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17. SS-Panzer-grenadierdivision
Götz von Berlichingen
The 17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision was ordered to be formed near Poitiers, France in October 1943. Many of the recruits were Volksdeutch (ethnic Germans) from Romania. The process began on 15 November 1943. The division was granted the title “Götz von Berlichingen” after
the 15th century German knight and mercenary Gottfried von Berlichingen
(c. 1480 – 1562) from Hornberg in Württemberg. |
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Above Left: The divisional insignia of the 17. SS-Panzergrendierdivision.
Berlichingen was made
famous by writer and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) who
wrote a play based on his life. The divisional symbol was an iron fist
in a shield, taken from Berlichingen’s iron prosthetic forearm, which he
wore after losing his original during a siege.
The formation of the division was overseen by Obersturmbannführer Otto Binge, though final command fell to SS-Brigadeführer Werner Ostendorff in January 1944. The division was placed under the LXXX Armee Korps
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As training continued into 1944, the division
still lack sufficient vehicles. In February, the division was ordered to
collect as many civilian vehicles as they could to maintain the
motorisation of key units. By March, they had motorised several units,
but not all the panzergrenadier battalions had motor transport and the
third battalions of each regiment were bicycle mounted. The Panzerabteilung was equipped with StuG IV assault guns rather than more usual Panzer IV tanks.
Right: The 17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision cuff title.
Below: 17. SS StuG IV assault guns in the bocage.
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| After the D-Day landings on 6 June, the 17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision
was ordered from their garrison in Thouars, France to Normandy with
orders to face the invasion. The first unit of the division to enter
combat was the Aufklärungsabteilung who engaged US paratroopers
of the 101st Airborne Division near Carentan on 11 June. By 13 June, the
US forces had secured the town and were pushing south.
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Above: 17. SS commander Werner von Ostendorf (left) plans the attack on Carentan with Fallschirmjager commander Friedrich August
Freiherr von der Heydte (centre).
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A Kampfgruppe consisting of the division’s 37.
SS-Panzergrenadierregiment, 17. SS-Panzerabteilung and Von der Heydte’s
6. Fallschirmjägerregiment counterattacked the advancing US
paratroopers. A furious battle ensued and several US parachute
companies were routed before the timely arrival of Combat Command A of
the US 2nd Armored Division, which halted the German thrust. During
these operations SS-Brigadeführer Ostendorff was wounded and on 16 June SS-Oberführer Eduard Diesenhoffer was appointed the new division commander.
For the next month the 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-division was involved in fighting in the bocage country around St. Lô and Coutances, with the division suffering heavy loses.
At the start of Operation Cobra, the division stood in the line of the American advance.
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| They fought to hold off the US offensive, but
they were partially surrounded in the Coutances Pocket. They broke out
without considerable loss of equipment or men. |
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During August, some elements of the division were withdrawn for refitting, while the remainder of the 17. SS-Panzergrenadierdivision was attached to the 2. SS-Panzerdivision ‘Das Reich’ for the counterattack on Mortain (Operation Luttich). After this counteroffensive was repulsed by superior Allied airpower, the division was then split into four kampfgruppen under commanders Braune, Gunter, Fick and Wahl. All four kampfgruppen escaped entrapment in the Falaise Pocket.
Despite this, they remained in constant contact with pursuing US forces
until the end of August. The remains of the kampfgruppen were finally
withdrawn to Metz in September to join the rebuilding division.
Right: Men of the Waffen-SS and Fallschirmjäger look after the wounded.
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Last Updated On Monday, March 19, 2012 by Wayne at Battlefront
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