113th Panzer Brigade
| 113th Panzer Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 04 September 1944 - 01 October 1944 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Allegiance |  Wehrmacht |
| Branch | Heer |
| Type | Panzer |
| Role | Armoured warfare |
| Size | Brigade |
| Engagements | World War II |
The 113th Panzer Brigade was a tank formation of the Wehrmacht Heer (German Army) in World War II. As a tank formation, it was part of the Panzer Arm (Panzerwaffe).
History
The 113th Panzer Brigade was formed on September 4, 1944. It was a Panzer Brigade, one of the new units formed by Adolf Hitler to stiffen the collapsing Eastern Front after Operation Bagration after observing the successes of ad-hoc kampfgruppes like Schwere Panzer Regiment Bake, commanded by Dr. Franz Bake. The creation of Panzer Brigades was opposed due to the diversion of resources needed to rebuilt the battered Panzer Divisions.[1] Despite originally earmarked for the Eastern Front, the Allied breakthrough following Operation Cobra and the Falaise Pocket prompted its assignment on the Western Front.[1]
Unlike earlier Panzer Brigades, it was equipped with two battalions of Panzer IV and Panther tanks, with two mechanized panzergrenadier battalions, instead of one battalion each. On paper, it was a strong formation. However, it lacked sufficient supporting units such as reconnaissance, artillery and engineers, which made a Panzer Division a lethal combination of armor and infantry. Assigned to the 5th Panzer Army, it participated in the Battle of Arracourt, as the Germans attempted to stop the US Third Army's penetrations in Lorraine. The battle resulted in German defeat and the virtual destruction of the 113th Panzer Brigade, leaving its commander dead in the battle as well.
On October 1, 1944, the 113th Panzer Brigade was disbanded and its shattered remnants was assigned to the 15th Panzergrenadier Division.
Order of Battle
- 2113th Panzer Battalion
- 1/130th Panzer Regiment
- 2113th Panzer Grenadier Regiment
- 2113th Brigade Support Units
- 2113th Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion
- 2113th Flak Company
- 2113th Sturmgeschütz Battalion[2]
Organization as of 16 September 1944
- Army Group G: Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz
- 5th Panzer Army: General der Panzertruppe Hasso von Manteuffel
- XLVII Panzer Corps General der Panzertruppe Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz
- 21st Panzer Division, 111th Panzer Brigade, 112th Panzer Brigade and 113th Panzer Brigade
References
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