In January 1941, the 9th Reconnaissance Battalion transferred its 1st Company of armoured cars (Pz.Spah) to the 231st Reconnaissance Battalion, where the unit became the 1st Company of the 231st Reconnaissance Battalion (1/Aufkl.Abt. (mot.) 231).1 At the end of the month, the troops of the 9th Panzer Division were progressively transferred to Romania via rail. Amongst other units, the 9th Reconnaissance Battalion began its journey on February 3 1941. For nearly a month, until February 27, the Division was guarding the oil fields near Ploesti. The Division was still a sub-unit of the XXXX Army Corps under General Georg Stumme. The corps was a part of Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm List’s 12th Army (Armee-Ober-Kommando 12 - AOK 12). As a result of the political tensions in the Balkan region, and the anticipated execution of “Fall Marita”, the invasion on Yugoslavia and Greece, the 12th Army was ordered to take positions in Bulgaria. As the 9th Division, moving south through Romania, took a rest in the vicinity of Bucharest in the morning on February 28, the German engineering units begun construction of bridges spanning the Danube River near Giurgiu-Ruse, in accordance with the German - Bulgarian agreement. The work was finished on March 1. On the next day, the 9th Division, along with the other XXXX Army Corps units, crossed the Danube River and moved down the Shipka valley to reach the region south of Plovdiv. By March 17, the first and the second wave of the 12th Army, eleven and a half divisions strong, concentrated in Bulgaria. Until March 27, the 9th Division remained in central Bulgaria. On the 28, it was moved towards the Turkish-Greek border. From there, it marched towards its designated location to take up initial positions in readiness for the attack on Yugoslavia, soon to be launched from the western Bulgarian frontier. The XXXX Army Corps, including the SS “LSSAH” unit, by that time enlarged to a brigade, and the 73rd Infantry Division (73. Infanterie Division -73. Inf.Div.) scattered itself in the region of Kyustendil and Upper Dzhumaya (later Blagoevgrad). It was a primary position for an attack in the direction of Kumanovo, towards Kriva Palanka -Skopje and Carevo Selo - Veles. The first aim was to cut the railroad connection between Yugoslavia and Greece. The subsequent objective was an assault headed for Prizren and Tetovo towards the Albanian border, conducted in order to connect with Italian forces and isolate Yugoslavian units. At the end of the operation, the Corps was to turn its main forces south and march towards Greek border through Monastyr.2 According to the German air force roster dated April 5 1941, the 1st (H)23 Reconnaissance Squadron equipped with Henschel Hs 126 airplanes was to cooperate with the 9th Division.3
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. G tank in Romania, early spring of 1941. The tank unit travels towards its assigned positions. Tarp covers are placed over the armament to protect it from the dust and dirt of the road march. Their presence indicates that the unit did not expect any threats during this particular part of the journey.
German vehicles entering a temporary wooden bridge over Danube River in the area of Giurgiu -Ruse at the Rumanian - Bulgarian border. The structure, constructed by German combat engineer troops, was laid over barges.
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. F during the march through Romania. Additional fuel canisters are stored on the turret. Some spare track links are affixed in front of the turret only for the duration of the journey, in a combat situation they would prevent the turret from rotating. Next to the driver’s visor, a new 9th Panzer Division symbol “YII” may be seen. The letter “G” underneath probably indicates that this vehicle had priority passage rights in traffic en route to the front, but it is not quite certain, as indicated above. Below to the right, number “4” is painted. On the lower front panel the Fgst. Nr. “61414” serial number may be seen. It indicates that this vehicle was manufactured at the Henschel factory in Kassel.
An information sign specifying the capacity of the bridge. This structure, able to withstand the pressure exerted by up to a 24 ton vehicle, was built specifically for the armoured troops crossing. To the right, there is a wooden antiaircraft tower.
The 9th Panzer Division units photographed during the crossing of a nearly 1100 meters long Danube River bridge. An all terrain, crosscountry car, presumably Wanderer W 23 S, is seen in this image.
The crossing continues, as more units follow.
The 9th Panzer Division, Austrian in origin, retained some of the Bundesheer (Austrian Army) vehicles. A cross-country Steyr 640 with a portable twin anti-aircraft emplacement - Zwillingssockel 36, utilizing the MG 34 machine guns is portrayed in this photograph.
