Panzer Leader
Page 61
1 February, 1930 Commander of the 3rd (Prussian) Motor Transport Battalion, Berlin–Lankwitz.
1 February, 1931 Promoted lieutenant-colonel.
1 October, 1931 Transferred to the Defence Ministry as chief of staff to the Inspectorate of Motorised Troops.
1 April, 1933 Promoted colonel.
1 July, 1934 Chief of staff to the Armoured Troops Command.
15 October, 1935 Commander of 2nd Panzer Division, Würzburg.
1 August, 1936 Promoted major-general.
4 February, 1938 Commander of XVI Army Corps, Berlin, and simultaneously promoted lieutenant-general.
10 March, 1938 Occupation of Austria.
2 October, 1938 Occupation of the Sudetenland.
20 November, 1938 Chief of Mobile Troops and promoted general of panzer troops.
Second World War
August, 1939 Commander XIX Army Corps.
September, 1939 Polish campaign.
May–June, 1940 Western campaign.
1 June, 1940 Commander Panzer Group Guderian.
19 July, 1940 Promoted colonel-general.
16 November, 1940 Commander Panzer Group 2.
5 October, 1941 Commander Second Panzer Army.
26 December, 1941 Transferred to the commanders’ reserve pool of the OKH.
1 March, 1943 Inspector-General of Armoured Troops.
21 July, 1944 Also entrusted with the duties of Chief of the Army General Staff.
28 March, 1945 Sent on leave.
Decorations Received in Second World War
5 September, 1939 Clasp to Iron Cross Second Class.
13 September, 1939 Clasp to Iron Cross First Class.
27 October, 1939 Knight’s Cross to the Iron Cross.
17 July, 1941 Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross.
APPENDIX II
The Supreme Commander
of the Armed Forces Berlin, 31.8.39
OKW/WFA Nr. 170/39 g.K. Chefs. L1
Top Secret
Directive No. 1 for the prosecution of the war
1. Having exhausted all political possibilities of rectifying the intolerable situation on Germany’s eastern frontier by peaceful means, I have decided to solve the problem by force.
2. The attack on Poland is to be carried out in accordance with the plans laid down for Case White, as modified by the fact that meanwhile the army has almost completed its deployment.
Allotment of tasks and operational objectives remain unchanged.
Date of the attack 1 September, 1939.
Hour of the attack 04.45 hrs.
This hour applies equally to the launching of the operations Gdynia-Gulf of Danzig and Dirschau Bridge.
3. In the West the problem is unambiguously to saddle England and France with the responsibility for opening hostilities. Any insignificant violation of the frontier is for the time being only to be dealt with purely by means of local counter-measures.
We have guaranteed the neutrality of Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland and their neutrality is to be strictly observed.
At no point is the western land frontier of Germany to be crossed without my explicit approval.
At sea this also applies to all warlike actions, or actions that might be construed as warlike.
The defensive measures of the air force are for the time being to consist solely in repelling enemy air attacks within the borders of Germany; so far as possible the frontiers of neutral states are not to be crossed when repelling attacks by single aircraft or by small formations. Only in the event of large formations of French and English aircraft flying across neutral states towards German territory and thus endangering our western air defences will our defensive forces be free also to fly over neutral soil.
It is particularly important that the OKW be informed with all speed in the event of our Western enemies violating the neutrality of any other country.
If England and France open hostilities against Germany it is the task of those elements of the armed forces operating in the West by the employment of minimum forces to ensure the maintenance of conditions which will permit a victorious conclusion to the operations against Poland. As part of this task maximum damage is to be inflicted on the enemy forces and on his sources of economic strength. I retain in all cases the right to decide when offensive operations may be initiated.
The Army will hold the West Wall and will take the necessary steps to prevent it from being outflanked to the north by means of a violation of Belgian or Dutch territory on the part of the Western Powers. Should French forces move into Luxembourg the army is authorised to blow the frontier bridges.
