SS division or regiment?

[frank savage]

Hi!

A question for the expert!

I have read an article entitled: "the 2nd SS Panzer Regiment Das Reich"… Is correct?

The Das Reich wasn't a division?

Or refers to the 2nd Pz. Rgt. of the famous division, called "Das Reich" also itself?

Thanks in advance to whom will help me!

Regards,

[wolfslair44]

Das Reich was a Division.

To the best of my knowledge, when numbers began to be reduced 2nd SS Panzer Regiment, was just that, a panzer regiment within the greater division.

[istra63]

"Das Reich" became a Panzer division(from a panzer grenadier division)
2 Panzer Regiment Das Reich was a component of the above said Division along with "Der Fuhrer", "Deutschland" , artillery....

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

the title of the article was badly written : it was probably the "2nd SS Panzer Regiment (from the) Das Reich (division)".

No SS (infantery or tank) regiment was named "Das Reich" (or "Reich").

1939-1940 : SS-Verfügungs-Division
with three infantery regiments :
- "Deutschland"
- "Germania"
- "Der Führer"

From April 1940 to December 1940, the division was temporary called "Deutschland". In December the name was changed to "Reich".

Late 1940 : "Germania" regiment is given to the soon to be "Wiking" division.

For "Barbarossa", the "Reich" division still had two infantery regiments that are now motorized ("Deutschland" and "Der Führer").

In May 1942 the unit changed his name to "Das Reich".

In late 1942, a tank battalion was added to the division, and became the Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich".

In late 1943, the division was upgraded to a full Panzer-Division, with two tank battalions in a single tank regiment.

Only a very few tank battalions or regiments had a name :
one of the most famous is the tank battalion of the "Nordland" division was called "Hermann von Salza".

See You

Vince

[frank savage]

Hi!

Many thanks to all of you for your thought!!

I have very appreciate!

Best

[frank savage]

Hi, Vince!

Most probably that's the reason!

the title of the article was badly written : it was probably the "2nd SS Panzer Regiment (from the) Das Reich (division).

Best,

[David T]

Yes "Das Reich" was a division but it is also correct to refer to the 2nd Pz Reg. as 2nd Pz Regt. Das Reich since this regt. did not have a specific honor title. They simply wore the Das Reich title within the regt.