Soldbuch Pz.Gren.Rgt. 125 – 21. Panzer Division Normandy close combat days
Soldbuch to Gefreiter Heinz Proksch.
The Soldbuch opens at 3 August 1943 with Stamm Kompanie Panzergrenadier ersatz Battalion 4.
After his basictrainings he became part of:
- 5./Panzergrenadier Regiment 125
- Feld ersatz Battalion 200
- 3 (gp.)/ Panzergrenadier Regiment 125
These units belonged to the 21. Panzer Division.
This was the only German Panzer Division that was situated behind the Normandy coast in June 1944 and one of the first Divisions to react on the Allied landings on D-day.
Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 125:
Major Hans-Ulrich von Luck – CP: Vimont
I./Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 125:
Hauptmann Freiherr Schenck zu Schweinburg – CP: Fierville-la-Campagne
– 1. Kompanie
– 2. Kompanie
– 3. Kompanie: Leutnant Gerhard Bandomir
– 4. Kompanie: Oberleutnant Wendorff
II./Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 125:
Hauptmann Kuron – CP: Colombelles
5. Kompanie: Oberleutnant Brandenburg – CP: Troarn
6. Kompanie: Hauptmann Ackermann – CP: Banneville-la-Campagne
7. Kompanie – CP: Ranville
8. Kompanie: Oberleutnant Laber – CP: Colombelles
9. (SiG) Kompanie: 3x 150 mm sFH 13
10. (Werf.) Kompanie: 4x mSPW S307(f) – CP: Colombelles
As it was, the 21st Panzer Division was the only German armoured division poised to launch any counterattack during the Allied landings on D-Day. They were instrumental in stifling the British hopes of reaching Caen during their initial attack. However, conflicting orders and an impromptu reorganisation of the division, as well as a severe delay caused by having to negotiate the freshly bombed streets of Caen, meant that even the 21st’s reaction to the D-Day landings was far slower than it might have been.
This delayed response meant that British armour had time to establish itself on Perriers Ridge. They were able to take out 16 Panzer IVs for no losses. However, Kampfgruppe Rauch (192nd Panzer Grenadier) penetrated around the left flank, finding a gap between British and Canadian forces west of Lion-sur-Mer. The effect was largely psychological, rather than destructive, halting the British advance for the day.
Map shows the area were the 21. Panzer Division fought against the British Para’s and some of the places were he was involved in close combat and assault days.
Due to the scattered deployment of the German armoured divisions before D-Day, this breakthrough could not be exploited. No reserves were available to reinforce the 21st. And, upon witnessing the Allied airborne reinforcements (even though these subsequently veered off east), the division eventually fell back to just north of Caen. The division’s losses were substantial, having lost 70 of their 124 tanks. Any opportunity to exploit the gap had been permanently lost.
The division continued to operate on the front through the remainder of June and into July. It was all but destroyed in the Falaise Pocket during the closing stages of the Battle of Normandy. Later, The division neglected to take a direct part in the Ardennes Counteroffensive opting instead to provide flanking support fire. This may well have saved it from destruction (if not heavy losses). It did take part in the ill-fated Operation Nordwind, the last major German offensive on the Western Front, in an attempt to sever US supply lines to Strasbourg.
During the Normandy battles he got wounded for the first time and was awarded the Wounded badge in Black on 30-11-1944.
On 21 March 1945 he was awarded the Panzerkampf Abzeichen in Bronze for his involvements in Normandy.
He received an tarnuberzug.
The Soldbuch comes with a small paper with:
4 Nahkampftagen / close combat days:
1. 11-6-1944 - Banneville / Sannerville
2. 12-6-1944 - Toufreville
3. 18-6-1944 - Bois de Bavent
4. 25-6-1944 - Bois de Bavent
3 Sturmtagen / Assaultdays:
1. 7-6-1944 - Troan
2. 11-6-1944 - Sannerville / Banneville
3. 12-6-1944 - Toufreville
Really nice Soldbuch with close combat days and assault days in Normandy!
The Soldbuch is complete with all pages.
Used condition
code: B24238
