653-Schwerepanzerjagerabt.pdf

By Dr. Michael L. McSwiney, Ph.D.

653. Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung

A PRIL – A UGUST 1944

In December 1943, the Soviets began operations that would

ultimately drive a wedge between Army Groups South and

Centre. By late March 1944, Soviet forces had surrounded

the important road junction of Tarnopol with the goal

of securing the junction and the rail line from Odessa to

Lemberg, which was vital to the German war efort. During

this time, the 653. Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung was un-

dergoing reit with the overhauled Ferdinands (soon to be

renamed “Elefant”). he irst company was re-equipped and

sent into service in Italy (along with the 1 st Maintenance

Platoon). his left the Stab (headquarters) company and the

2 nd and 3 rd companies to await completion of their overhaul

and assignment. his efort was completed in on 31 March

1944 and the three companies embarked for the eastern

front on 2 April arriving in Brzezany on 6 April. By 8 April,

653. Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung was attached to the 9. SS-

Panzerdivision in an efort to relieve Tarnopol. his efort

ultimately failed, and the operation was called of. At the

end of April the abteilung began a reasonably quiet time of

rebuilding and retraining of replacements in Brzezany.

It was during the time in Brzezany that the 653. Schwere

Panzerjägerabteilung received and converted the various

“special vehicles” that make the unit distinct (apart from the

fact that it was one of the only two battalions to receive the

Ferdinand/Elefant tank-hunter). Among the special vehicles

was a Tiger (P) VK 4501 which had been upgraded with

radios and zimmerit to create a command vehicle. hey also

converted a Bergepanther adding a stationary Panzer IV

turret, a Bergepanther with a quad 2cm anti-aircraft gun,

a T-34 with a quad 2cm anti-aircraft gun, and two T-34

ammunition carriers. he anti-aircraft turrets were built by

the battalion’s maintenance unit from half-track armoured

plate. he battalion also received four further Elefant tank

destroyers with a modiied rear hatch which modiied the

rear hatch to better facilitate the installation and removal of

the main armament.

On 13 July 1944, the 1 st and 4 th Ukrainian Fronts

attacked Army Group North Ukraine quickly splitting

the 1 st and 4 th German Panzer Armies. he 653. Schwere

Panzerjägerabteilung came under assault from several Soviet

divisions at Pomeryany and Rohatyn on 14 August 1944.

he battalion fought an incessant rearguard action through

Lemberg, Kurowice, and Yeziezanka. Unfortunately during

this ighting withdrawal, the battalion lost over 60% of its

heavy vehicles. Most were not lost to direct enemy action,

but rather to the inherent weaknesses of the Elefant design.

Its technical complexity resulted in several break downs and

other technical failures. he speed of the advance meant

that any breakdown often resulted in the vehicle being left

behind. Many bridges could not support the weight of the

immense tank destroyer, and the fuel situation also meant

many simply ran out of gasoline and had to be destroyed by

their crews.

T HE E LEFANTS , S EPTEMBER TO THE END

he few remaining Elefant tank-hunters of 653. Schwere

Panzerjägerabteilung initially remained with the 17 th Army.

he Elefants were concentrated into the 2 nd company, which

was later renamed the 614. Schwere Panzerjägerkompanie .

he company later joined the XXXXVIII Panzerkorps under

4 th Army command on the eastern front. he rest of the 653.

Schwere Panzerjägerabteilung returned to Germany where

they were reitted with the new Jagdtiger tank-hunters.

he Elefants continued to serve on the eastern front. hey

fought against the Soviet Vistula-Oder Ofensive in January

1945. he Elefant saw its last battles in Berlin, with the

last two remaining vehicles ighting until captured in May

1945.

9. SS PANZERDIVISION SPECIAL RULES

During April 1944 the 653. Schwere Panzerjagerabteilung

was attached to the 9. SS-panzerdivision.

When any infantry platoon from 9. ‘SS-Panzerdivision fails

its Motivation Test to Counterattack during an assault, it

has the option to either Break Of as normal or continue

the assault.

If the platoon elects to continue the assault, they ight on

as if they had passed the Motivation Test. However, if they

fail any further Motivation Tests to Counterattack in this

assault, then the platoon is immediately Destroyed as if they

had failed a Platoon Morale Check.

