[Editor’s (FPS) note–this (MS # D–322) was translated by an Army Translator. The German original was not available so this is copied exactly. Any additions or comments by FPS are in brackets. Due to illegibility of some place names, reference was made to Helmut Ritgen, pp 204–212 in Die Geschichte der Panzer-Lehr Division and Map XXXIV and discussion in Cole, The Lorraine Campaign, pp.464 ff.]
Employment of the PANZER-LEHR DIVISION in the SAAR Sector in November 1944
Around the 20 November strong US forces had advanced th rough the SAARBURG-PFALZBERG area to the VOSGES (SAVERNE Heights) in ALSACE.
The PANZER-LEHR DIVISION, at approximately 50% strength, was alerted on 22 Nov in the area CASTELLAN-BUECHENBEUREN-MOORBACH and moved to ST WENDEL-ST INGBERT with the mission of attacking from vic[inity] SAARUNION and clearing the area between SAARBURG And PFLAZBURG [Pfalzburg]. After this was accomplished the division would then attack the flanks of the advancing enemy force and cutting [sic.] it off from its rear communications and thus prepare the annihilation of the forces which had advanced into ALSACE.
For this mission the division was attached to the First Army.
The PANZER-LEHR Division arrived at 1600, 22 Nov in vic[inity] SAARUNION in two combat teams:
Combat Team I
(902 PzGren Regt, light artillery battalion, 12 tanks [Kampfgruppe v. Poschinger]). Mission to attack and take WOLFSKIRCHEN, POTSDORF, BAERENDORF [Bärendorf] and RAUWILLER [Rauviller on sketchmap] and advance to SAARBURG-PFLAZBURG [Pfalzburg] road.
Combat Team II
(901 PzGren Regt, medium-artillery battalion, 20 tanks [Kampfgruppe v. Hauser]) Advance over EYWILLER, HIRSCHLAND [Hirschlanden on sketchmap], SCHALLBACH to PFALZBURG.
Combat Team I had on the 25th, after fighting in and around POTSDORF [Postroff on Cole map and on sketchmap in Ritgen, but Porsthof in text of Ritgen, Die Geschichte der Panzer Lehr Division], and BAERENDORF, captured RAUWILLER. The latter was taken by envelopment from both sides and one enemy battalion captured.