3rd Panzer Division (Bundeswehr)
The 3rd Armoured Division (German: 3. Panzerdivision) was formed on 2 July 1956 in Hamburg and was one of the first major formations of the new German Army or Bundeswehr after the Second World War. The 3rd Armoured Division was stationed on the North German Plain between the rivers Elbe and Weser. Its last headquarters location was Buxtehude. It was part of the I Corps alongside the 1st Panzer, 7th Panzer, and 11th Panzergrenadier Divisions.
| 3rd Armoured Division (3. Panzerdivision) | |
|---|---|
Formation sign | |
| Active | 2 July 1956 – 30 September 1994 |
| Country | Germany |
| Allegiance | Bundeswehr |
| Branch | German Army |
| Type | Armoured division |
| Garrison/HQ | Estetal Barracks, Buxtehude |
| Commanders | |
| Last Commander | Generalmajor Gerd Schultze-Rhonhof |
The 3rd Armoured Division was disbanded on 30 September 1994. Its last commander was Generalmajor Gerd Schultze-Rhonhof.
In the 1980s under Army Structures III and IV the division consisted of the 7th Panzergrenadier Brigade, 8th Panzer Brigade, and the Panzerlehrbrigade 9 (Armoured demonstration brigade). After the division's disbandment 9 PzL Bde eventually became part of 1st Armoured Division (Germany).