Panzerlehrbrigade 9
Encyclopedia
The Panzerlehrbrigade 9 (literally: 9th Armoured Demonstration Brigade) is a formation of about 5,000 men strong within the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr
, which is subordinated to the 1st Armoured Division in Hanover
. The bulk of the brigade
is stationed in Munster. Two battalion
s are based in Neustadt am Rübenberge
. The brigade has become the 'showcase of the German Army' as a result of its German Army Combat Vehicle and Aircraft Demonstration Exercises (Informationslehrübung Gefechts- und Luftfahrzeuge des Deutschen Heeres) which it has conducted for decades. These exercises demonstrate the capability of the Army's fighting vehicles and aircraft and how they operate jointly in various scenarios. The formation is classified as an armoured brigade within the Bundeswehr's intervention forces
.
. The Brigade is capable of leading combined arms operations in a multinational and joint environment under the direction of a divisional command, in mobile and networked operations. To do so its main weapon systems are the Leopard 2
Mark A6, main battle tank, the Marder
infantry fighting vehicle and the PzH 2000 howitzer
. The Marders will soon be replaced by the Puma
which is already being put through its paces in the 92nd Panzer Grenadier Demonstration Battalion, which forms part of the Brigade.
Aa a training force, the Brigade supports the career-linked training associated with the leadership development of armoured combat units through numerous training exercises, as well as training the Bundeswehr's Staff College, the Army Officer Training School and other arms schools. The Brigade demonstrates the appropriate official procedures in a rigorous and methodical way, from the handling of combat materiel to the combined arms live-firing at reinforced battle group level. As well as supporting the Armoured Warfare School with demonstration exercises, Panzerlehrbrigade 9 is also involved in the development of armoured warfare concepts and tries out new weapons systems, equipment and tactics as a trials brigade.
. The original Saxon emblem was adopted by the Welf dukes, from 1235 titled the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg
, as an additional coat of arms. As a result of the unification of part of the Lüneburg-Brunswick region with the principality and, later, Kingdom of Hanover, the Saxon stallion was adopted in 1705 by the kingdom on its inescutcheon, the main shield being divided vertically into yellow and white halves. With the founding of Lower Saxony
the Saxon stallion on a red shield has been the insignia of the state since 1952. Not until 2006 did the Brigade adopt this coat of arms for reasons of tradition. It was the insignia of Panzergrenadierbrigade 1 which was taken out of service at the end of 2007, and whose former subordinate units, 33 Tank Battalion and 141 Logistic Battalion, joined Panzerlehrbrigade 9. In addition the shield is identical with the formation sign of the 1st Armoured Division apart from the white border. The old formation sign until 2006 displayed two crossed swords and an L for Lehrbrigade on a red background with a red border. This was identical with the sign of the Armoured Corps Training Centre
apart from the substitution of the letter "S" with the letter "L". The Bundespräsident
conferred the arm band of Panzerlehrbrigade 9 on 24 September 1987 as a visible sign of the recognition it was due.
, gave up their professions to serve as commanders of the new tank (Panzerlehrbataillon) and armoured infantry (Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon) demonstration battalions. 71 volunteers, mostly war veterans, were stationed in the main camp of what is now Hindenburg Barracks. In 1958, the battalions, which were part of "Army Structure 1", consisted of four fighting companies, a HQ company and a supply company. The armoured infantry battalion was subordinated to the armoured infantry school (Panzergrenadierschule) and the tank battalion to the armoured corps school (Panzertruppenschule).
In accordance with the implementation order of 1 July 1958, the staff and headquarters company of the armoured demonstration battle group (Panzerlehrkampfgruppe) in Munster was established in the firing camp (today Örtzetal Barracks) with immediate effect and subordinated to the armoured corps school. In 1958 the demonstration units led the three-week demonstration and trial exercise ("LV 58"). This exercise tested the future organization of the Army from an organizational and strategic perspective. It concluded in Bergen-Hohne with demonstrations of the various weapon systems and their performance under the eyes of the Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer
. In 1959 the two demonstration battalions were grouped into the newly-formed brigade, Panzerlehrbrigade 9. The brigade was initially part of 3rd Armoured Division
in Buxtehude
and its first commander was Brigadier General Wilhelm von Roeder.
