The SS-Panzergrenadier-Brigade 51 was absorbed by 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen in August 1944.

Known war crimes

Soldiers from the brigade was responsible for the massacre in Buchères, France, 24 August 1944 when 68 civilians were killed in a reprisal following an ambush by partisans against the unit. (1)
It was also involved in several other atrocities against civilians in the Troyes area. (2)

Commander

SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Jöckel (? June 1944 - ? Aug 1944)

Manpower strength

30 June 1944 2.923

Order of battle

I./SS-Panzergrenadier-Brigade 51
II./SS-Panzergrenadier-Brigade 51
SS-Artillerie-Abteilung 51
Flak-Kompanie
Pionier-Kompanie
Kraftfahr-Kompanie

Footnotes

1. "Konventioneller Krieg oder NS-Weltanschauungskrieg?: Kriegführung und Partisanenbekämpfung in Frankreich 1943/44" by Peter Lieb.
2. "Murderous Elite: The Waffen-SS and its complete record of war crimes" by James Pontolillo, page 140-141.

Sources used

Dr. K-G Klietmann - Die Waffen-SS: eine Dokumentation
Richard Landwehr - Alarm Units!
Peter Lieb - Konventioneller Krieg oder NS-Weltanschauungskrieg?: Kriegführung und Partisanenbekämpfung in Frankreich 1943/44
Kurt Mehner - Die Waffen-SS und Polizei 1939-1945
James Pontolillo - Murderous Elite: The Waffen-SS and its complete record of war crimes

Reference material on this unit

Roger Bruge - 1944 Le temps des Massacres, les crimes de la Gestapo et de la 51e Brigade SS
Richard Landwehr - Alarm Units!