17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen"

The 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen" was a Waffen-SS motorized infantry division formed in October 1943, named after the German knight Götz von Berlichingen, famed for his iron prosthetic hand and rebellious spirit. Unlike elite SS Panzer divisions, "Götz von Berlichingen" was formed hastily in occupied France, mainly from conscripts, transfers, and young recruits, and lacked the prestige, experience, and full mechanization of higher-tier SS formations.

Though designated a Panzergrenadier division, it often functioned as conventional infantry due to equipment shortages. It had a limited number of armored vehicles and relied heavily on trucks and horses for mobility. The division first saw combat during the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944, where it was rushed to the front to help contain the landings. Despite being understrength and inadequately trained, it fought fiercely in the bocage countryside, engaging in infantry-heavy combat that tested its endurance and coordination.

Uniforms followed standard Waffen-SS field gear: field-grey tunics, SS runes on the collar tab, divisional "Götz von Berlichingen" cuff titles, and occasional camouflage smocks. The division's emblem was a stylized iron fist, a reference to its namesake's mechanical hand. Some personnel were equipped with standard Panzergrenadier kit, but armored support was sporadic and insufficient throughout the campaign.

The division fought in Normandy, retreated through France, and later took part in the Battle of the Bulge and defensive operations in Germany and Austria. By 1945, it was severely depleted and surrendered to American forces in May. While not as well-equipped or infamous as other SS units, the 17th SS earned a reputation for tenacity under fire despite its limitations.