At the end of 1959 ("Army Structure 2") the brigade incorporated a headquarters company, 11 Reconnaissance Battalion, 92 Armoured Infantry Demonstration Battalion, 93 Tank Demonstration Battalion, 95th Artillery Demonstration Battalion, 96 Supply Demonstration Battalion (established 1 February 1959), 90 Armoured Engineer Demonstration Company and 20 Infantry Demonstration Company. In 1960 the HS 30 infantry fighting vehicle replaced the 1960 M39 armoured utility vehicle
, the artillery were given the new M109G howitzer and the 4th company of 93 Tank Battalion became the first in the German Army to receive the Leopard 1 main battle tank.
in Düsseldorf
on the disbandment of the 3rd Armoured Division in 1994, but transferred in 1996 to the 1st Armoured Division in Hanover
. In the reorganisation known as Heeresstruktur 5 the following units were placed under the Brigade: 92 Armoured Infantry Demonstration Battalion, 93 and 334 "Celle" Tank Demonstration Battalions, 95 and 325 Armoured Artillery Demonstration Battalions, 3 Armoured Recce Demonstration Battalion, 90 Armoured Recce Demonstration Company and 90 Armoured Engineer Demonstration Company (Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon 92, Panzerlehrbataillone 93 and Panzerlehrbataillon 334 "Celle", Panzerartillerielehrbataillone 95 and 325, Panzeraufklärungslehrbataillon 3, Panzeraufklärungslehrkompanie 90 and Panzerpionierlehrkompanie 90).
In 2002 the Brigade deployed to Bosnia-Hercegovina and in 2004/2005 was part of the 10th KFOR
deployment in Kosovo. In addition, elements of the Brigade formed part of the 15th KFOR operational deployment to the Balkans and the 12th ISAF
deployment in Afghanistan
. In order to be self-contained, Panzerlehrbrigade 9 was reinforced in July 2006 by 33 Tank Battalion and 141 Logistic Battalion from Luttmersen as well as 90 Recce Demonstration Company from Munster. The actual strength of the brigade is around 4,700 soldiers, of which around 3,000 are based in Munster. In 2006, 325 Armoured Artillery Demonstration Battalion from Schwanewede
moved to Munster to optimise the cohesion of the brigade's combat troops. As a result of the inclusion of Panzerlehrbrigade 9 in the Bundeswehr's overseas deployments, its demonstration activity had to be reduced. Until the end of the Cold War the Brigade laid on about 50 demonstrations per year for national and international audiences in order to demonstrate the reliability and capability of the German Army.
The Bundeswehr has turned into a deployable armed force. From September 2006 to May 2007 about 1,400 soldiers of the formations and independent units of the demonstration brigade were deployed in Kosovo and Afghanistan. A particular highlight was the deployment of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Feyzabad, in North Afghanistan, who contributed to the reconstruction of the country. During that time, they succeeded in building kindergartens financed by donations from Germany, offering Afghan children the opportunity of playing and being cared for in permanent accommodation.
In mid May 2008 about 1,500 soldiers of Panzerlehrbrigade 9 were deployed as part of the 20th German deployment to the Balkans or were held in readiness as RRF forces. Following the end of the deployment, the Brigade had to complete its regrouping of intervention forces, conducting further training in order to make its soldiers ready for further potential operations as part of 1st Armoured Division.
{ class="wikitable"
No.
Name
Start of appointment
End of appointment
20
BrigGen Bernd Schütt
17 September 2010
-
19
BrigGen Wilhelm Grün
18 July 2007
17 September 2010
18
BrigGen Carsten Jacobson
25 February 2005
18 July 2007
17
BrigGen Richard Roßmanith
2003
2005
16
Oberst Gerhard Stelz
2001
2003
15
BrigGen Wolf-Joachim Clauß
1999
2001
14
Oberst
Wolfgang Korte
1996
1999
13
BrigGen Erich Becker
1 October 1990
1996
12
Oberst Joachim Spiering
1 October 1987
30 September 1990
11
BrigGen Georg-Heinrich Roth
11 October 1982
30 September 1987
10
BrigGen Helge Hansen
26 September 1980
11 October 1982
9
BrigGen Franz Uhle-Wettler
1 April 1978
25 September 1980
8
BrigGen Franz-Joachim Freiherr von Rodde
1 October 1974
31 March 1978
7
BrigGen Gottfried Ewert
1 October 1970
30 September 1974
6
BrigGen Alfred Müller
1 October 1968
30 September 1970
5
BrigGen Karl Deichen
1 October 1966
30 September 1968
4
BrigGen Karl-Reinhard von Schultzendorff
1 October 1964
30 September 1966
3
BrigGen Ernst Philipp
1 October 1962
30 September 1964
2
BrigGen Wilhelm Voß
1 June 1961
30 September 1962
1
BrigGen Wilhelm von Roeder
1 April 1958
31 May 1961
n black and white, as on the Iron Cross
, the emblem of the Bundeswehr itself. The banners on the spears of the old Prussian-German cavalry since the wars of liberation were also black and white and have thus become the symbol of the armoured corps as well, which is seen as the successor to the heavy cavalry. The palm tree inside the escutcheon has been battalion symbol since 1958 and recalls that of the Afrika Korps
in the old German Army, the Wehrmacht
.