One of the 9th Panzer Division’s Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. F medium tanks after the crossing of the provisional Danube River bridge.
The same tank on the Bulgarian side, driving over a ramp constructed of tree trunks. An unusual arrangement of the spare road wheels, and track sections attached to the lower front armour plate is noticeable.
A commemorative photograph taken along with the Bulgarian soldiers.
A roll call of one of the 9th Panzer Division’s units on Bulgarian territory.
A group of the 9th Division’s vehicles in a Bulgarian village. In a forefront there is a cross-country Adler Typ 3 Gd. The line up behind this vehicle consists of: an Opel Super 6 convertible, a cross-country Steyr Typ 250 and a mittlerer Einheist-Pkw. Kfz. 15, also known as Horch 901. Among the trucks seen in the rear, there are: Ford G 917 T, probably a MAN Typ ML 4500 S, two Opel Blitz 3 ton trucks and one Opel Blitz in the 1 ton version. On the left, in the background, a captured Czechoslovakian Praga RV and another Opel Blitz may be seen.
This photograph taken March 21 1941, shows the 9th Panzer Division’s column passing through the Roi mountain pass at 1707 m above the sea level. Austrian Steyr 640 vehicles may be noticed.
Troopers of the same column, during a break in the march through Bulgaria, having a meal at a roadside.
An amateur photograph of a 9th Division tanker riding a donkey, taken against a minaret in the far background. The snap shot was probably taken in Bulgaria. The Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. E, with spare road wheels and track links mounted to the lower hull front plate, is of some significance. So is the Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. C visible on the right. This tank was modified by the addition of external armour at the front of the tank, as well as to the forward section of the turret. The commanders’ cupola with eight periscopes was also added. Two petrol cans were fastened to the turret. The divisional symbol “YII” is evident on both tanks.
A Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. F with additional armour during a road march in 1941.
9th Panzer Division vehicles before crossing the Yugoslav border. In the forefront from the left, two Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. Fs armed with 5 cm KwK (L/42) cannon. Next to them an Ausf. E. The latter is armed with a 37 mm cannon mounted in the interior gun mantlet.
A campsite established during the transfer. Two HWA 526 D Einhe-istdiesel are alongside a Praga RV truck of Czechoslovak origin. A symbol reminiscent of a letter “M” on the right side fender may indicate an ammunition supply truck of the 102nd Artillery Regiment.
German armoured scout car Sd.Kfz. 222 from the 9th Reconnaissance Battalion on a concrete bridge in Bulgaria.
The relocation of such a mass of people and equipment led to some problems. German military police from the 9th Division investigates an accident involving a Bulgarian horse team.
Some cross-country vehicles, trucks and tractors of the 9th Panzer Division before the attack on Yugoslavia. The III Reich flags used for aerial identification are evident in this photograph. From the left: Adler Typ 3 Gd, Mercedes-Benz Typ 170 VK and a Steyr Typ 250 with an Einheist-Diesel behind it. On the right: rear of a cross country Mercedes-Benz Typ 170 VK and a m. Zgkw. 8t (Sd. Kfz. 7) semi tracked prime mover.
Spring of 1941 in the Balkans. German tank company at rest. Pz. Kpfw. II and Pz.Kpfw. III tanks are visible in this photograph.
Operation “Marita” had begun. Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. F medium tank armed with 37 mm cannon crosses the Bulgarian – Yugoslav border near Kjustendil. At the front of the tank, near the drivers’ visor, the 9th Panzer Division symbol is displayed. Spare traction wheels and track links are mounted to the front armour plate. Gasoline canisters are mounted to the turret.
At the same time, the 86th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Detachment (leichte Flak-Abt. 86) from the 12th Army (Kommandeur der Luftwaffe Armme-Oberkommando 12 - Koluft 12) was incorporated into the 9th Panzer Division. The Detachment consisted of three batteries.
