Eisenbahn-Panzerzüge 1
It is not known exactly which Reichsbahn track protection train Eisenbahn-Panzerzug 1 was formed from, but in 1938, it was officially under the control of General Kommando, III.Armee-Korps located in Berlin.
Panzerzug 1 (Feldpost Nr. 07641) was activated on August 26th, 1939 along with its technical staff. In its initial standard gauge configuration, Panzerzug 1 did not contain any heavy weapons. This meant that it was only suitable for rear area duties and for rail track protection assignments. Therefore, it did not participate in the Polish Campaign as a frontline unit. During the middle of September 1939, Panzerzug 1 was assigned to protect the Schneidermühl - Bromberg - Laskowitz - Dirschau - Danzig rail line, and in November, it was transferred to Radom. From there, the train was to conduct regular track security patrols.
In December of 1939, Panzerzug 1 was transferred to Düsseldorf-Eller where it was assigned to assist with the planned invasion of the Netherlands on May 10th, 1940. Shortly before the invasion, Panzerzug 1 was based in Hassen, Germany. Panzerzug 1 crossed the Dutch border as planned; following close behind was a German transport train carrying III./Infantrie-Regiment 481 of the 256.Infantrie-Division. Both trains surprised the local Dutch forces near the town of Mill and proceeded eastwards. Near the Dutch town of Zeeland, the engine of Panzerzug 1 received a hit in an air-line forcing it to stop for emergency repairs. The following troop train also stopped. The infantry troops dismounted and began to engage the Dutch forces in the area. Having completed the emergency repairs, Panzerzug Nr. 1 elected to retreat back to the railroad station at Mill. The troop train remained where it was believing it was out of danger. Anticipating a retreat of at least one of the German trains, the Dutch mined the approaches to Mill. Panzerzug 1 hit one of these mines causing nearly the entire train to derail and topple over. Fire from a nearby Dutch bunker caused additional casualties. Elements of the III./Infantrie-Regiment 481 attempted to circle back and provide relief to the beleaguered troops of the now-derailed Panzerzug 1. Dutch resistance was particularly effective which truly slowed down the German relief effort. Luftwaffe Stuka's had to be called in to help. In addition, other elements of the 256.Infantrie-Division were diverted to help salvage the situation. Eventually, Dutch resistance collapsed. Panzerzug 1 was salvaged as much as possible, all surviving cars being sent to Darmstadt for extensive repairs. However, as III./Inf.Reg.481 made its way back towards Panzerzug 1, the Dutch moved in and set fire to the German troop transport train. While in Darmstadt, some train cars from Panzerzug 5 were reassigned to Panzerzug 1.
On September 1st, 1941, Panzerzug 1 was transferred to Allenstein (later Heilsberg) in East Prussia; being assigned to Heeresgruppe Nord. Panzerzug 1 remained configured as a standard gauge train because the Soviets had not yet converted all of the standard gauge rail lines in Lithuania and eastern Poland over to the wide gauge and the Germans wanted to take full advantage of the situation. After the invasion of the Soviet Union, Panzerzug 1 advanced from Grodno to Minsk. During October of 1941, it found itself near the town of Krasnoye. This would be its home base for the next few months as it engaged in track security details from between there and Smolensk. A key assignment for Panzerzug 1 was to secure the railroad bridge over the Dnieper River near the town of Isdyeshkovo. The Soviets had made numerous attempts to destroy this vital bridge, but the Germans were successful in preventing this from happening. Panzerzug 1 would remain in the Smolensk region until April of 1942.
Sometime during the summer of 1942, Panzerzug 1 was ordered to Warsaw for repairs and refit. This was completed by years end and in January of 1943, Panzerzug 1 took up it old duty stations near Smolensk and Orsha. On August 17th, 1943, Panzerzug 1 participated in defensive actions near Viyasma. It remained in this region until November. On November 28th, 1943, Panzerzug 1 suffered heavy damage from a derailment caused by the Soviets blowing up a section of track. Eight wagons plus the engine were derailed. Two recovery trains worked around the clock and under enemy fire to set the derailed train back onto the tracks. While retreating back to Viyasma, Panzerzug 1 was hit by a bomb. Because the damage was so extensive, the surviving elements of Panzerzug 1 were withdrawn to Königsberg to be totally rebuilt.
During the refit period, Panzerzug 27 temporarily replaced Panzerzug 1 on the front-lines. In February of 1944, Panzerzug 1 was released once more for front line service. A new addition to the train was that a number of its wagons contained T-34 turrets. In early March of 1944, Panzerzug 1 was fighting defensive actions near Rogatshev. On March 18th, 1944, the train was located near Brest-Litovsk. On March 24th, the train was sent to Orel to help secure the rail lines in that region.
The rapid Soviet advance in June of 1944 towards Orel finally spelled the end of Panzerzug 1. Near Mirandino, Panzerzug 1 was cut off from any means of escape. On June 27th, 1944, the crew blew up the train and attempted to make their way back by foot to the German lines near Bobruisk. Most of the crew failed in their escape attempt and they became Soviet prisoners of war.
