Alarm Units! SS-Panzergrenadier Brigades 49 and 51

Alarm Units! SS-Panzergrenadier Brigades 49 and 51

by Richard Landwehr

92 pages, 30 photos and illustrations, 2 maps

Merriam Press 2025 PDF edition

Merriam Press paperback edition released in 1999; four revised editions released, each making improvements of design and print quality. Paperback edition now out of print.

SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 49 was a short-lived Waffen-SS unit formed in June 1944 from SS Kampfgruppen (Combat Groups) 1 and 2. Although designated as Panzergrenadier (mechanized infantry) the unit was only equipped with wheeled vehicles. The SS Main Office ordered it redesignated as the 26th SS Panzer Division on 10 August, but this was strictly notional. It played a minor role in the Battle of France before it was merged into the 37th SS Panzergrenadier-Regiment of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen on 8 August.

SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 51 was a short-lived Waffen-SS unit formed in June 1944 from SS Kampfgruppen (Combat Group) 3. Although designated as panzergrenadier (mechanized infantry) the unit was only equipped with wheeled vehicles. The SS Main Office ordered it redesignated as the 27th SS Panzer Division on 10 August, but this was strictly notional. It played a minor role in the Battle of France before it was merged into the 38th SS Panzergrenadier-Regiment of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen on 8 August.

These units were specially formed as quick reaction forces that could be speedily deployed to any area in the West to repel Allied invasion attempts. 

Contents

• Chapter 1: The Formation of SS-Kampfgruppe
• (SS-Panzergrenadier Brigade 49)
• Chapter 2: SS-Panzergrenadier Brigade 49 in Denmark
• Chapter 3: The Defensive Mission of SS-Panzergrenadier Brigade 49
• Chapter 4: Emergency Transfer to the Invasion Front
• Chapter 5: Deployment of the 49th SS Panzergrenadier Brigade in France
• Chapter 6: Preparing for Battle
• Chapter 7: Organization of the Nogent Bridgehead
• Chapter 8: The Battle is Joined
• Chapter 9: The Front Collapses
• Chapter 10: The Brigade’s Last Battles
• Chapter 11: The History of SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 51
• References