URL : https://www.valka.cz/Tankovy-oddil-ke-zvlastnimu-pouziti-66-1942-1944-t212333#597395
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On 28 April 1942, Zossen-Wünsdorf, Military District III, was established in the Military Training Area Special Use Tank Company 66 for the upcoming invasion of Malta (Operation Hercules). Personnel for this unit were provided by Tank Replacement Detachment 1, 5, 10, 25 and the Putlos Rifle School. The selection of the company members took into account their suitability for deployment in tropical areas. The prescribed armament included twelve of the latest Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G (tropicalised) and all available Soviet loot tanks - these received German radios and command turrets, among other modifications. The company commander was Knight's Cross Lieutenant Hans Bethke. On 21 May 1942, the company was transferred from Wünsdorf to Neuruppin.
The newly established 2nd Company took over all Soviet captured tanks. The detachment continued to prepare for the invasion of Malta, but in mid-June 1942 received new orders to move to the Eastern Front, where its companies were to reinforce the rear area security units of Army Group North and Army Group Centre.
The 1st Company of the Special Use Tank Detachment 66 was provided to Army Group North and was to reinforce the 12th Panzer Division from 25 July 1942. In early August it arrived at Lake Ilmen and was deployed in the front line, where its Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. G proved excellent thanks to its reinforced armour.
Between 15 and 23 August 1942, the company supported the 18th Infantry Division in the IX Army Corps, after which it was assigned to the II. Army Corps and was deployed in the area between the village of Ramushevo and Lake Lovat during Operation Winkelried - an attempt to break the encirclement of German troops sealed in the Demjanska Pocket. However, due to preparations for Operation Nordlicht (the capture of Leningrad), Operation Winkelried was cancelled.
The company was subsequently provided to the 12th Panzer Division, with which it was to prevent the Soviet attempt to break through the German lines at Mga, which began on 27 August 1942. During the fierce fighting in the forested terrain of the Sinjavino heights, the company commander was severely wounded on 12 September and succumbed to his wounds two days later. Lieutenant Mitto took command.
Effective 30 October 1942, the 1st Company of the Special Use Tank Detachment 66 was transferred to Tank Regiment 29 and renamed its 8th Company.
The company was deployed in the heaviest fighting in March 1943 with 267th Infantry Division at the town of Bolshaya-Kamenka west of Stalingrad, where it suffered heavy casualties.
In accordance with an order dated 22 August 1944, the staff and staff company were transferred to the School for Company and Detachment Commanders of Rapid Reaction Units at Versailles and disbanded there. From their personnel the staff of the instruction company was formed at the Champs-du-Mars barracks.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Tankovy-oddil-ke-zvlastnimu-pouziti-66-1942-1944-t212333#597396
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