sPzJg Abt 654

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John W. Howard
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sPzJg Abt 654

Post by John W. Howard »

Does anyone have any information on sPzJg Abteilung 654? At one point in the war it was commanded by a Major Noak, probably in 1944-1945. What was this unit armed with? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Post by Vos »

Propably Jagdpanthers and StuG´s.

In june 1944 it had a complete establishment of 42 Jagdpanthers.
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Post by Jerry »

sPzJg Abt 654 made up half (along with sPzJg Abt 653) of sPzJg Rgt 656 at Kursk in July 1943. Each abteilung fielded 45 Elephants. 653 was commanded by Major Steinwachs, 654 by Maj Noak and 656 by Oberst v.Jungenfeldt. I believe that after Kursk the unit participated in the futile attempt to hold the large bridge and dam at Zaporozhye in October '43.

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Post by David Constable »

Hope the following helps.

Heeres-Panzerabwehr-Abteilung (mot.) 654
Panzerjäger-Abteilung (mot.) 654
schwere-Heeres-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654
schwere-Heeres-Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Jagdpanther)(Sfl.) 654

Officers:
Noak(Karl-Heinz)(Maj.) in ???.
Formed 26th August 1939 in WK.X.
September 1939 [1st]
[O.K.Heeres- reserve]
Stab
Stab der Panzerabwehr-Abteilung (mot.) [K.St.N.1106 (1/10/37)]
Nachr.Zug (mot.) [K.St.N.1192 (1/10/37)]
Three Panzerabwehr-Kp. b (mot.Z) [K.St.N.1143 (1/10/37)] [12-3,7cm Pak]
1st April 1940
Renamed Panzerjäger-Abteilung (mot.) 654.
May 1940 [10th]
[H.Gr.B, 6.Armee, XVI.Armeekorps (mot.)]
[3,7cm Pak35/36 (mot.)]
Stab
Stab der Panzerabwehr-Abteilung (mot.) [K.St.N.1106 (1/10/37)]
Nachr.Zug (mot.) [K.St.N.1192 (1/10/37)]
Three Panzerabwehr-Kp. b (mot.Z) [K.St.N.1143 (1/10/37)] [1940] [12-3,7cm Pak]
June 1941 [22nd]
[H.Gr.Mitte, Panzer-Gruppe 2, XII.Armeekorps] OR [XI.Armeekorps]
3,7cm Pak35/36 (mot.) with one platoon of 4 2,8cm sPzB41.
May 1942
[O.K.W. Reserves]
28th June 1942
Two Kp with 12 7,5cm PaK40.
One Kp with 12 7,5cm PaK97/38(f).
July to September 1942
Three Kp each 8 7,5cm Pak40 and 4 7,5cm PaK97/38(f) per Kp.
6th November 1942
1.Kp had 9 7,5cm Pak40 and 1 7,5cm PaK97/38(f) operational with 1 7,5cm PaK97/38(f) needing repair. Two Kp had NO AT guns at all.
12th December 1942
2.Kp issued 9 Marder II, it turned its guns over to the 3.Kp.
19th December 1942
16 more Marder II issued.
Middle February 1943
To Hamburg to reform.
22nd March 1943
sPzJgKp518 and 1./PzJgAbt168 incorporated.
1st April 1943
To Hamburg to reform.
Middle May 1943
Issued first Elephant.
8th June 1943
Attached to schwere-Heeres-Panzerjäger-Regiment 656, as II.Abteilung.
July 1943 [5th]
[schwere-Heeres-Panzerjäger-Regiment 656]
Had 44 Elephant [should have been 45 but one was lost when unloading], 5 Panzer-IV(lg), 5 obsolete tanks [? Panzer-Kpfw.III(kz) ?].
August 1943 [26th]
All Elephant transferred with crews to schwere-Heeres-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653.
Late 1943
Pulled out of action.
1st September 1943
Left schwere-Heeres-Panzerjäger-Regiment 656.
[? What was it equipped with till June 1944 ?]
28th April 1944
Issued 8 Jagdpanther. [First unit to receive these]
June 1944
Renamed schwere-Heeres-Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Jagdpanther)(Sfl.) 654.
NOTE
It was the ONLY Jagdpanther unit to receive its full establishment of 42.
June 1944 [1st]
Issued 12 Jagdpanther.
14th June 1944
Issued 17 Jagdpanther.
June 1944
Btl Hqu 2 AG.
1.Kp no AG.
2.Kp 12 Jagdpanther
3.Kp 14 AG [ ? not present in Normandie [Normandy] ?]
31st July 1944
Issued 8 Jagdpanther.
14th August 1944
Issued 8 Jagdpanther.
September 1944
[15.Armee]
Fully equipped at Grafenwöhr.
October 1944
Issued 6 Jagdpanther.
November 1944
Issued 6 Jagdpanther and 28 Pz.IV/70(V).
December 1944
Issued 20 Jagdpanther and 3 Pz.IV/70(V).
January 1945
Issued 10 Jagdpanther.
February 1945
Issued 6 Jagdpanther.
*** END ***

