The SS Brigade Westfalen also known as SS Ersatz Brigade Westfalen[1] was an ad hoc unit composed of the men of the military training commands of the Paderborn area and the 507th Heavy Panzer Battalion.
The unit was committed into battle in March 1945 in an unsuccessful attempt to stop American troops from encircling Army Group B in the Ruhr Pocket.
[2][3] The unit consisted of two improvised infantry regiments that were named after their commanders.
[1] However, according to Steven Zaloga, the brigade instead had 15 old training tanks such as Panzer III, 21 Tiger II and three Jagdpanthers available by the end of March.
[6] The brigade was first engaged on 30 March against elements of US 3rd Armored Division, trying to defend the way to Paderborn,[1] until forced to relinquish the town by 1 April, falling back with possibly as many as forty tanks and assault guns still fit for action.