The 2nd SS "Das Reich" Mechanized Infantry (later Armored) Division formed at the end of 1940 from two regiments of the prewar SS Verfügungstruppen (Special-duty Troops), which had formed four motorized infantry regiments by 1938. The 3rd "Deutschland" and 4th "Der Führer" Regiments mustered with the "Langemarck" Motorcycle Regiment, a tank battalion (later a full regiment), the usual artillery regiment and battalions of reconnaissance, antitank, antiaircraft, engineer and signal troops. After brief combat duty in the Balkans Campaign, this elite division participated in the invasion of Russia, losing almost 60% of its combat strength by the end of 1941. After a refit in France, it returned to action in 1943 and fought in several key actions. Assigned to the defense of southwestern France in February 1944, it participated in the Normandy campaign and was all but destroyed there. After brief refitting, it fought on the Western Front until after the Ardennes Offensive, after which it served in the east until the end of the war.
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