In Part 1 of this series we looked at Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654 in World War II as it can be fielded in Flames of War for the Early War period. Now in Part 2 we move into the Mid-War period as the unit transitions from a normal towed anti-tank battalion to a heavy self-propelled anti-tank battalion and how to field the various incarnations in your next game of Flames of War.
Mid War – Transition to Heavier Guns
In early 1942, the men of Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654 were still soldiering on with the
hopelessly outclassed 3.7cm PaK36. The
unit now referred to them as “Tank Door-Bells” as shots would routinely bounce
off of opposing armor. Assigned to 45.
Infanterie-Division, the unit saw action near Trudki in early January 1942. Finally, in early April 1942 (soon after Easter according to the units
records), the unit was transitioned to new, heavier anti-tank guns. The first
and third companies transitioned to the extremely effective 7.5cm PaK40 gun,
while the second company used the 7.5cm PaK97/38 gun – which was French gun on
a 5cm PaK38 chassis. While more effective than the 3.7cm gun, the French piece
could not match the performance of the German 7.5cm gun.
The unit took part in the Don offensive which began on
July 1, 1942. Throughout this campaign the unit was involved in a great deal of
heavy fighting. One such battle occurred when the unit was attached to 340. Infanterie-Division near Spasskoje
in early August, 1942. The savage
battles continued into September when the Abteilung
was involved in the battles in the area of Malwerika northwest of Woronesh.
The unit remained in Woronesh and held off over four weeks of Soviet
counteroffensives in October and early November 1942.
As Panzerjäger-Abteilung
654 was largely attached to infantry formations during this time, the best
list to use to field it would be the Grenadierkompanie on page 60 of Eastern Front. You can use the Grenadier Anti-tank Gun Platoon on page 65 or the
Anti-tank Gun Platoon on page 87 to represent the unit. I’ve generally based
the restrictions on the support units based on the date of production rather
than direct evidence that a specific vehicle actually served in the same sector
as 654 Panzer-Abteilung. In a few
cases there is evidence that a unit did not serve in the same area (such as the
Bunkerflak), so these have also been disallowed for historical forces.
Fighting in the Soviet Union – Attached to 45. Infanterie-Division – January
through March 1942
Grenadierkompanie – Eastern
Front p. 60
·
Compulsory:
As required by list
· 654. Panzerjäger-Abteilung: Grenadier Anti-tank Gun Platoon (p. 65)
and/or the Anti-tank Gun Platoon on (p. 87) armed with the 3.7cm PaK 36 only
·
Appropriate Support: Any with the exceptions noted below
·
Not appropriate for the unit at this time:
o 1942
or 1943 Schwere Panzer Platoons
o Some
of the variants of the Mittlere Panzer Platoon (armed with Panzer III Ausf L,
M, or N or armed with Panzer IV Ausf F2, G, or G (late))
o Assault
Tank Platoon
o Some
of the variants of the Assault Gun Platoon (armed with the StuG F, F/8, G or
StuH42)
o Tank-hunter
Platoon (armed with anything BUT the Panzerjäger I),
o Tracked
Panzerspäh Platoon
o Half-tracked
Panzerspäh Platoon
o Bunker
FlaK Platoon
Don Offensive and later defensive battles in the Soviet
Union – Attached to 340. Infanterie-Division,
57. Infanterie-Division (and likely other units as well) – April through
November 1942
Grenadierkompanie – Eastern
Front p. 60
·
Compulsory:
As required by list
· 654. Panzerjäger-Abteilung: Grenadier Anti-tank Gun Platoon (p. 65)
and/or the Anti-tank Gun Platoon on (p. 87) armed with the 7.5cm PaK40 or the 7.5cm
Pak97/38 gun only
·
Appropriate Support: Any with the exceptions noted below
·
Not appropriate for the unit at this time:
o 1943
Schwere Panzer Platoon
o Some
of the variants of the Mittlere Panzer Platoon (armed with Panzer III Ausf M or
armed with Panzer IV Ausf G (late))
o Assault
Tank Platoon (armed with the Brummbär)
o Some
of the variants of the Assault Gun Platoon (armed with the StuG G or StuH42)
o Tank-hunter
Platoon (armed with anything BUT the Panzerjäger I, Marder I, Marder II, or
Marder III (7.62cm),
o Tracked
Panzerspäh Platoon
o Bunker
FlaK Platoon
To model the early 1942 incarnation of the unit still
armed with the 3.7cm PaK36 you can continue to use the 3.7cm PaK 36 (GE501). Starting in April, the unit upgraded to new guns, so you
can use the 7.5cm PaK 40 gun (GE520), though there are a few alternate parts codes you could use as well, just
ensure that the crew is a Grenadier crew.
