Jpspider 0 Posted February 28, 2021 23. Panzer-Division "Eiffelturm" Who are we? We are a professional Arma 3 realism unit portraying the 23rd Panzer Division, Panzergrenadier-Regiment.128 and their combat actions throughout the second world war. We also portray other Wehrmacht units such as the 79. Infanterie-Division during our Stalingrad and Kuban campaign. With our current manpower, we operate at a company level with over 70 members, hoping to expand to over 80 in the near future. With unit leadership and other members having years of experience in Wehrmacht realism, we aim to deliver the most professional, accurate and realistic portrayal of a Wehrmacht company in the second world war. What we offer? We take pride in our historical accuracy, and aim to offer the most authentic realism experience to someone who wishes to join our ranks. As well as realistic combat, we structure and operate our group as Wehrmacht units would have been historically. This encompasses ranks, tactics, tactical commands, radio procedures, uniforms, medals, weaponry, and most importantly camaraderie. With years of friendship between members of the unit and our diverse, international collection of individuals, you will be welcomed into a stable, active and friendly community to bond with. With a team of dedicated unit developers and permission from mod creators, we are the most customized and specialized ArmA 3 WW2 unit created with development in all areas of the gameplay experience. This includes completely custom maps, vehicles, uniforms and even artillery pieces for all theatres and time periods as well as special uniforms for individuals who have earned a combination of awards. Primary Language: English & German German is utilized to increase the immersion and historical authenticity of the events. - During trainings and operations, primary communication is done with English. (85-90% of communication) - Tactical movements and commands are given in German. (10-15% of communication) Combat billets Entry level combat billets is where all speculative members of the unit begin their time with the 23. Panzer-Division: - Mechanized Infanterie - High Demand Graduate level combat billets (You may progress to their different paths within the Kompanie when you graduate Rekrut Schule and reach Panzergrenadier): Specialized Gruppe Roles (MG-Gunner, MG-Assistant, Assistant stretcher bearer, Grenadier, Rifleman) - Tornisterfunktrupp (Funker - Radioman) - Kompanie & Zugtrupp's (Melder - Messenger) Sanitätstrupp (Sanitäter - Medic) - Panzer Crewman - (Gunner, Radioman, Driver) All billets are subject to availability within the Kompanie and those who are best fit for the role. Requirements to Join Age 18+: Accept if met current Criteria. 16-17-: Accept if met any of the following: - Friends with a current standing member of the unit. - Previous experience in a realism/mil-sim/reenactment unit. - Show above average levels of maturity for their age. - Show an interest in developing their current understanding and learning more about the Wehrmacht and what we do as a whole. Technical Must have a legal copy of Arma 3. Must have a working microphone. Must have or be able to have Teamspeak 3 VoIP program installed. Must be able to use Push to talk on Teamspeak 3 while in game. Must be willing to download mods off of Arma3Sync and utilize ACRE2 Schedule Attendance to main Sunday events and Saturday trainings is 100% mandatory. If real life bars you from attending you are able to write in a Leave of Absence to inform that Unit that you cannot attend: - Kompanie Operations, PvP's, & Trainings: Sunday, 2:00PM EST (19:00 GMT) - 1. Zug und Panzerzug (1st Platoon 4th Platoon(Tanks)) Training: Saturday, 2:00PM EST (19:00 GMT) - Aufklärungstrupp (Reconnaissance Troop) Training: Thursday, 6:30PM EST (11:30 GMT) Contact & Media Join our Discord below and fill out an application if this sounds interesting to you. If you're still thinking about it how about taking a look at our YouTube channel. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/23PanzerDivision-public Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted March 18, 2021 Schöne Grüße! This week the men of the 23. Panzer-Division participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino portraying the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division that held the abbey. Polish II Corp attacked the Abbey throughout the day as the supply lines were thin and the men held on. Sadly due to the never ending waves of Polish soldiers the frontline broke before an organized retreat could have been organized. Of the 50 men that came 3 escaped alive with 10 being captured alive and numerous others wounded with their fate to the British. After the fall of Monte Cassino the men portraying 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division retreat to the Caesar C Line due to the fall of the Winter Line. This weekend On 21.March.2021 the 23. Panzer-Divison has plans to participate in a PvP against the British Red Devils Unit as apart of the Italian campaign. The Saturday before will be dedicated to training new Rekruts to get up to speed in their skills as well as training the regulars to be adjusted to PvP scenarios. If you have any questions about or the 23rd Panzer Division or perhaps consider joining, join the Discord, If you want to see more, check out the YouTube channel of the above videos. Watch this space for weekly updates to our Italian campaign! Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted April 12, 2021 Schöne Grüße! It's been awhile since the last update here and a lot has happened. The 23rd Panzer-Division completed all of it's objectives while portraying 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division in the Italian peninsula before pulling out to the next defensive line. Sadly the PvP against Red Devils did not occur due to scheduling errors and instead 5GVKD was asked if they were willing to come and both sides had to prepare with 2 weeks starting from scratch. Appended above are the two POVs from the 23rd Panzer-Division during the 5GVKD Ostfront PvP. The PvP was a victory for the 23rd Panzer-Division, if the numbers were more even on both sides it would've been up in the air. This week on 12.April.2021 starts the Ausbildung period in Romania! (Rumänien Ausbildung). The 23rd Panzer-Division is railed to the Romanian city of Jassi to train amongst Romanian division. The 23rd Panzer-Division is working alongside the Romanians to train up the 1st Romanian Armoured Division. Lights are to be turned off after sunset as Soviet planes are able to fly over the lines. There's no better time to join the 23rd Panzer-Division than NOW to participate in the training period and be prepared for the Romanian campaign. Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted April 28, 2021 Schöne Grüße! The 23rd Panzer-Division is entering it's final weeks of Ausbildung in the Romanian countryside (Rumänien Ausbildung) with no more than 1 or 2 weeks remaining before the official start of the Romanian Bridgehead campaign. Rekrut Klasse 002 and 003 recently graduated with 10 total Rekruts being promoted to the Rank of Panzergrenadier (Private) with 13 concurrent Rekruts still conducting Rekrut Schule to be fully integrated into the 23rd Panzer-Division. Recently in the 23rd Panzer-Division 1. Zug "Berg" (1st Platoon Berg) is expanding to include 4. Gruppe (4th Squad) under the leadership of Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) Riegelmann and assisted by Gefreiter Kohler to make room for incoming Rekruts. It's never too late to join the 23rd Panzer-Division as we are always accepting Rekruts that want to partake in the re enacting. No matter how young or old, experienced or new, and regardless of timezone you are in the 23rd Panzer-Divison is always accepting. There's no better time to join the 23rd Panzer-Division than NOW to participate in the training period and be prepared for the Romanian campaign. Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Below are some recent screenshots taken by various members within the 23rd Panzer-Division. 