7. Werfer Brigade
The brigade was formed in March 1944 and had two regiments, the 83. and 84.1 It was deployed in France and on 18 May it was located near Beauvais.2
It was ordered to Normandy after the allied landings and by 10 June it had reached Falaise.3 In the night between 10 and 11 June, the head of the brigade was located 10 km south of Caen.4
The brigade was used to support an attack on the British bridgehead over the Orne on 16 June.5
On 1 July the condition of the brigade was6:
|
|
Manpower strength |
Number of combat ready Werfers |
Number of Werfers in workshops |
Casualties during June |
Mobility |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stab 83. Rgt |
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
I./83 |
622 |
22 |
2 |
37 |
100 % |
|
II./83 |
620 |
22 |
4 |
18 |
80% |
|
III./83 |
622 |
17 |
1 |
20 |
90% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stab 84. Rgt. |
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
I./84 |
577 |
16 |
0 |
34 |
90% |
|
II./84 |
621 |
18 |
0 |
26 |
90% |
|
III./84 |
589 |
15 |
3 |
10 |
73% |
Additionally the I./84 had seven Panzerwerfer, while II./84 also had seven plus one in workshops.7
According to a situation map, two of the Werfer battalions in 83. Rgt had 15 cm Werfers, while the third battalion had 21 cm Werfers. The 84. Rgt had two 15 cm battalions and one 30 cm battalion.8
On 18 July the regiment was in the sector of I. SS-Pz.Korps.9
1
G. Tessin, Verbände und Truppen der
deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS (Mittler & Sohn,
Frankfurt am Main and Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück
1966-1975).
2
Anlage zu HGr D Ia Nr. 315/44 g.Kdos,
18.5.44, T312, R1563, F000613.
3
OB West Ia 4463/44 g.Kdos., den 10.6.44., T
311, R25, F7029425.
4
Lagekarte AOK 7 11.6.44, 22.00, BA-MA RH
20-7/139K.
5
Gen.Kdo. LXXXI. A.K. Ia Nr. 1419/44 g.Kdos.,
15.6.44, T314, R1590, 000241.
6
Status report to Inspector-General of Panzer
Troops, Stand 1.7.44, BA-MA RH 10/300.
7
Ibid.
8
Lagekarten 81. A.K., Lage am 17.6.44, 24.00,
T314, R1590, F0003000.
9
Gliederung Pz.Gr. West 18.7.44, BA-MA RH
21-5/50.