Kradschützen or motorcycle troops were a common part of German panzer divisions until late 1942, by which time they had largely been replaced by panzer grenadiers mounted in armoured carriers. Their manpower was often recruited from former cavalry units or reorganized machine-gun battalions.
1st Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 1 was formed on 15 October 1935 in Bad Freienwalde (Oder). The battalion and was subordinate to the 1st Panzer Division. The battalion took part in the Polish and western campaigns. From June 1941 the battalion fought in Russia. On 1 June 1942, it was reorganized and included the Panzer Reconnaissance 4.
2nd Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 2 was formed on 15 October 1935 in Bad Freienwalde (Oder). The battalion was subordinate to the 2nd Panzer Division and was stationed in Eisenach. On 12 October 1937, the battalion moved to Bad Kissingen, in Military District XIII. The battalion was later stationed in Eisenstadt, Wehrkreis XVII. In 1938 the battalion took part in the invasion of the Sudetenland and in 1939 in the invasion of the remainder of Czechoslovakia. Also in 1939 the battalion took part in the Polish campaign and then in 1940 in the western campaign and the campaign against Greece. From June 1941, it took part in operations against Russia. On 16 March 1942, the 1st company of the Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 5 was taken over as the 1st Panzer Reconnaissance Company.
3rd Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 3 was formed on 15 October 1935 in Bad Freienwalde (Oder). The battalion was subordinate to the 3rd Panzer Division. The Breslau State Police Motorcycle Rifle unit provided the core for the 3rd company. At the beginning of the Polish campaign, the battalion took part in operations in Poland and fought with the 3rd Panzer Division in the Tuchel area. It then moved and fought in areas in Bielsk and Brest-Litovsk. It then moved south of Wlodawa. When operations were completed in Poland the battalion moved back to its home garrisons, where it remained until the end of October 1939. From the beginning of November 1939, the battalion moved with the 3rd Panzer Division to the Western Front. From 10 May 1940 it took part in the Western campaign where it advanced to the Albert Canal and was embroiled in the fighting for positions around Dyle. After the Battle of Flanders, the battalion took part in the fighting on the Somme in early June. On 12 June the battalion crossed the Marne towards Dijon and Beaune. After the end of the Western campaign, the battalion returned to its home base.
At the end of May 1941, the battalion left its peacetime base for the last time and moved to the Brest-Litovsk area. From 22 June 1941, the battalion fought on the Eastern Front. It took part in operations around Bialystok and Minsk, crossed the Beressina near Bobruisk and the Dnieper. After the Battle of Kiev the battalion took part in fighting around Vjazma and Bryansk and advanced towards Orel. This was followed by the offensive battles from Moscow to Tula and the subsequent defensive battles. In February 1942, the battalion fought in the Kursk area on the upper Donets. On 25 April 1942, the battalion was merged with the 1st Panzer Reconnaissance. It fought in the Battle of Kharkov and then advanced into the Caucasus to the Terek. At the beginning of January 1943, it withdrew from the Caucasus to the Don. From the beginning of March 1943 the battalion fought in the Donets region and until the beginning of March 1943 between the Donets and the Dnieper. It then undertook defensive fighting in areas around Mius. On 28 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 3.
4th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 4 was established on 1 December 1941 at the Stablack military training area, in Military District I. The battalion was created through the reorganization of the Cycling Abteilung 1. It was subordinate to the 24th Panzer Division. Following training the battalion moved to Russia in the Kursk area at the end of May 1942 and from here took part in the offensive across the Don and Donets to Stalingrad in the summer of 1942, where it was surrounded and destroyed in the winter of 1942/3. On 17 February 1943 the battalion was reorganized in France as Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 4.
6th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 6 was formed on 1 April 1939 from the IV Squadron of Cavalry Rifle Regiment 4 at Iserlohn Military District VI for the 1st Light Division. The battalion took part in the Polish campaign. On 18 October the 1st Light Division was reorganized into the 6th Panzer Division. On 10 May 1940, the 6th Panzer Division crossed the Belgian border with Kradschützen Battalion 6 and advanced through the Ardennes. On 13/14 May it crossed over the Meuse at Montherme and the battalion advanced to the Oise. The battalion took part in the battles for Flanders and on 27 May fought for Cassel, Hazebrouk and Poperinghe. After the Battle of Northern France, the battalion prepared for the ‘Battle of France’. Following the successful battle for France on 1 July 1940 the battalion moved back to its peacetime location.
On 1 August 1940 the 3rd Motorcycle Rifle Squadron was handed over to Motorcycle Rifle Battalion 16 of the 16th Panzer Division. This squadron was replaced by the 2nd company of the 79th Infantry Regiment. In June 1941 the battalion took part in the campaign against Russia. From October 1941, the battalion attacked eastwards across the upper Dnieper towards Moscow. The battalion played a key role in the crossing over the Volga near Kalinin. The battalion then attacked via Klin-Rogachev to the Moskva–Volga Canal northeast of Nikolskoye. From January to April 1942, defensive and offensive battles were fought in the Rzhew–Szytschewka–Belyj area.
In April 1942 the battalion was moved to France for recuperation and additional training. It returned to the southern sector of the Eastern Front in November 1942 and fought near Pochlebin, in the Kalmyk steppe and southwest of Stalingrad. It took part in the German relief efforts on Stalingrad. Following its failed relief efforts the battalion moved to the Bogutchar area in order to prevent a Russian breakthrough. On 1 February 1943, the battalion was incorporated into Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 57 and formed the Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 6 on 1 April 1943.
7th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 7 was formed on 25 October 1939 from the 1st Battalion of the disbanded Reconnaissance Regiment 7 at the peacetime base in Bad Kissingen in Military District IX. The battalion was subordinate to the 7th Panzer Division. At the end of 1939 the battalion moved with the 7th Panzer Division to the Bonn–Bad Neuenahr area to prepare for the Western campaign. In May 1940 the battalion took part in the advance through Belgium and northern France to the English Channel. It fought against the British breakout attacks at Arras. During the second phase of the Western campaign, the battalion advanced through the Weygand Line to Rouen from 5 June 1940 and then marched across the Seine to Le Havre–Cherbourg and via Rennes to the Charente. After the Western campaign, the battalion remained in France and returned to its home base in January 1941. The battalion was brought to full strength and received its third motorbike company. In June 1941 the battalion moved to East Prussia and took part in the war against Russia. In the spring of 1942, the remnants of Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 37 were incorporated into the battalion to strengthen it. On 1 April 1943, it was renamed as Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 7.
8th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 8 was formed on 1 April 1940 from the 2nd Abteilung of the 9th Cavalry Rifle Regiment at the Sorau Military District III. The battalion was subordinated to the 8th Panzer Division and took part in the Western campaign in 1940. In the spring of 1941 it was sent to the Balkans and from June 1941 to the Eastern Front. On 25 January 1942 remnants of Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 59 was incorporated into the battalion. On 1 April 1 1943, it was renamed as Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 8.
10th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 10 was created on 1 March 1941 from elements of Rifle Regiment 69 and the Rifle Regiment 86. The battalion’s peacetime location was Sorau in Military District III. The battalion was subordinated to the 10th Panzer Division where it fought in Russia from June 1941. In May 1942, the battalion moved with the division to France and prepared for a deployment to North Africa. In November 1942 the battalion moved to North Africa. On March 24, 1943 the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 10.
13th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 13 was formed on 6 August 1942 through the reorganization of Reconnaissance Abteilung 22. On 5 September 1942, a tank scout company 13 was added. The battalion was subordinated to the 22nd Infantry Division where it was sent to Greece. On 2 October 1942, the battalion was renamed Reconnaissance Abteilung 22.
15th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 15 was formed on 11 November 1940 in Military District XII. The battalion’s peacetime location was Salzwedel in Military District XI. The battalion was subordinated to the 15th Panzer Division. The battalion moved to North Africa in the spring of 1941 and took part in operations with the Afrika Korps. By late 1942 the battalion was reorganized as III Battalion of the 104th Rifle Regiment of the 21st Panzer Division.
16th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 16 was established on 2 August 1940 in Bielefeld, in Military District VI, by reorganizing the Machine Gun Battalion 1. The battalion was subordinated to the 16th Panzer Division. The battalion was a training unit in Romania from December 1940 and took part in the Balkan campaign in April 1941. From June 1941 the battalion fought in Russia. On 1 August 1941, it merged with Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 16. In 1942 the battalion took part in the German advance across the Don and Donets towards Stalingrad. In January 1943 the battalion was destroyed in Stalingrad. On 1 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 16.
