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UNIT
HISTORY
As
a fighting unit Großdeutschland was formed in 1939. The
core of this four battalion infantry regiment came from the
"Wachtregiment Berlin", a guard unit used for ceremonial
purposes. The rest of the regiment came from volunteers from all
areas of Germany. Thus the name Großdeutschland was
used meaning "Greater Germany". The unit's first
designation was "Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland".
At
the outbreak of war with Poland the regiment was still in the
midst of reorganization. Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland was
to stay home and continue the reorganization during the Polish
campaign. On 6 September 1939 it was heard that the unit was to be
air-landed into Poland. This operation was cancelled due to the
advance of Soviet troops into eastern Poland which made the
operation unnecessary. In August 1940 the black cuff title
Großdeutschland was issued to the unit and they were now a
motorized formation. Although Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland
was ready, they did not participate in the immediate invasion of
France. However the unit did see some action during the campaign
while fighting under the leadership of Heinz Guderian's 19th
Armeekorp. Later they were attached to Kleist's command.
Großdeutschland
took part in the invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941 and then
by 22 June, 1941 they headed into Russia during operation
Barbarossa. In this campaign they were part of the 2nd
Panzerarmee. Distinguishing itself in combat, Großdeutschland
was one of the few German units to reach the out skirts of
Moscow. Following the harsh winter battles from Tula to Orel,
Großdeutschland served as an excellent fighting unit while
suffering heavy casualties. As a result the unit under went
several reorganizations. By April 1942 Armored units were added
for better support. The unit was then reformed as
"Infanterie-Division (mot) Großdeutschland". As a
much larger unit Großdeutschland fought several major
engagements ending the year west of Moscow.
On 23
June, 1943 Großdeutschland was designated "Panzer
Grenadier Division Großdeutschland". By this time Großdeutschland was truly a reinforced Panzerarmee with
reconnaissance consisting of Pioneer (engineer) Battalions that
were fully armored. During 1943 Großdeutschland fought at
Kharkov, Belgogrod and Kursk during operation Citadel. Later the
unit fought in operations north of Karachev in the Orel area. In
September 1943, Russian attacks forced Großdeutschland and
other units south across the Dneiper river. These bitterly fought
battles sent Großdeutschland to France for refitting.
In 1944
Großdeutschland fought at Targul Frumos, Poland, Lithuania,
and Memel just to name a few places. In November 1944
Großdeutschland was reformed as "Panzer Korps
Großdeutschland". Fighting in retreating battles Großdeutschland gained the nickname "Die Feuerwehr"
(fire brigade). Suffering heavy casualties Großdeutschland
fought until May 1945. Großdeutschland repeatedly
faced an enemy with far superior forces while inflicting powerful
blows to them. Großdeutschland held their own against
enemy superiority in the field. As a World War II combat unit,
their legacy left 50,000 dead including 1,500 officers killed in
combat. The unit was awarded more Knights Crosses than any
other formation in the German Military. Why? As General der
Panzertruppe Hasso von Manteuffel once wrote: "Our honor
is the fulfillment of our duty!"
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