May 1940

At the end of May, several weeks after the Dutch had surrendered, the Germans started to recruit for volunteers.
Hitler had meanwhile given permission to form the SS-Standarte "Westland".
The SS-Ergänzungsstelle in Den Haag, under command of SS-Hstuf. Leib was given the orders. It was supervised by the SS-Hauptamt of Gottlob Berger.

As an result of this 2,448 men signed up and after medical checks between a third and half of them were designated as 'Diestuntauglich' (unfit) for the Waffen-SS!

June 1940

The first group which was drafted belonged to the 'Sport und Spiel-Bewegung', formed by men living in Germany and also members of the NSB of Mussert. Most of them served in the 'Brandenburger' who had played a role during the invasion of Holland in early May. Because of their political beliefs they were immediatly sent to München-Freimann, to serve in the SS-Ersatzbatallion 'Deutschland'.

During their training lots of difficulties took place. Dutch volunteers being misguided by the propaganda, differences in believes and goals. Many
of them were surprised that they were 'only' given an military course, based on the hard training of the SS-Verfügungstruppe. The German officers and NCO's were used to this, due to their membership of the Jungvolk and later the Hitlerjugend.
As a result of this the Dutch were given a choice:
- Return to Holland,
- Sign for 6 months, 2 years, 4 years or 'for the duration of the war' and serve in the 'Westland'-regiment.

September 1940

Formation of a new SS-Division (mot.). Largely depending of 'friendly' countries like Norway, Danmark and Holland. It happens under supervision of SS-Gruf. Hans Jüttner - Chef SS-Führungshauptamtes -.

CO I./Art.Rgt. VT - Ostubaf. Gille - recieved orders to prepare the activation of a new SS-Artillerie Regiment.
The SS-VT division was stationed in the Amersfoort (Netherlands) area, just after the French campaign for rest and refitment.

12.10.1940

After cancelling plans for Operation 'Seelöwe', the invasion of England, large units from the SS-Verfügungsdivision are available.

2.11.1940

Regiment Westland collect for 'Winterhilfswerk' (WHW) in München.
The 'Stellenbesetzung' of the AR 5 is completed by Gille.

9.11.1940

Activation and formation of the new SS-Division.

Main body is formed by the SS-VT regiment GERMANIA. The regiments GERMANIA (Germans) and WESTLAND (Germans mixed with Flamish and Dutch volunteers) stationed in München and NORDLAND (Germans mixed with Norwegian and Danish volunteers) which was stationed in Vienna and Klagenfurt.
Commander was former commander of the  SS-Inf.Rgt. (mot.) DEUTSCHLAND, SS-Brigadeführer Felix Steiner.

Locations:
Division HQ and Artillery - Between Augsburg and München;
Rest of the division - rest of Germany and Austria.

1.12.1940

SS-Brigadeführer Felix Steiner named to be commander of the 5.SS-Inf.Div. (mot.) GERMANIA

Locations:

Division HQ and Artillery - Between Augsburg and München;

SS-Inf.Rgt. Germania; CO SS-Staf. Reichsritter von Overkamp in Wien;
SS-Inf.Rgt. Westland; CO SS-Staf. Hilmar Wäckerle in Klagenfurt;
SS-Inf.Rgt. Nordland; CO SS-Staf. Fritz von Scholz;
SS-Artillery Rgt.5 - Dachau;
SS-Pionier Btl.5 - Dresden;
SS-Nachrichten Abt.5 - Nürnberg;
SS-Aufklärungs Abt.5 - München-Freimann;
SS-Nachschub Abt.5 - Berlin-Lichterfelde

21.12.1940

5.SS-Inf.Div.(mot.) GERMANIA renamed into 5.SS-Inf.Div.(mot.) WIKING. (Tgb.Nr. 518 of 29.1.1941)

January 1941

6.1.1940

Brigadeführer Steiner visits Westland regiment.

25.1.1941

The SS-Oath is adapted to the wishes of foreign volunteers, who refused to the German citizenship.
Dutch volunteers were again given the possibility to return to Holland by Himmler.

30.1.1941

The regiment 'Westland' takes their oath finally.
 

February 1941

3-15.2.1941

Unterführer Lehrgang in Bad Tölz for the NCO's of the 'schweren Kompanien' - 4th, 8th and 12th.
Other regiment units had field excercise around Ingolstad area.

March/April 1941

Division assembles around TruppenÜbungsplatz Heuberg, near Sigmaringen and taken into active service. An 8 weeks trainingcourse follows.
Every infantry regiment has its 'own' Artillerie Abteilung, with which it cooperated.
I.Abt served with Germania, II.Abt with Westland and III.Abt with Nordland, the regiment's heavy weapons were often divided between the Abteilungen or complete in action on the several hot spots.

The AR5 was formed by 3 Abteilungen and a 4th schweren Abteilung.
An Abteilung consisted of 3 Batterien with 4 le.FH18 (10,5cm - 9,150m), the 4th heavy Abteilung had 3 Batterien with schw.FH17 (15cm - 13,325m) and at the beginning of 1942 an additional 4th Batterie with sK18 (10,5cm - 18,990m) was added.

June 1941

Placed under command of Armygroup C, XXXX-Pz.Korps under General Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg.
Redeployement to the Breslau area, between Oels, Militsch and Wohlau.
Under command finally of 1.Panzerarmee of Generaloberst Ewaldt von Kleist, XIV.Panzerkorps of General Gustav von Wietersheim.

15.6.1941

SS-Freiwilligen Bataillon  'Nordost' activated. Kdr. Hstuf Collani.

18.6.1941

Crossing the German-Polish border near Groβ-Wartenburg and after a 3 days march ending up in the staging area (SA) near the Polish-Russian border south-east of Lublin. Placed under command of the Panzergruppe 1.

29.6.1941

Marching from SA's near Cholm south to Zamosz. 3./WESTLAND spearheaded the advance of the division.

30.6.1941

Wiking arrives at Lemberg. It finds thousands of civilians murdered by GRU-troops in prisons and cellars...

1.7.1941

WESTLAND encounters strong enemy forces (32nd Guards division) around Zamosz for the division's first time and remains stationed and encounters numerous battles at the eastern front without a pause until 1945...

2.-3.7.1941

SS-Staf. Hilmar Wäckerle , CO Inf.Rgt. 'Westland', was the regiment's first soldier who was killed in action. He is succeeded by Oberführer Artur Phleps on 3rd July.

9.7.1941

SS-Freiw. Bataillion Nordost is transfered by train to Stralsund.

5.7.1941
I./WESTLAND crosses the river Slucz, III./ and II./ follow.
Chef 5./WESTLAND, SS-Hstuf. Miklos KIA.

15.-17.7.1941

After fierce battles, Biala-Zerkow is captured. At the 16th II./Germania almost collapses during heavy russian attacks, until A.A.5 reïnforces them. Heavy fighting continues, at dawn on the 17th russian troops advanced till 500 meter of the Divisional HQ! During the morning 'Westland' arrives and was immediatly sent in the Taraschtscha area where is was joined by 'Nordland' later that afternoon.

16.7.1941
Division HQ at Skwira

23.7.1941
WESTLAND reaches its final objective, the Kotluga depression at the cost of:
KIA: 10 officers - 12 NCO's - 70 men,
WIA: 8 officers - 52 NCO's - 300 men.

