II SS Panzer Corps

The II SS Panzer Corps was an armored unit of the Waffen-SS which fought on both the Eastern and Western Front of World War II. It was created in Holland, in July 1942, by putting together two panzer divisions; the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich and 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen. At first, the official name of the unit was SS Panzer-Generalkommando, becoming ready for action in August 1942. The following year, however, it was renamed II SS Panzer Corps, or Generalkommando II.SS-Panzerkorps in German. SS-Gruppenführer Paul Hausser, the former commander of the 2nd SS Das Reich Division, was appointed the first commander of this powerful armored unit, which was transferred to the Eastern Front and tasked with defending the strategic city of Kharkov, in Ukraine.

In July 1943, The II SS Panzer Corps took part in the Battle of Kursk where its men fought ferociously against Soviet forces that surpassed them in number, causing heavy casualties in the Red Army. During the Battle of Normandy, this armored unit of the Waffen-SS saw action around Caen and the Falaise Pocket in August 1944. After refitting in November, 1944, the II SS Panzer Corps was placed in reserve, forming part of the 6th SS Panzer Army, under the command of Sep Dietrich. As part of this SS Panzer Army, the Corps participated in Ardennes offensive and was committed to major action near St.Vith, Belgium, on December 21, 1944. After the northern assault stalled, the corps was transferred south to take part in the attack on Bastogne.

After a short period of refitting in Germany, the II SS Panzer Corps participated in Operation Frühlingserwachen, which was launched on March 6, 1945, in Hungary. In terrible conditions the men of this German unit fought fiercely against great numbers of Soviet troops, being able to advance a few kilometers. Nevertheless, lack of supplies and fuel for their tanks, this operation ground to a halt. Thus, the corps got involved in defensive battles alongside the I SS and IV SS Panzer Corps, executing a fighting withdrawal towards Vienna. On May 8, 1945, the survivors of the II SS Panzer Corps surrendered to the US Army.

Commanders

SS-Obergruppenführer Paul Hausser (June 1, 1942 – June 28, 1944)

SS-Obergruppenführer Wilhelm Bittrich (July 10, 1944 – May 9, 1945)

Tanks fielded by the unit: Panzer IV, Panzer V (Panther), Tiger I, Tiger II

Below, SS commander in the turret of his Panzer IV tank

Tiger tanks of the 2nd SS “Das Reich” Panzergrenadier Division