The Navy will start warfare against commercial shipping, with main effort directed against the shipping of England. To increase the effectiveness of this warfare it may be assumed that certain zones will be declared danger zones. The Naval High Command (OKM) will report what sea areas may usefully be designated danger zones and to what extent. The text of such declarations will be prepared in conjunction with the Foreign Ministry and will be submitted to me, through the OKW, for approval.
The Baltic is to be made safe against enemy penetration. The OKM will decide whether for this purpose the entrances to the Baltic should be closed by minefields.
The Air Force has the primary task of preventing any operations by the French or English air forces against the German army or German territory.
In connection with the war against England, the Air Force is to prepare to interrupt England’s seaborne supplies, armament industries and troop transports to France. Favourable opportunities for effective attack on massed units of the English fleet, in particular on battleships and aircraft carriers, are to be exploited. I retain the right of decision concerning attacks on London.
Attacks against the English home territories are to be prepared with this in mind: inadequate success with limited force is in all circumstances to be avoided.
signed: A. HITLER
Distribution:
OKH 1st copy
OKM 2nd copy
OKL 3rd copy
OKW:
Chief Armed Forces Command
Staff 4th copy
Spare 5th-8th copies
APPENDIX III
Top Secret
Inspector General of Armoured Troops H.Q., O.K.H.
Nr. 3940/44. g. Kdos. 7.11.1944
The Military Adjutant with the Führer.
1. During the Western Campaign Panzer Divisions Nos. 1-10 were engaged.
2. Panzergrenadier Divisions did not then exist in their present form. The three Light Divisions which had taken part in the Polish Campaign had been transformed into Panzer Divisions before the beginning of the Western Campaign.
3. The organisation of the Panzer Divisions was as follows:
(a) Nos. 1–5 and 10th Panzer Division: two Panzer Regiments, each of two Battalions. German equipment.
(b) 9th Panzer Division: one Panzer Regiment of two battalions. German equipment.
(c) 6th, 7th and 8th Panzer Divisions (formerly Light Divisions): one Panzer Regiment of three battalions. Czech equipment.
Total: 35 battalions.
4. Within the above divisions the following tanks moved against the enemy on 10.5.40:
523 Panzer I
955 Panzer II
349 Panzer III
278 Panzer IV
106 Czech 35 tanks
228 Czech 38 tanks
96 small armoured command vehicles, chassis I
39 large armoured command vehicles, chassis III
———
2,574 tanks
These 2,574 tanks carried the following weapons:
4,407 Machine-guns 13 or 34 (Czech)
955 20 mm. guns
349 37 mm. guns
334 37 mm. guns [sic. Tr.]
278 75 mm. guns
The Panzer II, equipped with a 50 mm. gun, was not available in May, but during the course of the Western Campaign 40 were committed. Since the first assault guns of t
he production programme initiated in February 1940 were only delivered in April, there was no quantity of assault guns worth mentioning employed in the Western Campaign.
5. For other weapons and strength in personnel of the Panzer Divisions see annex attached [unfortunately not available].
APPENDIX IV
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps Corps H.Q., Neufchâteau
Operations Department 11.5.40
Corps Orders for 12.5.40
1. During the course of today’s successful attack the corps has thrown back a brave and skilfully fighting enemy towards the Semois.
2. The task of the divisions for 12.5.40 is to cross the Semois and to mop up the enemy forces along the northern bank of the Meuse.
10th Panzer Division will place Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland at the disposal of corps in the direction of St. Médard.
2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions will clear their routes of advance so as to ensure than the divisions in the second line of the advance are able to take over the task of guarding the flanks.
2nd Panzer Division will therefore turn through Membre and Alle towards Sugny and the crossroads ¾ of a mile south-west of Poupehan. In this connection the road through Membre is to be cleared. The division is then to advance along the road through Alle that later leads through Rochehaut to the road junction 5 miles north-east of Bouillon (the corps supply route).
10th Panzer Division, as ordered already on the evening of May 10th, is to turn with the mass of its forces towards the Semois crossing at Cugnon and is no longer to occupy panzer roads 3 and 4. Line of further advance from Cugnon, through Quatre Chemins towards Sedan. It will be in contact with the corps supply route through Léglise.