On 6 April 1941, as “Fall Marita” commenced, the 9th Panzer Division had nine Pz.Kpfw. I tanks, 36 Pz.Kpfw. II, 22 Pz.Kpfw. III with 37 mm cannon, 29 Pz.Kpfw. III with 50 mm guns, 20 Pz.Kpfw. IV tanks and ten Pz.Bf.Wg. command tanks.4
At daybreak, simultaneously from three directions, the attack on Macedonia began. In the Kumanovo sector, the 9th Panzer Division crossed the border and overwhelmed the solitary Yugoslav 22nd Regiment form the 20th Bregalnic Infantry Division (20. Bregalnička Pešadijska Divizija)5, taking Kriva Palanka as early as 8 o’clock in the morning. Soon the strategically important Stracin mountain pass (1,000 m above sea level) leading to Kumanovo was crossed. The gorge was defended by units of the 46th Morava Infantry Division (46. Moravska Pešadijska Divizija), among them, the 46th Artillery Regiment (46. artiljerijski puk) alongside the anti-tank artillery squadron (protivoklopni artiljerijski divizion) equipped with Czechoslovakian-made 47 mm anti-tank guns. Around 10 o’clock, the 9th Division’s spearhead reached the Yugoslav positions. During the initial exchange of fire, four German tanks were said to have been lost, and the advance came to a stop. Before long, Luftwaffe and German artillery were involved. Casualties and a shortage of ammunition forced the Yugoslav units to abandon their positions and withdraw. The gorge was secured by the evening and the Division sent off a reconnaissance unit towards Kumanovo. Chief of Staff (Generalstabschef OKH), Generaloberst Franz Halder noted in his journal: “At 14:00 hours the 9th Panzer Division engaged retreating enemy units in the region west of Vetunica.”6. Later on the same evening, both German Army Corps reach the Strumica, Carevo Selo, Stracin perimeter, effectively securing the entire border region.7 On the morning on April 7, in the vicinity of Mlado Nagoričane, the 9th Division supported by aircraft overwhelmed the Yugoslavian 21st and 93rd Infantry Regiments, which lacked anti-tank weapons, and at about 5 o’clock in the afternoon took the town of Skopje.8 While there, the Division dispatched at least two combat groups (Kampfgruppen). Units of the 9th Division captured the township of Veles on the same day. On April 7, commander of the 12th Army Generalfeldmarschall List declared the enemy forces in Macedonia to be defeated. The XXXX Corps was reported to have crushed three to four Yugoslavian divisions, capturing over 100 guns, and taking approximately 20,000 prisoners, including seven generals.
First in a series of photographs illustrating the types of tanks used by the 9th Panzer Division at the onset of operation “Marita”. Shown here, one of the nine Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. B light tanks.
Light tank Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. C. There were 36 such tanks in the Balkan campaign.
One of the 29 medium tanks Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. G, armed with a 50 mm cannon.
In view of the above, Generalfeldmarschall List ordered the XXXX Corps to switch its aim from the western to the southern region. The XXXX Corps, still expected to make connection with Italian units at the eastern border of Albania, was also supposed to secure the municipality of Bitola and conduct a reconnaissance at the Greek border. To fulfil this goal, on April 8, the main forces of the 9th Division concentrated around Skopje in order to continue their advance south. Meanwhile Combat Group “Gorn” (“Kampfgruppe Gorn”), named after its commander Oberst Walter Gorn, in charge of the I Battalion of the 10th Rifle Regiment, advanced west taking Tetovo and then, on the following day, Gostivar. In the north, the rear of the Division was guarded by combat groups which operated in the region between Presevo and Kačanik. As a result, Stari Kačanik was taken. This move not only separated Yugoslav units defending Kosovo from the ones in Macedonia, but also threatened the rear of the Yugoslav 3rd Army conducting an offensive against Italian forces in Albania from the region of Prizren. By April 9, the Yugoslavian defences in Macedonia were broken. German XXXX Corps approached the Greek border. Combat Group “Gorn” detached from the 9th Panzer Division, marching from Tetovo, seized Gostivar and advanced towards Debar and Kicevo. At the same time, the main forces of the 9th Division concentrated in the vicinity of Prilep to prepare for further actions. One of the detached combat groups overwhelmed the defenders in the Kačanik region and captured Uroševac. From there, it moved to Štimlje and managed to break through to Prizren around 6 o’clock in the afternoon. Another group reached the vicinity of Lipljan. On April 10, the XXXX Army Corps was in the final stages of securing Macedonia, while the vanguard of the 9th Panzer Division neared Bitola.
Medium tank Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D. The Division had 20 tanks of this type at the beginning of operation “Marita”.
Another Pz.Kpfw. IV in the newer version - Ausf. E.
The reconnaissance units of the 9th Division went through Kosovo marching north. On the way to Kosovska Mitrovica by way of Vucitrn, they reached Pristina on April 11. Regardless of the combat situation in Macedonia, the resistance of the 25th Vadar Infantry Division (25. Vardarska Pešadijska Divizija) was nearing an end. In order to block the retreat of Yugoslav forces, combat group “Gorn”, assaulting from Gostivar, negotiated some treacherous terrain to reach the Debar mountain pass situated 1,500 meters above sea level. Consequently, the remnants of the 25th Vadar Division, including two generals, 150 officers and 2,500 soldiers, alongside a few artillery batteries and 12 anti-tank guns, had fallen prisoner to “Gorn” group.9 For this achievement Major Walter Gorn was awarded the Ritterkreuz a few days later. His group, “Kampfgruppe Gorn”, after a successful blockage of the Debar pass, established contact with the Italian 14th Army Corps (XIV Corpo d’Armata) advancing from the west. At that point, the Yugoslav and Greek forces became separated. Meanwhile, the German 12th Army Group under Generalfeldmarschall List regrouped both Army Corps, General Stumme’s XXXX AK and General B. Böhme’s VIII Mountain Corps (VIII Gebirgs) in order to proceed south. The first corps was to concentrate in the Florina - Bitola region. At that moment the only units present in the area were parts of the SS-Brigade “LSSAH”, with the forefront of the 9th Panzer Division approaching. The main German forces were en route, passing through Veles. The 12th Army headquarters assumed that the Greek and British units had taken defensive positions along the Aliakmon-Vermion perimeter, facing north-east. The plan of attack, had the XXXX Army Corps assault the flank and the rear of the enemy, while exposing its own flank from the Albanian side. The purpose of the manoeuvre was to cut off and destroy the Greek-British formation, and to prevent the retreat of the remaining Greek units from Albania. To fulfil the objective, General Stumme intended to deploy armoured and motorised troops towards Bitola - Kozani. At the forefront was the SS-Brigade “LSSAH” followed by the 9th Panzer Division, moving ahead of the 5th Panzer Division. On April 11, the German units made contact with the British and Greek armies at Florina. The SS-Brigade “LSSAH”’s scouts, through a series of skirmishes, surveyed the defences in the area of Kerli - Derven mountain pass, and encountered a Greek cavalry division at the Pisoderi pass. The cavalry was preparing for a counterattack on Florina planned for the following day, to stop the 9th Division’s advance from Veles. Once the Klidi pass was secured by the SS-Brigade “LSSAH”, the first waves of 9th Division tanks were sent through. On April 12 German ground units, supported by the Luftwaffe, conducted a strong assault on the next mountain pass at Florina. The attack broke down under fire from the British 1st Armoured Brigade led by General Charrington. During the clash, the British lost only one A-10 tank. Even though the enemy advance was halted, the British left their stronghold at Florina under cover of the night of April 12 - 13, and retreated in fear of being outflanked.10
Command tank Klein Panzerbefehlswagen (Sd Kfz. 265) constructed on the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw. I. The 9th Division had 10 command tanks prior to the Balkan campaign.)
Abandoned Yugoslavian bomber plane of German production Dornier Do –17 Ka-1, at Stubol airport near Pristina. It is probably plane number 3313 from the 64th Bomber Group of the Yugoslav Royal Air Force (JKRV - Jugoslovensko Kraljevsko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo).
A group of Yugoslav Army prisoners of war.
German Pz.Kpfw. III on the narrow street of a Macedonian township. The flags displaying swastika suggest that the Germans were warmly welcomed by the residents.
German fighter planes Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7 probably belonging to II.(Sch)/LG 2 unit. The planes had yellow “friend – foe” identification markings painted on the engine cowling, rudder, wing tips, and fuselage.
Early in morning of April 13, the forward units of the 9th Panzer Division, moving towards the area of Bitola-Servia, approached British position at Amyntaio-Sotiras. The defences were held again by the 1st Armoured Brigade, therefore a tank battle ensued. The first move was made by the British, who launched their A-10 tanks from “A” squadron of the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment (3. RTR) alongside two squadrons of light Mk VI tanks from 4th Hussars Regiment, against advancing German infantry. According to British historian and scholar Mr. Lidell Hart, the enemy infantry equipped with anti-tank guns could hit British tanks from 1,200 yards, while the “Besa” machine guns of the tankers had an effective range of only 600 yards.11 Some time later, German 33rd Panzer Regiment tanks joined the encounter. The hussars withdrew their light tanks, so the burden of the fight fell on the A-10 tanks. In this brief, but intense encounter, the British, out-manoeuvred by their opponents, lost eight tanks. As the result, they withdrew to the next defensive position established at Ptolemaida, some 19 kilometres away.12
German equipment and weapons abandoned at the roadside as a result of recent fighting. Helmets and Stielhand-granate 24 hand grenades may be recognized. The photograph was taken from the passing 9. Pz.Div. vehicle, almost certainly in the area of Florina mountain pass, where a particularly fierce combat took place involving the SS-Brigade “Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler” among other units.
Alikamon River crossing constructed by combat engineers of the Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 86.
After the battle, the 9th Panzer Division was divided into two groups. The first group, commanded by Oberst graf Teodor von Sponeck, was deployed as a first wave. According to Mr. W. G. McClymont the group consisted of the 11th Rifle Regiment without the 7th Company; two companies from the 59th Motorcycle Rifles Battalion; headquarters of the 102nd Artillery Regiment (Stab Art.Rgt. 102) alongside some detachments of the spotting battery; III Squadron of the 102nd Artillery Regiment (III./Art.Rgt. 102) without the 7th Battery; one light artillery battery from the III Squadron of the 102nd Artillery Regiment; headquarters (Stab) and the 2nd Company of the 86th Anti-aircraft Artillery Detachment (2/leichte Flak-Abt. 86) not including the 1st Battery; the 3rd Company of the 50th Tank Destroyer Squadron (3/Pz.Jg.Abt. 50); one platoon of the 33rd Panzer Regiment; headquarters (Stab) and the 1st Company of the 86th Armoured Pioneer Battalion (1/Pz.Pi.Btl. 86), one additional anti-aircraft battery and one transportation column.13
British equipment captured by the 9th Panzer Division in Greece. In the middle, three Bedford OYD trucks accompanied by an A-10.
9th Panzer Division troops at rest in Greece. Divisional symbol on a prime mover tractor m. Zgkw. 8t (Sd.Kfz. 7) is evident.
The 9th Panzer Division progressing towards Bitola and Servia, taking the town of Kozani on April 14. In effect, the retreat route of most units from the Greek 12th Infantry Division (XII M/K MII), led by General Karabatos, was blocked. One combat group from the 9th Division, advancing from Kozani, reached Alikamon River near Servia, where a small bridgehead was established. However, the German attempt to press forward utilizing this advantage was successfully stopped by the New Zealand 4th Brigade. Another 9th Division detachment turned back from Kozani, marching west to Siatista. Consequently, only a part of the 9th Panzer Division with the 73rd Infantry Division and the SS-Brigade “LSSAH” were deployed against the new Greek defence boundary forming along the Vourinos - Klisura mountain pass - Votochorion line. At 14:00 hours, the right wing of the 9th Division attacked the Metamorphis mountain pass. The Greek 12th Infantry Division units, supported by a squadron from the British 102nd Anti-tank Regiment, defeated the attackers.14
On April 15 Generaloberst Halder noted: “In Greece, the 9th Division established a bridgehead on the right bank of Aliakmon River, south of Kocani; south of the river lays a difficult terrain”.15 In the evening of the same day, the Allied forces withdrew to the province of Thessaly, and established a defensive line approximately 100 kilometres long, but the forces necessary to properly defend such extended positions were insufficient. Meanwhile in the vicinity of Servia, the New Zealand 4th Brigade was trying to restrain the advance of the 9th Panzer Division. Two Australian brigades were positioned to the south, the 16th Brigade defended the north bank of the Alikamon River, while the 19th Brigade shielded the Klidi - Kozani area. “General Charrington’s armoured brigade, weakened by the encounters with the 9th Panzer Division, could field only a small number of tanks. The ones that remained operational were defending west flank. (….) British tactics were simple, all the units of the British Expeditionary Corps were to conduct detaining skirmishes and slowly retreat towards Thermopile”.16
9th Panzer Division’s vehicles at the Servia mountain pass. On the left Opel Blitz, in the forefront Einheist-Diesel truck. This photograph is dated April 16 or 17 1941.
