As the German tactical number system became known to the Allies, it was found that command tanks were targeted by anti-tank guns fire. As a result, on 8 November 1943, the division command of 1. Panzer-Division ordered the turret number system to be changed.1Anlage "C1" : Ein- und ausgegangene Befehle u. Meldungen usw. zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12. NARA T315 R32 45376/4. Pages 311-312.

When the order was given, the division only had its second Panzer-Abteilung (tank battalion)Look up term, equipped with the Pz Kpfw IV. The first tank battalionPanzer-Abteilung
Look up term, equipped with the Panther, did not start arriving until 12 November 1943.2Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 des Kdos. der 1. Panzer-Division - 17. Oktober 1943-31. Dezember 1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/1. Page 10. . By the time of the division's 1 December 1943 strength report, the full first tank battalionPanzer-Abteilung
Look up term had arrived.3Anlage "a" zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 : Kriegsgliederungen - 9.11.1943-7.12.1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/2. .

A photograph from 21 November 1943 shows a Panther from 1. Panzer-Division with the turret number I06, and the strength report from 1 December lists 41 Panther with the division, so the battalion must have begun arriving shortly after.

Note that the outline below is theoretical. The division did not have all of its authorized tanks. For example, on 1 December 1943, the division had:4Anlage "a" zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 : Kriegsgliederungen - 9.11.1943-7.12.1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/2.

  • 6 Flammpanzer III (2 operational) out of 7
  • 74 Pz Kpfw IV (59 operational) out of 93
  • 41 Pz Kpfw Panther (37 operational) out of 93

Regiment

Regimental staff

  • R: Regimental commanderRegimentskommandeur
    Look up term
  • Ra: Regimental adjutantRegimentsadjutant
    Look up term
  • Rb: Accompanying tank
  • R04: Light platoon commander
  • R05 to R08: Light platoon (same as previously)

First battalion (Panther)

Battalion staff

  • I: Battalion commanderAbteilungskommandeur
    Look up term
  • Ia: Battalion adjutantAbteilungsadjutant
    Look up term
  • Ib: Accompanying tank
  • I04: Reconnaissance platoonAufklärungszug
    Look up term     commander
  • I05 to I08: Reconnaissance platoonAufklärungszug
    Look up term     (same as previously)

First company

Second company

As first companyKompanie
Look up term.

Third company

As first companyKompanie
Look up term.

Fourth company

As first companyKompanie
Look up term.

Second battalion (Pz Kpfw IV)

Battalion staff

  • II: battalion commanderAbteilungskommandeur
    Look up term
  • IIa: battalion adjutantAbteilungsadjutant
    Look up term
  • IIb: Accompanying tank
  • II04: Reconnaissance platoonAufklärungszug
    Look up term     commander
  • II05 to I08: Reconnaissance platoonAufklärungszug
    Look up term     (same as previously)

Flamethrower tank platoon

  • II F: Platoon commander
  • II F2 to II F7: Flamethrower tank platoon

Fifth company

Sixth company

As fifth companyKompanie
Look up term.

Seventh company

As fifth companyKompanie
Look up term.

Eighth company

As fifth companyKompanie
Look up term.

References

  1. Anlage "C1" : Ein- und ausgegangene Befehle u. Meldungen usw. zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/4. Pages 311-312. Back
  2. Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 des Kdos. der 1. Panzer-Division - 17. Oktober 1943-31. Dezember 1943. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/1. Page 10. Back
  3. Anlage "a" zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 : Kriegsgliederungen - 9.11.1943-7.12.1943. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/2. Back
  4. Anlage "a" zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 : Kriegsgliederungen - 9.11.1943-7.12.1943. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/2. Back

Sources

  1. Anlage "C1" : Ein- und ausgegangene Befehle u. Meldungen usw. zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. 442 p. NARA T315 R32 45376/4.
  2. Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 des Kdos. der 1. Panzer-Division - 17. Oktober 1943-31. Dezember 1943. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. 88 p. NARA T315 R32 45376/1.