102 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion
Encyclopedia
The SS Heavy-Panzer Battalion 102 (German
: Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 102) was a heavy-tank battalion of the Waffen SS during World War II
, which fought as part of the II SS Panzer Corps
during the Battle of Normandy
. Renamed as 502nd SS Heavy-Panzer Battalion, (German
: Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 502) the unit was destroyed by the Russians in the Halbe Pocket
in Spring 1945.
ordered the creation of a series of Heavy Panzer Battalions — equipped with the new Tiger I
tanks — for use in offensive actions on the Eastern Front
. Each of the heavy tank battalions would be attached to a Corps of the Waffen SS. Upon formation, the 102nd was attached to the II SS Panzer Corps
. Originally, each heavy tank battalion was composed of a single company of Tiger I's, attached to each respective SS Panzer Division in the Panzerkorps. By July 1943, the predecessor of the 102nd — SS Panzer Regiment 2 of the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich"
— was equipped with 14 Tiger I's.
after the D Day landings, and took part in the fighting for Point 112. The Battalion was almost completely destroyed during the fighting in Normandy and in September 1944, was pulled back to Germany to reform. Stationed in Sennelager
. the Battalion was renamed the 502 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion.
Tanks (Königstiger), the Battalion took part in the defense against the Russians at the Oder-Front. During the Russian offensive to take Berlin
, the Battalion was forced to retreat and was surrounded in the Halbe-Pocket where the Battalion was nearly destroyed. Only a few men could escape into American captivity.
The following men were also awarded the Knight's Cross
when serving with the battalion.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 102) was a heavy-tank battalion of the Waffen SS during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, which fought as part of the II SS Panzer Corps
II SS Panzer Corps
The II SS Panzer Corps was a Nazi German Waffen-SS armoured corps which saw action on both the Eastern and Western Fronts during World War II.- Formation - Kharkov :...
during the Battle of Normandy
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
. Renamed as 502nd SS Heavy-Panzer Battalion, (German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 502) the unit was destroyed by the Russians in the Halbe Pocket
Battle of Halbe
The Battle of Halbe lasted from April 24 - May 1, 1945 was a battle in which the German Ninth Army, under the command of Colonel General Theodor Busse was destroyed as a fighting force by the Red Army during the Battle for Berlin....
in Spring 1945.
Formation
In April 1943, the Waffen-SSWaffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
ordered the creation of a series of Heavy Panzer Battalions — equipped with the new Tiger I
Tiger I
Tiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger. It was an answer to the unexpectedly formidable Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of...
tanks — for use in offensive actions on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
. Each of the heavy tank battalions would be attached to a Corps of the Waffen SS. Upon formation, the 102nd was attached to the II SS Panzer Corps
II SS Panzer Corps
The II SS Panzer Corps was a Nazi German Waffen-SS armoured corps which saw action on both the Eastern and Western Fronts during World War II.- Formation - Kharkov :...
. Originally, each heavy tank battalion was composed of a single company of Tiger I's, attached to each respective SS Panzer Division in the Panzerkorps. By July 1943, the predecessor of the 102nd — SS Panzer Regiment 2 of the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich"
2nd SS Division Das Reich
The 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich was a Waffen-SS division during World War II. It is considered to be an elite formation amongst the thirty-eight divisions fielded by the Waffen-SS....
— was equipped with 14 Tiger I's.
Normandy
The battalion was sent to NormandyNormandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
after the D Day landings, and took part in the fighting for Point 112. The Battalion was almost completely destroyed during the fighting in Normandy and in September 1944, was pulled back to Germany to reform. Stationed in Sennelager
Sennelager
Sennelager is a village in Germany that forms part of the City of Paderborn. It is notable by the presence of a British army barracks, where the 20th Armoured Brigade are currently situated...
. the Battalion was renamed the 502 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion.
The Eastern Front (1945)
Renamed as Schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 502 and equipped with Tiger IITiger II
Tiger II is the common name of a German heavy tank of the Second World War. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B,Panzerkampfwagen – abbr: Pz. or Pz.Kfw. Ausführung – abbr: Ausf. .The full titles Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf...
Tanks (Königstiger), the Battalion took part in the defense against the Russians at the Oder-Front. During the Russian offensive to take Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, the Battalion was forced to retreat and was surrounded in the Halbe-Pocket where the Battalion was nearly destroyed. Only a few men could escape into American captivity.
Notable crew
- Paul EggerPaul EggerPaul Egger was a German pilot in the Battle of Britain and a Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded by Nazi Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War...
, 113 kills - Will Fey, 73 kills
- Martin Schroif, 161 kills
- Joachim Scholl, 42 kills
The following men were also awarded the Knight's Cross
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
when serving with the battalion.
- Paul EggerPaul EggerPaul Egger was a German pilot in the Battle of Britain and a Obersturmführer in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded by Nazi Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War...
- Kurt HartrampfKurt HartrampfKurt Hartrampf was a Obersturmbannführer in the Waffen SS during World War II. Who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.-Early life:Kurt Hartrampf was born...
- Alois Kalss
Combat History
The 102 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion over its history lost 76 tanks destroyed 600 enemy tanks a kill ratio of 6.89In popular culture
- The Swedish black metal band MardukMarduk (band)Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first record in 1991. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon.-Musical style:...
have a song "502" (on their album Panzer Division MardukPanzer Division MardukPanzer Division Marduk is the sixth studio album by Swedish black metal band Marduk. It was recorded and mixed at The Abyss in January 1999 and released in June 1999 by Osmose Productions...
) which about the battalion.
See also
- SS Heavy Panzer Battalion 101
- SS Heavy Panzer Battalion 103
- German heavy tank battalions
- List of Knight's Cross recipients of the SS Heavy Panzer Battalions