German Panzer Division Kempf

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East Prussia Panzer Unit
Panzer Division Kempf

The East Prussia Panzer Unit (Panzerverband Ostpreußen) was an ad hoc combined arms unit created for operations out of East Prussia during the Invasion of Poland in 1939. It was generally called Panzer Division Kempf after General Werner Kempf assumed command, though it was only about half the strength of the other panzer divisions of the time.

The unit was unusual in that it combined elements from the Heer and the Waffen-SS into a single division, namely the Heer's 7th Panzer Regiment and the Waffen-SS's motorized infantry regiment Deutschland. The supporting elements such as artillery and reconnaissance were also drawn from both forces.

[edit] See also

• Panzer, Panzer division
• Division (military), Military unit
• Heer, Waffen-SS, Wehrmacht, List of German divisions in WWII

[edit] References

• Parada, George. "Panzer Divisions 1935-1939". Retrieved April 5, 2005.
• Reinbold, Dan. "Panzer Division Kempf and the Buildup". Retrieved April 5, 2005.