17. Waffen SS Panzer Grenadier-Division
Gotz von Berlichingen

17. Waffen SS Panzer Grenadier-Division formed in October1943 from a part of the 10. SS Panzer Division and enlistees from Germany, Belgium, and Romania.
Initially stationed in SW France they were sent to Normandy after the D-Day Landings. In lieu of tanks, the Panzer Battalion was equipped with 42 Sturmgeschutz IV assault guns. The Division was short on officers, noncoms, and training. On June 10, 1944, the Division made contact with US Paratroops near Carentan and on June 13th they attacked elements of the 101st AB in the Battle of Bloody Gulch (depicted in Band of Brothers series). The attack was driven back with the arrival of tanks of the US 2nd Armored Div.. 17. Waffen SS Panzer Grenadier-Division remained in combat in the hedgerows falling back to St Lo and Coutances and by July was reduced to about 8,500 men. Further losses mounted as the division was in the path of the US Operation Cobra in late July and then took part in the German counterattack at Mortain in early August. The remnants of the now shattered division broke into 4 Kampfgruppen and fought their way out of the Falaise Pocket.
17. Waffen SS Panzer Grenadier-Division was rebuilt at Metz, France by absorbing elements from other shattered SS divisions but heavy fighting South of Metz in October and November 1944 reduced the division once again and it was pulled back to Germany. Heavy fighting continued West of the Rhine until December 18th when US forces assumed a defensive posture during the German Ardennes Offensive to the North.
The respite was short as the division prepared to attack the US 7th Army at Rimling in early January 1945 as part of Operation Nordwind. The 17. Waffen SS Panzer Grenadier-Division was heavily reinforced by 1 Panther Company, 2 Flamm Hetzer Companies, and the 653rd Schwere Panzerjager Battalion (Jadgtigers). The Operation met with limited gains and heavy fighting continued until 30th January when the operation was canceled
17. Waffen SS Panzer Grenadier-Division continued to defend the West Wall along the Rhine River until 18 March 1945 the line broke and the division had to abandon its vehicles and escape over the Rhine at Wiesloch with only 500-600 men. By April 1st the Division was rebuilt to about 7000 men and fought in several battles in Southern Germany finally surrendering to the 14th Armored Division at Moosburg on 29 April 1945.

source: Wikipedia.