Exceptional & Rare Panzer Grouping – Normandy & Ardennes – Panzer-Regiment 3 of 2. Panzer-Division!

Exceptional & Rare Panzer Grouping – Normandy & Ardennes – Obergefreiter Gärtner, 2. Panzer-Division

A truly outstanding and rare Panzer grouping to Obergefreiter Gärtner, who served with the 8. Kompanie / Panzer-Regiment 3, later the 6. Kompanie / Panzer-Regiment 3, and finally in the closing stages of the war with the Werkstattkompanie. Most significantly, Gärtner fought in Normandy with the infamous 2. Panzer-Division, earning several battle days in July 1944 — a distinction rarely documented so clearly.

In August 1944, during the ferocious fighting in Normandy, he was wounded and subsequently decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse) for his actions. His earlier awards included the Wound Badge in Black (Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz) and the Panzer Assault Badge in Silver (Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber), both earned before Normandy.

This grouping comes complete with an array of historically significant items:

• Soldbuch with matching Erkennungsmarke (dog tag)

• Wehrpass

• Original award documents for the VWA Schwarz and Panzerkampfabzeichen

• Several documents relating to training and his wounding

• Original recommendation file for the awarding of the Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber

• Additional paper listing more battle days, including at Hottot, Normandy — matching details in his Soldbuch

Why this grouping stands out:
Groupings to Panzer personnel who fought in Normandy are exceptionally scarce, and this set offers direct, verifiable combat connection to both Normandy and Ardennes operations. The inclusion of the Soldbuch, Wehrpass, matching Erkennungsmarke, award citations, and unique battle day documentation makes this an exceptional historical offering for the advanced collector.

A rare opportunity to acquire a complete, Normandy-provenanced Panzer grouping from one of the most famous German armored divisions of WWII.