german use of tanks in the battle of the bulge

It succeeded in halting the initial British advance and was involved in the fighting for Hill 112, a set battle on the outskirts of Caen.ĭespite suffering heavy losses from allied air attacks Panzer Lehr was to continue to put up a stubborn resistance to the allies until, on the 11th of July, it was ordered to attack the village of Le Desert. Panzer Lehr initially saw action in Normandy where, as part of Army Group West’s strategic reserves, it was deployed to counter the Allied landings.

It was composed primarily of veterans whom had seen action in North Africa and on the Eastern Front, meaning that it was considered an elite unit and was subsequently fully equipped with a mix of Panzer IVs, the newer Panthers, Puma armoured cars and (uncommonly) halftracks for both Panzer Grenadier regiments. The Panzer Lehr was formed in 1943 in the Brandenburg area before being moved to Verdun to be completed.

Panzer Lehr, also known as the 130th Panzer Lehr Division, was possibly one of the most lavishly equipped elite units in the German army. Jacob Bebbington has been delving into the mud and snow of the Ardennes as he explores the background to one of the most famous and bitterly fought battles of the western front in 1944.

German use of tanks in the battle of the bulge