Panzerzug 1 (Feldpost Nr. 07641) was activated on August 26th, 1939 along with its technical staff. In its initial standard gauge configuration, Panzerzug 1 did not contain any heavy weapons. This meant that it was only suitable for rear area duties and for rail track protection assignments. Therefore, it did not participate in the Polish Campaign as a frontline unit. During the middle of September 1939, Panzerzug 1 was assigned to protect the Schneidermühl - Bromberg - Laskowitz - Dirschau - Danzig rail line, and in November, it was transferred to Radom. From there, the train was to conduct regular track security patrols.
In December of 1939, Panzerzug 1 was transferred to Düsseldorf-Eller where it was assigned to assist with the planned invasion of the Netherlands on May 10th, 1940. Shortly before the invasion, Panzerzug 1 was based in Hassen, Germany. Panzerzug 1 crossed the Dutch border as planned; following close behind was a German transport train carrying III./Infantrie-Regiment 481 of the 256.Infantrie-Division. Both trains surprised the local Dutch forces near the town of Mill and proceeded eastwards. Near the Dutch town of Zeeland, the engine of Panzerzug 1 received a hit in an air-line forcing it to stop for emergency repairs. The following troop train also stopped. The infantry troops dismounted and began to engage the Dutch forces in the area. Having completed the emergency repairs, Panzerzug Nr. 1 elected to retreat back to the railroad station at Mill. The troop train remained where it was believing it was out of danger. Anticipating a retreat of at least one of the German trains, the Dutch mined the approaches to Mill. Panzerzug 1 hit one of these mines causing nearly the entire train to derail and topple over. Fire from a nearby Dutch bunker caused additional casualties. Elements of the III./Infantrie-Regiment 481 attempted to circle back and provide relief to the beleaguered troops of the now-derailed Panzerzug 1. Dutch resistance was particularly effective which truly slowed down the German relief effort. Luftwaffe Stuka's had to be called in to help. In addition, other elements of the 256.Infantrie-Division were diverted to help salvage the situation. Eventually, Dutch resistance collapsed. Panzerzug 1 was salvaged as much as possible, all surviving cars being sent to Darmstadt for extensive repairs. However, as III./Inf.Reg.481 made its way back towards Panzerzug 1, the Dutch moved in and set fire to the German troop transport train. While in Darmstadt, some train cars from Panzerzug 5 were reassigned to Panzerzug 1.
On September 1st, 1941, Panzerzug 1 was transferred to Allenstein (later Heilsberg) in East Prussia; being assigned to Heeresgruppe Nord. Panzerzug 1 remained configured as a standard gauge train because the Soviets had not yet converted all of the standard gauge rail lines in Lithuania and eastern Poland over to the wide gauge and the Germans wanted to take full advantage of the situation. After the invasion of the Soviet Union, Panzerzug 1 advanced from Grodno to Minsk. During October of 1941, it found itself near the town of Krasnoye. This would be its home base for the next few months as it engaged in track security details from between there and Smolensk. A key assignment for Panzerzug 1 was to secure the railroad bridge over the Dnieper River near the town of Isdyeshkovo. The Soviets had made numerous attempts to destroy this vital bridge, but the Germans were successful in preventing this from happening. Panzerzug 1 would remain in the Smolensk region until April of 1942.
Sometime during the summer of 1942, Panzerzug 1 was ordered to Warsaw for repairs and refit. This was completed by years end and in January of 1943, Panzerzug 1 took up it old duty stations near Smolensk and Orsha. On August 17th, 1943, Panzerzug 1 participated in defensive actions near Viyasma. It remained in this region until November. On November 28th, 1943, Panzerzug 1 suffered heavy damage from a derailment caused by the Soviets blowing up a section of track. Eight wagons plus the engine were derailed. Two recovery trains worked around the clock and under enemy fire to set the derailed train back onto the tracks. While retreating back to Viyasma, Panzerzug 1 was hit by a bomb. Because the damage was so extensive, the surviving elements of Panzerzug 1 were withdrawn to Königsberg to be totally rebuilt.
During the refit period, Panzerzug 27 temporarily replaced Panzerzug 1 on the front-lines. In February of 1944, Panzerzug 1 was released once more for front line service. A new addition to the train was that a number of its wagons contained T-34 turrets. In early March of 1944, Panzerzug 1 was fighting defensive actions near Rogatshev. On March 18th, 1944, the train was located near Brest-Litovsk. On March 24th, the train was sent to Orel to help secure the rail lines in that region.
The rapid Soviet advance in June of 1944 towards Orel finally spelled the end of Panzerzug 1. Near Mirandino, Panzerzug 1 was cut off from any means of escape. On June 27th, 1944, the crew blew up the train and attempted to make their way back by foot to the German lines near Bobruisk. Most of the crew failed in their escape attempt and they became Soviet prisoners of war.