1. Zug "Berg" conducting an assault through a forest. Center close 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" deploys their infantry in front of their halftrack. Center far 1. Mittlere Panzer-Zug "Kreidelheim" deploys a Panther tank on the road. Image from Weiss 1. Kompanie "Keppler" forms up for a ceremony a tradition of promoting members within the 23rd Panzer-Division for over 10 years since it's inception in 2010 back in Red Orchestra. Image from Zeus Aufklärungstrupp "Strauß" deploys in their Sd.Kfz.221 ahead of the Kompanie scouting the path forward. Image from Zeus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted May 13, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Hauptmann (Captain) Keppler and Hauptfeldwebel Landrik (Company First Sergeant (U.S.)), are called back to Battalion-Stab for an emergency meeting. Partisan activity has been emboldened in the area around Lassy as 1. Kompanie "Keppler" continues anti-partisan activities and training in the rear line. Red Army aircraft were spotted flying over the forward assembly point before the Gruppe level trainings raising alarm but it was just a fluke. Rumors spread about the impending Sowjet assault on the Romanian theatre which would bring the 23rd Panzer-Division out of it's rear line training close to the front into action as a full Kampfgruppe ready to assist where ever needed. Signal has it's first volmue released on May 1st, 2021 and captures the Arma 3 WW2 community by storm and other communities due to the high quality and interesting events that the 23rd Panzer-Division does. 4./ Gruppe "Riegelmann" continues to grow as more promising applicants join as Rekruts to begin their training to be full fledged members of the community. May 15th, 2021 training is changed to a Finnish side mission to allow for a day of relaxation before the Sunday campaign day. It's never too late to join the 23rd Panzer-Division as we are always accepting Rekruts that want to partake in the re enacting. No matter how young or old, experienced or new, and regardless of timezone you are in the 23rd Panzer-Divison is always accepting. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Fahnrich Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Below is Signal a magazine that will be released on the 1st of every month made by volunteers from inside the unit and compiled together by Uffz. Beck. Words from Uffz. Beck "Hi, this is a new magazine for the unit, highlighting what we do as a unit as well as the historical context to our campaigns. We hope to make it a monthly release." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted June 2, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, Since Kampfgruppe "Keppler" has been pulled to the frontline as a fulltime Alarm-Abteilung sometime in the Spring of 1944 on the Romanian Front, conditions have been worsening but the Panzergrenadiere of the 23rd Panzer-Division continue to fight on! (May 16th, 2021) The first assignment as a Kampfgruppe had the 23rd Panzer-Division reinforcement a forward position held by Grenadier-Regiment 208 of the 79. Infanterie-Division. At this position was Stanca Castle surrounded by forests that break into open terrain on the Soviet end. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" was tasked with probing the woods and villages assumedly held by Soviet forces North of the Castle town. (May 23rd, 2021) A day later there was a report of a break in the line between Grenadier-Regiment 208 and Grenadier-Regiment 226. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" would move Eastwards from Stanca Castle (Schloss Stanca) towards Wilhelm's Dorf (Galaiesti). The Kampfgruppe would be mopping up any Soviet incursions in the woods between the positions and attempt to counter attack back into Wilhelm's Dorf to seal the hole in the line. (May 30th, 2021) Kampfgruppe "Keppler" took some time off at their Assembly point in Vulturi 3km from the frontline screened by the 79. Infanterie-Division. Here The Kampfgruppe would recover but a day after the events at Wilhelm's Dorf the Kampfgruppe was sent again once more into the fray! Steeled by the successful sealing of the frontline a day prior Kampfgruppe "Keppler" maneuvered towards the Golaiesti Wald (Forest) south of Wilhelm's Dorf. Here they conducted defensive fighting in the woods to combat a Soviet push down the main highway towards the city of Jassy. After numerous hours of fighting the Kampfgruppe mounted up and assaulted conducting a brief raid across the line causing some damage before returning back to the 5. Romanian-Kavallerie-Division's HQ Abteilung Karte (Battalion Map) of the frontline in the Jassy Sector: Below is our second iteration of Signal. This month covers the opening events of the combat days as a Kampfgruppe (Battle Group) "Keppler" moves up to be a full time (Alarm Battalion) Alarm-Abteilung on the frontline as well as the ending phase of the Romanian Ausbildung (Training Phase). Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord:http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg:https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted June 16, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, (June 6th, 2021): The 23rd Panzer-Division takes a break in their historical campaign in the Eastern front to celebrate D-day. That Sunday the unit was divided primarily between German and American slots to re enact Dropzone "A" where elements of the 502nd PIR Pathfinders setup forward beacons on June 5th, 1944. (June 13th, 2021): Over the past few weeks the western flank of the combined Wehrmacht Romanian frontline has been pushed by the 5th Soviet Motorized Corp. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is once again sent into the fray to counterattack at Wilhelm's Dorf when a Soviet Mechanized incursion supported by tanks broke the front threatening elements of Grenadier-Regiment 226. Heavy fighting occured in the forests East and South of Wilhelm's Dorf while elements of Kampfgruppe "Bock" and "Biedermann" screen Kampfgruppe "Keppler's" Left flank. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" Successfully retook Wilhelm's Dorf and occupied woods North West of the position but failed to make any further brekathrough towards Petresti. (June 20th, 2021): Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is sent Nordliche to the town of Mihail Kogalniceanu to plug the line between the 79th Infanterie-Division and 10th Romanian Mountain-Division. The day was bloody as the Kampfgruppe had to pull back 4 km south from the line to Hill 226 South of Popricani. An entire Sowjetisch Panzer Kampfgruppe accompanied by Mechanized and Motorized Infanterie broke through the line pushing all German and Romanian troops in the area back. The fighting on Hill 226 was bloody and positions were almost overrun when a Sowjetisch incursion on the right flank of KG "Keppler" almost swept the entire line. A total of 23 Soldaten were killed at the end of the day's action and 2 were wounded. Thank you to the Graf-Maximus's RKKA re enactment project for taking part in our mission on June 13th and 20th! Abteilung Karte (Battalion Map) of the frontline in the Jassy Sector: Upcoming: The 23rd Panzer-Division will have another 1-2 missions in the Romanian theatre before switching to the Western front to participate in the Normandiefront. On June 20th Graf-Maximus's RKKA re enactment project will once again come portray OPFOR units to increase immersion within our historical campaign. Stay tuned for more and join the Discord or subscribe to the Unit Media channels in order to stay on top of updates! Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted July 3, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, (June 27th, 2021): Hours after the events in Punkt Michael (June 20th, 2021) Kampfgruppe "Keppler only had a few hours of respite as other Kampfgruppe elements of the 23rd move forward reinforcing their left flank and elements of the 79th Infanterie Division occupy their old positions. The Kampfgruppe was situated overlooking 'Paula Dorf' in the center with orders to dig in and await further instruction as an alarm abteilung to counter attack in the morning. Soviet armor and infantry was expected to gather at the town of Tiganasi before advancing down the rog to Stanca Castle. The evening was filled with consistent Soviet artillery strikes, armored assaults, and infantry breakthroughs. The right flank of Kampfgruppe "Keppler" where elements of the 79th Infanterie-Division (July 4th, 2021): Days later Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is sent to the far Eastern part of the flank to support Kampfgruppe "Bock" and "Bidermann" during an assault. Kampfgruppe "Bock" on the left flank was tasked with taking the Flugplatz (Airfield) which was recently taken by elements of the 5. Guards Panzer-Korp. Kampfgruppe "Bidermann" on the far right flank was to attack Northward cutting off a logistical road 2km away from the front buying time for Bock. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" in the center was suppose to cut off the Soviet rear line logistics by assaulting North of the town of Elizavetovca (Radio name Potsdam) and securing a crossroad. Fighting in the woods south of Elizavetovca was deadly as Panzergrenadiers had to quickly dismount from their SPWs while under fire to attack Soviet positions deep in the woods where it would be difficult for SPWs to maneuver. After securing the forest south of Elizavetovca with a few amount of causalities the Kampfgruppe regrouped and reorganized. After taking incoming Artillery fire, Kampfgruppe "Keppler" assault through Elizavetovca which was leveled 10 minutes before using artillery from Magda. Elizavetovca was over watched by Anti-tank guns and Machineguns which fired upon the Kampfgruppe as they advanced. 4. Gruppe "Riegelmann" lost their beute SPW. Upcoming: The 23rd Panzer-Division will have another 1-2 missions followed by an awards and promotion ceremony before entering into a short training phase. The next operational theatre we will be heading to will be in central Poland. The Unit has not yet been decided nor the specific battle but the 23rd Panzer-Division will be in the midst of Operation Bagration. Stay tuned for more and join the Discord or subscribe to the Unit Media channels in order to stay on top of updates! Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted July 21, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, (July 11th, 2021): Kampfgruppe "Keppler" has a bit of respite as they are pulled back into the Romanian city of Jassy as the line is stabilized, for now. The soldaten of Kampfgruppe "Keppler" are summoned for an awards and promotions ceremony for the valiant actions of the Panzergrenadiere that have served throughout the campaign. A total of 43 Kreuzzug Gegen Den Kommunismus (Prut) were handed out to members of the Kampfgruppe for their service around Jassy. All members were issued a citation paper that came with their award pinned on the top right as seen below. Later on after the ceremony a short inter unit PvP was conducted and recorded by yours truly (July 18th, 2021): The 23. Panzer-Division enters it's Ausbildung phase (Training phase) before the start of the Operation Bagration 1944 campaign in Poland. The 23. Panzer-Division will be portraying itself during the summer and autumn battles in 1944 as army group center was attacked across the front. The Kampfgruppe will be equipped with Panthers and Sturmgeschütz III Assault guns to fight against the Soviet Panzerkorps mostly outfitted with T-34-85s. Upcoming: The 23. Panzer-Division is currently in their Ausbildung phase, there is no better time than NOW to join the unit and partake in historical re enactment to be prepared for the upcoming Operation Bagration campaign. Attendance to the Ausbildung will sharpen the skills of the Soldaten and improve the cohesion of the Kampfgruppe as a whole before it enters the frontline again. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord:http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg:https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted August 20, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, Training: The Month of August and July for the 23. Panzer-Division was filled with training to prepare for the upcoming Operation Bagration campaign. Sunday campaign missions were replaced with Kompanie level exercises for the time begin to sharpen skills of the community in preparation for a increased spike in difficulty. Signal: August's iteration of signal was created and released with the monthly special covering Uniform awards and decorations for custom uniforms. You can read more about it on the Unit's Discord in the dedicated signal channel. Upcoming: The 23. Panzer-Division is beginning another campaign cycle. The Division was redeployed by train to Poland in the midst of Operation Bagration 1944 to restablize the line. The next campaign will begin on Sunday August 22nd. The fighting was done near the Vistula river attempting to push back the Soviet bridgeheads with the support of the 24. and 1. Panzer-Divisions. Check out the campaign road map for more information on other campaigns. Screenshot Gallery: Unteroffizier Junkermann speaking to Soldaten of Panzergrenadier Regiment.126 about the terrain ahead while elements of Kampfgruppe "Keppler" move forward onto their objective. Panzergrenadiers await the order for 'Angriff' or Attack in their Halftracks while artillery drops on the objective only 200 meters ahead of them. StuG III support is in the secondary line acting as on call Anti-tank fire. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted September 6, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, Campaign: Operation Bagration. July - August 1944. Southern Poland. The 23. Panzer-Division is arriving piecemeal to Army group center's position in haste. Expecting to fight out of the train station on arrival Panzergrenadier-Regiment.126 arrived with no opposition. 29.July.1944 0500 Hours (August 22nd, 2021) Fighting northward Kampfgruppe "Keppler" Panzergrenadier-Regiment.126 without their Panzer support attempts to probe the enemy frontline on 29.July.1944. late in the afternoon Kampfgruppe "Keppler" takes the town of Potok with little opposition and reports from local inhabitants in the previous town of Soviets North in the next town. Later an attack is commenced on the town of Korczyna and the industrial factory that the town is built up on. Fighting was intense as the Russian vanguard was determined to hold the factory and surrounding terrain at all costs. T-34-85s were sent to attempt to push the Kampfgruppe back but failed to dislodge the Panzergrenadiers. The factory, dubbed 'Die Fabrik' by the Mannschaften of Panzergrenadier-Regiment.126, resembled the horror stories from the Battle of Stalingrad. Large open rooms filled to the brim with Soviet troops with PPSHs and grenades. Tight corridors with doors leading to disorienting hallways would have to be cleared out thoroughly by Panzergrenadiers of 1. Gruppe "Reitter" and 4. Gruppe "Riegelmann". Panzergrenadier-Regiment.126, Kampfgruppe "Keppler" driving from Krosno to Potok. Taken by Sani-Sdt Florian König from inside 'Die Fabrik' as elements of 1. Gruppe "Reitter" clear out each room meticulously 30.July.1944 1200 Hours (August 29th, 2021) With only half a day remaining orders from I. Battalion "Grünwaldt" were to hold the surrounding area with reinforcement Kompanies from the Battalion. With only 60 men Kampfgruppe "Keppler" was to hold 3km of terrain including 'Die Fabrik', Korcyzna, and the 2 villages to the East of it. Heavy fighting ensued during the night with reports of close quarters combat from the East. This event included real OPFOR players from Graf-Maximus's RKKA re enactment project with close coordination to ensure a historically accurate enemy attack. Taken by Panzergrenadier Josef Bartel 1. Gruppe "Reitter" holds the western edge of a town East of 'Die Fabrik' and Krozcyna. 30.July.1944 0500 Hours (September 5th, 2021) Heavy equipment from the rear including Panthers and the unit logistics of Panzergrenadier-Regiment.126 arrived. Erstazzug "Berg" making up the majority of Kampfgruppe "Keppler" would have to hold an assembly area awaiting for Panther and Halftrack support to be driven up to the frontline. Survivors from last mission would have to hold the town of Korcyzna and 'Die Fabrik' until reinforcements arrivied. Adhoc Stossgruppe with captured PPSH-41s formed out of members of 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" and 3. Gruppe "Klein" advance into 'Die Fabrik' looking for German survivors and to clear out any Russians. Some dub this area 'Little Stalingrad' for it's call back to the 2019 Stalingrad campaign. Hinlegen Fiendliche Sowjetische Panzer! Panzergrenadiers hide from a Soviet T-34-85 that drove up into their positions. Without Panzer support and hand held anti-tank weapons nothing could be done against it. 30.July.1944 1700 Hours (September 12th, 2021) After conducting a successful but bloody counter attack, Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is able to stablize the line again by die Fabrik. Close to the evening Battalionstab orders Kampfgruppe "Keppler" to launch an expedient attack towards Krocyzna and retake the position pushing the enemy out. 30.July.1944 0730 Hours (September 19th, 2021) Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is relieved from the heavy fighting on the line and shifted Westward to hold a height exchanging positions with it's sister Kompanie. Kampfgruppe Keppler holds the far western end of the frontline facing Soviet infantry, artillery, plane, and armored assaults throughout the morning. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord:http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg:https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted October 5, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, Campaign: The 23. Panzer-Division continues it's operations in the Ostfront in Poland amidst the collapsing Army group center. "Halten der Westlinie" July 31st, 1944 - Zeit 1200 (September 26th, 2021) After a brutal day holding the area around Bratkowka Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is reinforced by Erstaztruppen and told to retake the heights and push the enemy out of the salient between Bratkowka and Korczyna. The Soviets enjoy unopposed air dominance as well as artillery and armored support. 1. Zug "Berg" is tasked with pushing the height north of Bratkowka while 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" and Kompanietrupp "Vohmann" hold the Eastern side of Bratkowka to prevent the enemy from developing the salient into a full on breakthrough. 1.(Späh)/Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung.23, Aufklärungstrupp "Strauß" in their Sd.Kfz 234/1 pulled up to the East side of Bratkowka to fire on Soviet positions no more than 400 meters away. