The
real Panzer Nachrichten Abteilung 38
History
Panzer Nachrichten Abteilung 38 was part of the 2nd Panzer Division. The division was formed on 15 March 1938 in Kamenz (Austria). After the annexation of Austria, it was transferred to Vienna.
Nachrichten Abteilung 38 was mobilised in Würzburg on the 25 August 1939. It's initial manpower was drawn from men of the Landespolizei Nachrichten Abteilung München (police communications battalion, Munich) - the officers were latterly spread amongst other signals battalions and their places filled with regular army officers. In 1938 the battalion moved to Meidlinger barracks in Vienna and was also expanded from 2 companies to 3.
During mobilisation, men and officers were transferred to form the core of the 3rd company of Nachrichten Abteilung 85.
From the Divisional diaries and other official documents, it has been possible to put together an outline of their deployments:
25.08.39 - strength reported as 4 Officers, 44 NCOs and 131 other ranks.
28.06.39 - Abteilung commander Oberstleutnant Praun becomes commander of Nachrichtentrupp XII, commanded in preparation for the assimilation of Armee Nachrichten Regiment 596 (Armeeoberkommando 1).
30.08.39 - moved to Rosenberg (50 miles south of Würzburg) area for supply with Armeekorps XVIII
19.09.39 - returned to the home garrison (Meidlinger barracks).
06.12.39 - after 6 weeks rest in Vienna, moved to Darmstadt (50 miles west of Würzburg).
10.05.40 - assigned to Panzergruppe 'Guderian'
July 40 - returned to the home garrison (Meidlinger barracks).
March 41 - involved in operations with Armeeoberkommando 12 in the Balkans, concentrated in the area around Petrich (on the Greek-Bulgarian border, some 90 miles south of Sofia).
May 41 - returned to Vienna for refitting.
30.07.41 - transferred to Oberbefehlshaber West in the Bordeaux area.
Late 41 - transferred to the Eastern Front.
15.12.43 - transferred back to Oberbefehlshaber West in the Arras area.
11.08.44 - breakout from the Falaise pocket with the remainder of the 2nd Panzer Division.
08.10.44 - pulled back to Koblenz for refitting until mid-December.
16.12.44 - operations with 5. Panzerarmeeoberkommando in the Ardennes offensive.
05.05.45 - retreat ended, having fought some 700 miles via Frankfurt, Friedberg, Fulda, Hersfeld, Meiningen and finally surrendering in Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic). The bulk of 2nd Panzer Division surrendered in April 1945 in Fulda.
Strength
The strength and composition of the battalion remained roughly the same throughout the war. However in early 1944, the German high command revised the strengths for may different units, including panzer divisions. As we have specifically targeted our efforts on the 2nd platoon, 2nd company, the theoretical strength was:
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1 officer
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13 NCOs
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39 EM
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2 motorcycles
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7 light cars (configured as kfz 15 radio vehicles)
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6 armoured radio cars (Sd Kfz 263)
The platoon was composed of 7 elements - a platoon commander's troop and 6 medium armoured radio troops, type 'b'
We do have evidence, however, that the Sd Kfz 263 armoured radio vehicles were not available, and so radio body configured lorries were utilised instead.
Feldpost number
The feldpost number of a unit was basically its postal address. All the sender had to do was put the recipients rank and name, along with the feldpost number. This would then be sent on to the army postal service who could then forward the mail on (very similar to a BFPO address today).
The feldpost numbers for Panzer Nachrichten Abteilung 38 were:
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Stab - 39938 (Oct 35 - Nov 44); 25980 A (Nov 44 - May 45)
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1 Kp. - 32506 (Oct 35 - Jan 41); 30816 (Jan 41 - Nov 44); 25980 B (Nov 44 - May 45)
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2 Kp. - 30816 (Oct 35 - Jan 41); 32506 (Jan 41 - Nov 44); 25980 C (Nov 44 - May 45)
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Le. Nach. Kol. - 18228 (Oct 35 - Nov 44); 25980 D (Nov 44 - May 45)
Commanding Officers
25.08 39 - 06.12.36 Major Freiherr von Pockenzell
06.12.39 - 12.12.41 Hauptmann Eckmayer
12.12.41 - ??? Hauptmann Steuer
??? - 05.05.45 Major Ziemann