Division Insignia
History
The 501st Heavy Panzer Battalion (German: "schwere Panzerabteilung 501"; abbreviated: "s PzAbt 501") was a German heavy Panzer Abteilung (an independent battalion-sized unit) equipped with heavy tanks. The battalion was the second unit to receive and use the Tiger I heavy tank, changing to Tiger IIs in mid-1944.
From November 1942 it fought, and in May 1943 surrendered, in Tunisia; reformed in September 1943, it fought on the Eastern front until destroyed in early July 1944; it reformed with Tiger IIs in mid-July 1944, then mostly deactivated on 11 February 1945.
The first heavy armor units in the German Army were the 501st and 502nd heavy tank companies, founded 16 February 1942. They were combined into the 501st heavy tank battalion on 10 May 1942 in Erfurt, commanded by Major Hans-Georg Lueder. In late August, the first Tigers began to arrive, delivery priority having been given to the formation of the 502nd Heavy Panzer Battalion. The 501st was promised to the Afrika Korps for use in North Africa, and was prepared for tropical operations. Initially, the battalion consisted of 20 Tiger I and 25 Panzer III.
German heavy tank battalions were initially planned to be composed of two companies, each with four platoons of two Tigers and two Panzer IIIs. Each company commander would have an additional Tiger, and battalion command would have another two, for a total of 20 Tigers and 16 Panzer III.
From November 1942 it fought, and in May 1943 surrendered, in Tunisia; reformed in September 1943, it fought on the Eastern front until destroyed in early July 1944; it reformed with Tiger IIs in mid-July 1944, then mostly deactivated on 11 February 1945.
The first heavy armor units in the German Army were the 501st and 502nd heavy tank companies, founded 16 February 1942. They were combined into the 501st heavy tank battalion on 10 May 1942 in Erfurt, commanded by Major Hans-Georg Lueder. In late August, the first Tigers began to arrive, delivery priority having been given to the formation of the 502nd Heavy Panzer Battalion. The 501st was promised to the Afrika Korps for use in North Africa, and was prepared for tropical operations. Initially, the battalion consisted of 20 Tiger I and 25 Panzer III.
German heavy tank battalions were initially planned to be composed of two companies, each with four platoons of two Tigers and two Panzer IIIs. Each company commander would have an additional Tiger, and battalion command would have another two, for a total of 20 Tigers and 16 Panzer III.
Featured Missions
| Campaign | Mission |
|---|---|
| Tunisia : Northern Operations | Tebourba Gap |