by Brian R and Bernd R

The Panzer-Abteilung Montfort was a short lived unit formed in December 1941, and comprised of a company each from Panzer Regiments 2, 4 and 36. The new unit was led by Hauptmann Wolfram Montfort, who was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 1. December 1941 as Hptm., I./Panzer Regiment 4 of 13. Panzer Division. It appears that the unit operated as Heerestruppe, generally with Heeresgruppe Süd.
During its assignment to 6. Armee in January/February 1942, the Abt. was attached to 299. Infanterie-Division of the army’s XXIX. AK and was fighting in the area of Livny [or Liwny] (located between Orel and Voronezh) on the outward left flank of the Heeresgruppe. Most likely the unit was transferred from this spot north of Kharkov to the right flank of HGr. Süd. There it was involved in the fightings to hold the defensive positions at the River Mius (command area of 1. Panzerarmee), while attached to one of this army’s sub-units.
The Abteilung was dissolved in April 1942 before the second battle of Kharkov (May 1942) and rolled into Panzer-Regiment 6, subordinate to 3. Panzer-Division which went on to fight in the Kharkov area with 6. Armee followed by the Caucasus region with 1. Panzerarmee (Heeresgruppe A) in July 1942.

Commander

Hauptmann Wolfram Montfort (Dec 1941 – April 1942)

Area of operations

Eastern Front – southern sector (Dec 1941 – April 1942)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the German Cross in Gold (1)
- Juhrich, Reinhold, 01.04.1942, Leutnant d.R., 3./Pz.Abt. Montfort (Pz.Rgt. 2)

Holders of other notable badges & decorations

Gefreiter / Unteroffizier Siegfried Geiss – his documents group :
- Iron Cross 2nd Class
- Iron Cross 1st Class
- Medal for the Winter Campaign in Russia 1941-42
- Tank Combat Badge
- Wound Badge

Order of battle

Stab
1. – 3. Kompanie

Sources used

Documents group of Unteroffizier Geiss, with service throughout the existence of the unit [courtesy of AHF member Brian R]
Heeresgruppe Süd 1942 Order of battle
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1939-1945

Reference Material on this unit

- none known at this time –