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The SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Totenkopf was one of the three original SS combat
formations. The original formation was SS-Totenkopf-Verbaende that consisted
of guard units from the concentration camps formed into military units
and trained for combat. The bulk of the Totenkopf-Verbaende was formed
into the SS-Totenkopf-Division on 16 Oct 1939 and became motorized gradually
during 1939 to 1940. There were three (SS-Totenkopf Infanterie-Regiment
1, 2, and 3) fully motorized infantry regiments in the SS-Totenkopf-Division
(mot.) by May 1940. The SS-Panzer-Abteilung 3 joined the division on 1
Jun 1942 and expanded to SS-Panzer-Regiment 3 with only one battalion
on 14 Oct 1942. The division was reorganized as SS-Panzergrenadier-Division
Totenkopf on 9 Nov 1942 with one panzer regiment (only one panzer battalion),
two panzer grenadier regiments (each with three battalions), one fast
rifle regiment (two battalions) and one panzer artillery regiment. This
picture was an excellent example for cooperation between Panzer and Grenadier.
It was taken as one of the serial pictures in the spring of 1943 in Kharkov
when German retook the city. The grenadier squad mounted on No.731 Panzer IV
and prepared for street fighting. However, the picture showed only tank
commander, first MG gunner and second MG gunner.
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