7th Panzer Division (Bundeswehr) 7th Panzer Division (Bundeswehr) The 7th Panzer Division or Westphalian Panzer Division ( or "Westfälische Panzerdivision") was a major formation in the German Army ("Heer") within the German Armed Forces or "Bundeswehr" whose headquarters was for many years in Lippstadt und Unna and, finally in Düsseldorf. Until its dissolution in 2006 it was seen as the "backbone of the Army" or the "spearhead of the German Army". The majority of new weapon systems were introduced by this formation. Many Inspectors of the Army ("Inspekteur des Heeres") were once divisional commanders of the 7th Armoured Division. Its last commander was Wolf-Joachim
7th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht) to the west and 7th Panzer Division to the east, flanked by the SS Division Totenkopf. The following day the British launched a counterattack, deploying two infantry battalions supported by heavily armoured Matilda Mk I and Matilda II tanks in the Battle of Arras. The German 37 mm anti-tank gun proved ineffective against the heavily armoured Matildas. The 25th Panzer Regiment and a battery of anti-aircraft guns were called in to support, and the British withdrew. On 24 May, Hitler issued a halt order. The reason for this decision is still a matter of debate. He may have overestimated the