17th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 17 was established on 11 October 1940 in Military District VII through the reorganization of the 2nd Battalion of the 63rd Infantry Regiment. The battalion’s peacetime location was Ingolstadt. The battalion was subordinated to the 17th Panzer Division where it was moved with the battalion and fought on the Eastern Front. It took part in the battles for Smolensk, Kiev and Bryansk in central Russia and at the end of 1941 fought on the Moscow Front in the Tula area. On 1 April 1942, Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 27 was incorporated into the battalion and was deployed in the Orel area. At the end of the year it moved to the Don and took part in the defensive battles around Rostov. On 1 May 1943 it was renamed Panzer-Einklarungs-Abteilung 17.
18th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 18 was created on 15 October 1940 in Military District IV, from the motorized 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry Regiment. The battalion was subordinated to the 18th Panzer Division. It was sent to the Eastern Front in June 1941 and by November it was incorporated into the reinforced by Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 88. On 1 April 1943, the Abteilung was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 18. By October 1943 the battalion was absorbed into Rifle Division 88.
19th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 19 was formed on 1 November 1940 in Military District XI, through the reorganization of the 1st Battalion of the 73rd Infantry Regiment. The battalion’s peacetime location was Celle. The battalion was subordinated to the 19th Panzer Division where it fought in Russia from June 1941. On 14 August 1941 the battalion was disbanded and the remnants were incorporated into Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 19.
20th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 20 was created on 4 November 1940 in Bielefeld, in Military District VI, through the reorganization of the III. The battalion’s peacetime location was Worms. The battalion was subordinated to the 20th Panzer Division and fought on the Eastern Front from June 1941. In 1942 Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 92 was incorporated. On 1 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 20.
22nd Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 22 was established up in Greifswald on 20 August 1940 by Wehrkreis (military district) II. The battalion was subordinated to the 2nd Infantry Division (motorized), and from 5 October 1940 to the 12th Panzer Division. The battalion was sent to the Eastern Front in June 1941and suffered heavy losses during its first few months in the Leningrad area. In 1942 following recuperation the battalion moved to the German central area around Jarzewo. Once again over a period of months the battalion suffered heavy losses. On 20 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 12.
23rd Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 23 was formed on 13 September 1941 in France. The battalion was subordinated to the 23rd Panzer Division. From March 1942 the battalion fought in Russia. On 22 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 23. It then merged with the remnants of Kradschützen Battalion 24 of the 22nd Panzer Division.
24th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 24 was created on 10 September 1941 in France. The battalion was subordinated to the 22nd Panzer Division and was deployed in the Niort area in southwest France. On 17 February 1942 the battalion was transferred to the Eastern Front with the 22nd Panzer Division where it fought in the Crimea. In June it was moved southeast of Kharkov. Later that year it advanced to the Don for operations against Stalingrad. In mid-September the battalion moved to the area around Millerowo, where the 22nd Panzer Division was assembled. By February 1943 the battalion was removed from its positions on the Donets and fought in the Sverdlovsk area. The following month the battalion was disbanded. The remnants of the battalion were then incorporated with Kradschützen Battalion 23. From 22 April 1943, it was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 23.
25th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 25 was formed on 15 November 1940 through the reorganization of the III Battalion of the 40th Infantry Regiment. The battalion was subordinated to the 25th Infantry Division where it was sent to Russia to fight in June 1941. Following heavy losses the Reconnaissance Abteilung 25 (motorized) were incorporated into the battalion on 1 May 1942. It was then renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 125 on 1 April 1943.
26th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 26 was created on 15 September 1942, through the reorganization of the Cycling Battalion 23 of the 23rd Infantry Division. The battalion was subordinated to the 26th Panzer Division. The battalion was deployed with the division to southern France. On 1 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 26.
29th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 29 was formed on 25 February 1941 in Erfurt in Military District XI, from the 4th and 7th companies of the 15th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd and 7th companies of the 71st Infantry Regiment. The battalion was subordinated to the 29th Infantry Division (motorized) and was made up of the 1st-3rd Motorized Rifle Company and the 4th Heavy Company. At the beginning of June 1941, the battalion moved by train to the Warsaw area where it took part in the Russian campaign from 22 June 1941. From mid-August to early October 1941, the battalion advanced on the Desna area where it successfully fought off strong Russian resistance. The battalion then advanced towards Moscow via Chern–Bogorodisk and Jepifan. In May 1942 it moved to the area south of Orel. Later in the year the battalion then advanced north towards Stalingrad where it was subsequently destroyed in the Battle of Stalingrad in January 1943.