The 5cm PaK38 gun (GE510) is supposed to include a 7.5 Pak97/38 gun
option, or you could try the old special order code for the 7.5
Pak97/38 gun (GSO503). According to the unit’s history, they were equipped with
French Unic trucks for towing purposes as well as “Utiliti tractors.” As of
November 6, 1942, the unit listed Renault tractors with trailers among the
inventory which was no longer serviceable, so one could conceivably use
something like the Renault UE Carrier & Trailer (FR211) as a tow vehicle as an alternative to the 3-ton truck. As before, this would
have no game impact other than providing visual uniqueness to the force. Normal German trucks are, of course, also acceptable!
December, 1942 - Partial upgrade to self-propelled
anti-tank guns
Panzerjäger-Abteilung
654 was pulled out of the line around November 20, 1942. After a road march
through blizzard conditions, the unit finally arrived on Bogutschar on December
9, 1942. At this point the unit was assigned to support an Italian division,
though the specific division is not reported. The limitations of towed
anti-tank guns had become apparent by this time and the unit had made several
requests for self-propelled mounts. These were finally delivered in the form of
Marder II tank destroyers (the 7.5cm PaK 40 gun mounted on the Panzer II
chassis in an open topped superstructure).
Initially only the second company fielded the new
self-propelled anti-tank guns, while the other two companies soldiered on with
towed guns, which were still a mixture of 7.5cm
PaK 40 and 7.5cm PaK 97/38 (f) guns. Nine Marder II were initially delivered on
December 11, 1942 with another 16 arriving on December 19.
The Soviets launched an offensive on Decmber 16, 1942
near Kantemirowka in the Don Basin. Unfortunately for the men of Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654, most of the
Italian forces fled before the offensive even reached their positions resulting
in several anti-tank guns having to be destroyed by their crews. The situation
was so desperate on December 19, that the Marders of the second company had to
defend the rail yard from Soviet tanks while their next allotment of
self-propelled guns was unloaded!
By this time the first and third companies were fighting
separate battles. The first and third companies were still in the vicinity of
the Italian forces, while the second company with its Marders attempted a
counter-attack against the Soviets on December 21 along with a Kampfgruppe of German forces. While the
counterattack was unsuccessful, the second company did manage to destroy
several enemy tanks. By this time the
entire position was in danger of encirclement, but managed to break through on
Christmas 1942 only to find themselves surrounded again near Tschertkowo.
Through January and early February, the Abteilung
continued to face desperate fighting to stem the Soviet advance fighting
alongside 320. Infanterie-Division
and 298. Infanterie-Division. By
early February, the unit was largely spent and was pulled out of the line and
the roughly 200 surviving members of the battalion were given three weeks
leave.
Winter defensive and offensive operations – While under Italian Command and fighting
alongside the Italians– Decmeber 2, 1942 – mid January, 1943 (?)
