Hello everybody,
Just registered. I'm glad to meet Panzer buffs.
Recently I've been researching the actions of the Panzer-Regiment 'Wiking' during April-October 1944 (I plan to write an article for a local Military magazine).
I need a couple of clarifications, though. Hopefully, with your help, gents.
1. When exactly did first Panther tanks show up in 'Wiking'? When it was rebuilt after the Cherkassy-Korsun pocket battle? In spring 1944 the Panzer-Regiment 5 comprised two Battalions. Obviously, the II. Batallion was equipped with four companies of Panthers, from 5th through 8th. How about the I. Batallion? Was it (initially?) armed with PzKpfw IV?
2. The famous drive of Nicolussi-Leck of 8./Pz.Reg. 5 to the besieged Kowel. It's said that he disobeyed direct orders and pushed on. Whose orders, Herr or Waffen-SS (i.e. Gille, the commander of 'Wiking')? In Willi Fey's book I found this bit:
"When my Panzer spearhead had approached to within 2 km of Kowel, I received the following radio message: "Order from the battalion commander, stop the Panzers". [...] My leading Panzers were already engaged in a battle with enemy [...] For those reasons, it was impossible for me to stop and I disregarded the message from Hptm. Bolm. Apart from that, he was not my superior".
Hptm. Bolm was - apparently - the commander of the accompanying infantry battalion (from 131. Infantry division?). Ultimately, Nicolussi-Leck earned his Knight's Cross for this action.
3. Another quote from Fey's book:
"When Foester had reached the embankment, looking to locate the path to Tluszcz, his Panzer exploded in an immense bang. Virtually thrown in the air, it crashed down the embankment headfirst and remained there, immobile. [...] Several explosive charges had been thrown at the Panzer, which had run off its tracks." ('Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS 1943-45, p.90)
I don't quite get the last sentence. Sounds like the Panther was attacked by hand-thrown explosive charges, but there's no mention of any infantry around. Secondly, what explosive charges? Were Russians throwing bundles of dynamite sticks with a burning fuse, like in old Western movies?? No hand granade would throw a Panther in the air
I would rather suspect anti-tank mines, Pak guns or heavy mortars...?
On the same page, again (only this time there's Russian infantry involved):
"When the Panzer reached the bridge, Russians suddenly jumped out of the bushes and immobilized the Panzer by using explosive charges". Any details on what the Russians were actually using against those tanks?
regards,
Lagarto
Just registered. I'm glad to meet Panzer buffs.
Recently I've been researching the actions of the Panzer-Regiment 'Wiking' during April-October 1944 (I plan to write an article for a local Military magazine).
I need a couple of clarifications, though. Hopefully, with your help, gents.
1. When exactly did first Panther tanks show up in 'Wiking'? When it was rebuilt after the Cherkassy-Korsun pocket battle? In spring 1944 the Panzer-Regiment 5 comprised two Battalions. Obviously, the II. Batallion was equipped with four companies of Panthers, from 5th through 8th. How about the I. Batallion? Was it (initially?) armed with PzKpfw IV?
2. The famous drive of Nicolussi-Leck of 8./Pz.Reg. 5 to the besieged Kowel. It's said that he disobeyed direct orders and pushed on. Whose orders, Herr or Waffen-SS (i.e. Gille, the commander of 'Wiking')? In Willi Fey's book I found this bit:
"When my Panzer spearhead had approached to within 2 km of Kowel, I received the following radio message: "Order from the battalion commander, stop the Panzers". [...] My leading Panzers were already engaged in a battle with enemy [...] For those reasons, it was impossible for me to stop and I disregarded the message from Hptm. Bolm. Apart from that, he was not my superior".
Hptm. Bolm was - apparently - the commander of the accompanying infantry battalion (from 131. Infantry division?). Ultimately, Nicolussi-Leck earned his Knight's Cross for this action.
3. Another quote from Fey's book:
"When Foester had reached the embankment, looking to locate the path to Tluszcz, his Panzer exploded in an immense bang. Virtually thrown in the air, it crashed down the embankment headfirst and remained there, immobile. [...] Several explosive charges had been thrown at the Panzer, which had run off its tracks." ('Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS 1943-45, p.90)
I don't quite get the last sentence. Sounds like the Panther was attacked by hand-thrown explosive charges, but there's no mention of any infantry around. Secondly, what explosive charges? Were Russians throwing bundles of dynamite sticks with a burning fuse, like in old Western movies?? No hand granade would throw a Panther in the air
I would rather suspect anti-tank mines, Pak guns or heavy mortars...?On the same page, again (only this time there's Russian infantry involved):
"When the Panzer reached the bridge, Russians suddenly jumped out of the bushes and immobilized the Panzer by using explosive charges". Any details on what the Russians were actually using against those tanks?
regards,
Lagarto
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