During following actions WESTLAND, meanwhile south of Talnoje in order to close the Uman pocket it experienced one of the first war crimes. About 25 men of 1st platoon 1.Kompanie under command of Untersturmführer Weisswasser were found dead and severely mutilated after their position was overrun by russian forces.

7.-16.8.1941

Regiment WESTLAND together with paratroopers of the 'Hermann Göring' regiment endured heavy fighting around Korsun and Schandorowka. During the early morning hours, Stubaf. Günter Ecke was killed in an ambush. All vehicles were marked with a big white 'K' next to the yellow sun wheel, the tactical sign of Wiking. Later diverted over Kirowograd to Dnjepropeetrowsk.

Hstuf. Schade, Chef 1.Kompanie was killed.

20.8.1941

A small bridgehead was made on the eastern bank of the Dnjepr by 'Nordland'. Fighting lasts till mid September...

25.8.1941

SS-Freiw. Bataillion Nordost is transfered by to Truppenübungsplatz Gross-Born in Hinterpommern.
Training on platoon, company and batallion size.

September 1941

Chef 15./Kompanie, Hstuf. Kreutzer KIA

Heavy and continuous battles in the Dnjepropetrowsk-Kamenka bridgehead. Break out of the pocket.

8.-9.9.1941

During the night, the rest of the division managed to cross the Dnjepr.
After a brief consilidation the division attacks and 'Germania' attacks Kamanka. Over 5,000 POW's were taken after heavy concentrated german artillery-fire landed in the ranks of 3 russian divisions and scattered them.

13.9.1941

Renamed Finnischen Freiwilligen Batallion NORDOST in Finnischen Freiwilligen Batallion der Waffen-SS.

20.9.1941

Formation of Wiking's StuG-battery under command of Ostuf. Lange

03.10.1941

The attack on Pawlograd by 'Nordland' was halted and the regiment was relieved by parts of the 198. Inf.Div.

9.10.1941

Wiking advances to  Konskije-Rasdony, meanwhile 'Nordland' marched to Stara-Konstantinowka. Russian forces were too late to escape an encirclement... On the heights next to railway Melitopol-Stalino german troops closed the ring....

The new Legion 'WALLONIEN', formed out of french speaking Belgians under command of Stubaf. Lucien Lippert arrives in Russia.

10.10.1941

Re-assigned from III. Panzerkorps to XIV. Armeekorps, advancing to the Melitopol-Stalino railway.
Periods of heavy rain hamper the supply units.
65,000 POW's, 125 tanks and 500 artillery piece were captured by the Germans.

13.10.1941

Bad weather, storm and rain with some snow. Roads are turned into mudtrails.
Russian officers and political officers have fled or have been shot by own troops. Russian POW's were send to the west, often without guards.

15.10.1941

Near Ignatijewka, only 15 km advanced in last days. Wiking stands still due to a lack of fuel.

Men of Finn. Freiw. Batallion der Waffen-SS take their oath in Gross Born.

19.10.1941

Still no fuel, division organizes a Kampfgruppe and some Pioniere which has to take Krynka.
Kampfgruppe von Scholz together with the reinforced Nordland-regiment reaches Mokri-Jelantschik. Wiking has reached a collum length of 125km!!! Weather: fog, rain and mud...

23.10.1941

Wiking has enough fuel to start an operation into Krynka.
Nordland throws back a russian cavalry-division and reaches the Mius river, a small bridgehead has established near Golodajew.
Due to sub-zero temperatures, roads become driveable. I./Nordland reaches the road Uspenskaja to Amrosiewka and takes the town.

5.11.1941

WESTLAND crosses the Mius river and advances north-eastwards towards Perwomaisk-Oktjabrisk, in order to reach the road to Astachowo.

12.11.1941

For the first time I./WESTLAND was fired upon with a massive fire concentration with 'Stalin Organ'. Substantial losses were reported.

17.11.1941

After heavy rain, temperatures dropped far below zero and snowing. Roads are frozen, supply routes are finally getting usuable for transportation. Further attacks on Bischlerowka and Upspenskaja. Target becomes Schachty, north-east of Rostow on the Don.

20.-21.11.1941

Russian counterattacks forces WESTLAND to give up the line Popwka-Darjewka-Nowoaksai during night and setting up a defensive position west of Bolsche-Klopinskaja on the Tusloff.

26-27.11.1941

During the night XIV.Korps retreats to the west. Strong russian forces plunges into the old empty positions. Heavy rear guard fighting by Wiking.

Stubaf. Albert, CO Pionier Batallion 5 and several of his officers are KIA.

30.11.1941

Regiment Commander SS-Oberf. Arthur Phleps reports the losses suffered by the WESTLAND regiment between July 1 to November 30, 1941:

KIA: 29 officers - 65 NCO's - 347 men,
WIA: 21 officers - 138 NCO's - 920 men,
MIA: 29 men.

Totalling 1,549 men - nearly 50% of its original strength within 5 months!

1-2.12.1941

Positions on the Tusloff were unfavourable, so the WESTLAND regiment withdrew during this night on to the Mius. Regiment HQ was estabilished in Uspenskaja.
It was the hardest for the troops in the frontline, ground frozen to a depth of one meter with no winter clothing yet so they improvised. Their dugouts were about 1 meter high in the days of December 1941 and January 1942. Temperatures dropped to minus 40° C.

A relative calm month, some X-mas trees and little alcohol were transported to the frontline. The withdrawl didn't have a negative influence on the troops. They had become self-aware and knew they had fighting an enemy which was 5x as strong as their own forces. On many occasions the russians had been deflected with very heavy losses...

3-24.12.1941

Finn. Freiw. Batallion der Waffen-SS is transfered to the vincinity of Dnjepropetrowsk.
Travelling in order of Batallions Stabes, 4.Kompanie, 1.Kompanie, 2.Kompanie, 3.Kompanie. The journey takes them from Gross Born-Warsaw-Lublin-Rovno-Winniza-Kiriwograd-Dnjepropetrowsk.

28.12.1941

2./Finn. Freiw. Batallion der Waffen-SS is transfers by train to Jassinowataja followed by the rest on 29.12.41.

6.2.1942

Finn. Freiw. Batallion der Waffen-SS is lost already 49 trucks and 11 other vehicles.

11.1.1942

34 officers, 786 NCO's and men of the Finn. Freiw. Batallion der Waffen-SS is arrive at Rutschenkow near Stalino. Along their march are 131 men left behind their vehicles. They will regroup later...

17./18.1.1942

Finn. Freiw. Batallion der Waffen-SS recieves orders to march to Amwrosiewka where it will become Wiking's motorized reserve.

20.1.1942

I./WESTLAND relieves II./GERMANIA at Berestowo.
Two batallions of WESTLAND were always in the Mius positions present, while the third was withdrawn into the Amwrosijewka area for some rest and re-fitting.
1./AR 5 under command of 1.Gebirgsdivision bis 19.4.42.

The new Legion 'WALLONIEN' under command of Stubaf. Lucien Lippert together with a Kampfgruppe under Stubaf. Dieckmann crashes into a russian counter-attack near Grischino and halts the offensive.

Finnischen Freiwilligen-Batallion der Waffen-SS under command of SS-IR WESTLAND. Take positions around the Kalinow - Mius Shelobak area. Supported by 2./SS-AR 5, II./AR 64, IV./AR 5 and schweres Heeres Art.Abt. 844.

February 1942

At the beginning of February Wiking recieves winterclothing for the first time. Temperatures drop to -40° C.
A new finnish batallion, completely motorized, arrives in the Mius positions. It was taken into the ranks of the 'Nordland' regiment under von Scholz.

11.2.1942

Establishment of Panzer Abteilung “Reich” at WILDFLECKEN Training Area. as the first Panzer Abteilung in the Waffen SS. It’s new commander is Sturmbannführer Johannes Mühlenkamp. The bulk of officers and NCOs consists of volunteers from Division “Reich”, with recruits from Ersatzbataillone Deutschland (in PRAGUE), Germania (in HAMBURG-LANGENHORN) and from another SS Ersatz unit in APELDOORN, Holland.

15.2.1942

Finnischen Freiwilligen-Batallion der Waffen-SS detached of SS-IR WESTLAND.

16.2.1942

Finnischen Freiwilligen-Batallion der Waffen-SS under command of SS-IR NORDLAND.

Spring 1942

At Wildflecken training-area, Germany; 3 staff-units from 3 new Panzerabteilungen are assembled together with the three commanders.
Stubaf. Mühlenkamp - Pz.Abt.5 for division 'Reich', Stubaf. Albin von Reitzenstein - Pz.Abt. 'Wiking' and Stubaf. Georg Schönberger for the LAH. Although designated for 'Das Reich' it will change into 'Wiking'. Redesignated SS-Pz. Abt. 5 “Wiking” since Division “Reich” was being pulled out of the line in Russia and ordered to France. Since Abteilung was needed for upcoming Summer 42 offensive, the SS-Führungshauptamt decided to give it to Wiking instead.

Rgt.Kdr. 'Westland', Obf. Arthur Phleps leaves the regiment to take over 7.SS-Gebirg Div. 'Prinz Eugen'. He is succeeded by at first Ostubaf. Mack and later Ostubaf. Geiβler.

Legion 'Wallonien' is withdrawn for R&R and new personell after harsh battles at the Mius.

12.3.1942

The first tanks for the Panzerabteilung and Sturmgeschütz (StuG)-Batterie arrive .
Abteilung receives first Panzer III. Unit was organized into 3 tank companies, with Stabskompani and last untill 27th Marche, as follows:

1. Kompanie: Pz III; commander: SS-Oberstuf. Schnabel
2. Kompanie: Pz III; commander: SS-Oberstuf. von Staden
3. Kompanie: Pz IV; commander: SS-Hstuf. Darges
Stabskompanie: SS-Oberstuf. Gaipel with:
Aufklärungszug: SS-Ustuf. Martin (equipped with Pz II)
Kradschützenzug: SS-Ustuf. Hein
Pionierzug: SS-Ustuf. Schraps
Nachrichtenzug: SS-Ustuf. Koentop

27.3.42

Abteilung has full complement of tanks, except 3. Kompanie did not receive full complement of Pz IVF2 with L/48 long gun until later. Each company consisted of 17 tanks, with 5 per platoon and 2 in company headquarters section.

12.4.1942

The Panzerabteilung 'Reich' is transfered to WIKING for the comming summer offensives.
Stabs-Aufklärungszug - PzKfw. II
1.Kompanie - PzKfw. III 5cm long barrel
2.Kompanie - PzKfw. III 5cm long barrel
3.Kompanie - PzKfw. IV 7.5cm short barrel

18.4.42

SS-Pz. Abt. 5 “Wiking”, formally incorporated into Division Wiking, then fighting on the Eastern Front.
However, since it was not yet ready for combat, it continued its training in Germany.

May 1942

Training complete, except for gunnery and Abteilung-level maneuvers. Abteilung moved to STAUMÜHLENLAGER Training Area near PADERBORN.

31.5.42

First large scale training exercise with entire Abteilung.

9.6.1942

Departure to Russia. At first the Stabskompanie and 2 Pz.Kompanien depart, followed by only the Pz.Kfw.IV's (7.5cm KwK 42) of the 3.Pz.Kompanie and a light platoon (Pz.Kfw.II).

18.6.1942

The Abteilung arrives at Amwrosiewka, 70km norht-west of Taganrog. Main body gathers here, without 2.Pz.Kompanie which moves to Wassiljewka.

19.6.1942

SS-Pz.Abt. 5 closes at assembly area near the Mius River and links up with Division Wiking for the first time.

20.6.1942

First commanders-meeting in the Divisionsgefechtsstand (Div.HQ) in Uspenskaja. Next days are for additional training together with the rest of the division.
Great loss for the 2.Pz.Kompanie when its commanding officer, Ostuf. von Staden dies during one of the excercises.

29.6.42

Division commander, SS-Gruf. Felix Steiner, inspects SS-Pz.Abt. 5
 

16.7.1942

WIKING advances to Rostow, WESTLAND and III./NORDLAND had to give up all of their vehicles to GERMANIA and NORDLAND to form again several Kampfgruppen. WESTLAND remains around Mokri-Jelantschik.

19.7.1942

Russian lines were broken around Tanganrog, Wiking advances to Rostow.

20.7.1942

Wiking formed 3 battlegroups, under command of Weitzdorfer, Dieckmann and Stoffers. All three are reïnforced with elements of the Heer's 13th Pz.Div. and placed under command of LVII. Pz.Korps, west of Ssambek.

21.7.1942

Wiking is renamed into 'Gefechtsgruppe Steiner', which consisted out of the Kampfgruppen Dieckmann, Stoffers and Weitzdörfer. Together with elements of 13.Pz.Div., WIKING crosses the river near Ssambek.
At 8 am, WIKING captures its first goal, hill 116.9.

22.7.1942

This morning I./Pz.Rgt.5 takes hill 101.8 and 96.3 and diverts along the road Krim-Ssultan-Ssaly and have contact with the 3rd defensive line before Rostow. Leniawan falls into german hands.
Div.Kdr. Steiner meets with regimental commanders to order the attack of the following day. HQ set-up north of Sapadnyi. Kampfgruppe Dieckmann advances during the night.

23.7.1942

At sunrise, the Panzerabteilung with two (2) Sturmkompanien attack the russian positions. The Panzerabteilung secures their positions, while the infantry reaches the outskirts of Rostow. Following this thrust, the Gefechtsgruppe Wagner enters the city

24.7.1942

After four days of fighting, Rostow is occupied. Next target: the Krapotin Kuban-bridge!
SS-Stubaf. Mühlenkamp was given the Ritterkreuz on the 3rd Sep. 1942 for the part of his Panzerabteilung.

28.7.1942

Wiking crossed the Don river and passes Bataisk and deflects to Olginskaja. The Panzerabteilung advances to Kagalnizkaja, where it closed in upon the enemy and after a hard and fierce battle, destroys it.

Wiking is now self-supporting on it's own. Luftwaffe groups are placed under direct command of Wiking, their CO is Oberstleutnant Steinert.

3.8.1942

Wiking turns south and meets several disbanded an fleeing Russian units.
At 11 am, the railway Krapotkin-Woroschilowsk was crossed. The Krapotkin bridge was destroyed by Russian engineers just before Ostuf. Klapdor (Zugführer 1./Pz.Abt.5) could cross it.
A Gefechts Gruppe was built out of 2 heavy artillery battery, 2 light Artillerie-Abteilungen, A.A. 5 and the 1./Pz.Rgt. 5, together with Nordland under Staf. von Scholz.

4.8.1942

The bulk of the division had turned to the east and reached north of Temisbekskaja-Nowoaleksandroskaja strong russian positions. Mühlenkamp attacked directly without delay and by evening, Grigoripolitskaja was in German hand together with I./Germania. Mühlenkamp crossed the same night the Kuban river and set foot on the western banks on the morning of 6th August.

5.8.1942

Gefechts Gruppe von Scholz is relieved by 101 Jg.Div.
SS-PzAufklAbt 5 seizes Kuban bridgehead at KRAPOTKIN.

6.8.1942

The 2./Pi.Btl. 5 have managed to built a 16 tons bridge across the Kuban river. The road to the oilfields of Maikop were open.

8.8.1942

Kampfgruppen 'Nordland' and 'Germania', supported with the 2nd and 3rd Pz.Kompanie reached crossingpoints Temirgojewskaja and Petropawlowskaja.

10.8.1942

Spearheading the advance, elements of 3rd Pz.Kompanie reach the centre of the russian oil production, Maikop and linked up with III.PzKorps.

02.9.1942

WIKING assigned to LII.Armeekorps.

17.9.1942

WIKING, split into 2 battle groups reaches to the area of Prochladnaja to the East Caucasus.
06.00 hour; III.(finn.)/NORDLAND transfers from Kabardinskaja, target is Maikop. After the 145 km march it reaches at 15.45 hour the town of Labinskaja (east of Maikop).

18.9.1942

06.00 hour; the batallion travels through Armawir to Olginskaja, time of arrival 15.30 hour after 135 km.

19.9.1942

06.00 hour; further via Newinnomyskaja to Lissogorskij, arriving at 12.30 hour - 100 km.

20.9.1942

08.00 hour; the battallion departs, target is Stara Pawloskaja between the Kuma and Terek. Time of arrival 14.30 hour, other elements arriving too.

21.9.1942

CO with recce party departing to the area of operations (AOO) within the 111.Infantrydivision (Recknagel). From 14.35 hour the battallion follows.

23-24.9.1942

III.(finn.)/NORDLAND travels back to Pawlodolskij near the river Terek. Elements of the SS-Pi.Abt. 5 have build a pontoonbridge over the Terek and connect Pawlodolskijk with Gnadenburg. Continued march to the north of Nish Kurp.
On the left the reinforced 10.Kompanie, on the right the 9.Kompanie.

25.9.1942

II./ and III./Art.Rgt. 5 assemble in their fire-positions near Nish Krup. Pz.Abt. 5 occupying the surrounding areas.

26.9.1942

Last elements of I./Nordland arrive in the assembly area.

Renewed attack on Malgobek and Ssagopshin.
Attack starts at 04.45 hour, I./Nordland against heavy resistance from well camouflaged bunkers. Attack stalls around 07.30 hour. Zugführer Ostuf. Hannus (11.Kompanie), KIA. Till then, it loses 25 KIA's and 54 WIA's.

Pz.Abt. 5 strength on this day:
5  PzKfw. II
11 PzKfw. III 'Kurz'
23 PzKfw. III 'Lang'
3  PzKfw. IV 'Kurz'
6  PzKfw. IV 'Lang'

A total of 48 tanks... By the evening of 27th September, some 20 Panzers were lost.

28.9.1942

Battlegroup (BG) WESTLAND, reinforced with the Panzer Abteilung was to launch a break-through through the Knip-valley to Ssagopschin. SS-Stubaf. Harry Polewacz takes over Regiment WESTLAND.
Around 17.30 hour 9.Kompanie blocks the crossroad near Ossemyj. I./WESTLAND arrives and takes part in the fierce fighting around Ssagopschin.

30.9.1942

I./NORDLAND and II./WESTLAND attack Ssagopschin without results and with heavy losses.

1.-6.10.1942

After heavy and fierce resistance, WESTLAND, GERMANIA and Pz.Abt. 5 took the mountain strongholds of Ssagopschin and Malgobek. Regiment GERMANIA lost on that final day 33 dead and almost 200 wounded!
Pz.Abt. 5 lost another 8 tanks on 3.10.1942.

7.10.1942

Division mentioned in Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for helping to take important Soviet oil production city of MALGOBEK.
III.(finn.)/NORDLAND reliefed and returning to new assembly area.
GERMANIA attacks area Ordshonikidse and Elchotowo. Slow progress...

8.10.1942

III.(finn.)/NORDLAND attacks again, Ostuf. Porsch killed.

9.11.1942

Renamed to 5.SS-Panzer Grenadier Div. WIKING.
From 1.11.1941 till 2.6.1943 a Finnish battailon of volunteers was attached to the division. It served in the WESTLAND regiment as III./NARWA.

11.11.1942

First snow is falling as start of the second winter in Russia...

December 1942

Re-deployement in order to relieve the 6th Army trapped in the Stalingrad pocket.
Re-supply and refitting of WIKING.
First non-german officer graduates arrive at WIKING, after succesfully completing one of the 'Führer Lehrgange' at the Junkerschule Bad Tölz.

3.12.1942

Finnischen Freiwilligen-Batallion der Waffen-SS detached of SS-IR NORDLAND.

23.12.1942

The 'Ossetische Strasse' was given up, Wiking leaves the III.PzKorps and diverts to their new destination: Stalingrad....
At their arrival in Remontaja, south of Stalingrad, it was already clear that a new relief-attack on the city was too late.

January 1943

Defensive battles around the Manytsch.

8.2.1943

WESTLAND advances as part of the division to Stalino. Following the next order, set out on a march with the objective Konstantinowka.

10.2.1943

Urgent orders to divert towards Krasno-Ameiskoje. Objective: Containment of Panzer Group Popoff.

14.2.1943

Grenadieren from NORDLAND are advancing to Krasno-Armaiskoje and take height 180. KpChef 3./Nordland, Ostuf. Brönner was heavily wounded. During the next days, the division takes Rovny, Grischino and Gubin. Later they arrived in Alexandrowka and than Suschoj-Torek.

23.2.1943

The Red Army attacks for several days at places like Barvenkow, Ziglerowka, Bowny, Bagdanowka, Soschoj-Torek and Kamytschewitscha. Wiking reaches the south bank of the Donez river, southwest of Isjum.
CO WESTLAND, Stubaf. Reichel was KIA and replaced by Ostubaf. August Dieckmann.

24.2.1943

Regiment WESTLAND captures the northern edge of Bogdnowka. II./WESTLAND was overrun by a counter-attack and diverted eastwards. During this battle SS-Stubaf. Erwin Reichel, the regimental commander was killed. He recieves the Ritterkreuz posthumous for his actions.
Commander II./WESTLAND, SS-Hstuf. Walter Schmidt recieves for his actions the Ritterkreuz on 4th August 1943.

27.2.43

SS-Stubaf. Hans Köller replaces Rudolf Mühlenkamp as Abteilungs commander. Mühlenkamp ordered to return to Germany to begin forming new Panzer Regiment for Wiking Division.

28.2.1943

Regimental Headquarters, SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 Wiking and II. Abteilung, SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 begins forming at ALTNEUHAUS training area in Germany. SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 redesignated as the I. Abteilung, SS-Pz.Rgt. 5. Many experienced officers and NCOs transferred out of I. Abteilung in order to form cadre for new regiment.

March 1943

Panzergrenadier Regiment NORDLAND was withdrawn off the division in order to establish the cadre of the new 11.SS-Panzergrenadier Freiwilligen Division NORDLAND.

5.3. - 31.3.43

I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 engaged in holding actions near Isyum along the Mius and Donez defensive lines along with rest of division.

1.4.43

All of I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 5’s remaining tanks are grouped into one Kompanie, the 1st.
Vehicles on hand: 7 Pz III, 4 Pz IV F1, and 2 Pz IVF2. Entire division part of German defensive effort along the Central Don Front, which lasts until 12 July 1943.

16.4.1943

The regiment is withdrawn to the Losowaja-Michaelowka area, for the first time after almost two years of action. Here there's some time for rest and re-fitting both personell and equipment. During the next 6 weeks, the Abteilung receives new vehicles, including Pz IVG for 3. Kompanie. 1. and 2. Companies still equipped with Pz III.
SS-Ostubaf. August Dieckmann took over the regiment, SS-Brigf. Herbert Gille took command over the division and SS-Gruf. Steiner was appointed and confirmed as Corps commander of III.(Germanisches)Pz.Korps.

May 1943

10.5.43

Recuperation and rebuilding period ends for Abteilung. I. Abteilung placed in reserve as “Reaction Force” for Wiking Division, which is transferred north-west of Slawiansk; WESTLAND lay as army reserve in Slawiansk.

17.7.1943

Wehrmacht's 46th Infantry Division was thrown back from Isjum. I./WESTLAND followed Kampfgruppe Dorr into Ssrednij.
Russian counter-attacks were unsuccessfull, but two weeks later they succeeded in creating a gap of 10km deep and 12km wide break-through.

1.7.43

I. Abteilung Panzer strength as follows:
Pz III: 35 authorized, 24 combat-ready
Pz IV: 14 authorized, 17 combat-ready (over strength)
Total: 49 authorized, 41 combat-ready
(II. Abteilung as of yet has no tanks assigned, still in forming process at in Croatia, where it and Regt. HQ were transferred from ALTNEUHAUS to continue forming process)

16.7.43

I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 recieves first StuG III to form 4. Kompanie (7 vehicles). Also referred to incorrectly as StuG.Abt. 5 Wiking.

17.7.-25.8.43

5.SS-Pz. Div. Wiking participates in defensive battles near ISYUM and in the vicinity of KHARKOV while assigned to the XXXX. and LVII. Panzer-Korps

11.8.1943

Regiment WESTLAND moved as part of the division into the area north-west of Kharkov.

23.8.1943

Russian attacks tried to cut off the city, WESTLAND repositioned its eastern flank to the edge of the woods south of Olschany. During those weeks the great defensive battle in front of the Dnjepr began...

1.9.43

I. Abteilung Panzer strength as follows:
Pz III: 35 authorized, 8 combat-ready
Pz IV: 14 authorized, 8 combat-ready
StuG III: 7 authorized, 5 combat-ready
Total: 56 authorized, 21 combat-ready
(II. Abteilung as of yet has no tanks assigned, still in forming process)

15.9.-27.9.43

Division engaged in Defensive battles east of KIEV during retreat to the Dnieper River

28.9.-12.11.43

Division engaged in defensive battles on the Dnieper River (Fuchsschwanz Insell/Foxtail Island). The regiment crosssed the wide river in the Tscherkassy area where it had already fought in August 1941.
Every man believed here would be our winter positions...

1.10.1943

WESTLAND attacks for 4 day the russian bridge-head over the Dnjepr, north of Kanew.
I. Abteilung Panzer strength as follows:
Pz III: 35 authorized, 8 combat-ready
Pz IV: 14 authorized, 5 combat-ready
StuG III: 7 authorized, 2 combat-ready
Total: 56 authorized, 15 combat-ready
(II. Abteilung as of yet has no tanks assigned, still in forming process)

10.10.1943

Another attack at the bridge-head 'Fuchsschwanzinsel', russian forces were thrown back to the east bank of the river.
Among the many deads of this once proud regiment were regimental commander SS-Ostubaf. Dieckmann, Chef 3.Komp SS-Ustuf. Greiner, Chef 5.Komp SS-Ustuf. Arndt. Others like Chef 6.Komp SS-Ustuf. Hahl and SS-Hstuf. Horstmann, Chef 7.Komp were seriously wounded.

13.10.1943

II./Pz.Rgt. 5 reaches Karlovacz (a.k.a. Karlstadt) where it task was mainly to protect the city and area from partisans.

13.12.1943

A recon-party leaves for France. Under command of Hstuf. Klappdor, Ostuf. Paschke and Ustuf. Steiner. The first of the new 'Panthers' were send to Falaise.
Dec 43 HQ, SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 and II. Abteilung transferred from Croatia to ERLANGEN in Germany to prepare to accept delivery of their tanks.

14.12.43-24.1.44

Division engaged in defensive battles west of CHERKASSY along Dnieper.

20.12.43

II./SS-Pz.Rgt.5 issued 33 Panther V in ERLANGEN, tanks shipped to MAILLY-LE-CAMP training area in France to join up with regimental HQ.


26.12.1943

Transfer of II./Pz.Rgt. 5 to Germany starts.

January 1944

1.1.44

I. Abteilung Panzer strength as follows:
Pz III: 35 authorized, 13 combat-ready
Pz IV: 14 authorized, 8 combat-ready
StuG III: 7 authorized, 4 combat-ready
Total: 56 authorized, 25 combat-ready

33 'Panther' tanks arrive in Erlangen.

II./Pz.Rgt. 5 was led by Stubaf. Scheibe;
5.Komp Hstuf. Klapdor
6.Komp Ostuf. Dedelow
7.Komp Hstuf. Keppels
8.Komp Ostuf. Nicolussi-Leck

Ia Ostuf. Förster
IVa Ostuf. Paschke

Regiments stabes:
Kdr. Ostubaf. Mühlenkamp
IIa Hstuf. Zimmermann
IVa Hstuf. Hagen
TFK Hstuf. Sobota

24.1.1944

Hstuf. Klapdor becomes Kdr. II./Pz.Rgt.5

28.1.1944

It became clear that the WIKING division was encircled.
The corps commander, General Wilhelm Stemmermann, commanding general of the XI. Armeekorps recieved orders to hold the pocket.

February 1944

Renamed to 5.SS-Panzer Div. WIKING.

6.2.1944

Headquarters, SS-Pz. Rgt. 5 and II. Abteilung conduct gunnery practice and company-scale maneuvers at Mailly-le-Camp training area.

7.2.1944

The encircled corps was given freedom of operations.
The front was moved to Schanderowka. In an area meassuring just 7x8km, some 54,000 men were crowded together and waiting for relief from the south or west.

16.2.1944

Field Marshall Erich von Manstein gives permission to a break out. Regiment WESTLAND formed up for the break out. Spearheading the break out attempt was I./GERMANIA under command of SS-Stubaf. Hans Dorr.After bitter and fierce fighting the troops had to cross the Gniloi-Tilkitsch, a small stream. No crossing points were available so they had to swim, with temperatures minus 10° C. Finally they reached the objective: Lissjanka.
The attempt had been succesfull although the division had lost all its armoured cars (SPW), vehicles, artillery and panzers.

17.2.44

SS-Stubaf. Köller killed in action

18.2.1944

II./Pz.Rgt.5 transferred to the Cholm area in a rush. Its Rgt.Kdr. and Abt.Kdr arrive at 24th March 16.00 hours. During its journey, the Flak managed to shoot down an 4-engined bomber! Transfer of remnants of division, including survivors of I./SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 to LUBLIN (Poland) where the division is to be reconstituted.

Division mentioned in Wehrmacht Bulletin one day after success of breakout from the CHERKASSY Pocket for exemplary heroism, daring spirit of attack and self-sacrificing comradeship.

21.2.1944

Withdrawl to Dsengolowka, some 35 km's SW of Lissjanka.

25.2.1944

Rail transport to Lublin-Liegnitz started, on route they were diverted to Cholm a mere 70km back to the east were they were quarted in barracks.

1.3.1944

Arrival in Lublin at 01.00 hours. Next days were spent de-licing the troops.
Leaves are cancelled, except for the wounded.

The II./Pz.Rgt.5 posesses 79 tanks. Every platoon 5 tanks, a Kompanie has 17 tanks at that moment.
Hstuf. Klapdor is relieved by Ostubaf. Otto Paetsch.

16.3.1944

II./PzRgt 5 was sent to follow GERMANIA to the direction of Kowel.
MG's and ammunition followed on open wagons. Kowel was encirceled with 4,000 men. WIKING's orders were to relief the city. SS-Gruf. Herbert-Otto Gille, together with Hstuf. Westphal (O1), flies into the encircled city and takes over command.

The encirclement area was only about 2x3 km wide by now. First relief attempt was halted. Around Kowel region the following units were deployed:

Kowel:

The stranded Panthers, guarded by 10 Panzermen and 16 Jägers were relieved by III.(gep)/GERMANIA and its SPW's.

31.3.1944

It was not until 11 am, before the next Panther company (7./SS-Pz.Rgt. 5) unloaded at Maciejow rail station. Arrival of first elements of Stabskp., 5. and 6. Kp. took until 2.4.1944.

1.4.1944

Cherkassy was given up.

SS-Ostuf. Karl Nicolussi-Leck breaks through 1 Apr with 7 Panther from his 8. Kompanie to restablish contact with defenders in Kovel, for which he receives the Ritterkreuz.

I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 7 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 21 combat-ready (of 22 on hand)
StuG IV: 31 authorized, 19 combat-ready (of 21 on hand)
Total: 111 authorized, 40 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 58 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 186 authorized, 98 combat-ready

2.4.1944

With the support of the 7.Komp the attack started.

3.4.44

Wehrmacht Bulletin of the day mentions fighting in KOVEL area and highlights achievement of Nicolussi-Leck during the relief operation.

4.4.1944

The relief attack of Kowel started at 00.15 hour. At 03.30 hour, the first objectives were taken at Nowo-Koszary and the north-west of Czerkassy. Although 50 anti-tankguns were destroyed, Stubaf. Hans Dorr had to report that the attack has halted. After 4 hours and 45 minutes(!) they had gained only 500 meters.

The 5. and 7.Kompanie supported the ongoing attack, while the 6./Kompanie was held back as a reserve near Kruhel. Finally the siege was broken and 5., 6. and 7.Kompanie together with the reunited 8./Kompanie held the corridor so over 2,000 wounded men could be taken out of Kowel. Constant Russian attacks from the north-east kept a high pressure on the thin lines, so the complete II./PzRgt 5 was send to this sector. During one of the German attacks heights 189.5 and 188 were taken. Almost 15 russian tanks were destroyed by the superior Panthers.

The two Pz.Art. Abteilungen of WIKING were relieved by Wehrmacht units and transferred by to Lublin.

6.4.1944

The corridor was secured by I./GERMANIA together with 6./PzRgt 5.

Division mentioned again in Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for its conduct during KOVEL fighting and mentions bravery and leadership of Gille, the division commander.

17.4.-18.7.44

Division continues reestablishment in KOVEL area. SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 (minus I. Abteilung) serves as reserve for LVI. Pz. Korps.
Bulk of division becomes army reserve in LUBLIN area, then transfers to SS Training Area at HEIDELAGER (DEBICA), then to assembly area of SOKAL, east of CHOLM. I. Abteilung arrives in DEBINCA 4 Jun 44.

20.4.1944

On Adolf Hitler's birthday, Gruf. Herbert-Otto Gille recieved as 12th soldier and first one of the Waffen-SS the Brillianten zum Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub und Schwerten.
Ostuf. Nicolussi-Leck and Schneider were given the Ritterkreuz together with Hauptmann Bolm, the CO of the Wehrmachts Jäger Kompanie.

23.4.1944

Total write-offs in tanks during the battle of Kowel and its aftermath amounted to 8 Panthers, 0 Pz. IV and 0 StuG IV. Including a shipment of 8 replacement Panthers SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 was back at a total strength of of 79 Panthers, 27 Pz. IV and 22 StuG IV.

27.4.1944

A new operation, codenamed 'Ilse' was planned.
The maintenance company was able to clear 50 Panthers, including the RO2, Mühlenkamp's tank.
The 8th, 6th and 5th Kompanie assembled near the windmill, south-west of Kowel. Together with units of the Pionier Btl. and grenadieren of the Wehrmacht. The attack reached its objectives and on 28th April the tanks were ordered back to Kowel.

Finally rest and refitting took place, the regiment was transferred to the Maciejow area and placed under command of LVI. Panzerkorps.

May 1944

Division refitting at Heidelager Troop Training Ground.

5.-16.5.1944

Units of the "Wiking" took part in alleged anti-partisan action "Maigewitter" against ca. 1,400 soviet
partisans in the Parczew-Krasnik area.

June 1944

1.6.44

Refitting on the Truppenübungsplatz 'Heidelager' Debica, Poland. Division strength: 17,368

I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 2 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 27 combat-ready
StuG IV: 7 authorized, 20 combat-ready (issued in lieu of Pz. IV)
Total: 82 authorized, 47 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 77 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 157 authorized, 124 combat-ready

22.6.1944

Russian attack starts and crossing the Bug river.
Quick reconnaissance of a party stated that the terrain was suitable for tanks in this region. Immediate actions began.

July 1944

1,000 troops from SS-Ausbildungs und Ersatz Abteilung Regiment 14 posted to the the division.
Transfer of Narva regiment to 20th SS-Division completed. Division still refitting at Heidelager. Meanwhile, the Soviets march on...

The russian attack were directed into the Maciejow area. Mühlenkamp had his regimental staff, one of his two Abteilungen the II.PzAbt 5 and III./GERMANIA at his disposal. Together with 3 Inf.Divisionen and a Panzerdivision of the Wehrmacht he had to stop the attack.
Even before orders could be issued, a russian attack with 17 tanks took place which was stopped.

6.7.1944

Russian forces break through German defensive lines with the direction of Krasnoduby. One Panther Kompanie (7.) and II./GERMANIA were directed into the attack near the Smydin bridgehead.

The 3 other Panther Kompanien waited in positions around the village of Maciejow. A platoon was sent out while Mühlenkamp's HQ was positioned in Biliczy.

7.7.1944

Although heavy attacks occured, the Panthers stayed in their hidden positions. A bate was needed, a platoon had to trick the russian forces and take them in front of the awaiting Panthers. Ostuf. Ulf-Ola Olin (Zugführer 7.Kompanie from Finland) volunteered for this dangerous task.

Shortly he got into contact with 12 russian tanks. He drove into the open terrain and doing so, lured the russian unit into the trap. More than 100 (!) tanks followed Olin in front of the waiting Panthers.

All 50 Panthers opened fire simultaniously and at the end 103 russian tanks were counted destroyed. German losses where unusual light, although some Panthers were hit, there was no one completely destroyed. Others were quickly repaired by the Instandsetzungszug under command of Ostuf. Erich Weise.

A total of 295 tanks were destroyed by WIKING together with other Wehrmach units. For destroying 26 T-34 tanks, Oschaf. Alfred Großrock recieved the Ritterkreuz and all of his crew the E.K.1 or E.K.2 . >> Oschaf. Großrock's Funker Henk Kistemaker.
Ostubaf. Mühlenkamp is promoted to Standartenführer at the same day. After the battle the PzRgt 5 is transfered to Bialystock.

10.7.44

I. Abteilung declares that 3. and 4. Kompanie are ready for action, but 1. and 2. Kompanie will need more time and must remain in DEBICA until they receive their new vehicles.

11.7.44

Division commended in Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for its performance in heavy defensive fighting by MACIEJOW near KOVEL, where after 4 days of combat alongside panzer divisions of the army, repulsed the advance of 10 Soviet rifle divisions, a tank corps and two tank brigades causing the enemy considerable losses in men and materiel. During this fighting, 295 enemy tanks were destroyed by the combined German force. The Kampgruppe from 5.SS-Pz.Div. Wiking (consisting of SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 (minus I. Abteilung) and III. Btl. (gep) Germania “distinguished itself through their exemplary steadfastness.”

14.7.1944

WIKING is reserve as part of the 2.Armee. Assembly area near Grodek, with advance units near Swisloc. An route by Brest-Kaminie Litewski-Bialowieza-Haynowka-Narew. Transported by train passing Cholm, Lublin and Siedlce using 33 trains!

16.7.1944

About 66% of the division arrives in the Hanynowka area.
I./ and II./PzRgt 5 with III./GERMANIA moved to the battle area. Near Najnowka the Kampfgruppe is engaging large russian forces. For the first time the complete PzRgt 5 is deployed at once.

O.o.B. I./PzRgt 5:
Stab
3.Komp - Ostuf. Kurt Schumacher with 17 PzKfw IV's,
4.Komp - Hstuf. Zimmermann with 15 StuG's

17.7.1944

I./PzRgt 5 attacks near Kaminieclitwski Russian forces (3 InfDivs, 1 Cavalry Corps and 1 Motorized Corps). During these battles, 4 Panzers are disabled, among them the Befehlspanzer of Ostuf. Schumacher, Ustuf. Rüger, Oschaf. Ruf and Uschaf. Elend. Panther 324 (Ostuf. Hohenester) was salvaged.

At 11.00h, II./PzRgt 5 and III./GERMANIA attack and reaches Peliczce. Simultaniously, Kampfgruppe 'Hänle' (7th InfDiv) advances to Kamenec.

Combined attack by the 4./PzRgt 5 with support of I./GERMANIA, Stabskompanie PzRgt 5 and the Pz.Pi.Kompanie.

The spearhead of the russian IV.Garde Kavallerie Korps was cut off.

18.-19.7.1944

4.StuGKomp (Hstuf. Zimmermann) with I./WESTLAND attacks height 156, destroying 30 artillery guns around Szyszowo. Although heavy counter-attacks followed, it stayed in German hands. Finally the Pz.A.R. 5 enters Bialystock.
WIKING is the only large capable unit standing between the Russians and the Reich...

21.7.1944

292.InfDiv is placed under command of WIKING.
At last the complete division is assembled in the area of operations.

23.7.1944

Soviets capture Brest-Litovsk

31.7.1944

Soviets troops are twelve miles from Warsaw

August/September 1944

1.8.- 12.8.44

Division participates in counterattacks against Soviet forces in vicinity of STANISLAV and RADZYMIN.
I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 2 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 12 combat-ready
StuG IV: 0 authorized, 11 combat-ready
Total: 75 authorized, 23 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 42 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 150 authorized, 65 combat-ready

2.8.44

Division mentioned in Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for its superb conduct during successful counterattack north of WARSAW.

10.8.44

Fritz Darges assumes command of SS-Pz. Rgt. 5 from Johannes Mühlenkamp.

13.-30.8.44

Division participates in 1st defensive battle for WARSAW east of RADZYMIN.

25.8.44

Division mentioned in Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for its successful defensive fighting on the VISTULA and northeast of WARSAW. During 18. – 22. Aug, IV.SS-Pz. Korps destroyed 98 Soviet tanks.

26.8.44 3.

Kompanie/I. Abteilung (with 6 Pz IV and 2 StuG IV) virtually wiped out in heavy fighting when forced to blow up its last remaining vehicles on the eastern bank of the Bug River while fighting in the Slenzany Bridgehead. I. Abteilung loses 8 Pz IV and 4 StuG IV in a single day of fighting. Its commander, SS-Hstuf. Saumenicht, is mortally wounded. Command of I. Abteilung goes to SS-Ostuf. Kurt Schumacher.


31.8.-9.10.44

Division participates in 2nd defensive battle for WARSAW near ZERGCE.

In late August 1944, the division was ordered back to Modlin on the Vistula River near Warsaw where it was to join the newly formed Army Group Vistula. Fighting alongside the Luftwaffe's Fallschirm-Panzer Division 1 Hermann Göring, the division anihilated the Red Army's 3rd Tank Corps.

The advent of the Warsaw Uprising brought the Soviet offensive to a halt, and relative peace fell on the frontline as in Warsaw Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer Erich von dem Bach Zelewski destroyed Warsaw with its civilians and partisans.

The division remained in the Modlin area for the rest of the year, grouped with the Totenkopf as IV.SS-Panzerkorps. Gille was promoted to command of the new SS-Panzerkorps, and after a brief period with SS-Oberführer Dr. Eduard Deisenhofer in command, SS-Standartenführer Rudolf Mühlenkamp, commander of the Wiking's panzer regiment, took command. Heavy defensive battles around Modlin followed for the rest of the year and in October, Mühlenkamp was replaced by SS-Oberführer Karl Ullrich to become 'Inspekteur der Panzertruppen der Waffen-SS'.

Karl Ullrich would lead the division for the rest of the war until its surrender in 1945.

1.9.44

I. Abteilung (1. – 4. Kompanie) tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 2 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 4 combat-ready
StuG IV: 0 authorized, 4 combat-ready
Total: 75 authorized, 8 combat-ready

II. Abteilung (5. – 8. Kompanie) tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 19 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 150 authorized, 27 combat-ready

2.9.44

Division mentioned in Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for its conduct during successful defensive fighting northeast of WARSAW, where units of IV. SS-Pz. Korps (Totenkopf and Wiking) distinguished themselves “through unshakeable steadfastness and courageous counterblows.”

6.9.44

3. Kompanie, which lost all of its tanks at the end of August, is reestablished.

7.9.44

SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 celebrates the destruction of its 500th Soviet tank since the regiment’s baptism of fire 29 Mar 44.

17.9.44

The Combat Engineer Company (Pz. Pio. Kp.) of SS-Pz.Rgt.5 disbanded with one platoon being assigned to both I. and II. Abteilungen.


25.9.44

1. and 2. Kompanie (Pz IV) training and re-equipping period ends and are transported to rejoin rest of I. Abteilung, which occurs on 28 Sep. 2. Kompanie now has 17 Pz IV ready for action.