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" with 3 Gruppen pushing on the Salient between Bratkowka and Korcyzna under smoke cover with Panther support. "Der Überfall" August 1st, 1944 - Zeit 0900 (October 3rd, 2021) Kampfgruppe Keppler is relieved of defensive duties in the West by Grenadier-Regiment 1085 now occupying the towns of Bratkowka and Haczow. Kampfgruppe Keppler is being sent Eastward with other elements of the 23. Panzer-Division including II./Pz-Regiment.23 to the South and Pzgren-Regiment.128 to the North to breakthrough at Blizne. Once at Blizne Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is to take the town and blow the bridges leading into Blizne to halt the Soviet logistic lines. As the fighting through the day continues Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is able to breakthrough enemy lines with ease up until the town of Blizne. By the end of the day 1. Zug "Berg" attacking across the open terrain towards Blizne. 6./Panzer-Regiment.23, 1. Zug "Kreidelheim", Panzer 611 and 612 halts deep within the tree line while waiting for orders to commence the attack on Blizne. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted November 23, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, Campaign: The 23. Panzer-Division continues it's operations in the Ostfront in Poland amidst the collapsing Army group center. After marching Northward from Mielec to Baranow this issue covers the fighting near Baranow! "Schlacht von Kolo" August 3rd, 1944 - Zeit 1255 (October 31st, 2021) After the long march from Mielec northward the 23. Panzer-Division is finally within striking distance of the Soviet ferry crossings across the Vistula river. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" is assigned to attack Northward towards the small town of Kolo to secure positions in preparation for the advance on Baranow. I./ Panzergrenadier-Regiment.128 will screen the left flank of the Kampfgruppe striking towards the banks of the Vistula while II./ Panzergrenadier-Regiment.128 will attack across the crater filled fields West of Baranow to buy time. The town of Maly was divided into Southern and Northern sectors by the Hauptstrasse that ran from West to East. Several Soviet Maxim s.M.G positions and pockets of Soviet Resistance forming a thin battle line opposed Kampfgruppe "Keppler" as they pushed northward through Maly Sud. Once Maly Sud was cleared Kampfgruppe "Keppler" began their attack on Kolo. 1. Zug "Berg" committed it's forces across the fields south of Kolo to engage the enemy in small ditches nearby. After entering the southern part of Kolo heavy house to house fighting occurred as stiff Soviet defenders held their ground against German attacks causing high casualties on both side. Never the less Kolo was taken by the end of the day from the Soviet defenders after several counter attacks from the enemy. 1. Zug "Berg" prepares to attack Kolo Panzer 611 under the command of Unteroffizier Dieter Kreidelhiem overlooks the terrain infront of the Kampfgruppe as they advance through Maly Sud. "Defense of Kolo" August 3rd, 1944 - Zeit 2000 (November 7th, 2021) After bloody close quarters fighting through Maly Sud and Kolo Kampfgruppe "Keppler" digs in for the next 8 hours to prepare for the evening and reorganize. Gefectross "Bergmann" arrives from the rear to provide resupply to the Kampfgruppe in the form of more flare guns, flares, and tripwire flares. Positions are dug along the Strasse heading North with positions facing East. Panzergrenadiers prepare the themselves for the night that will come ahead of them and the battle that will test them. Throughout the night numerous Soviet infantry attacks occur supported by Mortars, Artillery, and Rocket Artillery fire. On the Northern bank of the Vistula river the enemy attempts to outflank Kampfgruppe "Keppler" by firing on them with Zis-3 anti PaK guns as well as Maxim s.M.G. Panzer 612 of Panzerzug "Kreidelheim" rushes off to the Northern flank. 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Panzergrenadier Klaus Flamen watches to the East where numerous Soviet infantry attacks have occurred from his well dug in position. "Schlacht von Baranow" August 4th, 1944 (November 14th, 2021) After heavy fighting the previous night Kampfgruppe "Keppler" prepares to march Eastward onto the castle Little Wawel and Baranow proper. With it's left and right flank secured by I./ and II./ Panzergrenadier-Regiment.128 the Kampfgruppe advances along the Hauptstrasse towards Baranow. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" advances across the Polish countryside in a wide Kompanie skirmish line. Panzerzug "Kreidelheim" is supported by Panzergrenadiere of 1. Zug "Berg" accompanying them on foot to clear the Wald infront of them. Kriegsberichter Gefreiter Ferdinand Weiss overlooks the battle in the streets of Baranow as Panzer 612 advances with Panzergrenadiere support on either flank. After securing the woods West of Baranow the approach was clear for the Kampfgrupppe to continue! Heavy fighting occurred on the outskirts of Baranow up towards Little Wawel. Stiff Soviet resistance held the castle with Maxim s.M.G positions creating kill zones. After fighting through the castle the advance on Baranow proper could begin with a sweep southward. The city was held by determined Soviet defenders to push the Kampfgruppe out and a quarter of the city was cleared of Soviet defenders. At the climax of the battle the Soviets broke through on the flanks of I./ and II./ Panzergrenadier-Regiment.128. Kampfgruppe "Keppelr" was forced to evacuate their salient in Baranow or otherwise potential encirclement. "Nachtjäger" August 5th, 1944 - Zeit 0030 (November 21st, 2021) Portraying unmotorized elements of the 23. Panzer-Division south of Baranow after the Soviet breakthrough the day earlier, Kampfgruppe "Keppler" must reach the Vistula river and escape encirclement by crossing using boats. With scattered pockets of German resistance and a ever growing Soviet main battle line, individual combat elements are separated and disorganized. Soviet patrols search scour the Polish countryside to find and capture any Germans or liquidate them if necessary. Elements of 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" dash across the dark fields in the Polish countryside trying to remain quiet and find other German forces. Throughout the night the majority of Kampfgruppe "Keppler" reaches the Vistula river in small groups finding the boats to cross northward. Once across the Vistula river on the northern banks the survivors must fight through Soviet occupied territory to reach a Sammelpunkt. Once there they must reorganize and continue holding the Sammelpunkt for further reinforcements and survivors to stream in from the West and South while watching for Soviet attacks from all directions. The night is marked with heavy fighting and consistent pockets of survivors streaming in. Those that died would respawn as Erstaztruppen to hold the Sammelpunkt with limited equipment. As more survivors came through Soviet troops to the East and South began amassing for attacks on the Sammelpunkt now aware of it's position. Several times on the East flank the enemy entered close combat and even got into the perimeter but was beaten back after heavy hand-to-hand fighting as well as quick counter attacks. A lone 8cm Granatwerfer manned by Panzerkanonier Karl Engel and Obergefreiter Conrad Fenet fired 8cm rounds at the enemy moving within 300 meters of their own positions. The two Mannschaften kept the skies illuminated and fire missions running until the morning after exhausting the majority of their rounds and losing their Granatwerfer to incoming Soviet artillery fire. The sun rises as Kampfgruppe "Keppler" successfully holds the Sammelpunkt through the night results in numerous destroyed T-34-85s at a high cost of life for the Kampfgruppe. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord:http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg:https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Gefreiter u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted December 28, 2021 Schöne Grüße!, Campaign: The 23. Panzer-Division finishes up the first part of the Operation Bagration campaign before redeploying by rail to the northern part of the Vistula river. "Der Ritterkreuz Rückzug" August 5th, 1944 - Zeit 0030 (November 21st, 2021) Due to a Soviet attack near Padew and Tuszów Narodowy which cut lines of communication, Kampfgruppe “Keppler” was forced to make a nighttime southward retreat away from Baranow. Kampfgruppe “Keppler” moved south evacuating all men and material to quickly break through the Soviet encirclement and link back up with the rest of the Division. During the approach to Padew, the Kampfgruppe was ambushed by Soviet infantry lying in ambush over watching the road. Fortunately, the only loss sustained during the ambush was a captured jeep and its multiple wounded passengers. The Kampfgruppe managed to push past the Soviet attackers and continued their movements after a short stop to reorganize. After the ambush Kampfgruppe “Keppler” reached the town of Chorzelow and attempted to avoid a direct path into the town as the Soviets had already occupied the town from the German garrison. As such the Kampfgruppe pushed out further to the east but were intercepted by a Pak belt along with multiple soviet squads. This led to the destruction of Multiple LKW (Opel