Kampfgruppe Weidinger
Encyclopedia
Kampfgruppe Weidinger was a formation from the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich"
that was formed to support the attack of II SS Panzer Corps
at the tail end of Operation Epsom
in the Normandy Campaign. It took its name from the commander of the 4th SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment "Der Führer", SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Weidinger
.
The kampfgruppe was based around the forwardmost units of the 2nd SS Panzer Division in Normandy and was seconded to the I SS Panzerkorps on 26 June 1944 . It assaulted the positions of the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division around the village of Rauray between 28 June and 1 July 1944. Although it was ultimately unsuccessful in penetrating the British lines, it prevented the 49th Division from continuing to advance southwards from Rauray. The kampfgruppe subsequently returned to the operational command of the 2nd SS Panzer Division.
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....
that was formed to support the attack of 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 :...
at the tail end of Operation Epsom
Operation Epsom
Operation Epsom, also known as the First Battle of the Odon, was a Second World War British offensive that took place between 26 and 30 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy...
in the Normandy Campaign. It took its name from the commander of the 4th SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment "Der Führer", SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Weidinger
Otto Weidinger
Otto Weidinger was a member of the German Waffen-SS and a commander of SS-PzGrenRgt 4 "Der Führer" during World War II and was involved in the massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane in France in June 1944. He held the rank of SS-Obersturmbannführer...
.
The kampfgruppe was based around the forwardmost units of the 2nd SS Panzer Division in Normandy and was seconded to the I SS Panzerkorps on 26 June 1944 . It assaulted the positions of the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division around the village of Rauray between 28 June and 1 July 1944. Although it was ultimately unsuccessful in penetrating the British lines, it prevented the 49th Division from continuing to advance southwards from Rauray. The kampfgruppe subsequently returned to the operational command of the 2nd SS Panzer Division.
Order of Battle
- 1st Battalion, 4th SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment "Der Führer"
- 1st Battalion, 3rd SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment "Deutschland"
- 14th, 15th and 16th (Support) Companies, 4th SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment "Der Führer"
See also
- 2nd SS Division Das Reich2nd SS Division Das ReichThe 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....
- Operation MartletOperation MartletOperation Martlet was the name given to the diversionary operation undertaken on 25 June 1944 by the 49th Infantry Division, of XXX Corps, to support Operation Epsom; the assault by the VIII Corps into the Odon Valley...
- Operation EpsomOperation EpsomOperation Epsom, also known as the First Battle of the Odon, was a Second World War British offensive that took place between 26 and 30 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy...