In early November the Panzer Lehr now fully recovered from its mauling in Normandy was ordered into the line as part of the German operation Wacht Am Rhein. Prior to the planned operation on the 21st November they were ordered to attack the US push on the Saverne Gap however the attack failed and the now reduced Lehr division was ordered back out of the line with their morale badly shaken. Once again the Lehr division was sent for a quick refit before being held as a reserve for the operation. The division was still badly under strength with few tanks and armoured units being operational. The division eventually began its operations on the 16th December following the 26th Volksgrenadier division which was a badly trained underequipped unit. Their advance soon became stalled and the situation began to deteriorate. The 901st Panzergrenadiers (which we portray) soon became involved in heavy fighting around the town of Wiltz.

901st Regt at Bastogne

After delays the 901st Panzergrenadier Regt eventually made its way to the besieged town of Bastogne. With its quick mobility and repeated attacks on the town the Regiment began to close the Bastogne pocket further and despite heavy losses against the besieged American troops did gain some notable successes including the capture of a large American convoy desperately trying to deliver supplies to the surrounded troops. However despite the gains made by the regiment they were eventually stopped by superior US forces at the town of St. Hubert The regiment were pushed to the South of Bastogne where they continued to fight to secure the town before losses became too great and they were pulled out and joined the 116th Windhund and 2nd Panzer divisions which were readying themselves for an assault on the Meuse and Dinat.

Dinant and the Meuse

The Lehr division began to ready itself for a push on the Meuse through the towns of Rochefort, St Hubert and Dinant however a days delay organising the forces allowed the defending US forces to strengthen. Due to its losses at Bastogne the 901st Regt was held in reserve at her sister unit the 902nd Grenadier regiment led the attack on Rochefort echoed by the words of the divsions famous commander LtGeneral Fritz Bayerlein Also los, Augen zu, und hinein!" ("OK, let's go! Shut your eyes and go in!")
On the 23rd December the 902nd made repeated attacks on the town taking heavy casualties before the stiff US resistance eventually withdrew leaving the town and road to Dinant clear. On Christmas day the Lehr found themselves up against the 2nd US Armoured division on the flat plains before the Meuse, unfortunately for the Lehr division the cloud cover had also disappeared so its superior tanks could now not take advantage of this excellent tank fighting country due to repeated and heavy Allied air attacks which reduced the division further. On the 26 th December the division now attempted to rescue the 2nd Panzer division which had become surrounded at the town of Celles. However once again Allied Air power played a major factor and overwhelmed the beleaguered Lehr division who were once again pulled back in a final attempt to take Bastogne now that it had become apparent Wacht Am Rhein had failed. The unit was pulled back to form a defensive perimeter around Bastogne however the Lehr's positions were in the direct path of the US 11th armoured division who smashed through their forward posts with little effort. The Lehr division fought to close the gap created by the 11th armoured however overwhelming firepower and constant Allied air attack almost completely annihilated the Division who eventually fled back towards Germany once again being a shadow of their former self.

Holland Remagen and the end at the Ruhr Pocket

Completely battered the remnants of the Panzer Lehr were sent to Holland again in an attempt to refit, however with the failure of the Wacht Am Rhein Germany was no longer in a position to supply its divisions properly so the division was given what was available in the region. After a very limited refit the Lehr began operations against the British 21st Army Group. As with every other campaign the Lehr fought bravely but overwhelming allied Air and ground power took a heavy toll on the division and again it was reduced in size and quality of its fighting men with most of the veteran well trained troops now dead.

Again the division was pulled back and ordered to take back the bridge at Remagen captured by the US 9th Armoured division earlier. The division now fought desperately in an attempt to win back their only escape route back to the heart of Germany. They sustained heavy losses however the allies also paid for holding the bridgehead as the Lehr inflicted heavy casualties on the Allied troops and armour. With overwhelming air power and an endless supply of troops and Armour the Lehr division now a shattered shadow of its former self now fought in a fighting retreat across NW Germany eventually being surrounded in the Ruhr Pocket where at last in April 1945 the division surrendered to the US forces. During its one year of formation it is estimated the Panzer Lehr lost over 10,000 men killed, wounded or missing and some 1000 armoured fighting vehicles. The division had gained a reputation as an elite well trained unit ranking them alongside the SS divisions for its fanatical attacks and defensive battles. The Panzer Lehr was never accused of any atrocities during the war and there has never been any record of them doing so. One thing is for certain if you speak to veterans that fought against the Panzer Lehr, they were always held with respect and admiration amongst their enemies.