Division 1941-1945 — 4 Panzer

: While some elements were evacuated by sea to West Prussia in early 1945 to continue the defense of Germany, the majority of the unit remained in Courland. The division finally surrendered to the Red Army on May 8, 1945. War Crimes and Legacy

: In July 1943, the division participated in the Battle of Kursk , the largest tank battle in history. It served as a primary armored force on the northern flank but failed to achieve a breakthrough against deeply entrenched Soviet defenses. 4 Panzer Division 1941-1945

: Following the failure at Kursk, the division began a multi-year fighting withdrawal across the Desna and Dnieper rivers, constantly acting as a "fire brigade" to plug gaps in the collapsing German lines. The Final Years and the Courland Pocket (1944–1945) : While some elements were evacuated by sea

The division's history is also marked by documented war crimes, particularly during the earlier campaigns in Poland and the Soviet Union. These included the Śladów massacre in 1939, where 252 prisoners of war and 106 civilians were executed, as well as instances of using civilians as human shields. It served as a primary armored force on