German dive bomber Junkers Ju 87R-2 Stuka during fuelling at a provisional airfield located somewhere in the area of Prilep or Bitoli, near the Yugoslav - Greek border. The plane is most likely from the StG 77 unit. Additional fuel tanks mounted under the wing are worth noting.
This same day, April 15, the right wing of the 9th Panzer Division passing through Siatista, crossed the Aliakmon River and broke through the defences of the Greek 12th Infantry Division established on the hills surrounding the town of Kivotos in the east. Thus, the 12th Infantry Division had to pull back southwest, and regroup west of Grevena, allowing the town to be taken by the aggressors. Meanwhile, the rear guard units of the 9th Division, marching from Siatista, reached Neapoli, taking positions already behind an intended defence line of the Greek 20th Infantry Division.17 Another significant episode of this eventful day was the failed attack on Servia carried out by Oberst von Sponeck’s group. The town was defended by the New Zealand 4th Brigade. During the course of action, the 11th Rifle Regiment lost 21 dead, 37 wounded and 168 missing in action. In addition, three officers and 150 soldiers became Allied prisoners of war.18 By the evening of April 15, some of the 9th Panzer Division units were still engaged at Servia, while the rest, marching through Grevena and Deskati towards Elassona, attempted to encircle the Allied strongholds from the west.19. During the night hours, General Stumme issued an order for the 9th Panzer Division to prepare a decisive attack for April 17, to which Generalleutnant von Hubicki replied that it would not be possible without very extensive artillery support. April 16 brought about a continuation of artillery exchanges at Servia, while the other German forces continued in their efforts to surround British entrenchments by marching towards Elassona. The 9th Panzer Division encountered strong opposition from the Greek 12th Infantry Division at Grevena,20 which allowed the British 1st Armoured Brigade to withdraw south. As of April 17, the German out-flanking manoeuvre continued, but it was hindered by the damage inflicted to roads by the retreating Allied troops, as well as recurring traffic jams unavoidable in this mountainous terrain, given the number of vehicles. The western group of the 9th Panzer Division took Grevena and approached Veneticos River; at that juncture, it had to combat the defending Greek 12th Infantry Division units again. As their resistance was overwhelmed, the 9th Division begun a slow advance to the south towards Karperon and Elassona, at which point it changed direction westwards, aiming for Deskati to provide a passage for the 5th Panzer Division headed for Kalabaka as soon as it was able to cross the Aliakmon River. The road south was almost impossible to drive on. It was not just deteriorated by the passage of the retreating British 1st Armoured Brigade. In addition, Allied engineering units did their best to cause as much damage as possible. “In view of that, the efficient flow of vehicles was out of the question. Any forward movement was made possible only by the intense efforts of the pioneer troops. Nevertheless, their restoration attempts allowed only for a slow trickle of traffic.”21
Damaged Dornier Do 17P-1 6M+GK from 2.(F.)/11 near Larissa in Greece, photographed in April 1941. According to the researchers, the location and the condition of the machine suggest a crash during landing or take off. It is probably W.Nr. 3586 that fell victim to a mechanical failure on April 17.
Another Junkers Ju 87, with a bomb about to be mounted in the rack.
On April 18, the advance of the 9th Panzer Division was additionally obstructed by the trailing vehicles of the 2nd Panzer Division. On April 19 the German outposts reached Larissa, however any further enemy pursuit was made impossible by a shortage of fuel, among other reasons. The 9th Division, proceeding through Servia and repairing the road as it went along, was blocked by the German columns marching through Olympus. Later, the right of way had to be yielded again to ground units of the Luftwaffe. As the German units under Generalfeldmarschall List reached the plains of Thessaly, he changed the objective, the earlier goal of enemy pursuit suddenly became the march on Athens. The XXXX Army Corps was to advance first. The 5th and 9th Panzer Divisions with the 6th Mountain Division (6. Gebirg-Division) were to operate west of the Larisa – Lamia road. On April 20, two officers of the 9th Division were awarded the Ritterkreuz, the commanding officer Generalleutnant Dr. Alfred Ritter von Hubicki and Major Walter Gorn, commander of the I battalion of the 10th Rifle Regiment, for his achievement at Debar22. On the same day Oberst von Apell, commander of the 9th Rifles Brigade, was promoted to the rank of Generalmajor.
Soldiers of the 9. Pz.Div. at the recently captured town of Larrisa. Two Steyr 640 trucks are visible in this photograph taken on April 19. 1941.
Meanwhile, Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm List, without any consideration for the results, sent masses of his troops to the Fourka mountain pass and Lamia. He did not provide for the appropriate traffic regulation, nor took into consideration the destruction done by the withdrawing British troops. By the afternoon, the vehicles of the 5th Panzer Division were intermixed with the ones from the 9th Panzer Division approaching from the north. As a result, by the evening the 50 kilometre stretch of the road leading from Fourka pass contained: “a huge column of tanks, self-propelled guns, field guns, ammunition transporters, pontoon and engineering trucks, which all came to a complete stop. In such a simple way the Germans stopped their own advance for a few days to come.”23
9th Division’s vehicle column in a ruined segment of Larrisa. One of the Einheist-Diesel trucks is visible.
Heavy armoured car Sd.Kfz. 232 from the 9th Reconnaissance Battalion with a characteristic frame antenna.
Divisional vehicles passing by a crash-landed Dornier Do 17 bomber. During Operation “Marita” 17 planes of this type were lost by the Luftwaffe.
A cross country mittlerer Einheits-Pkw Kfz. 15 (Horch 901) from the 9th Panzer Division, during intermission in combat against Greek forces.
On April 22, the German forces were still frozen in the traffic jam. The 9th Panzer Division grouped near Elasson to arrange its units.24 From Elasson it moved to Larissa, and on April 26 to Volos, a fishing town on the Aegean Sea. As the campaign ended, the armour equipment losses were reported. A total of 13 tanks were lost: three Pz.Kpfw. I, five Pz.Kpfw. II, three Pz.Kpfw. III and two Pz.Kpfw. IV.25 The Division also reported rather extensive mechanical wear of vehicles, as well as of their much deteriorated brake systems due to the travel on winding, narrow mountain roads.
On April 29, new orders were announced by General Adolf Heusinger, chief of the Operational Department (Operationsabteilung OKH), to Generaloberst Halder in charge of the AOK 12:
A motorcyclist from the Kradschützen-Bataillon 59 driving by an overturned anti-aircraft searchlight, abandoned at the side of the road.
9th Panzer Division soldiers photographed with a Mk. VI light tank left by the British at Valos township in Greece.
“As of May 5 commence the dispatch of the 9th Panzer Division units equipped with tracked vehicles via rail to Thessalonica, from loading point in Florina26. The wheeled units are to conduct a road march via Belgrade. On May 27, arrival at the XVII Military District, where the 9th Division will be incorporated into “Kleist” Group, replacing the 5th Panzer Division.”27
From May 2, the wheeled columns, in conformance with the order of Generalfeldmarschall List, began their route through Nis – Belgrade – Budapest to Vienna. As mentioned before, the tanks were transported by rail. On May 12, the columns passed through the streets of Vienna greeted by ovations from the residents. Generalmajor Wilhelm von Apell, commander of the 9th Rifles Brigade, was on May 14 presented the Ritterkreuz in recognition for his action against Yugoslav units at Stracin and British units at Klidi pass.
During the month of June, the 9th Panzer Division was at the disposal of the commander of the Army Reserve at the VIII Military District (VIII WK) at Breslau.
Prior to Operation “Barbarossa”, the 9th Panzer Division’s concentration point located in eastern Poland was reached via train between May 4 and 26 by some of the units, while the others arrived June 16 through 20.28 In the meantime, on June 12, the Operational Department reported to Generaloberst Halder: “Difficulties in preparation of the 9th Panzer Division. Temporary assistance extended by the 2nd Panzer Division will cause delay in the readiness of the latter.”29
Two Yugoslavian bomber planes Dornier Do Y captured by German forces at Kraljevo airfield. Yugoslav Royal Air Force had four of these German made planes; all of them fell in German hands in 1941. This photograph was taken by one of the troopers in Yugoslavia, as the 9th Division was returning home from the Balkans.
A mittlerer Einheits-Pkw Kfz. 15 (Horch 901) in front of a monastery, presumably in the vicinity of Belgrade.