Blitz) and a Panzer V. Casualties sustained during the action lead multiple Gruppen becoming combat ineffective either by the sheer amount of casualties. The most affected were 1. Gruppe “Reitter” and 2. Gruppe “Schmidt” with the loss of most soldaten and commanding Gruppenführers being killed in the attack. After such an intense battle the remnants of Kampfgruppe “Keppler” broke though Tuszów Narodowy and crossed the river via a bridge after destroying a soviet T-34. However the enemy attempted to launch a counter offensive westwards towards Brzyscie west of the bridge where Kampfgruppe “Keppler” had just crossed. The Kampfgruppe was ordered to collect any remaining stragglers and to halt the soviet attack. During the clearing of brzyscie Kampfgruppe ”Keppler” was reinforced by the remaining German units who had crossed the bridge, cleared the town, and halted the attack all the while taking accurate sniper fire from Soviet sharpshooters stationed just across the river overlooking the town. In total 29 Soldaten from all levels of the Kampfgruppe were killed in action with an additional 4 wounded. In total this was a casualty rate of nearly 32% of the Kampfgruppe, furthermore multiple LKWs and one Panzer V were lost due to enemy action resulting in decreased mobility as well as limiting the Kampfgruppe assets on the field. Although sustained heavy casualties Kampfgruppe “Keppler” was able to hold out until reinforcements arrived throughout the day and halted the Soviets from establishing a foothold across the river. Over the morning of August 5th 1944 Zeit 0500, Kampfgruppe “Keppler” spread out its forces to patrol their side of the river line to ensure that Soviet forces had not broken through their rear after such a speedy retreat, the day was marked by patrols led by 1. Gruppe “Reitter” and 4. Gruppe “Riegelmann” dispatched eastward to reinforce adjacent units. A secondary patrol of 2. Gruppe “Schmidt” was sent southward to ensure any remaining Soviets who had broken the line were neutralized as 3. Gruppe “Klein” was to hold the town. The day was marked with three separate polish ambushes however due to the partisans limited equipment most resulted in the deaths of the ambushers however during the clean up operation Kampfgruppe “Stoll” an adjacent Kampfgruppe to our east was destroyed by an armored Soviet push across the river. This prompted Kampfgruppe “Keppler” to redeploy and thwart the enemy. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Gefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Oberfahnrich Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Thomas Kesselhut Panzerobergrenadier u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted February 2, 2022 Schöne Grüße!, Campaign: The 23. Panzer-Divison enters into 4 weeks of Ausbildung after the winter holidays before returning to the continuation campaign on the Northern side of the Vistula river. Recovery and respite August 16th, 1944 1. Zug “Berg” and the remnants of Kampfgruppe “Keppler” harrowingly fought against the odds and managed to relink back to the German side of the hauptkampflinie. 8 hours have passed since that bloody engagement. Over those same hours, Oberstleutnant Stichtenoth pulled the remaining units of KG “Keppler” off the main defence line for some much-needed reinforcement, refit and repairs.Manpower/material assets added The Kampfgruppe was reinforced with a familiar face leading the newly created 2. Zug “Vohmann”. Under the experienced leadership of Feldwebel Vohmann that was gained at the front line with Kompanie Trupp, he has been given a freshly created Zug that will become instrumental in the continuation of the war. Additionally, to bolster each Gruppes combat effectiveness they have each been given one half-track that was painstakingly brought to the front. As opposed to simply providing new men to the battle, the unit has been reinforced by Panzerkanoniere who will diligently lay down suppressive barrages on anything the infantry cannot simply take. Furthermore, to aid the realm of fire support Panzer V “Panthers” have been brought up from the rear to bolster Panzerzug “Kreidelheim” and supplement the losses received during the retreat. With a reinforced backbone of infantry and fire support, the critical aspect of logistics to supply the boost in men and material was patched together with rail lines, Opel blitz or even horse and carriage wherever the rail lines did not function and trucks were lacking. This was all coordinated with the tireless efforts of Gefechtstroß “Bergmann”. By the nature of the battles of the Eastern Front where sabotage by partisans and other nefarious elements were common behind the German frontline, some supplies were naturally lost or delayed in transport.Training/Ausbildung During the first Ausbildung phase, 1. and 2. Zug performed sweeps for Soviets across a forested training area with captured inoperable T-34s serving as both objectives and target practice for the new members of Panzer Zug to test out their reinforced firepower. Further to this over the 2 weeks, each Zug performed independent fire and maneuver tactics with their half-tracks under semi-urban and open terrain to train up the new reinforcements as well as to provide a refresher to the grizzled veterans. During the second Ausbildung phase, the Kampfgruppe was given a mock scenario of clearing an airfield and surrounding civilian infrastructure with the newly available assets. For the scenario, the Soviets had set up a PaK belt around the area and it was the Kampfgruppe’s task to break past such opposition. This scenario tested the overall decision-making capability and tactical wit of all leaders within the command structure. Gruppenfuhrers sheltered their tracks in concealment when PaK guns were spotted by Aufklärungstrupp "Strauß" which allowed Panzerzug “Kreidelheim” to cautiously destroy each soviet AT piece at the discretion of Kompanietrupp. The final phase before deployment was centered on conducting speed drills using half tacks on a Kompanie wide basis as well as radio operations familiarisation for those elements of leadership that required training and familiarisation. The final scenario was conducted under adverse terrain with mock fortified trenches and towns as well as Soviet tank targets during the assault to simulate a Soviet counterattack. Suffice it to say that the element proved more than successful and passed the last phase without any large difficulties. Upcoming!: In the next few weeks expect an update on the state of the campaign of the 23. Panzer-Division as we battle on the northern side of the Vistula river in late 1944 attempting to breakout the 88. Infanterie Division previously encircled by the Soviet Operation Bagration Want more detailed news about the action of the 23rd Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord:http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Obergefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg:https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Thomas Kesselhut Panzerobergrenadier u. MG-Hilfschütze 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe "Schmidt" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted May 18, 2022 Schöne Grüße!, Message from the Nachrichten Stab: Greetings readers, apologies for the delays in bohemia posts internal reworks are being done to have a more consistent timeline. For now, though enjoy the last few campaign days here as we draw to an end of this campaign on the Ostfront! Campaign: The 23. Panzer-Division, Schwere Panzer Abteilung 503, 1. Panzer-Division, and 3. Panzer-Division attack on the northern side of the Vistula river from the East to close the Soviet bridgehead created at the outbreak of the Lvov Sandomierz Offensive! “Aufklärungs bei Romanow” August 26, 1944 - Zeit 1800 (April 24th, 2022) After the 23. Panzer-Division finished their attack and occupation of the towns of Sadłowice and Hultajka with the support of Schwere Panzer Abteilung (heavy tank battalion) 503 and detached elements from Panzer Kampfgruppe (tank battlegroup) ‘von Bernuth’ the division is relieved by the reconstituted 88. Infanterie-Division. The 23. Panzer-Division and Kampfgruppe “Keppler” strategically redeploy along the frontline of the Bolshevik bridgehead towards Krepa and Romanow. Romanow was a large polish settlement on the northern side of the Vistula river with an Eisenbahn (railroad) nearby. The town is surrounded on two sides by thick forests and the other two by plains. The 7. Garde-Panzer-Division entrenched themselves heavily since the last clash by Sadłowice and Hultajka with minenfeld (mine fields), Stacheldraht (barbed wire), and steel Panzersp (anti-tank barrier). At 1400 Hours Kampfgruppe “Keppler” reaches their assembly area just a few kilometers away from the Hauptkampflinen. At 1600 hours the orders are given to conduct armored reconnaissance in force of the terrain in front of the Kampfgruppe. At 1800 hours 1. Zug (platoon) “Berg” conducts reconnaissance in the southern sector of the operational area while 2. Zug “Vohmann” operates in the north. Aufklärungstrupp (reconnaissance troop) "Strauß" performs