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Conversion
of Kradschuetzen in Panzer-Division before Operation Zitadelle.
After the great defeat of Stalingrad and struggle in North Africa, Generaloberst
Guderian was appointed to be Inspector General of Panzertruppen by Hitler
himself on 28 February 1943. With the establishment of the Inspector General
the units formerly classified as Schnelle truppen were now redesigned
as Panzertruppen except cavalry. With the ever changing tactical role
and replacement of motorcycle by more new equipment, the once unique Kradschuetzen-Bataillon
was reorganized and converted to Panzeraufklaerung-Abteilung on 24 Mar
1943. The reorganization continued even after the conversion. The 14.,
16. and 24. Panzer-Divisions were destroyed in Stalingrad, they were reformed
in 1943. The title of Kradschuetzen-Bataillon was replaced by newly named
Panzeraufklaerung-Abteilung.
Conversion
of Kradschuetzen in Panzergrenadier-Division before Operation Zitadelle.
After great efforts and numerous debates between Panzer arm and Infanterie
arm, finally on 23 June 1943 all of the Heeres Infanterie-Division (mot)
were converted to Panzergrenadier-Division under the Inspector General
of Panzertruppen. The Kradschuetzen-Bataillon was also converted to Panzeraufklaerung-Abteilung.
The 3., 29. and 60. Infanterie-Divisions (mot) were destroyed in Stalingrad,
they were reformed in 1943 and finally converted to Panzergrenadier-Divisions.
The title of Kradschuetzen-Bataillon was replaced by newly named Panzeraufklaerung-Abteilung.
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