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
Guards Armoured Division casualties and were struggling to find replacements. As a result, the attack was changed to one largely of armoured divisions, as lost tanks would be easier to replace. The Guards Armoured Division joined with the 7th and 11th Armoured Divisions for this attack. The aim was to strike south out of the Orne bridgehead on 18 July. The Guards Armoured Division was to advance south-east to capture Vimont and Argences. Prior to this attack the German defences were heavily bombed be the Royal Air Force. Unfortunately this was less effective than hoped against the dug-in defenders, both in the south