503. schwere Panzer Abteilung
The battalion had been employed on the eastern front since the winter 1942-43. It took part in the battle at Kursk and was thereafter continually engaged. In the spring 1944, the battalion was withdrawn to Germany to rest and refit.
It had no tanks on 1 June 1944.1 Deliveries did however take place during June. The following shipments of Tigers were sent to the battalion2:
|
11 June |
6 Tiger I |
|
12 June |
11 Tiger I & 12 Tiger II |
|
14 June |
6 Tiger I |
|
15 June |
5 Tiger I |
|
17 June |
5 Tiger I |
The Tiger II tanks were all found in 1. Kompanie of the battalion.3
Since the battalion was still in Germany, where the railnet was still in relatively good condition, the Tigers probably arrived within a day or two.
On 12 June, OB West reported that the battalion would be transferred to Normandy4, but as shown above its tanks had not yet arrived. Ten days later the battalion was described as the best and most experienced Tiger battalion in the German army.5 It was reported to be in transit to Panzer gruppe West on 28 June.6 Two days later, two of the trains transporting the battalion had reached Dreux, while the remaining six were between Toul and Paris.7
All trains had reached Dreux by 5 July and the battalion had unloaded.8 By 10 July the battalion had arrived at 86. Korps.9 It seems however that at least four Tigers were still missing at that date, since the battalion reported 41 Tigers on 11 July and 45 two days later.10
The battalion remained with 86. Korps until 23 July, when it was decided to shift the battalion to I. SS-Pz.Korps.11
During July the battalions casualties amounted to 26 killed, 31 wounded and 18 missing.12 On 1 August the authorized strength of the unit was 873 officers and men, plus 90 HiWi.13 It reported a shortage of 50 officers and men.14 Also the unit was short of 64 HiWi.15 During July the battalion had recieved no replacements at all.16
The losses suffered by the battalion was to a large extent incurred by 3. Kompanie. On 18 July alone, the company lost 14 men killed. Consequently the 3. Kompanie handed over its remaining Tiger I tanks to 2. Kompanie on 20 July and its men went to Mailly-le-Camp to reequip with Tiger II tanks.17
Fourteen Tiger II were despatched to the battalion 27 - 29 July.18 The tanks arrived during the first week of August. On 11 August the company left Maiily by rail. It did not arrive in tme for the Falaise battle.19
The two companies that remained in Normandy endured the Falaise battle. It is known that the 1. Kompanie blew up four of its Tigers on 18 August and two further on 20 August.20 The remainder of the tanks were lost during the retreat due to lack of fuel, mechanical breakdowns or lack of ferrys to take such heavy vehicles over rivers like the Seine.
Tank strength during the campign:
|
Date |
Number of |
Tanks in |
Tanks in |
|
11 July21 |
23 |
3 |
15 |
|
13 July22 |
32 |
13 |
0 |
|
16 July23 |
40 |
? |
? |
|
17 July24 |
39 |
1 |
5 |
|
18 July (evening)25 |
9 |
? |
? |
|
25 July26 |
20 |
8 |
? |
|
27 July27 |
20 |
4 |
? |
|
28 July28 |
14 |
? |
? |
|
29 July29 |
15 |
7 |
? |
|
1 August30 |
13 |
16 |
? |
|
6 August31 |
11 |
? |
? |
Notes:
|
1 |
Lieferungen der Pz-Fahrz. Bd. ab Mai 1943, BA-MA RH 10/349. |
|
2 |
Ibid. |
|
3 |
A. Rubbel, Erinnerungen an die Tiger-Abteilung 503 1942 - 1945 (Bassum 1990) p. 266. |
|
4 |
OB West Ia Nr 4521/44 g.Kdos, 12.6.44, T311, R25, F7029499. |
|
5 |
Ferngeschpräche und Besprächungen AOK 7 Ia, Besprächung mit Gen.Maj. Tomale 22.6.44, T312, R1566, F000313. |
|
6 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr 24/44 g.Kdos, Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 29.6.44, BA-MA RH 21-5/50. |
|
7 |
OB West Ia Nr. 5152/44 g.Kdos. 30.6.44, T311, R25, F7030013. |
|
8 |
OB West Ia Nr. 5323/44 g.Kdos., 5.7.44, T311, R28, F7034222. |
|
9 |
HGr B Ia Tagesmeldung 10.7.44, BA-MA RH 19 IX/9a. |
|
10 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 361/44 geh. von 12.7.1944., Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 11.7., T313, R420, F8713888. and Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 348/44 geh. v. 14.7.44, Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 13.7., T313, R420, F8713903. |
|
11 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 535/44 geh. von 23.7.1944., Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 22.7., BA-MA RH 21-5/50. |
|
12 |
Monthly reports from 503 Tank Battalion to the Inspector-General of Armoured Troops, file BA-MA RH 10/220. |
|
13 |
Ibid. |
|
14 |
Ibid. |
|
15 |
Ibid. |
|
16 |
Ibid. |
|
17 |
Rubbel, op. cit. p. 284 |
|
18 |
Lieferungen der Pz-Fahrz. Bd. ab Mai 1943, BA-MA RH 10/349. |
|
19 |
Rubbel, op. cit., p. 293ff. |
|
20 |
Ibid, p. 289f |
|
21 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 361/44 geh. von 12.7.1944., Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 11.7., T313, R420, F8713888. |
|
22 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 348/44 geh. v. 14.7.44, Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 13.7., T313, R420, F8713903. |
|
23 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 424/44 geh. von 17.7.1944., Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 16.7., BA-MA RH 21-5/50. |
|
24 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia Nr. 479/44 geheim von 18.7.44, Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 17.7.44, BA-MA RH 21-5/50. |
|
25 |
OB West Ia Nr. 5814/44 g.Kdos, 19.7.44, T78, R313, F6265849. |
|
26 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 572/44 geh. von 26.7.1944., Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 25.7., BA-MA RH 21-5/50. |
|
27 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 605/44 geh. von 27.7.1944., Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 28.7., BA-MA RH 21-5/50. |
|
28 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia Nr. 633/44 g.Kdos, 29.7.44, Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 28.7, T313, R420, F8714036. |
|
29 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia Nr. 647/44 g.Kdos, 30.7.44, Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 29.7, T313, R420, F8714042. |
|
30 |
Status report to the Inspector-General of Panzer Troops, Stand 1.8.44, BA-MA RH 10/220. |
|
31 |
Pz.Gr. West Ia, Nr. 801/44 geh. von 7.8.1944., Nachtrag zur Tagesmeldung 6.8., T313, R420, F8714118. |