German Unit Histories

There are publications covering some of the German units that fought in Normandy. As could perhaps be expected the mechanized divisions are better covered than other units.

Pz.Lehr

There exist two histories of this division. The first published was F. Kurowski, Die Panzer-Lehr-Division (Podzun, Bad Nauheim 1964). Fifteen years later H. Ritgen published Die Gechichte der Panzer-Lehr-Division im Westen 1944-1945 (Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 1979). Of these two Ritgens book is the best. It contains much data and seems more reliable than Kurowski's book. Ritgens book is definitely recommended.

2. Pz.Div.

Franz-Joseph Strauss, Geschichte der 2. (Wiener) Panzer Division (Vowinkel, Neckargemünd 1977). This covers the entire war and does not contain a wealth of information on the actions in Normandy.

9. Pz.Div.

There exist a book called 68 Kriegsmonate - Weg der 9. Pz.Div. by C.H. Hermann. I have not been able to locate a copy. There also exist a history of the II./Pz.Rgt. 33 (the Panther battalion of 9. Pz.Div.): Kurt Gätzschmann, Pz.Abt. 51 Heerestruppe - II./Pz.Rgt. 33 9. Pz.Div. 1943-45 (1984). It is very detailed and highly recommended but it is very difficult to obtain a copy of this rare book.

21. Pz.Div.

No history of this unit has been found.

116. Pz.Div.

H.-G. Guderian, Das letzte Kriegsjahr im Westen (St. Augustin 1994). A good detailed book that has clearly used archival records plus other information that is hard to obtain for anyone who does not happen to have been chief of staff of the division. Recommended.

1. SS-Pz.Div.

R. Lehmann & R. Tiemann, The Leibstandarte, vol IV/1 (J. J. Fedorowitz Publishing Inc, Winnipeg 1993). This volume is not as detailed as those covering the years before 1944, but this is probably due to the availability of sources. Nevertheless it provides a good coverage of the actions fought by the Leibstandarte in Normandy.

2. SS-Pz.Div.

O. Weidinger, Division Das Reich 1943-45 (Munin Verlag, Osnabrück 1982). Like the book on 1. SS-Pz.Div. it is not as good as the preceding volumes in the series. Still it gives a good account of the actions in which Das Reich was involved. When reading the coverage of the massacres in Tulle and Oradour it must be kept in mind that the author, or some of his comrades, may have been directly involved in those frightful events.

9. SS-Pz.Div.

H. Fürbringer, 9. SS-Panzer-Division (Editions Heimdal, 1984). This book contain text in both German and French. It is very detailed and seems very reliable. Recommended.

10. SS-Pz.Div.

No history of this unit has been found. However, E. Klapdor, Die Entscheidung (Siek 1984) contain much information on the activities of this division in Normandy. The author served with the Frundsberg division. This book is recommended.

12. SS-Pz.Div.

H. Meyer, Kriegsgeschichte der 12. SS-Panzerdivision "Hitlerjugend" Bd. I & II. (Munin Verlag, Osnabrück 1982). The first of the two volumes cover the formation of the unit and its actions in Normandy. All notes, references and appendices are found in volume two. The books are very good and clearly recommended.

17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div.

H . Stöber, Die Sturmflut und das Ende, Bd. I (Munin Verlag, Osnabrück1976). The disposition of the book has flaws and the references are not particularly good. However the research is clearly of good standard and the book contain much valuable information. Thus it is recommended.

272. Inf.Div.

M. Jenner, Die 216./272. niedersächsische Inanterie-Division 1939 - 1945 (Podzun, Bad Nauheim 1964). This is the only history of an infantry division found. It does not provide a wealth of information on the divisions actions in Normandy.

Another book that can be recommended is R. Stoves, Die gepanzerten und motorisierten Deutschen Grossverbände 1939 - 45 (Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Bad Nauheim 1986). As the title implies the book does not only cover actions Normandy. It provide a brief description of how the units were organized.