In 1958 the first two tank companies in the battalion in Munster was established with M47 tanks. In 1960 the unit was given M48 main battle tanks. In 1965 the unit moved from Barme to Neustadt am Rübenberge. In 1966 it was given the first Leopard 1 main battle tanks. In 1981 the battalion received its first Leopard 2 battle tanks. In 1992 after the end of the Cold War the battalion was transferred from 3rd Armoured Brigade, in Nienburg and subordinated to 21 Armoured Brigade, in Augustdorf
. In 1999 the battalion deployed to Albania and Kosovo, then in 2001 to Kosovo and Macedonia. In 2002 it was transferred first to the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, in Hildesheim
and then to the 9th Panzerlehrbrigade in July 2006. From October 2006 to February 2007 elements of Panzerbataillons 33 were used as the operational battalion within Multinational Task Force South/PRIZREN as part of the KFOR
mission. The battalion then deployed in the first half of 2009 as the ORF (Operational Reserve Force) Battalion for EUFOR and KFOR.
On 1 April 1956 the battalion was formed in Munster, the first armoured battalion in the Bundeswehr. In 1959 it was given its present designation. In 1997 it moved within Munster from Schulz Barracks to Freiherr von Boeselager Barracks (its present location). 93 Armoured Demonstration Battalion has Panzerlehrbataillon 93 has proved its capability especially in recent years by inter alia carrying out exercises entitled "Combat and Air Vehicles of the German Army" and "Capability of the German Army across the Entire Mission Spectrum". For several years soldiers of the battalion have been deployed on international operations by the Bundeswehr with SFOR, EUFOR, KFOR and ISAF.
52.985108°N 10.071745°E
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
, which is subordinated to the 1st Armoured Division in Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
. The bulk of the brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
is stationed in Munster. Two battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s are based in Neustadt am Rübenberge
Neustadt am Rübenberge
Neustadt am Rübenberge is a town in the district of Hanover, in Lower Saxony, Germany. At 357 km², it is the 9th largest settlement in Germany by area , though only about 45,000 inhabitants live there...
. The brigade has become the 'showcase of the German Army' as a result of its German Army Combat Vehicle and Aircraft Demonstration Exercises (Informationslehrübung Gefechts- und Luftfahrzeuge des Deutschen Heeres) which it has conducted for decades. These exercises demonstrate the capability of the Army's fighting vehicles and aircraft and how they operate jointly in various scenarios. The formation is classified as an armoured brigade within the Bundeswehr's intervention forces
Intervention forces
The intervention forces are one of the three categories of force within the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr, the others being stabilisation forces and support forces...
.
Mission
As part of the intervention forces the Brigade plans and carries out missions involving networked, multinational, combined arms, high intensity warfare operations. In addition it plans, prepares and executes tasks in the low to medium intensity part of the spectrum of operations i.e. it provides and reinforces stabilisation forcesStabilisation forces
Stabilisation forces are one of the three categories of forces in the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr, that classify formations according to their levels of equipment, readiness, training and capability. The other categories are intervention forces and support forces Unterstützungskräften)...
. The Brigade is capable of leading combined arms operations in a multinational and joint environment under the direction of a divisional command, in mobile and networked operations. To do so its main weapon systems are the Leopard 2
Leopard 2
The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
Mark A6, main battle tank, the Marder
Marder (IFV)
The Marder is a German infantry fighting vehicle operated by the German Army as the main weapon of the Panzergrenadiere from the 1970s through the present day. Developed as part of the rebuilding of Germany's armoured fighting vehicle industry, the Marder has proven to be a successful and solid...
infantry fighting vehicle and the PzH 2000 howitzer
PzH 2000
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 , abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall for the German Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems currently deployed...