Battaglione Alpini – Eastern
Front p. 146 – or – Battaglione Fucilieri – Eastern Front p. 142
·
Compulsory:
As required by list
·
Add
o Anti-tank
Gun Platoon (p. 87) armed with the 7.5cm PaK40 or the 7.5cm Pak97/38 gun only – note technically the PaK97/38 option is
not allowed by the list, though it appears to be historically correct
o Tank-hunter
Platoon (p. 86) armed with the Marder II –
note technically this option is not allowed by the list, though it appears to
be historically correct at least in a few limited instances
·
Appropriate Support: Any
Winter defensive and offensive operations – German Kampfgruppe
and action with 320. Infanterie-Division
and 298. Infanterie-Division – Decmeber
16, 1942 – February 6, 1943
Grenadierkompanie – Eastern
Front p. 60
·
Compulsory:
As required by list
· Add 654. Panzerjäger-Abteilung:
o Grenadier
Anti-tank Gun Platoon (p. 65)
o Anti-tank
Gun Platoon (p. 87) armed with the 7.5cm PaK40 or the 7.5cm Pak97/38 gun only
o Tank-hunter
Platoon (p. 86) armed with the Marder II
·
Appropriate Support: Any with the exceptions noted below
·
Not appropriate for the unit at this time:
o 1943
Schwere Panzer Platoon
o Some
of the variants of the Mittlere Panzer Platoon (armed with Panzer III Ausf M or
armed with Panzer IV Ausf G (late))
o Assault
Tank Platoon (armed with the Brummbär)
o Some
of the variants of the Assault Gun Platoon (armed with the StuG G or StuH42)
o Tracked
Panzerspäh Platoon
o Bunker
FlaK Platoon
To model the unit at this time, the towed guns are
essentially unchanged from earlier in the year. For the self-propelled anti-tank
guns, use Marder II (GE103). Given this is still late 1942, the vehicles were
still likely in overall Panzer gray, and may have had whitewash, but surviving
pictures of the unit equipped with Marders appear to be quite rare.
Enter the Ferdinand and the Battle of Kursk
With the catastrophic loss of the German Sixth Army at
Stalingrad, Hitler was desperate to regain the strategic initiative on the
Eastern Front. The Kursk Salient appeared to represent an ideal opportunity to
cut off the head of the Soviet advance and reverse the defeats of the previous
months. Hitler also wanted to bring several new “wonder weapons” to the fore,
which would hopefully serve to answer the superiority of Soviet Armor.
Unfortunately for the Germans, the Soviets recognized the danger and began to
reinforce the salient in depth. Despite strong evidence that the Soviets were
well-prepared for an attack, and disregarding the advice of his senior staff,
Hitler ordered the attack to proceed. Worse yet, the attack was delayed for several
weeks while these new “wonder weapons” could be shipped to the front!
Panzerjäger-Abteilung
654 was one of the many units upgraded and chosen to participate in the
attack on Kursk. Initially it was to be transitioned to the Hornisse tank destroyer, but at the end
of April, 1943 the order came through that they would be upgraded to Germany’s
largest, and most powerfully armed and armored vehicle, the Ferdinand tank destroyer. Based on the
Porsche VK 4501 chassis, the Ferdinand (named
after Ferdinand Porsche) was armed with the massive 8.8cm PaK 43 L/71 gun,
which could cut through any Soviet armor with ease. With the issuing of their
new mounts, the battalion became Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung
654.
For the offensive, Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654 was assigned to schweres
Panzerjäger-Regiment 656. The
regiment fielded battalions with several new weapon systems. In addition to Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654, the regiment fielded its sister unit Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653, also
equipped with the Ferdinand, and Sturmpanzer Battalion 216, which fielded the new Brummbär assault gun. The regiment also represented the debut of
the Borgward BIV, and were supported by Funklenk
Kompanie 313 and 314. The primary tank strength of the unit was provided by
several Panzerkampfwagen III (12 Panzer III with the short barreled 5cm gun, 7
Panzer III with the long barreled 5cm gun, and 3 Panzer III N)
There is not enough space here to detail the full course
of the fighting during the Kursk operation, but the unit faced several difficulties
from its outset on July 5, 1943 including lanes of advance covered by
minefields. The unit managed to destroy several Soviet tanks at ranges as long
as 3,000 meters, though the accompanying infantry often could not keep pace
because of murderous Soviet artillery fire.