screening duties on the northern plain working in tandem with 2. Zug. Meanwhile, Granatwerfergruppe “Spiegel” (mortar group) setups their firing pits deep in the rear line away from potential Banditen (bandits/partisans). At the onset of the operation, each Züge was given defusal kits and mine detectors from Panzer-Pioneer-Abteilung.51, the divisional engineers, while they assisted the other elements of Panzergrenadier-Regiment.128. Sweeping forward the enemy had employed Scharfschützen that skirmished with the Panzergrenadiere, 2. Zug fought through a heavily occupied series of woods just outside of Romanow. Meanwhile 1. Zug had dealt with heavy mixed Partisan and Bolshevik attacks in their sector. After three hours of skirmishing and reconnaissance, the Kampfgruppe dug in for the night to begin their attack the next morning. Leutnant Bruno Berg leads his men in a counterattack. In the background, Panzergrenadiere bail from their half-track as Partisans utilize the cover of night to sneak up on German positions. At the end of the night, Panzerzug “Kreidelheim” settles in with their Zeltbahns with the help of Panzermotorenschlosser Peiper. “Angriff bei Romanow” August 27, 1944 - Zeit 0500 (May 8th, 2022) 0200 hours Kampfgruppe “Keppler” was authorized a 6 gun barrage from Wespes apart of Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment.128 in support of the attack on Romanow. News reached the Kampfgruppe on the frontline quickly and at 0300 hours plans for a deliberate attack were drawn up. At 0400 hours the Sd.Kfz.251s across the entire Kampfgruppe and Panthers from 1. Panzerzug “Kreidelheim” was prepared for the attack on time with the barrage at 0500 hours. 1. Zug “Berg” would sweep the southern edge of town while 2. Zug “Vohmann” would sweep the northern end. After clearing the edges the two Züge would collapse inwards destroying any remaining Bolshevik pockets of resistance. Panzergrenadiere of 2. Zug “Vohmann” in Nahkampf Bolsheviks lay in wait and surprise in ruined buildings attempting to delay the German attack forwards. Panzergrenadiere would storm the position using grenades and small arms to dislodge the determined defenders! After the entire town of Romanow was cleared both Züge would turn their attention to fw. Romanow a small wooded area behind the town facing the Vistula. 2. Zug “Vohmann” would attack the position and clear it briefly though the enemy would not allow his Zug to maintain their grasp. Not even 30 minutes later the rumbling of tanks could be heard on the horizon as an entire Batallion supported by T-43 Panzers roared towards the position chanting the notorious Bolshevik Battlecry ‘Urrah!’. Heavy fighting occurred and the Züge managed to pull back with all of its Sd.Kfz.251s. 1. Zug “Berg” had pulled forward just in time to intercept enemy captured Sd.Kfz.251s painted in Soviet green marked with the Redstar barreling down the Hauptstrasse (main road). The flank buckled under the weight of the enemy attack but the line was restored after a hasty counterattack and Ersatztruppen (replacement troops) coming to reinforce the battle. At the day's end, the Mechanized assault by Bolshevik Panzergrenadiere was halted and war spoils were captured, important orders from a Bolshevik Kapitan (Captain) and three recaptured Sd.Kfz.251s ausf D models for the Gefectross (combat train). “Angriff von fw. Romanow” August 27, 1944 - Zeit 1600 (May 15th, 2022) After a few hours of rest in the afternoon neu Befehel (new orders) from Battalion-stab ‘Ida’ came down after deciphering the captured papers from the Bolshevik Kapitan. The wooded area coded ‘fw. Romanow’ was of significant importance to the enemy in the area and needed to be cleared along with the plains west of it. Ersatztruppen made their way forward by Opelblitz (german trucks) through the wooded areas where 2./Panzergrenadier-Regiment.128 was operating around with Banditen. Fierce fighting still occurred as the Ersatztruppen had to fight through ambushes and carefully drive down Waldweg (forest roads) infested with Partizani of the Polish Home army. 2. Zug “Vohmann” launched their attack on fw. Romanow with supporting elements of Panzerzug “Kreidelheim” and Aufklärungstrupp "Strauß", meanwhile 1. Zug “Berg” maneuvered into 2. Zug’s previous positions facing fw. Romanow to screen their west. The enemy fought for every piece of ground in fw. Romanow, s.M.G ‘Maxim’ (heavy machineguns) were in every Schutzengraben (trench) while each graben was filled by reinvigorated Bolshevik fighters from the 7. Gardes-Panzer-Division. The enemy to the East of fw. Romanow attempted to support their Kameraden with more s.M.G fire but 1. Zug “Berg” swung into action launching a spoiling attack to clear the immediate graben running along the Hauptstrasse. It wasn’t until two hours after the initial attack the wooded fw. Romanow was cleared of Bolshevik fighters, routed into the plains or killed in the Nahkampf (close combat). Rest for the Kampfgruppe was limited as the breakthrough had to be deepened to further positions in the Bolshevik lines west of Romanow to clear the plains and seize forward positions. Hasty attacks were conducted at lightly garrisoned positions compared to the savage fighting at fw. Romanow. Position after position Panzerfeur (tank fire) and supporting Granatewerfer rounds laid waste to the enemy positions before the Panzergrenadiere could even roll on top of them. After three hours of fierce fighting, the enemy had routed back to their rear line Sicherheitslinie (security line) where their reserves were too strong to dislodge. Further attacks would risk putting Kampfgruppe “Keppler” further out of position as infanterie of the 88. Infanterie-Division sought to exploit the breakthroughs of the Kampfgruppe in the east from Sadłowice. Hauptmann Karsten Keppler advances with Mpi and Panzerfaust towards the front, his tailored camouflage pants allowing him a slight edge for concealment. Manner of 2. Zug “Vohmann” inspect their captured Browning wz.1928 from Partizani used to supplement firepower on the front. Captured weapons saw use on varying levels depending on the availability of captured weapons and ammo as well as the conditions of the frontline. Upcoming!: Expect to hear back from Nachrichten Stab as the campaign draws closer to the end and awards ceremony. On the horizon get ready for a visit to a familiar front, Italia on the Mediterranean theatre. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Obergefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Obergefreiter u. Zugtruppführer 1. Zug "Berg", Zugtrupp “Weiss” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted June 22, 2022 Schöne Grüße!, Message from the Nachrichten Stab: Greetings readers, I'm Panzergrenadier Rieger and I'd like to introduce myself as one of the new writers for these posts! Our longest ever campaign, Operation Bagration, has now come to an end and we now prepare for the next! Campaign: After heavy fighting during Operation Bagration, The 23. Panzer-Division is finally relieved from the front. They stubbornly held back the Bolshevik advance into the town of Romonow before being shipped to Budapest, where the Soldaten of Kampfgruppe Keppler get much needed rest and their steadfast service and heroic deeds are recognized. “Verteidigung von Romanow” August 29, 1944 - Zeit 0500 (May 24th, 2022) Two days after The 23. Panzer-Division's initial breakthrough past the town of Romanow, a lull in the fierce fighting allows Kampfgruppe "Keppler" a chance to pull back into more commanding defensive positions in and around Fw. Romanow. Suspecting an imminent Bolshevik counter attack, the Kampfgruppe strengthens its defenses and strategically places its forces to react to enemy incursions quickly. 1. Zug "Berg" takes up forward positions inside the Wald (Forrest) to the North, with Panzerzug "Kreidelheim" watching the Hauptstraße (Main Road) from just behind them. Leutnant Berg forms two defensive lines within the Wald, with 1. Gruppe "Reitter" taking up the forward position and 2. Guppe "Beck" taking up the rear. Both Gruppen are reinforced with captured Soviet 45mm M-42 Pak guns, making them even harder to dislodge. 