Tactical Numbers, 1. Panzer-Division, 1943
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
First battalion (Panther)
Battalion staff
First company
Second company
Third company
Fourth company
Second battalion (Pz Kpfw IV)
Battalion staff
Flamethrower tank platoon
Fifth company
Sixth company
Seventh company
Eighth company
References
- 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
- 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
- Anlage "a" zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 : Kriegsgliederungen - 9.11.1943-7.12.1943. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/2. Back
- Anlage "a" zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12 : Kriegsgliederungen - 9.11.1943-7.12.1943. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. NARA T315 R32 45376/2. Back
Sources
- Anlage "C1" : Ein- und ausgegangene Befehle u. Meldungen usw. zum Kriegstagebuch Nr. 12. 1. Panzer-Division, 1943. 442 p. NARA T315 R32 45376/4.
- 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.