Hobby Master Archive

The 116th Panzer Division was known as the “Windhund - Greyhound- Division”. In March 1944 it was reconstituted from remnants of 16th Panzergrenadier Division and the 179th Reserve Panzer Division. When the Allies landed in Normandy in June 1944 the 116th PD was one of the units sent to repel the Allies. The division was one unit trapped in the Falaise Pocket and along with the 2nd SS Panzer defended the pocket long enough to allow German troops to escape. The 116th PD managed to escape but not before they were left with only 600 men and 12 tanks. On April 18, 1945 the 116th surrendered to the 9th U.S. Army when they became trapped in the Ruhr Pocket. The 116th Panzer Division had become known as the “famed and best German Panzer division”.