Panzer Lehr Division

CONTENTS

Editor’s note

Brief History of Panzer Lehr Divison 130 from Activation to Normandy Invasion

Part I–Panzer Lehr Division in Normandy through to the Withdrawal from France

Activation of Panzer Lehr Division 130, Hungarian interlude and further training prior to the Normandy Invasion

The Normandy Invasion

Questions to be answered by Fritz Kraemer, Generalmajor Waffen-SS 28 April 1948 regarding first orders to Panzer-Lehr and its first movements June 6–8. Questions in English, replies translated by Frederick Steinhardt

Additional questions to Bayerlein. Questions not given. Replies translated by Frederick Steinhardt

Panzer Lehr Division 130 and the June 7–9 counterattacks against the Normandy Invasion

Battle in the Bocage–The Battle for Villers-Bocage, the Odon River Crossings and the Evrecy Hills

ETHINT 66 (ML–1079)

Additional questions to Bayerlein, 7–9 Aug 1945

An interview with Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein, Pz Lehr Div.
(Jan–28 July 1944)

Oral interview. No record in German was made at the time of this oral interview. [Ethint 66 is the lengthy, basic interview covering Panzer Lehr from its employment in Hungary through the invasion and the start of the American breakout.]

Counterattack at St. Jean-de-Daye

Operation “Cobra”

From the Seine to the Westwall

ETHINT 69–() 25 Nov 1945

An interview with Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein–Pz Lehr Div at the Start of Operation Cobra.

No record in German was made at the time of this oral interview in asmuch as the interview was held entirely in English …

[Ethint 69 is a brief series of questions about the American bombing at the start of Operation Cobra]

MS# A 902–Index (in German) 2pp. 12 July 1949

1 p. questions in English, 3+ pp, in German, Bayerlein’s replies giving more specific information on the bombing of 24–25 July 1945 (Operation Cobra). General Bayerlein’s replies translated by Frederick Steinhardt

MS#A 903. 12 July 1949

Additional more precise information on enemy situation, strength, losses as a result of the First Army attack and enemy reaction to the attack (Cobra)

Index (2+ pp), questions (3 + pp in English, tables (in English) and about seven pages in German. General Bayerlein’s replies translated by Frederick Steinhardt

ETHINT 67- (). 15 Aug 1945

An interview with Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein. Critique of Normandy

Breakthrough. Pz Lehr Div from St. Lo to the Ruhr

37 pp plus maps

This is not an oral interview but rather is the translation of a series of answers to questions in German written by General Bayerlein. “I saw the German manuscript before it was translated by Sergeant Kiralfy, but I have no idea where it is now located.” (Kenneth Hechler, Major, Infantry (Res))

M.S.# A- 901 (in German). 18 February 1946

Supplementary Questions to Previous Questionnaire. “Withdraw[al] from France

5 pages plus numerous poor maps which for reasons of their lack of clarity have not been included in this book. Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

Notes on the period from reconstitution of Panzer Lehr Division 130 after the retreat to the Westwall through to its involvement in the Lorraine Campaign

Part II–Panzer Lehr Division 130 in the Ardennes Offensive

Kampfgruppe 901 at Bastogne

The Main Body of Panzer Lehr Division 130 Resumes the Westward Movement Toward the Meuse Crossings

Retreat from the Ardennes

Pz Lehr Div (1 Dec 44–26 Jan 45) [Ardennes] [in German]

31+ pp plus maps. Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

MS # A–942 (15 June 1950)

Pz Lehr Div (15–22 Dec 44)

10pp plus maps. Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

MS # B 049 (8 August 1950)

Ardennes–Panzer-Lehr Division, Description of Combat Operations from 12 to 20 January 1945 (Withdrawal from the Ardennes)
4pp plus maps (not reproduced in this book for reasons of clarity).
Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

MS # A–943 (16 June 1950)

Additional Questions on Ardennes Offensive

6pp in German. Translated by Fred Steinhardt

Panzer-Lehr Division Situation Maps (23 December 1944–11 January 1945)

Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

MS #A 945 (16 June 1950)

Additional Questions on Ardennes Offensive

3pp in German. Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

Part III–Panzer Lehr Division 130 after Ardennes, before Remagen

After Ardennes, before Remagen

Employment of Panzer Lehr Division in the Saar Sector in November 1944

1½pp in English plus map

Panzer Lehr Division on the Lower Rhine against Canadian Operation “Veritable”

Panzer Lehr Division (15–25 February 1945)

English copy, part 1

19(??) nearly illegible pages–Helmut Hudel, part one

Panzer Lehr’s involvement against Simpson’s American Ninth Army’s Operation ‘Grenade’

Panzer Lehr Division (25 February–7 March 1945)
by Major a.D. Helmut Hudel, part two. Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

130th Panzer Lehr Division 23 March–15 April 1945 by Helmut Hudel, Major a.D. Translated by Frederick Steinhardt

[Editor’s note: Although much of the material in this interview concerns events that took place after Panzer Lehr’s action at the Remagen Bridgehead, I inserted MS # B–850 here, since it is the third in the series of interviews with Major Hudel and opens with the description of the formation and departure of the Kampfgruppe that was sent to Remagen. My notes on the events that took place after the Remagen Bridgehead until the surrender follow MS # A–970 on the Combat of the LIII Korps at Remagen Bridgehead from 10 to 22 March 1945.]

Part IV–Panzer Lehr at Remagen and after

Kampfgruppe Hüdel at Remagen

Combat of the LIII Korps at Remagen Bridgehead from 10 to 22 March 1945 About seven pages and a vast amount of maps and notes to maps.

From the Remagen Bridgehead to the Ruhr Pocket