. The Marders will soon be replaced by the Puma
Puma (IFV)
The Puma is a German infantry fighting vehicle, the mass production has started on the 6th July 2009. It will replace the aging Marder IFVs, from 2010 through 2020. Governing company is PSM Projekt System Management, a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme. The Puma is...
which is already being put through its paces in the 92nd Panzer Grenadier Demonstration Battalion, which forms part of the Brigade.
Aa a training force, the Brigade supports the career-linked training associated with the leadership development of armoured combat units through numerous training exercises, as well as training the Bundeswehr's Staff College, the Army Officer Training School and other arms schools. The Brigade demonstrates the appropriate official procedures in a rigorous and methodical way, from the handling of combat materiel to the combined arms live-firing at reinforced battle group level. As well as supporting the Armoured Warfare School with demonstration exercises, Panzerlehrbrigade 9 is also involved in the development of armoured warfare concepts and tries out new weapons systems, equipment and tactics as a trials brigade.
Formation sign and shoulder flashes
The Brigade's formation sign displays the white Saxon stallion on a red background mounted on the white-bordered, yellow and white coat of arms. The horse recalls the dukes of the House of Welf and the Kingdom of HanoverKingdom of Hanover
The Kingdom of Hanover was established in October 1814 by the Congress of Vienna, with the restoration of George III to his Hanoverian territories after the Napoleonic era. It succeeded the former Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg , and joined with 38 other sovereign states in the German...
. The original Saxon emblem was adopted by the Welf dukes, from 1235 titled the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Brunswick-Lüneburg
The Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , or more properly Duchy of Brunswick and Lüneburg, was an historical ducal state from the late Middle Ages until the late Early Modern era within the North-Western domains of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, in what is now northern Germany...
, as an additional coat of arms. As a result of the unification of part of the Lüneburg-Brunswick region with the principality and, later, Kingdom of Hanover, the Saxon stallion was adopted in 1705 by the kingdom on its inescutcheon, the main shield being divided vertically into yellow and white halves. With the founding of Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
the Saxon stallion on a red shield has been the insignia of the state since 1952. Not until 2006 did the Brigade adopt this coat of arms for reasons of tradition. It was the insignia of Panzergrenadierbrigade 1 which was taken out of service at the end of 2007, and whose former subordinate units, 33 Tank Battalion and 141 Logistic Battalion, joined Panzerlehrbrigade 9. In addition the shield is identical with the formation sign of the 1st Armoured Division apart from the white border. The old formation sign until 2006 displayed two crossed swords and an L for Lehrbrigade on a red background with a red border. This was identical with the sign of the Armoured Corps Training Centre
Armoured Corps Training Centre
The Armoured Corps Training Centre in Munster is one of the German Army's training centres with particular responsibility for the basic and continuation training of armoured troops, including the armoured and the mechanized infantry corps of the German Army...
apart from the substitution of the letter "S" with the letter "L". The Bundespräsident
Bundespräsident
Bundespräsident is the German language title for:* The President of Austria * The President of Germany...
conferred the arm band of Panzerlehrbrigade 9 on 24 September 1987 as a visible sign of the recognition it was due.
Active units
- HQ and HQ Company (Stab and Stabskompanie), Munster
- 325 Armoured Artillery Demonstration Battalion (Panzerartillerielehrbataillon 325), Munster
- 92 Armoured Infantry Demonstration Battalion (Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon 92), Munster
- 93 Tank Demonstration Battalion (Panzerlehrbataillon 93), Munster
- 90 Armoured Engineer Demonstration Company (Panzerpionierlehrkompanie 90), Munster
- 90 Reconnaissance Demonstration Company (Aufklärungslehrkompanie 90), Munster
- 141 Logistic Battalion (Logistikbataillon 141), Neustadt am Rübenberge
- 33 Tank Battalion (Panzerbataillon 33), Neustadt am RübenbergeNeustadt am RübenbergeNeustadt am Rübenberge is a town in the district of Hanover, in Lower Saxony, Germany. At 357 km², it is the 9th largest settlement in Germany by area , though only about 45,000 inhabitants live there...
