Hello all.
I am planning a diorama commemorating the 5th SS Panzer Division’s holding action in Febuary 1944, but I’ve hit a roadblock- I can’t find information on what tanks were actually USED by the division during this time.
Does anyone know? I saw somewhere that they might have had Panthers, but I don’t know at what time.
-Waggish
The standard for the period was a Battalion of Pz IV’s and one of Panthers. According to Nafziger’s German order of Battle, this was the case for Wiking in May 44, with the 1st battlion haveing Panthers and 2nd with Pz IV’s.
Waggish,
I am not 100% sure…but I believe it was the Panzer IV and Panzer V or “Panther”. I hope this helps you.
From February 1-18th, 1944, 5th SS Wiking was encircled with 5 other divisions and engaged in the Battle of Korsun Pocket (Cherkassy). By January it had not yet received it’s Panther Abteilung and only had 12 Pz III’s J, 8 Pz IV’s H and 4 Stug III’s G ready for action. While managing a breakout on the 18th, it lost nearly all of it’s heavy equipment in this battle. It was refitted with Panther A’s on March 27th at the Maciejow railroad station in order to participate in the battle for Kovel.
Thanks a bunch! this is extrordinarily helpful. I am kind wanting to replicate the scene described in the song “Panzer Division Wiking” by Michael Muller- in the song, it describes Panzermen proudly riding to their death’s in order to save the lives of their comrades- So, any of the three you mentioned would be accurate for a diorama of this?
i also at this time working on my resurch for a diorama for the wiking. but I was planning on using my stug4 I recently finished now I see they may have had only stug3s back to more resurch. my reason for choosing them are solely on there combat awards being one of the highest in the ss. there was 54 nights cross awarded to this division. my plan is for some time in 45
I decided I wanted to do an “In Memory” diorama after I stumbled upon this song=
The diorama is going to be called ‘Ride of Death’, and will take place on Febuary 16,1944- the Panzer, it’s commander standing proudly, will be driving against a stream of retreating Germans.
(Just in case the embed didn’t work, here is the song link-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSFLql3Lqww)
a perfect example off how scale modelers can draw inspiration for there projects.
are you going to put your build here or make new post for it. ?
When I get around to doing it, it’ll be it’s own post. I’ve got a fair bit of stuff to buy before I can start on it- a tank, 12-15 figures, plus the base and everything necessary for groundwork.
ok thank you. that’s the same spot im at. pluss im trying to come up with a idea thats not going to be to much.