510th heavy tank battalion (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The schwere-Panzer-Abteilung 510 (abbreviated s.Pz.Abt. 510) was a German
heavy panzer
abteilung
equipped with Tiger I
and later Tiger II Königstiger
tanks. The 510th saw action on the Eastern Front
during the Second World War.
Schwere Panzer Abteilung 510 was formed June 1944 in Paderborn and in July the Abteilung 510 was sent to Lithuania where it fought in the Kurland pocket until the end of the war attached to the 14. Panzer-Division and 30 Inf-Division.
Elements of the Abt. were evacuated from Kurland. Via Kassel and Putlos they reached the Western Front and were engaged in the last fighting there. This group went into captivity with the Western Allies. A Kampfgruppe with the last 15 Tiger tanks did stay in Kurland, commanded by Leutnant Wise. This part of the Abt. went into Soviet captivity
The personnel came from parts of the workshop-Kp of the sPzABT.504, the company commander School Versailles and by the PzErs.-u. AusbAbt.500 Paderborn.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
heavy panzer
Panzer
A Panzer is a German language word that, when used as a noun, means "tank". When it is used as an adjective, it means either tank or "armoured" .- Etymology :...
abteilung
Abteilung
Abteilung is a German language word often used when referring to German or Swiss military formations...
equipped with 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...
and later Tiger II Königstiger
Tiger 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. The 510th saw action 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...
during the Second World War.
History
Schwere Panzer Abteilung 510Schwere Panzer Abteilung 510 was formed June 1944 in Paderborn and in July the Abteilung 510 was sent to Lithuania where it fought in the Kurland pocket until the end of the war attached to the 14. Panzer-Division and 30 Inf-Division.
Elements of the Abt. were evacuated from Kurland. Via Kassel and Putlos they reached the Western Front and were engaged in the last fighting there. This group went into captivity with the Western Allies. A Kampfgruppe with the last 15 Tiger tanks did stay in Kurland, commanded by Leutnant Wise. This part of the Abt. went into Soviet captivity
The personnel came from parts of the workshop-Kp of the sPzABT.504, the company commander School Versailles and by the PzErs.-u. AusbAbt.500 Paderborn.
Engagements
- Aug 1944- Ostpreussen- (Schaulen – Kauen – Goldap – Nemmersdorf – Gumbinnen)
- 24 Oct 1944- Latvia (Kurland)- Counterattack of the I.Armee-Korps and the 4.Panzer-Division, the 12. Panzer-Division and the 14.Panzer-Division east of Preekuln near Hill 119.7 in the direction of Memel ( the abt.510 destroyed: 9 ISU-152, 75 anti-tank guns, 5 anti-air-guns, 2 Rocket-lunchers, 25 Artillery guns, 12 Heavy mortars and 44 Trucks) ((source: Bundesarchiv)) close to the Village of Vainode. The Abt.510 lost 5 Tigers.
- 28 Oct 1944- Latvia (Kurland) the 1./Abt.510 was subordinated to 30. Inf. Division (Oberleutnant Gerlach) with 4 operational tanks repulsing enemy attack on Hill 190.1 (N 56*29'05.31" E 21*46'42.13") ( the abt.510 destroyed: 14 IS2 tanks)
- 29 Oct 1944- Latvia (Kurland) the 1./Abt.510 assists in repulsing enemy attacks against 14.Panzer-Division along the line Jagmani ( N 56*28'44" E 21*51'11") -Sremoli- Bruvelini (N 56*28'25" E 21*54'20"). Several tanks (including IS2) are destroyed.
- 19-20 Nov 1944- Latvia (Kurland) the Abt.510 was subordinated to 14. Pz Division attacking the village of Cimmeri together with the 1./Panzer-Grenadier-regiment 94 and Panthers of the 2./Panzer-Regiment 36.
- 24 Jan 1945- Latvia (Kurland) Defensive operations near Valdi against enemy forces attacking North and South of Preekuln. Assembly area (AA) in the forests of Lalerie and Purmsati (N 56*24'38" E 21*28'59").
- 25 Jan 1945- Latvia (Kurland) Meeting engagement at Kaleti and Purmsati(N 56*24'17" E 21*31'31")(63 enemy tanks destroyed).
October 1944, Lithuiania (Army Group North)
- Abteilung Stab Zug (3x Tiger I, 6x SdKfz 250SdKfz 250The Sd.Kfz. 250 was a light armoured halftrack, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251, and built by the DEMAG firm, for use by Nazi Germany in World War II....
) - 1./sPzAbt 510 (14x Tiger I)
- 2./sPzAbt 510 (14x Tiger I)
- 3./sPzAbt 510 (14x Tiger I)
Commanders
- Major Gilbert (June 1944 - ?? 1944)
- Oberst Grässel (Mar 1945 - 8 May 1945) KURLAND
- Hauptmann Hellpup (Mar 1945 - 8 May 1945) KASSEL