Panzer Lehr (Heer
Panzer Division 130) was formed in end of 1943 from
various personnel and equipment of new Heer panzer
divisions. Panzer Lehr Division was already
considered an elite unit because of the fact that so
many of the demonstration units that it was formed
from already had elite status due to their use as
demonstration units. The France landings were first
sercives land of Panzer Lehr Division. Located for
counter offensive to Allies landings forces. In the
July 1944, Panzer Lehr was the top strong panzer
division at France landings (better than all of SS
panzer divisions). The division fought often in the
Caen fields and St. Lo battles. Panzer Lehr then
withdrew across France along with the rest of the
retreating German forces in the West, until it was
pulled out of the lines and reformed in the Saar and
then in Paderborn. In the Normandy landings, it
fought honorable and gallant. Panzer Lehr Division
was best of German Panzer Division in Normandy. Even,
I can say best of Western Front.
The Division was sent
by high command to Saar, mission of against Allies.
In December 1944, it was fought just in Ardennes
counter German offensive. Specially mission was siege
of Bastogne. After the failed Ardennes offensive, it
saw action on the Maar line in the Netherlands and
battles for the control of the Bridgeahead at
Remagen. At the end of World War 2, the division
entered the Ruhr pocket in April 1945, where it was
surrended to Americans.