Over the next several days, the battalion served as a mobile reserve
knocking out many enemy tanks until the offensive began to stall by July 17,
1942. At that point the full regiment was pulled back to Orel before the whole
sector was evacuated. In the meantime Schwere
Panzer-Abteilung 654 supported 383. Infanterie-Division
and 292. Infanterie-Division sealing
off enemy penetrations.
By early August, most of the mechanically temperamental
Ferdinands had been pulled back for refitting. Officially Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654 handed all of the vehicles over to
their sister battalion, Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653. Ultimately all of the surviving Ferdinands (roughly 45 of the 89
originally produced) were returned to the factory for refitting. However, as a
unit schweres Panzerjäger-Regiment 656
performed very well during the offensive, having destroyed over 500 enemy tanks
along with another 200 anti-tank guns and artillery pieces.
Kursk Offensive (Operation Zitadelle) and Soviet counter offensive (Operation Kutuzov)
– Schweres Panzerjäger-Regiment
656 – July 5 – 30, 1943
Unfortunately there is no list which allows you to take
the Ferdinand as a combat platoon choice at this time, so you’ll need to build
an appropriate force using another list as a basis.
Mittlere Panzerkompanie – Eastern Front p. 32
·
Compulsory:
As required by list, though the force should be built around the Panzer
III:
o Up
to 12 Panzer III G, H, or J (early)
o Up
to 7 Panzer III J (late), L, or M
o Up
to 3 Panzer III N
·
Add 654. Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung: Tank-hunter
Platoon (p. 86) armed with the Ferdinand
·
Historical Flavor:
o Assault
Tank Platoon (p. 85) armed with the Brummbär
o Radio
Control Tank Platoon (p. 85) armed with the Stug G and Borgward
o Light
Panzer Platoon (p. 33) with up to 3 Panzer II F
·
Other support:
As allowed by list
·
Inappropriate for this list:
o Bunker
FlaK platoon
Panzergrenadierkompanie – Eastern Front p. 46
·
Compulsory:
As required by list
· Add 654. Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung: Tank-hunter
Platoon (p. 86) armed with the Ferdinand
·
Historical Flavor:
o Assault
Tank Platoon (p. 85) armed with the Brummbär
o Radio
Control Tank Platoon (p. 85) armed with the Stug G and Borgward
o Mittlere
Panzer Platoon based on the Panzer III bearing in mind regimental maximums:
§ Up
to 12 Panzer III G, H, or J (early)
§ Up
to 7 Panzer III J (late), L, or M
§ Up
to 3 Panzer III N
·
Other support:
As allowed by list
·
Inappropriate for this list:
o Bunker
FlaK platoon
Kursk Offensive (Operation Zitadelle) and Soviet counter offensive (Operation Kutuzov)
– In support of 383. Infanterie-Division
and 292. Infanterie-Division – July
21 – 30, 1943
Grenadierkompanie – Eastern
Front p. 60
·
Compulsory:
As required by list
· Add 654. Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung: Tank-hunter
Platoon (p. 86) armed with the Ferdinand
·
Historical Flavor:
o Assault
Tank Platoon (p. 85) armed with the Brummbär
·
Other support:
As allowed by list
Modeling the unit at Kursk provides several new options,
not the least of which is the massive Ferdinand tank destroyer (GE131). The
unit’s Ferdinands were painted in overall German panzer dark yellow with green
overspray. Numbers were generally solid white. The first company’s numbers were
all in the 500’s, while the second and third company’s were in the 600’s and
700’s respectively. You also have the opportunity to field the early Brummbär
(GE129) as well as the Borgward B IV (GE610) in the same army, though the points costs may get a bit steep!
Around August 19, 1943, the unit began its re-deployment
back to France. The next vehicle the unit would field would be the Jagdpanther
tank destroyer which mounted the Ferdinand’s powerful 8.8cm gun in a far more
mobile platform. However, that unit would not see action until 1944 and will be
covered in Part 3 of this series covering 654. Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung.
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