37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division "Lützow" (German: 37. SS-Freiwilligen Kavallerie-Division "Lützow")[3] was a German Cavalry division of the Waffen-SS during the Second World War. It was formed in February 1945 from the personnel and equipment of the 8th SS Cavalry Division and the 22nd SS Volunteer Cavalry Division.[1] In addition to this, many under-age German, Hungarian and 'Volksdeutsche' helped make up the division. The division was intended to have three cavalry regiments comprising two battalions each, however, due to the inadequate amount of men and equipment it could only field two understrength regiments as its main combat units. The division was initially commanded by SS-Oberführer Waldemar Fegelein until March when he was replaced by SS-Standartenführer Karl Gesele. The unit saw action against the Soviets as a part of the 6th Panzer Army during the final weeks of the war, before surrendering to Americans in Austria in May 1945. It was named after the Prussian general Adolf von Lützow.
| 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division ‘Lützow’ | |
|---|---|
| 37. SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division ‘Lützow’ | |
 37th SS Volunteer Cavalry Division ‘Lützow' symbol | |
| Active | February - May, 1945 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch |  Waffen-SS |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Size | Division |
| Motto(s) | "Meine Ehre heißt Treue!" |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | SS-Standartenführer Waldemar Fegelein (February 26th, 1945 - March 1945)[1] SS-Standartenführer Karl Gesele (March 1945 - May 1945)[2] |
Organization edit
- SS Cavalry Regiment 92
- SS Cavalry Regiment 93
- SS Cavalry Regiment 94
- SS Artillery Battalion 37 (Two batteries with 10.5 cm leFH 18)
- SS Reconnaissance Battalion 37
- SS Panzerjäger Battalion 37 (One company equipped with a Hetzer)
- SS Pionier Battalion 37
- SS Signals Company 37
- SS Medical Battalion 37
- SS Nachschub Troop 37
- Feldersatz Battalion 37
See also edit
References edit
Footnotes edit
- ^ a b Mitcham 2007.
- ^ Bishop, Chris. The Essential Vehicle Identification Guide - Waffen-SS Divisions 1939-1945, Amber Books Ltd. 2007, p 184.
- ^ Official designation in German language as to „Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv“ in Freiburg im Breisgau, stores of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
Bibliography edit
- Fowler, Jeffrey T. (25 November 2001). Axis Cavalry in World War II. Bloomsbury USA. ISBN 1-84176-323-3.
- Trang, Charles (2000). Division Florian Geyer. Heimdal. ISBN 2-84048-141-3.
- Mitcham, S.W. (2007). German Order of Battle: Panzer, Panzer Grenadier, and Waffen SS divisions in World War II. Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3438-7. Retrieved June 23, 2023.