2. Zug "Vohmann" is held in reserve, tasked with plugging gaps in the defense and engaging enemy forces that manage to break through. At 0600, the first major attack came after sporadic bombardment from Soviet mortars. Enemy Gruppen, Mittlere (Medium) and Leichte (Light) Panzers attacked 1. Zug's positions, forcing 1. Gruppe "Reitter" to fall back. The Soviet Panzers were destroyed by the combined fire from 1.Zug's Pak guns, and Panzerzug "Kreidelheim"s Panthers. The remaining Soviet Infantrie launched a brutal assault on the last defensive line in the Wald, but the now combined forces of 1. Zug managed to hold them back, killing or injuring many and sending the rest running back the way they came. 1. Gruppe "Beck'' and Zugtrupp "Weiss" then moved forward, leaving the battered 2. Gruppe behind to cover the rear and retook their abandoned forward position. There, a second assault is repelled despite heavy bombardment from the enemy. While 1. Zug is engaged, 2. Zug "Vohmann" surges forth, moving from Wald to Wald ahead of the main defensive line in an attempt to disrupt the Soviet advance. They valiantly hold back multiple armored attacks from their positions, destroying many Soviet Panzers in the process. Their combat action allows the already in combat 1. Zug some much needed breathing room. Hauptmann Keppler briefs the Kampfgruppe just after sunrise, preparing them for the coming battle. Soldaten of 1. Zug "Berg" hold back a Soviet assault on their rear defenses north of Romanow. A view from 2. Gruppe "Beck"s fortified Pak after a failed Soviet armored assault. After what felt like an eternity, The 23. Panzer-Division's time on the Ostfront was over for the time being. A bittersweet feeling fell over the Kompanie, grateful for some well deserved rest, yet mournful for their Kameraden that fell during this hellish war. Only time will tell what the future holds during these uncertain times. Unknown Battlefields During Operation Bagration, August 1944 (Intra-Unit PvP, May 29th 2022) Wehrmacht and Soviet Züge (Platoons) vie for control of two small Polish villages. The fighting is bloody, and not many remain on either side. Those who do are hailed as heroes, earning the respect and admiration of their peers. (Many of our higher tier awards have the requirement of being earned in a Player Versus Player scenario. As such, after the end of our Bagration campaign, the Kompanie took part in a Zug Versus Zug PvP, giving the members of the unit more chances to earn said awards. 1. Zug and 2. Zug took turns portraying either the Wehrmacht or the Soviets and fought fiercely over the aforementioned Polish Villages. These PvPs, while extremely fun, also act as a form of training, developing our skills in ways fighting purely AI cannot. We plan on hosting more of these Intra-unit PvPs in the future, so stay tuned!) Operation "Overlord" June 6, 1944 - Time 0645 (June 5th, 2022) The Day of Days has come. In commemoration of the June 6th D-Day landings, we portrayed the US Army as George Company of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division as they hit the beach in the second wave. In this event, we were tasked with pushing through and clearing the Widerstandsnest (Resistance Point) just past the seawall, before assaulting the towns of Le Bray and Colleville-Sur-Mer. George Company fought its way through the forests and hedgerows leading to the villages before being able to mount a direct assault. It was hard work through and through, but after hours of bloody fighting and many casualties, the towns were secured. Having just hit the beach, the 16th Infantry Regiment fights for their lives as German MG-42s open up. They keep moving, as making it to the seawall is their only hope for survival. Having made it to the relative safety of the seawall, George Company prepares to charge over the top and assault the German positions opening up on their comrades still on the beach. With support from one of the few Sherman's that made it off the beach, George Company makes ready to begin their assault on the town of Colleville-Sur-Mer. "Auszeichnungen Zwei" September 15 1944 (June 12th 2022) For the first time in weeks the weary Soldaten from Kampfgruppe "Keppler" finally see a break from the fighting and are shipped from the front to the Hungarian Capital of Budapest along with the rest of their Division. There they are able to relax and forget about the horrors of the Ostfront, at least for the time being. With their faces shaved, baths taken and uniforms cleaned and pressed, the Soldaten report in for the Kompanie's award and promotion ceremony, gathering in the courtyard of the Kompanie's Hauptquartier (Headquarters). Many of the Manner are recognized by Hauptmann Keppler for their bravery and steadfast determination in the face of the enemy, earning them awards, promotions or both. Kampfgruppe "Keppler" stands at attention, awaiting the address from the Hauptmann. Soldaten mingle before gathering for the ceremony. Proceeding the ceremony, members of 1. Kompanie partake in merriment and revelry at one of Budapest's nearby bars. Upcoming!: Expect more regular posts as the Kompanie moves into our Ausbildung phase, preparing for our upcoming Italy campaign where we'll be portraying the Panzer Division Hermann Göring, among others! Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Obergefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Karl Rieger Panzergrenadier u. Kraftwagenfahrer 1. Zug "Berg", 2. Gruppe “Beck” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted February 8, 2023 Schöne Grüße!, Campaign: The 23. Panzer-Division takes on a new series of Portrayals in a long forgotten theater of Operations, Italia! After finishing campaigns in Sicily as Panzer-Division "Herman Goering" and on the Gustav line as the 5. Gebirgs-Division the latest portrayal is at the Anzio beach landings as the 3. Panzergrenadier-Division! Internal Developments: The unit has opened more slots for Panzerbesatzung (tank crews) for 1.Zug "Kreidelheim" as well as expanded to include another Gruppe (squad) in 1.Zug "Berg" Verteidigung südlich von Campoleone January 29th 1944 (January 22nd, 2023) The Anzio landings have begun! The 3. Panzergrenadier-Division is called up from coastal training reserve and sent to halt the beach head from expanding! Episode 22 of our ongoing Italien Campaign- the 3. Panzergrenadier-Division holds the line at Anzio Rückzug nach Campoleone January 30th 1944 (January 29th, 2023) With the flanks of the Bataillon being hit hard the forward positions are no longer safe to hold! The Kampfgruppe is ordered to retreat towards the Eisenbahn just south of Campoleone to hold on a high ground across the flat terrain of the Nettuno beachhead. Episode 23 of our Italien Campaign. Tiger 6 of Panzer-Kompanie "Meyer" seen commanded by Unteroffiziere Netto during the fighting. Panzerobergrenadier Keller takes the view in from the back of the Marschkolonne (march column) as Tigers laden with Panzergrenadiers drive up the road towards the new positions. Leutnant Strauß positions his StuG III G facing down the Straße (road) in a camouflaged ambush position Fliegerkampf (airbattle!)! Feindliche Flieger (enemy flyers) fly over the Eisenbahn (railroad) where the Kampfgruppe holds! Luckily divisional 2cm Flak batteries swat the Allied aircraft out of the sky! Members of 1.Zug "Berg" break for the end of the mission debrief, Soldaten of all ranks are seen sitting down, taking a knee, and some even lighting up Cigaretten Verteidigung von Campoleone January 31st 1944 (February 5th, 2023) After several days conducting a fighting withdrawal from their forward positions, Kampfgruppe "Keppler" now with an attached Flak 8,8 cm batterie and StuG III Gs defends the southern end of Campoleone! Soldaten remain in constant Flieger and Artillerie deckung (air and artillery cover) while new foxholes and positions are dug in amongst the buildings. Episode 24 of our ongoing Italien Campaign - The Defense of Campoleone Flak Stellung 1 manned by UA-Obergefreiter Weber and Gefreiter Reiser are positioned closest to 2. Kompanie. Seen below is a Flak manner peering from his position across the battlefield towards the Eisenbahn. Members of 1.Zug "Berg" dig in and prepare for a tough fight in a bombed out and abandoned Italien garage. Seen on the right are members from 1.Zugtrupp "Weiß" as they deploy a ZF39 to bolster this flak. The sun rises over Campoleone as Panzerobergrenadier Wilke takes a stride across the positions of 2.Zug "Vohmann" commanded by Unterfeldwebel Schmidt Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord:http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Obergefreiter Weiss:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg:https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Obergefreiter u. Zugtruppführer 1. Zug "Berg", Zugtrupp “Weiss” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted March 20, 2023 Schöne Grüße! Inter-unit PVP: After a pause from unit v. unit PVPs, the 23. Panzer-Division is back on track in an epic struggle against the 101st Airborne! Split between two weeks, both units get to train beforehand and prepare to face each other to the best of their abilities. Thank you 101st for providing a fierce opponent and being great pals :). 