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Short history of I./ SS-Pz.Rgt. 3, Panther, 1942 to 1945
© Michael Wood
Copyrighted intellectual property of the author.
Further usage even in part is not allowed without prior permission! (§ 2 Abs. 2 UrhG)!
| 1942 | |
| 8.3.42 |
SS-FHA: |
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| 8.4.42 | SS-FHA orders the formation of 3 Panzer-Abteilungen. |
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| 20.5.42 | Orders issued calling for the establishment of a Panzer Abteilung for SS-Division Totenkopf for the 1.6.42, with 2 Light Panzer Kompanien and 1 Medium Panzer Kompanie. |
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| 1.6.42 |
SS Panzer-Abteilung 4 is formed at Weimar-Buchenwald. Panzer crew training is carried out at the Panzer training school Putlos under the supervision of the German Army. The first volunteers are sent from the SS.Pz.Jg.Ers.Abt in Hilversum. |
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| 30.8.42 | SS-Pz.Abt. 4 is transferred from WEIMAR-BUCHENWALD to SUIPPE in France for further formation training. The first Panzers are issued to the Abteilung during late September 1942, in ANGOULEME. |
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| 14.10.42 | SS-Pz.Abt. 4 is re-designated as I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 3, as orders are issued for the formation of an SS-Pz.Rgt. for the Totenkopf Division.
The first military exercise takes place on field 3 Km long, during the exercise, a lot of the Panzers breakdown due factory faults during the manufacturing process. |
| 7.11.42 |
A Pz.Kpfwg. III-Kompanie with 18 Pz III from I./SS.Pz.Rgt. 3 is detached to a mobile Battle Group from Division Totenkopf during the operation to over take Vichy France. The Kompanie returns to the Panzerregiment by the 20.12.42. |
| 1943 | |
| 3.2.43 | I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 3 entrains for Russia, the Abteilung unloads on POLTAWA on the 12.2.43. |
| 31.2.43 to 26.3.43 | Combat operations during the offensive against KHARKOV. On the 26.3.43 the Abteilung is moved into the area South of BJELEGOROD. |
| 2.4.43 | I/SS.Pz.Rgt 3 situated in Nikolskoje. |
| 9.5.43 | Transfer to a new rest area near JUSHY, were further training and refitting continues. The move takes 2 days to complete. I/SS.Pz.Rgt 3 is re-organized with 1 Light Panzer Kompanie and 2 Medium Panzer Kompanien. |
| 1.6.43 | 2. Kompanie, I/SS.Pz.Rgt 3 is equipped with 14 Panzer IV, same as 5 Kompanie, II/SS.Pz.Rgt 3, on the 5.6.43. I/SS.Pz.Rgt 3 is attached to Kampfgruppe Baum. Continuation training continues until the end of June in readiness for Operation Zitadelle. |
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5.7.43 to 17.7.43 |
Combat operations in the KURSK Salient. |
| 29.7.43 to 3.8.43 | Combat operations against the Soviet Mius bridgehead. |
| 21.9.43 | I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 3 entrains in POLTAWA. The remaining Panzers are handed over to II./SS-Pz.Rgt. 3. The Abteilung arrives in GRAFENWOEHR on the 28.9.43. |
| 27.9.43 | The wheeled vehicles of I/SS-Pz.Rgt. 3 are under the command of the Abteilung TFK. The column moves to KREMENTSCHUG were they have to wait 2 days before crossing the bridge over the Dnjepr River. After crossing the bridge, the column moves into the area of Alexandria for loading onto rail transports. The rail journey is from ALEXANDRIA-KRIWOJ-ROG-KISCHINIEW(Romanie)-JASSY-BUDAPEST-WIEN and finally arriving in GRAFENWOEHR on the 7.10.43. Also during October 1943, 4 Kompanie is formed in GRAFENWOEHR. |
| 13.10.43 | SS-Stubaf E. Meierdress awarded the Oakleaves to the Knightscross. |
| 1.11.43 | Gen.In.d.Pz.Tr. plans to re-issue I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 3 with the Panthers returned by I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 1. Instead these Panther are issued to other units. |
| 31.12.43 | I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 3 reports its manpower level is at full strength with 1000 men. |