Former units
- 96 Logistic Battalion (Versorgungslehrbataillon 96) (disbanded 31 March 1971)
- 91 and 94 Tank Demonstration Battalions (Panzerlehrbataillon 91 & 94) (disbanded 30 October 1992)
- 332 Armoured Infantry Demonstration Battalion (Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon 332) (transferred 31. December 1996, disbanded 30 June 2006)
- 11 Armoured Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion (Panzeraufklärungslehrbataillon 11) (disbanded 31 March 1997)
- 95 Armoured Artillery Demonstration Battalion (Panzerartillerielehrbataillon 95) (disbanded 30 September 2002)
- 3 Armoured Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion (Panzeraufklärungslehrbataillon 3) (transferred 30 June 2003)
- 6 Armoured Mortar Company/92 Armoured Infantry Battalion (Panzermörserkompanie 6/PzGrenLehrBtl 92) (disbanded 21 October 2005)
- 334 "Celle" Armoured Demonstration Battalion (Panzerlehrbataillon 334 "Celle") (disbanded 30 June 2006)
- 90 Tank Destroyer Demonstration Company (Panzerjägerlehrkompanie 90) (disbanded 30 September 1996)
- 90 Logistic Demonstration Company (Nachschublehrkompanie 90)
- 90 Maintenance Demonstration Company (Instandsetzungslehrkompanie 90) (disbanded 31 March 1994)
- 90 Medical Demonstration Company (Sanitätslehrkompanie 90), later 4 Company/3 Medical Battalion (4./Sanitätsbataillon 3) (SanLehrKp)(disbanded)
- 90 NBC Demonstration Company (ABCAbwehrlehrkompanie 90) (disbanded)
Beginnings
The first demonstration battalion in the Bundeswehr was established in Munster Camp in 1956. The district administrator, Karl-Theodor Molinari, and a doctor, Dr. Hermann WulfHermann Wulf
Dr. med. Hermann WulfIn German a Doctor of Medicine is abbreviated as Dr. med. . was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II and a Generalmajor in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, gave up their professions to serve as commanders of the new tank (Panzerlehrbataillon) and armoured infantry (Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon) demonstration battalions. 71 volunteers, mostly war veterans, were stationed in the main camp of what is now Hindenburg Barracks. In 1958, the battalions, which were part of "Army Structure 1", consisted of four fighting companies, a HQ company and a supply company. The armoured infantry battalion was subordinated to the armoured infantry school (Panzergrenadierschule) and the tank battalion to the armoured corps school (Panzertruppenschule).
In accordance with the implementation order of 1 July 1958, the staff and headquarters company of the armoured demonstration battle group (Panzerlehrkampfgruppe) in Munster was established in the firing camp (today Örtzetal Barracks) with immediate effect and subordinated to the armoured corps school. In 1958 the demonstration units led the three-week demonstration and trial exercise ("LV 58"). This exercise tested the future organization of the Army from an organizational and strategic perspective. It concluded in Bergen-Hohne with demonstrations of the various weapon systems and their performance under the eyes of the Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer was a German statesman. He was the chancellor of the West Germany from 1949 to 1963. He is widely recognised as a person who led his country from the ruins of World War II to a powerful and prosperous nation that had forged close relations with old enemies France,...
. In 1959 the two demonstration battalions were grouped into the newly-formed brigade, Panzerlehrbrigade 9. The brigade was initially part of 3rd Armoured Division
3rd Armoured Division (Germany)
The 3rd Armoured Division was formed on 2 July 1956 in Hamburg and was one of the first major formations of the new German Army or Bundeswehr after the Second World War. The 3rd Armoured Division was stationed on the North German Plain between the rivers Elbe and Weser. Its last headquarters...
in Buxtehude
Buxtehude
Buxtehude is a town on the Este River in Northern Germany in the district of Stade and part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region . Buxtehude is a steadily growing medium-sized town and the second largest in the district of Stade. It lies on the southern borders of the Altes Land within easy reach of...
and its first commander was Brigadier General Wilhelm von Roeder.
At the end of 1959 ("Army Structure 2") the brigade incorporated a headquarters company, 11 Reconnaissance Battalion, 92 Armoured Infantry Demonstration Battalion, 93 Tank Demonstration Battalion, 95th Artillery Demonstration Battalion, 96 Supply Demonstration Battalion (established 1 February 1959), 90 Armoured Engineer Demonstration Company and 20 Infantry Demonstration Company. In 1960 the HS 30 infantry fighting vehicle replaced the 1960 M39 armoured utility vehicle
M18 Hellcat
The 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage M18 was an American tank destroyer of World War II. The manufacturer, Buick, gave it the nickname "Hellcat" and it was the fastest tracked armored fighting vehicle during the war with a top speed up to 60 mph. Hellcat crews took advantage of the vehicle's...
