ゲッツ・フォン・ベルリヒンゲン
As part of a plan to number all named SS divisions in early 1944, the division was re-titled the "17th SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Götz von Berlichingen"". In February 1944, the division still lacked vehicles. During the same year, on the orders of LXXX Army Corps, the division began to round up French vehicles in an attempt to complete its mobilization. By March, most of the major combat formations were fully motorised, although two of the six infantry battalions were still on bicycles. On 1 June, the "Götz von Berlichingen" found itself at Thouars in France, with no tanks (although the crews were fully equipped with 42 "Sturmgeschütz IV" assault guns), only a few months' training, and below strength in officers and NCOs.