Panzer in the SS-divisions?

[Doomhippie]

I feel absolutely stupid posting this question.

When did the Waffen SS divisions got their own tanks?

As far as I know the three original divisions (Leibstandarte, Das Reich and Totenkopf) were made into Panzergrenadierdivisions in 1942 (which means they would have one battallion of tanks at that time).

As I am working on an early war (1939-1940) SS formation I wondered if any of you had any information about added armour to any of these divisions?

I know the Leibstandarte had a few Stug IIId in 1940 and 1941. I didn't find any reference to tanks in any books though. Not that I wouldn't add some tanks anyway but it be nice to at least know the truth.

[Poliorketes]

StuGs weren't classified as tanks so this isn't an indication of tanks in SS units.

[archangel1]

Up until the German invasion of Russia in 1941, the SS was generally only used as motorized support for any armored assaults by the Heer Panzer divisions.  In 1941, the Das Reich division was the first to receive some armour, but only in the form of Sturmgeschütz.  It was only in the middle of 1942 that the Waffen-SS were finally granted their own armoured divisions.

For an excellent reference on the whole Wehrmacht/Waffen-SS organization, just Google germanwarmachine.  It should be your first hit.  For information related to this thread, click on the Waffen-SS topic on the left and then on 1942-The SS Panzer Divisions in the right column.  Didn't want to post a direct link because a certain symbol may appear but if you search for yourself, well...

[Weird WWII]

'42 like Angel said.

Brian

[Helen]

You will also find the 3rd SS having 3 PZ 35t in their recon outfit along with French Panhard A/Cs for the invasion of Russia.

They were the only unit unique to this org.

Chow,

Helen

[Doomhippie]

Thanks a lot for the info.

I guess I'll just have to declare the unit a mixed Kampfgruppe of SS grenadiers and some wehrmacht tank division.