23PzD v. 101st p.1 “Auferstehung” – (February 26th, 2023) Part 1 of the PVP against 101st Feldwebel Vohmann briefing his men before the fight 23PzD v. 101st p.1 “Erlösung” – (March 5th, 2023) Part 2 of the PVP against 101st Remaining men of 2te Gruppe form a Spähtrupp to probe the American flank on a hill Campaign: After holding the southern end of Campoleone against an armoured assault, the Kompanie is tasked to infiltrate the enemy positions to the east of the Albano-Straße, then push west, while the 715. Infanterie-Division (mot.) attacks from the western side in a risky attempt to encircle the British 3. Brigade. If the infiltration is successful, Kompanie is tasked to hold the position and brace themselves for the coming counter-attack. Panzerobergrenadier Wilke’s photo of his Kameraden waiting for the coming storm Kesselschlacht nördlich von Aprilia Teil I (February 12th, 2023) 1. Kompanie is tasked to infiltrate the enemy positions on the east side of the Albano-Straße under the cover of darkness, assisted by two Panzerzüge (armoured platoons) of Panzer-Abteilung 103 (Armoured Battalion 103), equipped with Sturmgeschützen. After successfully infiltrating the positions, the Kompanie will engage the British in Nahkampf (CQC) and dig in for the counter-attack. Episode 23 of our Italien Campaign- the 3. Panzergrenadier-Division attacks at Anzio Kesselschlacht nördlich von Aprilia Teil II (February 19th, 2023) After successfully taking the initial British positions and digging in for the night, the soldiers of 3. Panzergrenadier-Division must fend off any attempts from the British to break free from the newly formed Kessel (pocket). To worsen the mood, constant movement of enemy Panzers closing in can be heard to the south of the position. Episode 24 of our Italien Campaign- the 3. Panzergrenadier-Division hold taken ground at Anzio Panzergrenadier Farner guarding the battlefield with his MG in a photo taken by Panzerobergrenadier Freiherr Panzerobergrenadier Richter shooting a feind Panzer Panzerobergrenadier Richter posing for a photo before the feind Panzer he had destroyed Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Obergefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Samuel Keller Panzerobergrenadier u. Kraftwagenfahrer 2. Zug "Vohmann", 2. Gruppe “Lengfelder” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted May 16, 2023 Schöne Grüße!, Fighting in Anzio continues as the 3. Panzergrenadier-Division heads towards the town of Aprilia, pushing the Allied landing ever closer to the sea. Artwork by Panzerobergrenadier Richter Angriff auf Aprilia Teil I, 08.02.1944, 02.00 Uhr – (March 12th, 2023) The attack on Aprilia starts early in the morning as the Kompanie is tasked to attack and destroy the British forces east of Aprilia at Kreuzung (Crossing) “Bischof”. Thereafter the attack on the town itself can be launched. Episode 27 of our ongoing Italien Campaign - The Attack on Aprilia 1. Gruppe "Junkermann" prepares to assault Kreuzung “Bischof” 4. (schwerer) Zug preparing the assault with indirect fire as seen by Gefreiter Lubbeck Verteidigung von Aprilia Teil II, 08.02.1944, 07.00 Uhr – (March 19th, 2023) After a brutal engagement in the town of Aprilia, German forces control it once more. Now the objective is to hold it against the Allied counter-attack. Episode 28 of our ongoing Italien Campaign - The Defense of Aprilia Planning of the defense, artwork by Gefreiter Gensch Panzerobergrenadier Richter’s photo of a Funker at his post during the defense Schlacht südöstlich von Aprilia Teil III, 08.02.1944, 13.00 Uhr – (March 26th, 2023) Kompanie is relieved from defensive duties by the III. Bataillon. Regimentskommandeur Oberst Schönfeld has tasked the Kompanie to clear a forest southeast of the town that the British are using as a launching point for attacks. Episode 29 of our ongoing Italien Campaign - Fighting southeast of Aprilia Panzer Zugführer, Unteroffizier Kreidelheim, captures a German column advancing Südost Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord:http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Obergefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Samuel Keller Panzerobergrenadier u. Kraftwagenfahrer 2. Zug "Vohmann", 2. Gruppe “Lengfelder” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted July 5, 2023 Schöne Grüße!, The final days of the Anzio campaign are here! 3. Panzergrenadier-Division mops up the surroundings of Aprilia and prepares for Unternehmen Fischfang, a large.scale offensive against the Allied landing. Angriff auf Carroceto Teil I, 10.02.1944, 01:00 Uhr – (April 16th, 2023) The objective is to push west of Aprilia, seizing the town of Carriceto from the 56th (London) Infantry whose numbers have been bolstered by the newly arrived American 45th Infantry Division. Episode 30 of our Italien Campaign - Carroceto StuG from Pz. Abt. 103. in the drive towards Carroceto by Unteroffizier Kreidelheim Weather conditions forced the men to advance with shelter-halves on as seen by Gefreiter Wilke Schlacht südlich von Aprilia Teil II, 12.02.1944, 03:00 Uhr – (April 23rd, 2023) Kompanie’s task is twofold: seize the wald (forest) south of Aprilia and prevent any breakthroughs from the west, so that the enemy can’t use the direct route to Aprilia. Episode 31 of our Italien Campaign - Donnervogel A well-positioned MG nest firing at Allied attackers by Gefreiter Wilke Unternehmen Fischfang Teil I, II, III, 15-17.02.1944 – (April 30th-May 14th, 2023) Unternehmen Fischfang starts with a heavy bombardment of the Anglo-American lines in preparation for a major German offensive along Via Anziate. Kompanie is joined by Tigers from schwere Panzer-Abteilung 508. If Kesselring’s offensive were to succeed, it would certainly put the Allied bridgehead in peril, if not even doom the whole landing… Episode 32 of our Italien Campaign - Fischfang Teil I Episode 33 of our Italien Campaign - Fischfang Teil II Episode 34 of our Italien Campaign - Fischfang Teil III Tigers softening the enemy as the Kompanie waits for the attack signal Panzerobergrenadier Keller As the night falls over the battlefield, soldiers peer over from an artillery crater Sanitats-Panzerobergrenadier Richter Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Stabsgefreiter Weiss:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg:https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Samuel Keller Panzerobergrenadier u. Kraftwagenfahrer 2. Zug "Vohmann", 2. Gruppe “Lengfelder” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted January 24 Schöne Grüße!. After the long and hard Italy campaign, it was time to move to the much anticipated, greener fields of France. Portraying the Panzer-Lehr-Division and finally being fully mechanized, the unit was back in its true element. If you want a peek at the Normandie campaign (with the new Spearhead 1944 CDLC), you can start with videos of the prologue and the actual “Operation Kobra” campaign. After a brutal campaign in Normandy and following the Unit Christmas Break, a traditional intra-unit PvP of 1. Zug v. 2. Zug was played. Consisting of two rounds with Germans facing against Soviets (with a side swap in the second round) fighting over two different zones each round. Whichever side holds the town in the end is declared a winner. UA-Gefr. Wehner’s POV of leading his men in the PVP The sole survivor of Gruppe “Lengfelder”, Rkt. Weibers POV of his first event. First round started with a bang as Gruppe “Reitter'' of the 1. Zug pushed North East of the town of Moyon, engaging Gruppe “Lengfelder” in a bloodbath that effectively wiped both Gruppen. The round was eventually won by 1. Zug. 1st round seen from the POV of Pzobgren. Fischer of Gruppe “Reitter” Second round saw more prolonged combat, including daring flanks by Gruppe “Lengfelder” and urban fighting in the town. The round resulted in a victory for 2. Zug, consequently drawing the PVP in a 1:1 score, leaving the question of a better PVP Zug unanswered. PVP Supercut of the second round by Gefr. Winter with some funny moments. During the new year the unit has been training for a return to the Ostfront portraying the Panzergrenadier-Division “Großdeutschland”, the Wehrmacht’s showcase division. Outfitted with its own StuG Brigade and a Tiger Kompanie, the division saw extensive combat across Europe. This campaign will bring the unit to Unternehmen Doppelkopf (Operation Doublehead) which was the German Army’s attempt to relieve Heeres Gruppe Nord (Army Group North) trapped in the Baltics during late 1944. Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Stabsgefreiter Weiss: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCfLlNt_rw-HW9NCQYeFRg Leutnant Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Samuel Keller Gefreiter. Kraftwagenfahrer 2. Zug "Vohmann", 2. Gruppe “Lengfelder” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jpspider 0 Posted August 19 Schöne Grüße!, At the tail end of Summer of 2024 we started our Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury) campaign on Kreta (Crete) in 1941. The Kompanie (company) is portrayaing a Fallschirmjäger Kompanie (paratrooper company) during its opening days during the operation and attack inland. Here’s the trailer for the campaign! Gefr.Konig looks down the Flugplatz (airfield) viewing the entire Kompanie Gefr.Kirchstein and his Gruppe stepping off of the Absetzplatz (drop zone) UA-Gefr.Wehner inspecting his men one final time before boarding the JU-52 Want more detailed news about the action of the 23. Panzer-Division? Join the Discord. Discord: http://discord.gg/YvMJQ57 Want to see first hand combat footage? Look no further than the Unit's two Youtube channels! Unit Media: Leutnant Berg: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaleJudge Dran, Drauf, Drüber! Ferdinand Weiss Stabsgefreiter, Gruppenführer 1. Zug “Berg”, 2. Gruppe “Weiss” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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