653.schwere PanzerJager Abteilung

[Barbarigo]

I'm searching for infos about this unit in Italy (1944), attached to XIV.Armee.
Thanks.

[88L/71]

On february 1944 s.Pz.Jg. Rgt 656 was ordered to prepare an Elefant kompanie and send it to Italy to face allied landing at Anzio and Nettuno. The first kompanie received 11 Elefant (101, 102, 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122, 123, 124, 131) + one Bergelefant and two Panzer III ammunition carriers. The assembly area was in Genzano (Rome) near Castel Gandolfo and was attached to s.Pz.Abt 508 and to Hermann Goering Fallschirmjager Pz. Div. From 1 may 1944 an order stated to name Ferdinand in place of Elefant.
First Elefant (Kuhl), as part of Kampfgruppe Stein, was lost on 1 march 1944 trying to turn around a destroyed bridge near Isola Bella (10/11).
Elefant (Koss) hit a mine in the same area and was ordered to ko (9/11).
Elefant (Roos) was hit in a track and was abandoned same area (8/11).
Elefant (?) turned out from an engine fire same area (7/11).
Elefant (?) was hit by american dive bombing on 5 june 1944 on via Aurelia (6/11).
Elefant (Grupe) crashed into the depths after the negotiating bridge collapsed on the road between Monte Fiascone and Orvieto (5/11)
Elefant (Schlabs) was hit by american dive bombing on 10 june 1944 near Orvieto (4/11).
Elefant (?) was lost for mechanical troubles and was destroyed near Ficulle (3/11).
It is not clear what appened to another Ferdinand in that only two vehicles + the demaged BergeElefant and one Pz III ammunition carrier were shipped on train to leave Italian theather.
Anyway more detail on Combat history of Schwere Panzer Abteilung 653” by KH Munch JJ Fedorowicz Pubs
Ciao

[Paul_9686]

I recall reading a long time ago that there was a "614th schwere PanzerJager Kompanie" in Italy. 88, was this the designation of the company-sized unit you described, or was the 614th a different outfit--possibly equipped with Nashorns?

Thanks in advance.

Yours,
Paul

[88L/71]

The unit arrived in Italy, from Eastern front, in february 1944 after allied landing at Anzio and Nettuno. It was equipped with Nashorn (ex Hornisse) and fought, together with 1. Fallschirmjager Division, with great losses in men and equipments along Senger Line till the end of the war. It was the only Nashorn unit fighting in Italy.
Regards

[Paul_9686]

88, I don't follow you; are you referring to the 614th?

Yours,
Paul

[Shadow]

I'm searching for infos about this unit in Italy (1944), attached to XIV.Armee.
Thanks.

Hello Barbarigo:

I'm sending you a short history of the 653rd by PM - for more detail see the thread below:
hope it helps some.

best regards -

[Shadow]

EVERYONE -

LOOK AT THIS SITE FOR CLARIFICATION - Jason Long sums up the 653rd s.Pz.Jag.Abt. admirably.

http://members.tripod.com/~Sturmvogel/653.html

best -

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more............................

Sd Kfz 184 Elefant of schwere Panzer-Jäger Abteilung 653.

AFAIK, After Kursk the surviving vehicles were pulled out of the Eastern front and entirely overhauled at Nibelungenwerke in Austria. A proper commander cupola was welded in place over the roof’s simple hatch (with 7 vision blocks), a ball mounted MG 34 was added for the radio operator, and Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste was applied. The nickname was officially changed to “Elefant”. The 1st Company with 11 Panzerjäger "Elefant", was engaged against the Allied landing in Anzio.


Front view of one Sd Kfz 184 Elefant; see the hull's MG 34..........................................


Another view of the front; note the Zimmerit and emblem of Panzer-Jäger Abteilung 653........................................

Source: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Elite-Jagdpanzer ... 234wt_1362
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/n ... lefant.php
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt653.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .