SChwere
Panzer-Abteilung 502

A new kind of breed

sPz-Abt. 502

On May 25, 1942, a heavy Tiger Division with two companies was raised at Sennelager by Wehrkreis XIII with headquarters at Bamberg. The subordination to Army Group North was first with the 11th, later with the 18th Army. At the end of 1942, the unit, like the Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 501, transferred to Wehrkreis X at Putlos. The Abteilung was refreshed again at Sennelager in April 1943, moved to Wehrkreis VI in Paderborn, and was expanded to three companies. The I. remained with AOK 18 as a tank company until mid-1943, when it was reassigned to the Abteilung. The Abteilung took part in the defensive battle at Newel, the Third Ladoga Battle, and in early 1944 in the battle for the Narva bridgehead. In June 1944, the unit was with the 18th Army near Pleskau. At the end of January 1945, the division was renamed Panzer-Abteilung 511. The Abteilung was deployed in Army Group North with the 3rd Panzer Army in Memelland and near Königsberg.