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Post by Vos »

David,

Just wondering: where do you find this kind of massive information??

Regards,

Johan Vos
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Post by David Constable »

Hard work is the short answer.

Up to about 10 odd years ago I had been collecting information and noting it for about twenty years.

I decided to computerise it which was fine until Word messed up an awful lot of my files.
All I have left is about a third of the original German files, those dealing with equipment and basic OOB.

One side problem is that if anybody asks where the information comes from I cannot say, all lines of information had a simplified book reference of a letter and one or two numbers, a main reference book might be M11, an intelligence source I23 and so on. However without the file that says what they are, the references become meaningless, as they are in another lost file.

Every now and then I wander onto a sight like this and if I see something I have information on, it goes on, as it did in this case.

David
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Many thanks to all who have posted!!!!

Post by John W. Howard »

Wow!! I am always able to count on this forum to provide me with more than I originally hoped for. Thank you Vos, David, and Jerry. I found information on Jason Long's Sturmvogel site which has helped as well. Thank you gentlemen for taking the time to post. It looks like this abt. was around for a long time and saw much action.
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Combat History of s.Pz.Jg.Abt. 654

Post by Martin Block »

If you want to get real depth information about the fate of the Abteilung throughout the 2nd WW, try to obtain a copy of the excellent "Combat History of Schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung 654" by Karlheinz Münch. 650+ pages full of photos and first hand information inculding large parts of the war diary. This book does hardly leave open any questions and is available through J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

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Thanks Martin

Post by John W. Howard »

Hello Martin:
Thanks for the info Martin! I just took a look at the book on-line and it looks great. I have a feeling all of my questions would be answered in its 650+ pages. Best wishes.
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Post by Paul Hanson »

David, have to compiment you on your info. But, having The Combat History of sPzJgAbt 654, I have to disagree with some of your data.

Sometime after Sept. 43 5 Panthers Ausf A and 3 Bergepanthers

As of 1 June. 1944 4 Panthers and 1 Bergepanther

On 1 June, 1944 issued 5 Jagdpanthers that you do not list.

On 6 July, 1944 issued 1 Jagdpanther and 3 bergepanther

As of September, 1944 you list them fully equipped, the book indicates they are missing 22 Jagdpanthers.

In October they receive 9 Jagdpanthers on 13 Oct and 7 Jagdpanthers on 23 Oct.

No information in the book correlates receiving any Panzer IV/70(V)

PH
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Re: sPzJg Abt 654

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; after a while..................................

The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654.

In the fighting around Kantemirovka, the Panzerjager-Abteilung 654 had heavy casualties and lost almost all vehicles. Therefore, it was relocated to the Reich in early 1943 and organized anew in Hamburg-Harburg. The reorganization was completed towards the end of April 1943. Subsequently, the detachment moved to Rouen, where it was equipped with the heavy tank destroyer "Ferdinand".

The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654 was formed on March 22, 1943 in Rouen, France. Reason for the renaming was the equipment of the detachment with the heavy tank destroyer "Ferdinand". It was now divided into HQ Company, 1st - 3rd Companies and workshop company and was under the Panzerbrigade 10. In mid-May 1943, the first Panzerjäger "Ferdinand" arrived in Rouen. The HQ company received three, the Panzerjäger companies 14 Panzerjäger "Ferdinand" each. By the end of May, all tank destroyers had arrived in Rouen.

