628. Artillerie Abteilung
The battalion was formed in May 1943 and organized into two batteries with the Karl 040 weapon.1 This was one of the types of heavy guns used during the seige of Sevastopol in 1942. In September 1943 it was reorganized into two batteries equipped with 21 cm Mrs 18.2 During May 1944 it was reorganized and received a third battery.3 This brought the T/O&E of the battalion to nine 21 cm howitzers.
It seems that the battalion had its authorized strength of nine 21 cm Mrs 18 since is mentioned in a document concerning the planned employement of artillery in Nomrnady. In this document the number of guns of each unit is listed and it is indicated that 628. Art.Abt. had nine 21 cm howitzers.4
On 17 June, it was ordered that the battalion should transfer from Germany to Normandy.5 Exactly when the battalion arrived is not known, but 6 July it was located ner Condé-sur-Noireau, on its way to II. Fs.Korps.6
The battalion seems to have made its escape from the Normandy battle in pretty good order, since on 1 September it was reported that the battalion had six howitzers in operational condition.7
Notes:
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1 |
G. Tessin, Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS (Mittler & Sohn, Frankfurt am Main and Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück 1966-1975). |
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2 |
Ibid. |
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3 |
Ibid. |
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4 |
Anlage 1 & 2 zu Okdo.d.H.Gr.B. Ib/Stoart/Ia Nr. 3748/44 g.K.Chefs v.21.6.44, T312, R1563, F000589f. |
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5 |
OB West Ia Nr. 412/44 g.K. Ch., 17.6.44, T311, R25, F7029628. |
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6 |
OB West Ia Nr. 5323/44 g.Kdos. 6.7.44, T311, R28, F7034234. |
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7 |
Vorläufige Zustandsmeldung der Heeresartillerie beim OB West, Stand 1.9.44, BA-MA RH 11 II/v. 4. |