10.-28.10.44

Division participates in 3rd defensive battle for WARSAW near NIEPORENT and SEROCK

10.10.44

2. Kompanie/I. Abteilung loses 5 brand-new Pz IV in heavy fighting in town of NIEPORENT when it encounters a concealed Soviet PaK-front.

29.10.-25.12.44

Division engaged in heavy defensive fighting east of MODLIN, Poland.

1.11.44

I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 2 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 7 combat-ready
StuG IV: 0 authorized, 3 combat-ready
Total: 75 authorized, 10 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 15 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 150 authorized, 25 combat-ready

mid-Nov 44

Due to shortage of tanks due to heavy (and irreplaceable losses), the regiment is divided into a combat-ready element consisting of the 2., 4., 5., and 6. Kompanien and a training (Lehr) element consisting of the 1., 3., 7., and 8. Kompanien. The training element is placed under the command of SS-Ostuf. Nicolussi-Leck and is sent to LODZ.

Both first battalions of Norge and Danmark regiments (from 11.SS-PzGren.Div 'Nordland') transferred to 5th SS-Division.

13.11.44

To get new tanks and to train new crews. Eventually, the Lehr element is transferred in Feb 45 to SENNELAGER in Germany when new tanks fail to materialize. The fighting element remains in action and supports a now – static front outside of WARSAW.

December 1944

26.-31.12.44

Division receives orders to entrain for movement to Hungary to participate in relief of BUDAPEST with rest of IV.SS-Pz.Korps.

In late December 1944, the Axis forces, including IX.SS-Gebirgskorps, defending Budapest were encircled and the IV.SS-Panzerkorps was ordered south to join Hermann Balck's 6.Armee (Army Group Balck), which was mustering for a relief effort.
The efforts were to be codenamed Operation Konrad.

January 1945

As a part of Operation Konrad I, the Wiking was committed to action on 1 January 1945, fighting alongside the Totenkopf. Near Táta, the advance columns of Wiking slammed into the Soviet 4th Guards Tank Army. In three days Wiking and Totenkopf's panzer spearheads had driven 45 kilometers over rugged terrain, over half the distance from the jump-off point to Budapest.

1.-13.1.45

Division spearheads first relief attack of BUDAPEST, involved in heavy fighting in BICSKE and PILIS mountains. I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 4 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 10 combat-ready
StuG IV: 0 authorized, 4 combat-ready
Total: 77 authorized, 14 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 22 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 152 authorized, 36 combat-ready

7.1.1945

The second relief attempt, to be known as Operation Konrad II, got underway. In atrocious conditions, the Wiking advanced southwards towards Budapest. By 12 January, the Westland Regiment had reached Pilszentkereszt, barely 20 kilometers from Buda. That morning the panzergrenadiers spotted the church spires and turrets of the distinctive Budapest skyline poking through the morning fog.

A third attempt, Operation Konrad III, launched in cooperation with the veteran III.Panzerkorps took place 100 kilometers to the south. This attack resulted in a 15 mile gap being torn in the Soviet lines and the destruction of the 135th Rifle Corps. Only the quick redeployment of more troops by the Russians prevented a German breakthrough.

14.-27.1.45

Division transferred into VESZPREM area and takes part in second relief attack of BUDAPEST and advances towards the Danube.

20.1.45

Waffen-SS units (including Wiking) mentioned in Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for breaking through the strongly-built Soviet positions east of the Platensee and advancing as far as the Danube.

28.1.-22.2.45

By the end of January the Wiking and Totenkopf had suffered almost 8,000 casualties, including over 200 officers. One of them was veteran Regimental Commander SS-Ostubaf. Hans Dorr. He was wounded when his Gefechtsstand (HQ) was hit by artillery, he suffered his 16th(!) injury and died as a result of his wounds on 17th April 1945 in the Judenburg area.

February 1945

1.2.45

I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 4 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 3 combat-ready
StuG IV: 0 authorized, 0 combat-ready
Total: 77 authorized, 3 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 6 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 152 authorized, 9 combat-ready

23.2.-15.3.45

Division takes part in further defensive fighting in the area of STUHLWEISSENBURG


March 1945

1.3.45

I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 4 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 3 combat-ready
StuG IV: 0 authorized, 2 combat-ready
Total: 77 authorized, 5 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 9 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 152 authorized, 14 combat-ready

16.-21.3.45

Final Battle for STUHLWEISSENBURG

22.-30.3.45

Division conducts fighting retreat to the Reichschutzstellung near HEILIGENKREUZ.

31.3.-8.5.45

Division takes part in defensive battles in the Reichschutzstellung and south of FÜRSTENFELD.


April 1945

1.4.45

Bulk of SS-Pz. Rgt. 5 reformed as infantry and continues to fight on foot; the Lehr element (app. 150 men) in Germany under Nicolussi-Leck, designated as leader of SS-Panzerabholkommando SENNELAGER, involved in combat with American forces between VERSMOLD and HANNOVER using 7 Jagdpanthers picked up in a depot.

I. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz III: 4 authorized, 0 assigned.
Pz IV: 73 authorized, 0 combat-ready
StuG IV: 0 authorized, 0 combat-ready
Total: 77 authorized, 0 combat-ready

II. Abteilung tank strength as follows:
Pz V: 75 authorized, 2 combat-ready

Regimental Total: 152 authorized, 2 combat-ready and 9 more being repaired (not counting Kampfgruppe Nicolussi-Leck)

8.4.45

On the morning of 08.04 a worker at Hanomag informs Nicolussi-Leck that there are several brand new tanks in the factory yard of the M.N.H assembly facility at Hannover-Laatzen.

Waffen-SS units (including the Wiking) mentioned in the Wehrmacht Bulletin of the Day for halting the Soviet advance at the German-Hungarian frontier in the vicinity of GRAZ in a day long defensive battle, which succeeded in closing the gaps in the front.

12.04.1945
The Kampfgruppe Nicolussi-Leck made it to the forest East of Sandlingen on the morning of April 12 with all its armoured vehicles and over 100 men, including a growing number of stragglers.

13.04.1945
On the morning of April 13 the SS-Kampfgruppe “Wiking” found itself deep behind enemy lines. With the US 333rd Regiment to the north and US 334th Regiment to the south, they were outnumbered on either side 20:1.

Epilogue
Nicolussi-Leck made his final command decision on the morning of April 16. When by Hauptsturmführer Nicolussi-Leck surrendered in Hohne and told his interrogators who he was and that it was his Kampfgruppe that had been a thorn in Major-General Bolling’s side, they did not want to believe him. They had expected to have been opposed by a tank regiment, or at least by a battalion, their opponent a Lt. Colonel, not a lowly SS-Captain. The SS-Kampfgruppe “Wiking” covered a total distance of 250 kms before ceasing to exist.

May 1945

8.5.1945

Two Batterien of AR5 giving support-fire to III./Westland under Hstuf. Schlupp near Gleisdorf.
The last Pz IV is blown up.
Division Wiking forced to surrender along with rest of 6. SS Pz.Armee. The division headquarters surrenders at RADSTADT, Austria. Survivors of SS-Pz.Rgt. 5 make their way in small groups or individually through American lines, where most of them are imprisoned in the POW Camp at RIEGSEE in Bavaria from June to Sep 1945.

9.5.1945

The WIKING division officially surrenders to American forces near Furstenfeld, Austria.

16.5.1945

Last unit remnants of AR5 surrender near Radstadt to American forces.