afternoon of 17 Dec 44.

Best,
Greg

[HouweTrouwe]

Thanks, do you know then which unit of the KGP passed Thirimont on that date?

Thanks
/Bart

[WARNACH]

Almost the entire Peiper KG except some Tiger and rear echelon elements , who turned more south and passed through Kaisersbaracke .
P.

[Greg]

Hello Bart,

I am unfamiliar with the specific name you sent me, but as Warnach mentioned most of KG Peiper passed through Thirimont 16-17 December. There would have been other elements of KG Peiper and supporting elements of other 1. SS-PzDiv units that passed through Thirimont between 18-23 December, as they were on the way to Stavelot to try to reinforce KG Peiper. In addition, there may have been other elements involved in fighting around Malmedy that made it down to the Thirimont area.

Unfortunately, I think it may be very difficult to track down the specific unit.

Best,
Greg