History
15th Panzergrenadier Division was a mobile division of the German Army in World War II.
It was created in July 1943 as the new 15th Panzergrenadier Division, commanded by Generalleutnant Eberhard Rodt, it was formed by redesignating the Division Sizilien and incorporating personnel awaiting assignment to the 15th Panzer Division, which had surrendered, along with the rest of Panzerarmee Afrika on 13th May, 1943.
On 10th July, of the same year the Allies executed Operation Husky), landings on Sicily's southern coast during which the division, like the Luftwaffe's Panzer Division Hermann Goring fought a series of delaying actions that included clashes with 1st Canadian Infantry Division at Piazza Armerina, Leonforte, Assoro and Valguarnera prior to defending the hilltop town of Troina along Highway 120 where 15th Panzergrenadier suffered heavy losses battling US 1st Infantry Division.
On May 11, 1944, the Allies launched Operation Diadem which finally resulted in the collapse of the Gustav Line and the capitulation of the German defences along the Winter Line. From May 15–19, the 15th Panzergrenadiers fought a retreating battle through the Aurunci Mountains against the 3rd Algerian Infantry and 4th Moroccan Mountain Divisions of the French Expeditionary Corps, commanded by General Alphonse Juin.
The 15th Panzergrenadiers fought the rest of the war on the Western Front. It fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where it participated in the Siege of Bastogne and in Operation Blockbuster, serving under the First Parachute Army. It surrendered to the British at war's end.
It was created in July 1943 as the new 15th Panzergrenadier Division, commanded by Generalleutnant Eberhard Rodt, it was formed by redesignating the Division Sizilien and incorporating personnel awaiting assignment to the 15th Panzer Division, which had surrendered, along with the rest of Panzerarmee Afrika on 13th May, 1943.
On 10th July, of the same year the Allies executed Operation Husky), landings on Sicily's southern coast during which the division, like the Luftwaffe's Panzer Division Hermann Goring fought a series of delaying actions that included clashes with 1st Canadian Infantry Division at Piazza Armerina, Leonforte, Assoro and Valguarnera prior to defending the hilltop town of Troina along Highway 120 where 15th Panzergrenadier suffered heavy losses battling US 1st Infantry Division.
On May 11, 1944, the Allies launched Operation Diadem which finally resulted in the collapse of the Gustav Line and the capitulation of the German defences along the Winter Line. From May 15–19, the 15th Panzergrenadiers fought a retreating battle through the Aurunci Mountains against the 3rd Algerian Infantry and 4th Moroccan Mountain Divisions of the French Expeditionary Corps, commanded by General Alphonse Juin.
The 15th Panzergrenadiers fought the rest of the war on the Western Front. It fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where it participated in the Siege of Bastogne and in Operation Blockbuster, serving under the First Parachute Army. It surrendered to the British at war's end.
Featured Missions
| Campaign | Mission | Campaign | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of Cassino | Battle of Rapido River | Battle of Cassino | Towards Monte Trocchio |
| Battle of Cassino | Point 447: Monte Trocchio | Operation Overlord | Battle for Caen |
| Battle of Cassino | 4th Battle: Crossing the Gari |