5th Panzer Division (Germany)
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[edit] World War II era
The 5th Panzer Division (5. Panzer-Division) was created in 1938. It fought in Poland (1939), France (1940), the Balkans (1941), and the Russian Front, first with Army Group Center (1941 – 1944) and later with Army Group North. It surrendered to the Soviets near Danzig at war's end.
[edit] Post-war era
The 5th Panzer Division was a West German armored unit. Subordinate to the United States V Corps, it played a major role in the defense of West Germany from the Soviet Union during the Cold War; after the Soviet Union's fall, the division remained under American military control (administratively), and sent troops to Yugoslavia.
This unit was technically under NATO control, in case of a foreign power's attack on a NATO country (this unit might get involved in an attack of Germany, Belgium, France, or other nearby NATO countries). It was the largest foreign military unit subordinate to an American military unit.
As part of continuing reductions of the Bundesheer, the division was disbanded on 30 June 2001.
[edit] See also
- 5th SS Panzergrenadier Division Wiking
- Panzer, Panzer Division
- Division (military), Military unit
- Heer, Wehrmacht, List of German divisions in WWII
[edit] References
- Wendel, Marcus (2004). "5. Panzer-Division". Retrieved April 2, 2005.
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