30th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 30 was created on 23 December 1940 in Arnswalde through the reorganization of the III Battalion of the 25th Infantry Regiment. Motorcyclists from the 20th Infantry Division (motorized) and the Reconnaissance Abteilung 20 also joined the battalion. The battalion’s peacetime location was Arnswalde in Military District II. The battalion was subordinated to the 20th Infantry Division (motorized). In mid-February 1941, the battalion was relocated to France and used as an occupation force in the Auxerre area. In mid-April 1941, the battalion returned to Germany to serve as an OKH reserve for the Balkan campaign. In June 1941 the battalion was sent to Russia. The remnants of Reconnaissance Abteilung 20 (motorized) were incorporated into the battalion in 1942. It was then renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 120 on 29 April 1943.
34th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 34 was formed on 7 January 1941 in Military District XIII. The battalion was subordinated to the 4th Panzer Division. In mid-February 1941, the battalion was sent to France as an occupation force in the area north of Bordeaux. In mid-April 1941 it was relocated to western Hungary as a reserve for the Balkan campaign, in which it no longer took part. From 25 April 1941, the battalion moved into an accommodation area near Poznan before being relocated with the 4th Panzer Division in June 1941. The battalion took part in operations near Moscow in late 1941. After heavy losses in the subsequent defensive battles, the remnants of the 7th Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung were incorporated into the battalion on 5 March 1942. The battalion was deployed in 1942 in the Orel and Bryansk area. In the winter and spring of 1943 it saw heavy fighting in the Kursk area. In April 1943 the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 4.
36th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 36 was created on 9 November 1940 by renaming Machine Gun Battalion 11. The battalion was subordinated to the 36th Infantry Division (motorized). The battalion was sent to the Eastern Front in June 1941 where it suffered high losses. The remnants of Reconnaissance Abteilung (motorized) 36 were incorporated into the battalion on 15 March 1942. The battalion was then incorporated into the renamed Division Fusilier Battalion 36 on 1 January 1944.
38th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 38 was formed on 18 November 1940 in Military District VIII. The battalion was subordinated to the 18th Infantry Division. The battalion was sent to Russia in June 1941 where it fought in Army Group Centre and then Army Group North. Following heavy fighting and subsequent losses the remnants of Reconnaissance Abteilung (motorized) 18 were incorporated into the battalion on 1 October 1942. On 1 December 1942, the battalion formed a 6th heavy grenade launcher company. In 1943 the battalion was deployed to Lake Ilmen and in April the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 118.
40th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 40 was created on 15 November 1940 from MG Battalion 6. The battalion was subordinated to the 10th Infantry Division (motorized). It fought with the division in Russia from June 1941. On 13 July 1942, remnants of Reconnaissance Abteilung 10 (motorized) were incorporated into the battalion. On 1 April 1943, it was reorganized into Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 110.
43rd Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 43 was established in Calbe/Saale, Military District XI, on 2 August 1940. It was subordinated to the 13th Panzer Division. In June 1941 the battalion was sent to Russia where it fought at the Dniepropetrovsk bridgehead. On 10 April 1942, a new Kradschützen Battalion 43 was created from the remnants of the battalion and the Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 13 following high losses. On 3 March 1943, the division reported that the battalion’s trench strength was only 100 men following fierce defensive action. In mid-1943 the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 13.
53rd Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 53 was formed on 27 October 1941 by Wehrkreis III, from the 2nd Battalion of Infantry Regiment 50. The battalion was subordinated to the 3rd Infantry Division (motorized). The battalion was deployed with the division in Russia, and saw action on the central front during its drive on Moscow. At the beginning of 1942 the battalion was re-deployed in the Vjazma area. On 14 March 1942, the remnants of Reconnaissance Abteilung 53 (motorized) were incorporated into the battalion. In June 1942 the battalion moved to Army Group South and took part in the German summer offensive towards the Don and Donets. By August 1942 the battalion was embroiled in heavy fighting around Stalingrad where it was subsequently destroyed in January 1943.