In June 1943, the division was assigned to the schweren Panzerjäger-Regiment 656 as the II. Abteilung (detachment), but remained virtually as one independent army force. From the 13th to the 15th of June the detachment was loaded in Rouen and relocated to Russia. On June 24, the first parts of the department were unloaded in Smijewka, about 35 km south of Orel. The detachment made its first deployment in Chotetowo, about 20 km north of Smijewka. In the next days followed the detailed exploration of the deployment area on the railway line Orel - Kursk.

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt654.htm
Ferdinand and Elefant tank destroyer. Thomas Anderson.
http://panzerjaeger-info.fuehr-online.d ... index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Organization of the schweren Panzerjäger-Regiment 656.................
Organization of the schweren Panzerjäger-Regiment 656.................
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Re: sPzJg Abt 654

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more..................................

The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654.

Finally on June 27, 1943 the deployment was put into effect in accordance with the 'Zitadelle' directive ... The only reason for postponing the attack is the weather, or a preemptive attack launched by the enemy. It is likely that none of these events will occur. On June 29, 1943, the day passed in silence, and so the deployment of the units in their assembly areas near the front ran smoothly in accordance with the plans. The weather (cloudy with rain) was favorable, since the aerial reconnaissance of the enemy was hampered and the dust formation of our own vehicles was reduced. A big problem was the noise. This is of great importance because the 'Ferdinands' (Porsche-Tiger), which were traveling along the Kromy - Smijewka road, generated with their engines a loud noise that could be heard at a distance of 30 km. Air patrols were planned over this concentration area.

From June 30, the detachment marched in three night marches towards its initial position 1 - 3 km behind the first German line on the west side along the Orel - Kursk railway line.

July 2, 1943. The noise of "camouflage" to cover the approach of the "Ferdinand" by airplanes only partially succeeded, since these had to stop flying due to the weather. It is predicted that the weather for the next night will be similar, the 'Ferdinands' will remain in their areas.

July 4, 1943. During the night of today the planned deployment will be finished. The commander of the sPanzerjäger-Regiment 656, Oberstleutnant Baron Ernst von Jungenfeld addressed to his units at dusk on July 4, 1943 .................

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt654.htm
Ferdinand and Elefant tank destroyer. Thomas Anderson.
http://panzerjaeger-info.fuehr-online.d ... index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Organization of a sPanzerjäger Company...................................
Organization of a sPanzerjäger Company...................................
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: sPzJg Abt 654

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more..................................

The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654.

Kursk - In the attack.

In June 1943, the German forces concentrated their troops and means on the Kursk salient. Until the end of the month, the sub-units of Pz.Jäg.Rgt 656 reached the northern flank near the city of Orel as an important part of the 9th Army. Together with the sPz.Abt. 505, the regiment formed the fist that would allow the German troops to break the heavily fortified Russian lines.

As was expected from one moment to another the arrival of X time for the start of Operation "Zitadelle" ... The directives for the deployment were implemented. This included strict orders to carry out all movements only at night; any traffic was to use only the main roads Orel - Kromy and Kromy - Smijevka. The question about which tanks should be used in the first assault, was resolved. In the first attack only the sP.zAbt would take part. 505 (Tigers) with the Pz.Kp (Fkl-telecontrolled) 312, in addition the Pz.Jäg.Rgt 656 with two units of telecontrolled remote tanks ...

On July 4, the day before the operation began, the Pz.Jäg.Rgt 656 had the following means of combat available (only armored vehicles - see below):

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt654.htm
Ferdinand and Elefant tank destroyer. Thomas Anderson.
http://panzerjaeger-info.fuehr-online.d ... index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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Re: sPzJg Abt 654

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more..................................

The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654.

Kursk - In the attack.

The attack of the German 9th Army under Generalfeldmarschall Model began at 03:30 hours on July 5, 1943. From the War Diary (KTB) of 9. AOK:

July 5, 1943. In an excellent summer climate, the Gruppe Weiss raised its camouflage device and started the Zitadelle operation as part of the 9. Army. With the full support of the Luftwaffe, the XXXXI. Panzerkorps and the XXIII. Armeekorps began their advance at 03:30 hours, followed at 06:30 hours by the XXXXVI. and the XXXXVII. Panzerkorps, also supported by a concentrated attack of the combined air force ... Despite the complete defensive disposition, the enemy seemed to be completely surprised ...

