The Kampfgruppe Knaust was formed for the battle of Arnhem consisting of Panzer-Kompanie Mielke (from Panzer-Ersatz-Abteilung 11) and Panzer-Grenadier-Ausbildungs und Ersatz-Bataillon 64. Despite it being a Heer unit commanded by a Heer officer it was subordinated to II. SS-Panzerkorps.

In some sources this unit is called Kampfgruppe Sonnenstuhl but that was a different unit also fighting at Arnhem, it was commanded by SS-Sturmbannführer Hans-George Sonnenstuhl and was formed from different artillery unit with SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 10 and V./SS-Art.-Ausb.u.Ers.Regiment as the main parts.

Commander

Major Hans-Peter Knaust

Holders of high awards

Holders of the German Cross in Gold (1)
- Spillner, August, 23.11.1944, Oberfeldwebel, Kampfgruppe “Knaust”
Holders of the Knight's Cross (1)
- Knaust, Hans-Peter 28.09.1944 Major Kdr Kgr. „Sonnenstuhl" [= actually Kgr. "Knaust"] [Alarmeinheit bei II. SS-Pz.K., Raum Arnheim/Holland]

Order of battle

Panzer-Grenadier-Ausbildungs und Ersatz-Bataillon 64
- 4 x Kompanie
Panzer-Kompanie Mielke (Leutnant Mielke)
- 6 x Panzer III, 2 x Panzer IV

Sources used

Robert J. Kershaw - It Never Snows in September: The German View of Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem, September 1944
Marcel Zwarts - German Armored Units at Arnhem September 1944

Reference material on this unit

Bob Gerrtisen & Scott Revell - Retake Arnhem Bridge: An Illustrated History of the Kampfgruppe Knaust September to October 1944