21st Pz division units ?

[MadDog]

In the 19th army records for September 1944, several named KG show up on maps. I think these KG were part of 21st Pz division, but am not sure. Can anyone tell me if the following names were of officers of 21st Pz division:

Usedom
Retzer

thanks,

Mad Dog

[Jan-Hendrik]

A Major Werner Rätzer was Chef of the Divisionskampfschule.

Jan-Hendrik

[hero.]

Hello MadDog and Jan-Hendrik !

The Information given by Jan Hendrik is confirmed by Scherzer.
According to that work, Maj. Werner Rätzer was Chef of Feldersatz-Kp. 200,
(also designated as Div. Kampfschule), from some unknown time in/after
August, 1944 to at least November 1944.
In November the unit was expanded to Feldersatz-Btl. 200 with Stab and 1.- 4. Kp.
Both units were part of 21. Pz.Div.


Kampfgruppe Usedom however is of different origin. According to Bettinger,
Die Geschichte der Hgru G, p. 183, this unit consisted of two battalions,
II./104 and II./115, which escaped the Mons pocket, where their parent unit
47. ID was smashed.

It is mentioned two times, under command of Pz.AOK 5 :
- On 23. Sept, fighting 30 km west of Nancy, in the area of Domjevin and Veho.

- On Oct., 1st, it is stated that regimental group Usedom is attached to XXXXVII. Pz.K.,
after having been subordinated to Gen.Kdo LXVI. (area of St. Die, 60 km SW of Nancy.).

Best regards,

hero.

[MadDog]

Well, it seems that Retzer = Ratzer - you see a lot of minor mis-spellings on the maps.

I found another Usedom reference from MS-A-871... Usedom as the commander of the 112th Pz Brigade ?

From Riviera to the Rhine, Usedom is a commander of elements of 21st Pz and 15th PzGr. in early October.

Thanks to both of you. 19th Army has a large number of these misc units and I have to determine which ones are really divisional units, and which ones are not.

thanks,

Mad Dog