While in the schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654, at 03:40, the heavy tank-hunters advanced to support the 86. ID. The 2nd Company together with its subordinated Funkklenker company (radio controlled tanks) moved within an unknown own minefield. Through the mines, the remotely controlled armored vehicles and the associated command tanks were destroyed to a great extent, the tank-hunters were left with their chains broken, so that the 2nd Company was knocked out shortly after the attack began. The 1st and 3rd Companies and the 4 remaining Panzerjägers of the 2nd Company overcame after crossing the enemy mine belt of the first Russian position system and reached the railway crossing north of Ponyri. Here again, some tank destroyers were immobilized due to damage to the caterpillars. After regrouping the assault group under the command of the Commander of the Sturmpanzer Abt. 216, Major Kahl, advanced eastward along the railway line to Ponyri. In the heights northeast of Ponyri, the Detachment reached its goal and the infantry itself took over security. However, as this position was under heavy artillery fire, the Ferdinande withdrew after nightfall to carry out the replenishment of ammunition to the railway embankment ............

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt654.htm
Ferdinand and Elefant tank destroyer. Thomas Anderson.
http://panzerjaeger-info.fuehr-online.d ... index.html
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/or ... 31f20e.jpg

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Ferdinand heavy tank-hunters from sPz.Jäg.Abt 654, with their characteristic camouflage scheme, move to their starting position...............
Ferdinand heavy tank-hunters from sPz.Jäg.Abt 654, with their characteristic camouflage scheme, move to their starting position...............
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Re: sPzJg Abt 654

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more..................................

The schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654.

Kursk - In the attack.

July 6, 1943. The second day of the German offensive was characterized by intense fighting between armored vehicles, developing an extensive tank battle in front of the Corps at the focal point. With surprising speed, the enemy was able throw into combat its regional reserves, but also large parts of its operational reserves to battle. At this time, the German armored units are at full strength, their supply routes are short, as well as the flanks to be protected are smaller.

Already at 09:00 hours, the Ic (Intelligence Officer) receives evidence that a Soviet armored Corps with at least 100 tanks is assembling in the Olchovatka region. This report is improved at 11:05 hours by the identification of the units, namely the 16. and 19. Tank Corps with 150 tanks, which have already attacked the German bridgehead in Ssaborovka ..........

While in the sPzJgAbt 654, due to supply difficulties, the attack was resumed on July 6 at around 14:00 hours in an easterly direction. The Panzerjäger of the detachment pressed towards the Polowaja brook area. As the infantry itself could not continue due to heavy enemy artillery fire, the attack of the Abteilung remained in front of the trench system. A violent fire fight began with the enemy tanks approaching. The unit managed to destroy a larger number of enemy tanks before retreating towards the lines of the German infantry at sunset...........

From the War Diary of 9. AOK: In general, the army must be happy with the combat success of the second day. Even if we could not gain ground, we managed to deepen the wedge in the focal point and could improve the situation on the flanks of the projection .... The German soldier and the new German offensive weapons, especially the heavy tanks Tiger and Ferdinand, proved again be superior .....................

This appreciation of the situation on the second day of the attack is truly amazing. It contains, more or less, parts of an early confession of a failure. Operation Zitadelle was destined to be a German "textbook" attack. However, there was never a 'Plan B'. The Germans knew that they did not have enough operational reserves to react if something went wrong ..............................

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt654.htm
Ferdinand and Elefant tank destroyer. Thomas Anderson.
http://panzerjaeger-info.fuehr-online.d ... index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Ferdinand '702' from sPz.Jäg.Abt. 654 moves at high speed to the starting position for the attack. The barrel has been released from its transport lock. The tactical number painted in white is clearly visible...............
Ferdinand '702' from sPz.Jäg.Abt. 654 moves at high speed to the starting position for the attack. The barrel has been released from its transport lock. The tactical number painted in white is clearly visible...............
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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