100 ersatz panzer Abteilung Normandy 1944

100. Panzer Ausbildungs und Ersatz Abteilung

The unit had been raised in April 1941 in Germany posted to Versailles France in April 1942. The unit was renamed in April 43 100. Panzer Ausbildungs und Ersatz Abteilung. The unit moved to the Cotentin peninsula in May 1944, the HQ element was in first in Apperville 7klm northwest of Carentan. On May 13th the unit was placed under 91st LLD and the HQ moved to Francquetot chateau. 

The first combat the unit fought in was La Fiere bridge counterattack on the 6th with the 1057 grenadier regiment where two R35, one H39 and one panzer III were destroyed according to latest research. On 13 June 1944, the detachment was attacked by reinforced American armoured units on the Etienville - Baupte line near the town of Beuzeville and pushed back. The battalion was deployed to secure the front line.of the Wehrmacht 77th Infantry Division. In the daily report of AOK 7 from June 15, 1944, the deployment of the division is described as follows: "Pz.Ers.Ausb.Abt.100 suffered severe losses and failed due to unfavorable training and equipment. The division can no longer be described as a combat unit. In 1944, the division was disbanded by the Commander in Chief West. However, it is proven that the personnel remained with the 91st LLD and were used purely as infantry

Organisation 

The original 'Zustandsbericht' of the Abteilung dated 20.5.1944 from the 'Bundesarchiv' gives the actual organisation down to platoon level:

Stab

Stabskp. with
- Nachr.Zug
- Werkst.Zug
- le.Pz.Zug (5 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)

1.Kp. with
- I.(Pz.) Zug (5 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)
- II. SchZug [Schtz. = Schützen = infantry]
- III.(Schtz.) Zug

2.Kp. with
- Grp.Fhr. (2 Pz.Kpfw. III 5 cm)
- I.(Pz.) Zug (1 Pz.Kpfw. Somua, 4 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)
- II.(Pz.) Zug (1 Pz.Kpfw. Renault B 2, 4 Pz.Kpfw. Hotchkiss 39)
- III.(Pz.) Zug (1 Pz.Kpfw. III 5 cm, 4 Pz.Kpfw. Hotchkiss H39)

3.Kp. with
- I.(Pz.) Zug (5 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)
- II.(Schtz.) Zug
- III.(Schtz.) Zug

Weapons listing:
1 Kwk 7,5 cm (f) (1 Pz.Kpfw. Renault B2)
3 Kwk 5 cm (d) (3 Pz.Kpfw. III)
2 Kwk 4,7 cm (f) (1 Pz.Kpfw. Somua, 1 Pz.Kpfw. Renault B2)
8 Kwk 3,7 cm lang (f) (8 Pz.Kpfw. Hotchkiss 39)
19 Kwk 3,7 cm kurz (f) (19 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)

The 4 infantry platoons were armed with just 3 light machine guns each.

The manpower strength of the unit was 664 men.

Vehicles in the Baupte yard

RF Organisation 

Stab Coy 1 R35

1st coy 6 figs, 1 R35

2nd coy panzer III d 50mm, two H39

3rd Coy  6 figs, R35


Cheers

Matt