Panzer Kaserne

Panzer Kaserne (German notation: Panzerkaserne) is a U.S. military installation in Böblingen, Germany, part of U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart.[1] The post is administered by U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Europe (IMCOM-Europe), a legacy from its use as an Army installation since just after World War II. Panzer also hosts the headquarters of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe & Africa (MARFOREURAF) and various Special Operations units of the Army and Navy supporting EUCOM and AFRICOM.

Panzer
Kaserne
Location in Germany

History
Map of Panzer Kaserne
during the 1970s

Panzer Kaserne and nearby Patch Barracks were constructed in 1938 for the German Army,[2] Panzer Regiment 7, 8 as well as Panzer Brigade 4 was stationed in Panzer Barracks from April 1938 (and both bases were joined by a specially designed trail due to the weight of tank traffic.) Additionally, the training areas were designed to train and test the new tank crews who were assigned to the 8th Panzer Regiment. There is also a small nearby training area- unusual for a Kaserne in an urban or suburban area.[3]

The 8th Panzer Regiment was the first unit assigned to the then Ludendorff Kaserne.[4] Local legend suggests that Adolf Hitler may have even delivered a speech from within the former Nazi Officer's Club building. Additional myths suggest that Panzer and nearby base of Patch, were used for testing of new and experimental Nazi technology, specifically tank modifications and improvements. Added to that, there is a myth that experimental tanks were disposed of by burial to prevent capture by advancing US troops.[2] No one can verify for certain when the U.S. Forces accepted the transfer of the barracks, but it is believed it occurred in early July 1945.

During the Cold War, various units were assigned to Panzer - most notably units of the 1st ID (Forward) - a forward detached element of the 3rd Brigade 1st Infantry Division[5] until 1990.

Most currently assigned units are devoted to the support of U.S. European Command (EUCOM) at Patch Barracks and United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) at Kelley Barracks located in Stuttgart.

Units Currently Assigned

Source:[8]

On Base Services
Interior of the chapel at Panzer Kaserne during a town hall meeting for dependents and community leaders

Education

Panzer is host to a DODEA Elementary, middle, and high school for dependent children [9] and is served by nearby Stuttgart High School (formerly Patch American High School, 1979–2015). The International School of Stuttgart also operates a private Pre-K to 9th Grade dual-language school in nearby Sindelfingen as ISS BaSICS.[10] The same school has an IB K-12 school located in Stuttgart district of Degerloch.[11]

Shopping

The Exchange has opened a new main shopping center for the Stuttgart Military Community at Panzer to replace the facility at nearby Patch Barracks. The 140,000-square-foot (13,000 m2) facility is organized like a mall.[12] Panzer hosts a commissary and is also served by similar facilities at Patch and Kelley Barracks. Additionally, Panzer has been selected to hold the future construction of a newer and more modernized commissary, which will make Panzer the main center for shopping in the area of the four bases: Panzer, Patch, Kelley, and Robinson.

Transit

Panzer Kaserne is directly served by Stuttgart VVS Bus service and two nearby light rail stops in Böblingen.[13]

See also

References
  1. http://www.stuttgart.army.mil/command/Organizational%20Chart.html
  2. "Uncovering mystery at the Panzer Kaserne Local Training Area LTA - StuttgartCitizen.com". StuttgartCitizen.com. 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  3. "Panzer Kaserne, Boeblingen Germany". www.globalsecurity.org.
  4. http://www.stuttgartcitizen.com/uncovering-a-myszery-at-the-panzer-lta/
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-09-22. Retrieved 2008-08-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-11-04. Retrieved 2014-11-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "The 554th MP Company change of command". www.army.mil.
  8. "Panzer Kaserne :: The Patriot Files :: Dedicated to the preservation of military history". www.patriotfiles.com.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2013-06-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. http://files.sitepages.com/stuttgart/BaSICS/BaSICS_Welcome_website_nov_20112.pdf
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2013-03-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. http://www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeLocations/PanzerKaserneStore.htm
  13. http://www.vvs.de/download/VLP13_Boeblingen_Sindelfingen.pdf
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