Grossdeutschland info

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Hi

Am trying to get some info on 6./panzer-fusilier regiment grossdeutschland.
We found in Kurland last year 21 solders buried from this unit around the saldus area of Latvia and we found information on one of the solders stating he was killed on the 8.9.44 which is before the main battle of Kurland began just wondered if any one had any info on what they where doing in that area one or around that date ?

[hucks216]

In late July 1944 GD were detached from 8 Armee and sent to East Prussia. From there they went on the offensive into Lithuania & Latvia but due to Russian pressure they (GD) soon found themselves back on the defensive trying to stop Russian forces from reaching the Baltic coast. On October 5th, the Russian 1st Baltic Front launched an offensive against the 3 Pz.Armee and within a few days the front had collapsed and the Russian forces were positioned to the north and south of Memel trapping a number of forces within the Memel Bridgehead. One of these forces was Grossdeutschland.
I have an EK citation dated for approximately that period and it places GD at Schaulen (which I believe was the German name for Saule) while another one places them at Putras a few days later.

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Gd

Wow great information many thanks
Matt

[hucks216]

From Scott Pritchett's GD Vol 2...

By 25 August 1944 the key attack commenced. Pz.Gren Division GD attacked along both sides of the Doblen-Autz highway toward the objective of Schaulen. The Panzer-Grenadier Regiment led the way followed to the south by the Panzer-Fusiliers, the StuG battalion and the Panzer regiment. The attack's initial success was halted about 8km from the objective, at Lemkini-Skola, forcing the division to go over to the defence. The plan to link a corridor to Heeresgruppe Nord (Kurland) was abandoned by the high command.
The division was held in its positions through September 1944. While major operations paused during this time, the sector remained active at the battalion and company levels. Many conducted local attacks to improve their situation or keep the Russians off balance.

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Gd

Many thanks again great information