The 22. Panzer-Division was formed in September 1941 in France. It was transferred to the southern sector of the Eastern front in February 1942. It was encircled and almost destroyed during the fighting near Stalingrad. It was disbanded in March 1943 with most of the surviving elements being formed into the Kampfgruppe Brugsthaler in March 1943 and absorbed into the 23. Panzer-Division in April 1943.

Commanders

Generalmajor Wilhelm von Apell (25 Sep 1941 12 Sep 1942) (1)
Oberst Hellmut von der Chevallerie (13 Sep 1942 - 31 Oct 1942) m.d.F.b.
Oberst Eberhard Rodt (01 Nov 1942 - 30 Apr 1943) m.d.F.b.
Generalmajor Eberhard Rodt (01 Mar 1943 - 04 Mar 1943)

Area of operations

France (Sep 1941 - Feb 1942)
Eastern front, southern sector (Feb 1942 - Apr 1943)

Combat rating

On 30 March 1942, it was not yet considered fully ready for action as a Panzer Division. It had at that time 59 operational tanks, and the evaluation report noted shortcomings in training.

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (2)
- Fischer-Wingendorf, Egbert, 15.07.1942 (1072), Oberleutnant, Chef 1./Schtz.Rgt. 129
- Michael, Peter, 28.03.1943 (1658), Leutnant, Kp.Fhr. 1./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 129
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (14)
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (3)
- Bergen, Georg, 15.07.1942, Oberleutnant, 3./Schtz.Rgt. 129
- Luippold, Helmut, 17.03.1943, Leutnant, 2./Kradschtz.Btl. 24
- Schägger, Peter, 14.08.1942, Hauptmann, 6./Schtz.Rgt. 129
Holders of the Knight's Cross (2)
- Eymer, Herbert 18.04.1943 Oberleutnant d.R. im II.(gep.)/Pz.Gren.Rgt 129
- Oppeln-Bronikowski von, Hermann 01.01.1943 Oberst Kdr Pz.Rgt 204

Order of battle

Panzer Regiment 204
Panzer Grenadier Regiment 129
Panzer Grenadier Regiment 140
Panzer Artillerie Regiment 140
Panzer Aufklärungs Abteilung 140
Heeres Flak Artillerie Abteilung 289
Panzerjäger Abteilung 150
Panzer Pionier Abteilung 140
Panzer Nachrichten Abteilung 140
Panzer Versorgungstruppen

Notable members

Hermann von Oppeln-Bronikowski (Gold medal winner in the team dressage event in the 1936 Olympics)
Herbert Zimmermann (post-war a famous football commentator on the German radio)

Footnotes

1. GM Wilhelm von Apell goes on sick leave

Sources used

BA-MA RH2/429
Microfilm Publication A-3356, German Officer Personnel files, NARA
RKT & DKiGT karteikarten, BA/MA
Dermot Bradley, Karl-Friedrich Hildebrand, Markus Rövekamp - Die Generale des Heeres 1921-1945
François de Lannoy & Josef Charita - Panzertruppen: German armored troops 1935-1945
Wolf Keilig - Die Generale des Heeres
Andris Kursietis - Die Wehrmacht at War 1939-1945
Kurt Mehner - Die Deutsche Wehrmacht 1939-1945: Führung und Truppe
Samuel W. Mitcham Jr - The Panzer Legions: A guide to the German Army Tank Divisions of WWII and Their Commanders
Peter Schmitz, Klaus-Jürgen Thies, Günter Wegmann & Christian Zweng - Die deutschen Divisionen 1939-1945 (4 Vol)
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945
Günther Wegmann - Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht, Teil VIII a: Panzertruppe, Band 1
Günter Wegmann & Christian Zweng - Formationsgeschichte u. Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Streitkräfte, 1815-1990, Teile IV, Abt. 1:  Die Dienststellen, Kommandobehörden u. Truppenteile des Heeres, Oct.35-May.45

Reference material on this unit

Henry Metelmann - Through Hell for Hitler
Rolf Stoves - 22. Panzer-Division, 25. Panzer- Division. 27. Panzer-Division und die 233. Reserve-Panzer-Division