54th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 54 was created on 15 October 1940 by reorganizing the 1st Battalion of the 101 Infantry Regiment. The battalion was subordinated to the 14th Infantry Division (motorized). In June 1941 the battalion was sent to the Eastern Front where it fought in Army Group Centre. In 1942, remnants of Reconnaissance Abteilung 14 (motorized) were incorporated into the battalion. On 1 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 114.
55th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 55 was established on 9 August 1940 by Military District VIII, by the staff of the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Regiment 14. The battalion was subordinated to the 5th Panzer Division and was formed into 5 companies. In 1941 the battalion took part in the Balkan campaign. For the invasion of Russia, the battalion was initially left in reserve, but later took part in operations in September 1941 in Army Group Centre. On 24 March 1943 the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 5.
59th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 59 was created on 9 August 1940 by Military District VIII, by the staff of the 2nd Battalion of the 14th Rifle Regiment. The battalion was subordinated to the 9th Panzer Division. On 3 February 1941, the battalion was transported by rail to Romania, from where it was part of the invasion force of Bulgaria in March 1941. During the Balkan campaign, the battalion fought at the Stracin Pass, near Skopljes and Prizrens. In June the battalion was sent to the Eastern Front. The following year it was part of Operation Blue, the German summer offensive towards the Don. Following heavy fighting the battalion was moved to the Gshatsk area, from where it fought in the Rzhev area and then near Shizdra. On 23 March 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 59.
61st Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 61 was formed on 6 August 1940 by Wehrkreis IX, from Rifle Regiment 110 and Rifle Regiment 111. The battalion was subordinated to the 11th Panzer Division. The battalion took part in the Balkan campaign in Serbia in 1941 and fought in Army Group South on the Eastern Front from 22 June 1941. In September 1941 it was transferred to Army Group Centre and took part in the German offensive against Moscow. On 1 December 1941, remnants of Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 231 were incorporated into the battalion. The battalion went on to fight in the Gshatsk area and in the summer of 1942 took part in the German offensive against Don and Donets. The battalion fought around Stalingrad pocket and then saw action in the Kharkov area from February 1943. On 27 April 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 11.
64th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 64 was created on 16 August 1940 in Military District IV, through the reorganization of Machine Gun Battalion 7. The battalion was subordinated to the 14th Panzer Division. In March 1941 the battalion moved to Hungary and took part in the Balkan campaign. In June 1941 the battalion fought on the Russian southern front. On 1 April 1942, the battalion merged with Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 40. In the summer of 1942, the battalion took part in the German summer offensive across the Don and Donets towards Stalingrad, where it was destroyed in January 1943.
87th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 87 was established on 9 November 1942 in Norway. The battalion was also known as the Kradschützen Battalion ‘Rheinberg’. It was subordinated to the 25th Panzer Division in Norway. On 7 April 1943 the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 25.
160th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 160 was formed on 7 August 1940 following the reorganization of Machine Gun Battalion 15. The battalion was subordinated to the 60th Infantry Division. In 1941 the battalion took part in the Balkan campaign. A couple of months later it was sent to the Eastern Front and fought with the Kleist Panzer Group. On 1 April 1942, the battalion merged with Reconnaissance Abteilung 160 (motorized). In the summer of 1942, it took part in the German offensive towards Stalingrad, where it was surrounded and destroyed the following winter.
165th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 165 was created on 6 August 1940 in Sennelager, in Military District VI, following the reorganization of MG Battalion 3. The battalion was subordinated to the 16th Infantry Division. The battalion took part in the Balkan campaign with the division in April 1941 and then was transferred to the Eastern Front. On 28 December 1941 it amalgamated with Reconnaissance Abteilung 341. On 1 May 1943, the battalion was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 116.
345th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 345 was established on 25 November 1942 as a Kriemhilde (lance) unit at the Wildflecken military training area. The battalion was subordinated to the 345th Infantry Division (motorized). On 1 March 1943, the battalion was renamed the Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 29, later 129 as a replacement forthe Kradschützen Battalion 29 of the 29th Infantry Division (motorized) that was destroyed at Stalingrad.
386th Motorcycle Rifle Battalion
The Kradschützen Battalion 386 was formed on 25 November 1942. The battalion was subordinated to the 386th Infantry Division (motorized). On 1 March 1943 it was renamed Panzer Reconnaissance Abteilung 53, as a replacement for Kradschützen Battalion 53 of the 3rd Infantry Division (motorized) that was destroyed at Stalingrad.