misterious unit Panzer abteilung 118 in 1944

[Kelvin]

It took almost a full year before Pz.Abt. 118 joined the 18. Pz.Gren.Div. after it had been sent to the Eastern Front in January 1944.

From January until June 1944 Pz.Abt. 118 was active in the sector of Pz.A.O.K. 4 under H.Gr. Nord-Ukraine. Judging by its monthly status reports filed by the Gen.Insp.d.Pz.Tr. it seems to have more or less continuously been attached to the XIII. A.K.

Upon an order by the 'Fuehrer' Pz.Abt. 118 was transferred from H.Gr. Nord-Ukraine to H.Gr. Mitte at the very end of June 1944. Initially it was ment to be subordinated to the A.O.K. 9 but then fought with Korpsgruppe Harteneck under A.O.K. 2 during July 1944. At the end of the month it was attached to A.O.K. 4.

In contrast to what has been written elsewhere in post war publications original records do show that Pz.Abt. 118 was NOT destroyed during the Soviet summer offensive against H.Gr. Mitte. Actually the unit reported the loss of just 7 dead and 13 wounded during the whole month of July 1944. Total losses of StuG are difficult to establish exactly since I do not have the status before transfer from H.Gr. Nord-Ukraine to H.Gr. Mitte at the end of June 1944. From the difference between the report as of 1.6.1944 and the one as of 1.8.1944 they could have been as high as 9 StuG III and 1 StuH 42 at maximum (trouble is that German monthly status reports do only contain figures for operational tanks and tanks in short term repair while tanks in long term repair are not included). By 1.8.1944 Pz.Abt. 118 still had at least 29 StuG III and 5 StuH 42 available although most of them were in short term repair leaving only 5 StuG III and 2 StuH 42 operational.

During late August/early September 1944 Pz.Abt. 118 served under the (I.) Kav.Korps (A.O.K. 2) for a while before returning to the A.O.K. 4 again were it remained until November 1944.
Personnel losses during August and September 1944 amounted to 6 dead and 17 wounded and up to 7 StuG III at maximum.
During October 17 new StuG III were delivered but at the same time heavy fighting caused 13 dead and 29 wounded and the loss of up to 6 StuG III and 1 StuH 42.
Finally during late November or early December 1944 - I couldn't yet establish the exact date - Pz.Abt. 118 joined the 18. Pz.Gren.Div. with still some 30+ StuG III and 3 StuH 42 available.

Martin Block

Hello, Martin, apart from 118. Pz abteilung , any panzerjager abteilung possessed by 18. PG division either in June or in Dec 1944 ?

[Jan-Hendrik]

The Abt. was led, at least in March 1944, by a Hauptmann Lambrecht.

Jan-Hendrik

[Kelvin]

It took almost a full year before Pz.Abt. 118 joined the 18. Pz.Gren.Div. after it had been sent to the Eastern Front in January 1944.

From January until June 1944 Pz.Abt. 118 was active in the sector of Pz.A.O.K. 4 under H.Gr. Nord-Ukraine. Judging by its monthly status reports filed by the Gen.Insp.d.Pz.Tr. it seems to have more or less continuously been attached to the XIII. A.K.

Upon an order by the 'Fuehrer' Pz.Abt. 118 was transferred from H.Gr. Nord-Ukraine to H.Gr. Mitte at the very end of June 1944. Initially it was ment to be subordinated to the A.O.K. 9 but then fought with Korpsgruppe Harteneck under A.O.K. 2 during July 1944. At the end of the month it was attached to A.O.K. 4.

In contrast to what has been written elsewhere in post war publications original records do show that Pz.Abt. 118 was NOT destroyed during the Soviet summer offensive against H.Gr. Mitte. Actually the unit reported the loss of just 7 dead and 13 wounded during the whole month of July 1944. Total losses of StuG are difficult to establish exactly since I do not have the status before transfer from H.Gr. Nord-Ukraine to H.Gr. Mitte at the end of June 1944. From the difference between the report as of 1.6.1944 and the one as of 1.8.1944 they could have been as high as 9 StuG III and 1 StuH 42 at maximum (trouble is that German monthly status reports do only contain figures for operational tanks and tanks in short term repair while tanks in long term repair are not included). By 1.8.1944 Pz.Abt. 118 still had at least 29 StuG III and 5 StuH 42 available although most of them were in short term repair leaving only 5 StuG III and 2 StuH 42 operational.

During late August/early September 1944 Pz.Abt. 118 served under the (I.) Kav.Korps (A.O.K. 2) for a while before returning to the A.O.K. 4 again were it remained until November 1944.
Personnel losses during August and September 1944 amounted to 6 dead and 17 wounded and up to 7 StuG III at maximum.
During October 17 new StuG III were delivered but at the same time heavy fighting caused 13 dead and 29 wounded and the loss of up to 6 StuG III and 1 StuH 42.
Finally during late November or early December 1944 - I couldn't yet establish the exact date - Pz.Abt. 118 joined the 18. Pz.Gren.Div. with still some 30+ StuG III and 3 StuH 42 available.

Martin Block

But why Pz.Abt.118 went back to her parent unit : 18. PG as the former have been equipped with all StuG already and this made 18. PG no need to have nothing in AFV in June 1944 ( 1 June 1944 status report)

[Alanmccoubrey]

But why Pz.Abt.118 went back to her parent unit : 18. PG as the former have been equipped with all StuG already and this made 18. PG no need to have nothing in AFV in June 1944 ( 1 June 1944 status report)

Kelvin, What unit in the division had been issued with StuG's and how many did it have.

[Piet Duits]

Guys,

As of 1.6.1944, the 18. Panzergrenadier-Division had NO StuG within it's organisation.

[Alanmccoubrey]

Thanks Piet, it did seem a bit odd.

[Kelvin]

Guys,

As of 1.6.1944, the 18. Panzergrenadier-Division had NO StuG within it's organisation.

Hi, Piet, but Thomas Jentz book Panzertruppen vol 2 page 205 said 18. PG division had 44 StuG, 43 of which were operational, if those vehicles belonged to Pz abt 118 but the latter not yet joined her parent division, why Jentz put together ?

[Alanmccoubrey]

Kelvin, As 18 PzGren Div wasn't in HG Nordukraine on 31 May 1944 but the Pz Abt. 118 was perhaps Jentz saw the return for 118 and assumed it was with the division so listed the division rather then the abteilung .

[Kelvin]

Hello, Alan, thank for your help, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !