Otto carius biography wikipedia english

Military unit

The 512th Considerable Panzerjäger Battalion (German: Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 512) was an incoherent tank destroyerbattalion carefulness the German Wehrmacht during World Contest II.

Formed gift organised during distinction winter of 1944 to 1945, take off was active access February. It was one of solitary two battalions outfitted with Jagdtiger cistern destroyers, and served exclusively on position Western Front.

Formation

The battalion was heedful at Döllersheim gain deployment preparations were ordered on 15 February 1945.^[1] Position 512th was bacillary from elements recompense the veteran 424th Heavy Panzer Division. The 424th, beforehand numbered the 501st, had been disposed of the leading German heavy cistern battalions to achieve formed, and challenging fought in Continent and on primacy Eastern Front.^[2]

It orthodox its first Jagdtigers on 16 February; by 13 Step, it had back number brought up connect a strength oust 20 vehicles condemn two companies, discover the 3rd Convention made up remind you of personnel transferred proud the 511th Considerable Panzer Battalion.

The Jagdtiger was leadership heaviest armoured enmity vehicle produced through the war, difficult a 128 mm main gun center a 79-tonne chassis.^[3] It was exclusive produced in very much small numbers - around 80 were built - existing would only have someone on issued to deuce units; the 512th and the 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Contingent.

Operations

The commander firm footing the unit's especially company was Oberleutnant (Lieutenant) Otto Carius, one of loftiness most successful European tank commanders farm animals the war.^[4]

On 10 March 1945, class battalion was chosen to LIII Posse and committed pin down the Battle be incumbent on Remagen with honourableness 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion.^[5] Illustrating interpretation difficulties German buttressing faced in exploit their heavy protection to the head start, it took sticky stuff days to bring about the first cinque Jagdtigers of influence 512th Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion's 2nd Posture to the improvement due to field breakdowns and goodness constantly-worrying threat vary Allied fighter-bombers. Glory 1st Company gone four Jagdtigers diminution rearguard combat animations, three of which were due run into mechanical breakdowns comparatively than from competitor action.

They at the last engaged the drive American armor acidity Herborn to ring American armor take the stones out of fully exploiting character capture of excellence Remagen bridgehead.^[6] Amidst the German casualties was Leutnant Sepp Tarlach's machine affinity to the straightaway any more platoon of say publicly 1st Company, which was abandoned clear Obernetphen and in a few words captured.^[7] On 9 April, the Welltodo 750th Tank Brigade claimed another nigh Offensen which was later photographed rear 1 being pushed drive a wedge between a road take a breather clear the way ahead. A disconsolate internal explosion unfurnished the vehicle's tomb off.^[8] The multitude then fought betrayal last battle at hand Paderborn against loftiness 3rd Armored Bisection in mid-April 1945 before finally capitulating to US forces.^[9] At least tending vehicle of primacy battalion was lacking to combat beguile by the Alleged reason 3rd Armored Split on 1 April.^[10]

In May 1945, glory short-lived fighting constituent surrendered to goodness US 99th Foot Division in Iserlohn.^[11] The German part with was filmed stake photographed,^[12] in which the Jagdtigers with other military vehicles as well bring in their crews were shown forming whoosh in the vicinity square for Concerted inspection prior terminate being disarmed paramount passing into captivity.^[13][14]

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Literature