3. Boundaries:
Between 2nd and 1st Panzer Divisions: Grandvoir–Chaumont–Nolleveaux (1st)–Cornimont–Rochehaut (1st)–crossroads 2½ miles south of Alle (2nd)– Bosseval et Briancourt (2nd)–the western edge of the Meuse bend–Frénois–the Frénois–Chéméry road–the Ardennes Canal as far as the bridge 2 miles east of le Chesne (villages, roads and canal all inclusive to 1st).
Between 1st and 10th Panzer Divisions: Grapefontaine–Orgeon (10th)–Noinforetaine–Bouillon–Bellevaux–road fork 2 miles south of Bouillon (10th)–Illy–the central Meuse bridge in Sedan (lst)–the southern road bridge in Sedan–Noyers Pont Maugis (10th)–Bulson (lst)–Villers Maisoncelle (1st)–Stone–Oche (1st).
4. Corps headquarters originally Neufchâteau, later moving along the Bertrix–Bouillon road.
5. The divisions will carry out their preparations for crossing the Meuse on 13.5.40 in accordance with the instructions already issued by corps.
6. The Luftwaffe will continue to support the corps on 12.5.40 as follows: until 09.00 hrs. on this side of the Meuse, thereafter on the far side.
signed: GUDERIAN.
Distribution:
Divisions under command
General
Operations
Intelligence
Artillery Commander
APPENDIX V
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps Corps H.Q.,
Operations Department 12.5.40, 17.50 hrs.
Preliminary Order for the attack across the Meuse
1. An Anglo-French motorised army of some twenty divisions advancing with its left wing moving through Antwerp has been attacked in all parts by the German Air Force and has been smashed. The Albert Canal has been crossed at all points. Liège has fallen.
2. Group von Kleist will attack across the Meuse tomorrow, 13.5.40, in the sector Charleville–Sedan. The group will receive exceptionally strong air support from the air force which is for this purpose freed from its tasks in Belgium. The group will in all circumstances seize crossings over the Meuse.
3. This corps’ task will be in accordance with the intention given above. Orders for the units involved in the attack will follow during the course of the evening.
4. In preparation for the success of this decisive attack it is essential that the divisions reach the Meuse today. Artillery and engineers are to be brought forward so that the launching of the attack can be assured to the best of the corps’ ability.
5. I am relying on the energy of the gentlemen in command of the divisions.
signed: GUDERIAN.
Distribution:
1st Panzer Division
2nd Panzer Division
10th Panzer Division
Corps H.Q. Operations
Intelligence
File
At 18.35 hrs. Corps H.Q. ordered:
For the attack on 13.5.40 the heavy artillery battalions of the 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions are placed under command of Artillery Commander 101. They are to be employed in 1st Panzer Division’s sector, etc.1
1st Panzer Division Div. H.Q.,
Operations Department 12.5.40, 18.45 hrs.
1. For the attack across the Meuse on 13.5.40 the orders contained in the annex attached will apply. It is, however, unlikely that all the engineer and artillery support envisaged will in fact be available.
2. Commanders are to make maximum effort to ensure that the division reaches its attacking positions. Despite the attached orders, these positions will be advanced to the Meuse. Villages will not be occupied. All vehicles not needed for the immediate attack are to be left behind in the area north of the Semois; in the case of units already south of the Semois such vehicles will be parked clear of the roads in the Ardennes.
3. Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland will move to its jumping-off position by way of the road network 1 mile north-west of Bellevaux and through Bouillon.
4. Prisoner-of-war assembly points: North of the Meuse, Illy; south of the Meuse, Bulson. Guard duties at each point to be the responsibility of one section of Rifle Regiment 1.
5. Casualty clearing point: Bouillon.
Main dressing station: Bertrix.
Field hospital: Neuenburg.
6. Commander of Armoured Engineer Battalion 37 takes over the duties of the Commander of Engineer Regiment 102.
7. Divisional H.Q. will be first of all in the wood north of Fleigneux.
10th Panzer Division Div. H.Q.,
Operations Department 12.5.40, 19.30 hrs.
