German Armored Forces & Vehicles

16. Panzer-Division

Bazooka Joe

A Panzer IV and it's crew of the 16. Panzer-Division relaxing in Italy, 1943. The Division's insignia ( http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Ww2_GermanDivision_Panzer_16.png ) can be clearly seen at the back of the tank. Now, the history of this Division in short... The 16. Panzer-Division served as a reserve in Romania during the Balkans campaign in 1941. It later participated in Operation Barbarossa with Army Group South also in 1941. The 16. Panzer-Division was encircled and ultimately destroyed at Stalingrad during the winter of 1942–43. It was rebuilt for a campaign in the west, and fought in Sicily and southern Italy during the Italian Campaign of 1943 (around Salerno + Naples), and finally returning to the Russian Front later in the year. Severely mauled near Kiev, they were withdrawn to Poland for rehabilitation in 1944. The 16. Panzer-Division returned to the east in 1945, and surrendered to Soviets and Americans in Czechoslovakia.(By Bazooka Joe)