O NE - WAY T RIP T O H EAVEN

9. SS-Panzerdivision was formed from a cadre of experienced

oicers and NCO’s and leshed out with young volunteers.

After hard training, the result was a outstanding mix of hard-

won experience and youthful enthusiasm. hese brave young

soldiers called assaults ‘Himmelfahrtskommando’ (One-way

Trip to Heaven Missions) because, regardless of casualties,

they would ight on until they won or died.

Schwere Panzerjägerkompanie

(T ANK C OMPANY )

COMPANY HQ

A Schwere Panzerjägerkompanie must ield a Company HQ and at least one Schwere Panzerjäger

Platoon and may ield one of each of the remaining Combat Platoons and the Weapons Platoons

shown.

It may also ield one Support Platoon from each Support box shown (Armoured, Infantry, etc).

Company HQ

PANZERJÄGERS

PIONEERS

ARMOURED

Heavy Tank Platoon

Panzer Platoon

Panzer Pioneer Platoon

Schwere Panzerjager

Platoon

ARMOURED

SCOUTS

Assault Gun Platoon

PANZERJÄGERS

Motorised Scout Platoon

INFANTRY

Panzergrenadier Platoon

Schwere Panzerjager

Platoon

ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS

Grenadier Platoon

PANZERJÄGERS

Panzer Anti-aircraft

Gun Platoon

INFANTRY

Panzerpionier Platoon

Pionier Platoon

Schwere Panzerjager

Platoon

ALLIED PLATOONS

ARTILLERY

Artillery Battery

SS and Luftwafe Platoons

in your force are Allies and

follow the Allies rules on

page 183 of the rulebook.

Motorised Artillery Battery

ROCKET ARTILLERY

Rocket Launcher Battery

Armoured Rocket

Launcher Battery

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

Light Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

Heavy Anti-aircraft Gun Platoon

AIR SUPPORT

Sporadic Air Support

G ERMAN

M OTIVATION AND S KILL

Having survived the battle of Kursk and been re-equipped with upgraded vehicles, the com-

panies of the 653. Schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung are skilled tank hunters.

he platoons of Schwere Panzerjägerkompanie are rated Conident Veteran .

MOTIVATION

SKILL

RELUCTANT

CONFIDENT

CONSCRIPT

TRAINED

FEARLESS

VETERAN

HEADQUARTERS

C OMPANY HQ

OBERLEUTNANT

H EADQUARTERS

Company HQ with

Elefant 300 points

Add a second Elefant tank-hunter for +300 points.

Company HQ with

Tiger (P) 195 points

Add a Bergepanther with Panzer IV turret for

+95 points.

Add a Bergepanther 2cm Quad for +65 points.

O PTION

Add a Bergepanzer Elefant recovery vehicle for +20

points.

Often the Abteilung fought with reduced numbers of op-

erational vehicles. You can choose to ield the Abteilung

HQ instead of the normal Kompanie HQ. his represents

the battalion ighting at about company strength.

A Company Command Tiger (P) tank does not get Tiger

Ace skills.

OBERLEUTNANT

UNTEROFFIZIER

•

Company Command

Elefant

Bergepanzer Elefant

RECOVERY SECTION

•

2iC Command

Elefant

•

COMPANY HQ

SCHWERE PANZERJÄGERKOMPANIE HQ

•

MAJOR

UNTEROFFIZIER

Company Command

Tiger (P)

Bergepanzer Elefant

RECOVERY SECTION

2iC Command Bergepanther

(Panzer IV turret)

UNTEROFFIZIER

In January 1944 the Ferdinand tank-hunters of the 653. and

654. Schwere Panzerjäger abteilungs were sent to Austria for

reitting. he vehicles were modiied with a hull machine-

gun, a commander’s cupola and improved engine gratings.

he reitted vehicles, now renamed ‘Elefant’ were all trans-

ferred to 653. abteilung. he 1 st company was sent to Italy,

but the headquarters, 2 nd and 3 rd companies were sent to the

eastern front.

COMPANY HQ

Bergepanther 2cm Quad

RECOVERY SECTION

SCHWERE PANZERJÄGERABTEILUNG HQ

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