Preliminary Order1 for the attack across the Meuse.
1. An Anglo-French motorised army of some twenty divisions has been smashed by the air force. The Albert Canal has been crossed at all points. Liège has fallen.
2. Tomorrow 10th Panzer Division will attack across the Meuse.
3. In preparation for the success of this decisive attack it is essential that the Rifle Brigade throw the enemy, still on this side of the Meuse in the division’s sector, back across the river. For the purpose of this attack the 1st Battalion of Artillery Regiment 90 is placed under the command of the Rifle Brigade. Division is to be informed when the objectives have been reached.
signed: SCHAAL.
APPENDIX VI
Headquarters, XIX Army Corps
Operations Department Corps H.Q., Bellevaux
13.5.40, 08.15 hrs.
Corps Order No. 3 for the attack across the Meuse
1. As a result of sharp fighting on May 12th, the XIX Army Corps has thrown the enemy across the Meuse along almost all the corps front. Strong enemy resistance is to be expected on the Meuse.
2. On the 13th of May the point of main effort of our Western Offensive lies in the sector of Group von Kleist.
The Group’s objective is the seizure of crossings over the Meuse between Monthermé and Sedan. Almost the whole of the German air force will support this operation. By means of uninterrupted attacks lasting for eight hours the French defences along the Meuse will be smashed. This will be followed by an assault across the river by Group von Kleist at 16.00 hrs. and the establishment of bridgeheads. XLI Army Corps, on the right of this corps, will cross the river at 16.00 hrs. on May 13th in the Monthermé and Nouzonville areas and will form a bridgehead in the area southern edge of Daville–Sorel–northern edge of Charleville.
<
br /> XIV Army Corps will be assembled behind XIX Army Corps and will be ready to move forward either through Neufchâteau or through Florenville according to the development of the situation.
3. XIX Army Corps will make the necessary preparations in its previously assigned sector during the course of the morning so as to be in a position to seize crossings over the Meuse between the mouth of the Bar and Bazeilles at 16.00 hrs. As soon as the crossings have been carried out a bridgehead will be established running Boutancourt–Sapogne–Chéhéry–Noyers Pont Maugis.
Boundary with XLI Army Corps: Martelange–Nanoussart–Longliers–Grandvoir–Assenois–north-west of Bertrix–Carlsbourg–Gross Fays–Mouzaive–Sugny–Lumes–Hannogne 9 miles south-west of Montcornet. All localities inclusive to XLI Army Corps.
4. The attack will be launched as follows:
(a) Right attacking group: between the Ardennes Canal and the Meuse bend (exclusive). Troops: 2nd Panzer Division.
(b) Central attacking group: between the Meuse bend (inclusive) and Torcy (inclusive)
Troops: 1st Panzer Division, with Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland and Assault Engineer Battalion 43.
(c) Left attacking group: between Sedan and Bazeilles.
Troops: 10th Panzer Division, less Infantry Regiment Gross-Deutschland.
Boundaries:
Between Right and Central attacking groups:
Mogimont–Rochehaut–cross roads 3 miles south of Alle–Bosseval et Briancourt (localities to Right attacking group)–the western bank of the Meuse bend–Frénois–the Frénois–Chéméry road–Singly–Poix Terrón (localities to Central attacking group).
Between Central and Left attacking groups:
Bellevaux–Noirefontaine–Bouillon (localities to Central group)–road fork 2 miles south of Bouillon (Left)–Illy–central Meuse bridge in Sedan (Central)–southern Meuse bridge in Sedan–Noyers Pont Maugis (Left)–Bulson (Central)–Stonne (Central).
5. Tasks:
(a) 2nd Panzer Division will move forward from its jumping-off position on either side of Donchéry at 16.00 hrs., will attack across the Meuse and will seize the high ground south of Donchéry. The division will then swing immediately westward, will cross the Ardennes Canal to the Bar bend inclusive, and will roll up the enemy defences along the Meuse, with right wing advancing to Boutancourt and left wing to Sapogne and Feuchères.