Unit recreated
The unit represents the men and equipment from the 38th armoured signals detatchment of the 2nd Armoured Division. This unit was formed in Vienna on the 16th of August, 1939 and was comprised mainly of former Austrian soldiers. It saw active service in the Polish and French invasion campaigns, then extensively on the Eastern Front. It was then involved directly in the D-Day landings, before retreating back towards German and finally surrendering on the Rhine defensive line at Plauen, Germany.
The choice of unit was important as we needed a unit which was active in the Normandy area during June of 1944. As we work very closely with the 916 Grenadier Regiment, it was found that the 2nd Panzer Division best fitted the criteria as it temporarily absorbed the 352 Division (of which 916GR was a subordinate unit). Further research revealed the allocated signals unit at Divisional level was Panzer Nachrichten Abteilung 38.
We have specifically targeted our efforts on the 2nd platoon, 2nd company as this was a medium radio troop, type b and was equipped with the radios we have at our disposal. We also have documentary evidence that the Sd Kfz 263 armoured radio cars were not available and so a radio configured lorry was utilised instead. The designation we therefore use is 2. Zug, II. Kompanie, Panzer Nachrichten Abteilung 38, 2, Panzer Division or, for short 2./II Kp, Pz. Nach. Abt. 38 / 2. Pz Div. For the time period we are specifically interested in, the battalion was commanded by Hauptmann Ziemann
As has already been explained we put on large living history display all over the country. We are fortunate to have a large amount of resources at our disposal, including:
-
2 tonne Citroen telephone vehicle
-
3 tonne Mercedes-Benz radio vehicle
-
replica BMW R61 motorcycle and sidecar combination
-
assorted radios and telephones
-
Enigma machine
-
original tentage
-
a complete field office with paperwork, boxes, desks etc.
You can find out more details about these items, and others, from the links on the main page.