The
2nd Panzer Division (
2. Panzer-Division) was a German
armored division. Created in 1935, it was stationed in
Austria after the
Anschluss and then participated in the campaigns in
Poland (1939) and
France (1940) before it returned to Poland for occupation duties (1940–1941). It took part in the
Balkans campaign (1941) and then transferred to the
Eastern Front in September 1941. It fought with
Army Group Center in the battles of
Moscow (1941) and
Kursk (1943). After heavy losses on the Eastern Front it was sent to France for rehabilitation (1944). It fought in
Normandy and was almost completely destroyed in the
Falaise Pocket (1944). It was rebuilt once more and fought in the
Battle of the Bulge (1944) and in the defense of the
Rhine (1945), surrendering to the Americans at war's end.