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CHAPTER 10

OPERATIONAL HISTORY

How many Panthers were sent mto action? What were the umts and their orgamzation? How many were avail-able durmg each campaign? How many were actu-ałly operational and what losses occurred? How successful were they⁰ What were the mechamcal and tactical problems? The answers to these questions are presented in this chap-ter usmg only data sources from original reports written dur-ing the war. Translated excerpts from the original experience and combat reports portray the views of those that actually used the Panthers in combat. No attempt has been madę to draw conclusions. summarize. or evaluate these reports or otherwise present unsubstantiated postwar opinions. The reader is presented with the original data to use as a resource for understandmg the accounts of major battles in which Panthers fought during the War.

10.1 FIRST A OT IQN_AT _KUR§ f^URlNg_g P£RAT[Q_N ‘‘ZITADELLE"

Starting early in 1943. Panther umts were formed and pre-pared for participation m the 1943 summer offonsive m Rus-sia Panzer-Abteilung 51 was formed with four Panzer-Kompanien on 9 January 1943 from the II.Abteilung/Panzer-Regiment 33 Asecond unit, Panzer-Abteilung 52, was formed with four Panzer-Kompamen on 6 February 1943 from the I.Abteilung/Panzer-Regiment 15.

The orgamzation for the Abteilung headquarters was m accordance with K.St.N.1150a “Stabskompame Panzer-Abteilung Panther" dated 10Jan43 with three Pz.Kpfw Panther (7.5 cm L/70) (Sd.Kfz 171) in a Nachrichtenzug (signals pla-toon) and five Panthers in an Aufklarungzug (recon platoon). Each of the four “mittlere Panzer-Kompanie Panther" in the Abteilung were organized in accordance with KSt.N 1177 dated 10Jan43 with 22 Panthers, two Panthers for the Kompame-Trupp and five Panthers in each Zug. In total. each Panther-Abteilung had an official strength of 96 Panthers From late January, the units started received Panthers for traimng. Due to the numerous mechanical problems and required modifications, a major rebuild program was initiated at Falkensee and Nuernberg in April 1943. From 10 to 31 May 1943. 96 modified Panthers were loaded on railcars and shipped to Panzer-Abteilung 51 Another 96 modified Panthers were shipped to Panzer-Abteilung 52 from 15 to 31 May. Ali of the Panthers previously issued for training were turned back in.

The rebuild program failed to correct all of the problems Additional mechanical failures were occurring in the modified Panthers. mainly in the motor, fuel pump. transmission, and roadwheels. A second program for rebuilding the Panthers was initiated at Grafenwoehr to correct these defects The previously issued Panthers were turned back in for rebuild. Panzer-Abteilung 51 and 52 were left with very little time for tactical training as the troops helped with the modifications.

Finally, on 24 and 25 June, the 96 Panthers and 2 Bergepanthers that were actually taken to the Eastern Front were issued to Panzer-Abteilung 51. immediately loaded on railcars and sent east. Another 96 Panthers and 2 Bergepanthers were issued to Panzer-Abteilung 52 on 28 and 29 June. Having been assigned as the regimental headquar-ters, Panzer-Regiment-Stab 39. commanded by Major von Lauchert. was issued eight Panthers on 28 June 1943 and transported by raił to the eastern front

Panther-Regiment von Lauchert was assigned to the XLVIII Panzer-Korps of the 4.Panzer-Armee under Heeres Gruppe Sued Panzer-Abteilung 52 with Panzer-Regiment Stab 39 arrived by raił on 1 July and moved into their assigned assembly area at Kosatschek on 2 July 1943. Ten trams carrying Panther-Abteilung 52 arrived on 3 July. with the rest expected on the morning of 4 July only one day be-fore the start of the offensive. During unloading, motor fires resulted in two Panthers being destroyed and written off as total losses.

On 2 July. the XLVIII Panzer-Korps war diary remarks that deficiencies existed in the Panther units. They hadn’t conducted tactical training as a complete Abteilung and radio sets hadn't been tested Since their assembly areas were so close to the front, permission couldn’t be given for them to test and practice with the radio sets.

On 4 July. the entire Panther-Regiment including both Abteilung had arrived and advanced into a valley north of Maschtschenoje. Brigade-Stab 10 under the command of Oberst Decker was assigned to Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Grossdeutschland" and took command on 4 July. On the morning of the offensive at 0640 on 5 July, the Panther-Regiment was attached to "Grossdeutschland."

Having visited the front on 10 July 1943. the General-mspekteur der Panzertruppen. Guderian sent copies of his analysis in the following report sent on 17 July to General Zeitzler, chief of Staff of the German army:

CHAPTER 10: OPERATIONAL HISTORY

Panther Ausf.D (Tactical No 121) with Panzer-Abteilung 51 (BA)

Panther Ausf D (Tactical No 632) with Panzer-Abteilung 52. The smoke candle dischargers are still mounted on the turret sides but they are empty (KHM)

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