9th Panzer Division’ s vehicles en route to Austria, photographed in the region of Belgrade or Zagreb. From the left: a cross-country Steyr Typ 250, behind it, a half tracked m. Zgkw. 8 (Sd. Kfz. 7) prime mover. In the middle there is a Praga RV truck, with a cross-country Adler Typ 3 GD to the right.
A snapshot of civilians offering wine to German soldiers. In the background, a half track m. Zgkw. 8 (Sd.Kfz. 8) prime mover artillery tractor may be seen.
At that time, the 9th Division was reinforced by the 3rd Company of the 47th Anti-aircraft Artillery Detachment (3. Kompanie 47. Flak Abteilung) equipped with two platoons of the self-propelled Sd.Kfz. 10/4 guns and one platoon of Sd.Kfz. 7/1 guns.30
The reports dating to June 1941 indicate that the 9th Division was provided with six half tracked medium armoured reconnaissance vehicles Saurer RR7 Sd.Kfz. 254.31 Most likely they were among the vehicles of the 102nd Artillery Regiment. During preparations for the invasion of the Soviet Union, the 33rd Armoured Regiment of the 9th Division had two armoured battalions, each comprised of two light and one medium tank companies.32
Main square of one of the Yugoslav towns, with the Divisional vehicles photographed against a baroque church. An array of vehicles including a Praga RV truck, Einheist-Diesel and a Mercedes-Benz Typ 170 VK are depicted in this photograph.
Motorcycle Rifle troops of the Kradschützen-Bataillon 59 during a return trip to Austria.
The “Grenz-dienststelle Kittsee” (Customs Office Kittsee) at the approach to the Kittsee town at the Austro – Hungarian border.
Divisional vehicles on a street of Vienna.
9th Panzer Division troops applauded by Viennese residents after another victorious campaign.
9th Division tanks left the Balkan region via rail. Depicted here, are Pz.Kpfw. III tanks on railroad cars.
A Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E tank during preparations for Operation “Barbarossa”. The photograph was taken in occupied Poland.
1 Ibidem.
2 Messenger Ch., Gladiator Hitlera, Warszawa 2001, p. 123.
3 Janowicz K, Bałkany 1941, p. 18-19.
4 Jentz T. L., Die deutsche Panzertruppe 1933-1942 Band I, Wölfersheim-Berstadt 1998, p. 154.
5 Solarz J., Bałkany 1940-1941, Warszawa 2001, p. 48-49.
6 Halder F., Dziennik wojenny v. II , p. 422.
7 Rawski T., Wojna na Bałkanach 1941 Agresja hitlerowska na Jugosławię i Grecję, Warszawa 1981, p. 232.
8 Rawski, op. cit., p. 233.
9 Kurowski F., Infantry Aces. Mechanicsburg 2005, p. 309.
10 Besarabowicz T., Czołg Lekki Mk. VI, Militaria i Fakty Nr 1/2000 , p.10.
11 Solarz J., Bałkany, op. cit. p. 63
12 Solarz J., Bałkany, op. cit., s. 63-64. States that the encounter took place on April 14.
13 http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Gree-c12-6.html
14 Rawski T., op. cit., p. 309-310.
15 Halder F. op cit., v. II, p. 439.
16 Solarz J., Bałkany, op. cit., p. 66.
17 Rawski T, op. cit., p. 311 - 312.
18 Rawski T, op. cit., p. 313.
19 Rawski T, op. cit., p. 314.
20 Rawski T, op. cit, p. 317.
21 Rawski T., op. cit., p. 319.
22 Hermann C. H., op. cit., p. 172.
23 Rawski T., op. cit., p. 322-323.
24 Rawski T., op. cit, p. 378-379.
25 Jentz T. L., Die deutsche …. Band I, op. cit. p. 157.
26 Township near Bitola.
27 Halder F., op. cit., v. II, p. 461.
28 Halder F., op. cit., v. II, p. 463.
29 Halder F., op. cit., v. II, p. 540.
30 Ledwoch J., Sawicki R, Sd Kfz 10/4, Warszawa 2003, p. 25.
31 Jentz T. L, Doyle H. L, Panzer Tracts No. 11-1, Panzerbeobachtungswagen, Boyds 2003, p. 10.
32 Majewski A., Barwy i znaki Panzerwaffe Panzerregiment, Gdynia 2001, p. 36.