, the artillery were given the new M109G howitzer and the 4th company of 93 Tank Battalion became the first in the German Army to receive the Leopard 1 main battle tank.
Restructuring and deployments abroad
Panzerlehrbrigade 9 was temporarily subordinated to 7th Armoured Division7th Armoured Division (Bundeswehr)
The 7th Armoured Division or Westphalian Armoured Division was a major formation in the German Army within the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr whose headquarters was for many years in Lippstadt und Unna and, finally in Düsseldorf. Until its dissolution in 2006 it was seen as the "backbone of...
in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
on the disbandment of the 3rd Armoured Division in 1994, but transferred in 1996 to the 1st Armoured Division in Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
. In the reorganisation known as Heeresstruktur 5 the following units were placed under the Brigade: 92 Armoured Infantry Demonstration Battalion, 93 and 334 "Celle" Tank Demonstration Battalions, 95 and 325 Armoured Artillery Demonstration Battalions, 3 Armoured Recce Demonstration Battalion, 90 Armoured Recce Demonstration Company and 90 Armoured Engineer Demonstration Company (Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon 92, Panzerlehrbataillone 93 and Panzerlehrbataillon 334 "Celle", Panzerartillerielehrbataillone 95 and 325, Panzeraufklärungslehrbataillon 3, Panzeraufklärungslehrkompanie 90 and Panzerpionierlehrkompanie 90).
In 2002 the Brigade deployed to Bosnia-Hercegovina and in 2004/2005 was part of the 10th KFOR
KFOR
The Kosovo Force is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force responsible for establishing a secure environment in Kosovo.KFOR entered Kosovo on 12 June 1999 under a United Nations mandate, two days after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244...
deployment in Kosovo. In addition, elements of the Brigade formed part of the 15th KFOR operational deployment to the Balkans and the 12th ISAF
ISAF
ISAF may refer to:* International Sailing Federation, the world governing body for Olympic and other competitive sailing.* International Security Assistance Force, the NATO-led security mission operating in Afghanistan since 2001....
deployment in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. In order to be self-contained, Panzerlehrbrigade 9 was reinforced in July 2006 by 33 Tank Battalion and 141 Logistic Battalion from Luttmersen as well as 90 Recce Demonstration Company from Munster. The actual strength of the brigade is around 4,700 soldiers, of which around 3,000 are based in Munster. In 2006, 325 Armoured Artillery Demonstration Battalion from Schwanewede
Schwanewede
Schwanewede is a municipality in the district of Osterholz, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated approx. 14 km west of Osterholz-Scharmbeck, and 22 km northwest of Bremen.It belonged to the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen...
moved to Munster to optimise the cohesion of the brigade's combat troops. As a result of the inclusion of Panzerlehrbrigade 9 in the Bundeswehr's overseas deployments, its demonstration activity had to be reduced. Until the end of the Cold War the Brigade laid on about 50 demonstrations per year for national and international audiences in order to demonstrate the reliability and capability of the German Army.
The Bundeswehr has turned into a deployable armed force. From September 2006 to May 2007 about 1,400 soldiers of the formations and independent units of the demonstration brigade were deployed in Kosovo and Afghanistan. A particular highlight was the deployment of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Feyzabad, in North Afghanistan, who contributed to the reconstruction of the country. During that time, they succeeded in building kindergartens financed by donations from Germany, offering Afghan children the opportunity of playing and being cared for in permanent accommodation.
In mid May 2008 about 1,500 soldiers of Panzerlehrbrigade 9 were deployed as part of the 20th German deployment to the Balkans or were held in readiness as RRF forces. Following the end of the deployment, the Brigade had to complete its regrouping of intervention forces, conducting further training in order to make its soldiers ready for further potential operations as part of 1st Armoured Division.
Commanders
The following officers have commanded the Brigade:{
Richard Rossmanith
Major General Richard Rossmanith is a German Army officer and currently Deputy Chief of Staff for Stability with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.-Military career:...
Oberst
Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
Wolfgang Korte
Erich Becker
Erich Becker was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
Helge Hansen (general)
Helge Hansen is a retired general who served in the German Army within the Bundeswehr. From 1992 to 1994 he was the Inspector of the Army and from 1994 to 1996 he was Commander Allied Forces Central Europe within NATO....
