Jagdtiger "332": Thunderbolt Victim near Forstheim

(U.S. Army Signal Corps)

     Jagdtiger “332” of 3rd. Kompanie, Schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung 653 (3/s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653). 3rd. Kompanie, commanded by Knight’s Cross holder Oberleutnant Franz Kretschmer, on March 14, 1945, were positioned some 12 kilometers away from the U.S. bridgehead over the Moder River. That night and into the early morning hours of March 15, 3rd. Kompanie engaged U.S. M4 Sherman tanks who were caught moving in a column formation. The front and rear Shermans were knocked out by the Jagdtigers who then continued the attack, focusing on the remainder of the Shermans which were trying to get off the road. U.S. artillery was called in to pound the Jagdtigers but the veteran Kretschmer had already ordered the Kompanie to withdraw. Later in the morning of March 15, U.S. forces resumed the attack, pushing towards the town of Morsbronn. Again, they met 3rd. Kompanie who inflicted severe damage to the advancing troops. In the afternoon on March 15, 3rd. Kompanie received orders to go on the offensive and push U.S. troops off a ridge near Forstheim. 

     No doubt Kretschmer thought the orders unwise at best as the Jagdtiger was not a vehicle designed for offensive operations and the attack was in daylight, no less. Nevertheless, he followed orders and after covering less than 2 miles, U.S. Army Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts arrived and unleashed rockets upon the advancing Jagdtigers. “332” was struck on the right side, damaging the running gear and the crew abandoned the vehicle. Overall, s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653 was able to hold the U.S. troops at bay until the unit was withdrawn from the area on March 17, 1945. This time allowed the crew of “332” to return to their stricken vehicle, set demolition charges, and blow the Jagdtiger up as recovery was not possible.

     During the combat, Kretschmer was wounded by artillery fire on March 16 while commanding Jagdtiger “301”. So severe was the concussion suffered that Kretschmer was no longer able to command the unit and was relieved by Leutnant Herman Knack. Kretschmer would survive the war, spending a brief time as a POW. He would pass away on May 28, 1987, survived at the time by his wife and three children.