Mission and organisation
The battalion is capable of deploying within 20 days and carrying out operational tasks in high intensity conflict as part of a multinational operation or, after a short period of mission-specific training, a range of other tasks. In peacetime it prepares for this through training and exercising its personnel and equipment. The battalion is divided into the following companies:- 1st/ PzBtl 33: HQ and supply company
- 2nd/ PzBtl 33: tank company with Leopard 2Leopard 2The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
- 3rd/ PzBtl 33: tank company with Leopard 2
- 4th/ PzBtl 33: tank company with Leopard 2
- 5th/ PzBtl 33: operational support company
Insignia and history
The background of its coat of arms is in PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n black and white, as on the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
, the emblem of the Bundeswehr itself. The banners on the spears of the old Prussian-German cavalry since the wars of liberation were also black and white and have thus become the symbol of the armoured corps as well, which is seen as the successor to the heavy cavalry. The palm tree inside the escutcheon has been battalion symbol since 1958 and recalls that of the Afrika Korps
Afrika Korps
The German Africa Corps , or the Afrika Korps as it was popularly called, was the German expeditionary force in Libya and Tunisia during the North African Campaign of World War II...
in the old German Army, the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
.
In 1958 the first two tank companies in the battalion in Munster was established with M47 tanks. In 1960 the unit was given M48 main battle tanks. In 1965 the unit moved from Barme to Neustadt am Rübenberge. In 1966 it was given the first Leopard 1 main battle tanks. In 1981 the battalion received its first Leopard 2 battle tanks. In 1992 after the end of the Cold War the battalion was transferred from 3rd Armoured Brigade, in Nienburg and subordinated to 21 Armoured Brigade, in Augustdorf
Augustdorf
Augustdorf is a municipality in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It has an area of 42.21 km² and c. 10,000 inhabitants.-External links:*...
. In 1999 the battalion deployed to Albania and Kosovo, then in 2001 to Kosovo and Macedonia. In 2002 it was transferred first to the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, in Hildesheim
Hildesheim
Hildesheim is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located in the district of Hildesheim, about 30 km southeast of Hanover on the banks of the Innerste river, which is a small tributary of the Leine river...
and then to the 9th Panzerlehrbrigade in July 2006. From October 2006 to February 2007 elements of Panzerbataillons 33 were used as the operational battalion within Multinational Task Force South/PRIZREN as part of the KFOR
KFOR
The Kosovo Force is a NATO-led international peacekeeping force responsible for establishing a secure environment in Kosovo.KFOR entered Kosovo on 12 June 1999 under a United Nations mandate, two days after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244...
mission. The battalion then deployed in the first half of 2009 as the ORF (Operational Reserve Force) Battalion for EUFOR and KFOR.
93 Armoured Demonstration Battalion (Panzerlehrbataillon 93)
Mission and organisation
As one of three armoured battalions in the intervention forces of the Germany Army its main task is training for and participating in the peace enforcement and peacekeeping operations of the Bundeswehr. 93 Armoured Demonstration Battalion supports Panzerlehrbrigade 9 and the Munster Training School in the basic and continuation training of military leaders of armoured fighting troops. The battalion is divided into:- 1st HQ and Supply Company
- 2nd Company with Leopard 2Leopard 2The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
- 3rd Company with Leopard 2
- 4th Company with Leopard 2
- 5th Company (operational support company)
Coat of arms and history
The insignia of the 93rd Armoured Demonstration Battalion was designed at the end of the 1960s. Its background is Panzerrot ("armour red"), the colour of the armoured troops, "L" means Lehrtruppe or "demonstration troops", the number 93 is the battalion's number and the iron cross is that of the Bundeswehr.On 1 April 1956 the battalion was formed in Munster, the first armoured battalion in the Bundeswehr. In 1959 it was given its present designation. In 1997 it moved within Munster from Schulz Barracks to Freiherr von Boeselager Barracks (its present location). 93 Armoured Demonstration Battalion has Panzerlehrbataillon 93 has proved its capability especially in recent years by inter alia carrying out exercises entitled "Combat and Air Vehicles of the German Army" and "Capability of the German Army across the Entire Mission Spectrum". For several years soldiers of the battalion have been deployed on international operations by the Bundeswehr with SFOR, EUFOR, KFOR and ISAF.
External links
- Website of the Panzerlehrbrigade 9
- Federal archive about the Brigade
- Website of the former Panzerjägerlehrkompanie 90
- 2009 demonstration exercise
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