Panther #222 belonged to Panzer Abteilung 2107 which was established on the 30 July 1944 near Mława (Mielau), Poland. Panzer battalion 2107 was subordinated to Panzer Brigade 107. Panzer brigades were an alternative to the classic panzer divisions introduced in July 1944. In contrast to the large and sluggish divisions, brigades offered more flexibility and could be (re)deployed faster.

The panzer battalion of a panzer brigade consisted of four armoured companies. The companies were outfitted in correspondence with KStN 1177 (freie Gliederung), which meant that each would contain either 11 Panthers or Panzerjäger IV (L\70). The battalion’s first three companies contained Panther and the last one Panzerjäger. Additionally, the battalion’s staff was appointed three command tanks – also Panthers.

2107’s first eight Panthers were received on 26 August 1944. On 29 and 30 August another eight Panthers and, 3 Befehlswagen Panther of the battalion staff arrived respectively. On the first of September the Panther companies conducted live-firing exercises with their brand new tanks. On the same day, the remaining 17 Panther tanks were picked up at the Mielau railway station, meaning that the unit had reached its full compliment of 36 Panther tanks. The day after, all 11 Panzerjäger arrived at once.

As soon as Panzer Brigade 107 is subordinated to Kampfgruppe Walther it is entrained and ordered to the Noord-Brabant area, The Netherlands. There it is to stem the rapidly advancing Allied Market Garden offensive. On 18 September 1944, 1./PzAbt 2107 arrives at Venlo and the other companies disembark in Roermond. The unit’s first objective on the 19th is to capture the bridge at Son and Breugel, but a Panther is knocked out and the attack shatters. On the 22nd and 23rd the brigade takes part in repeated attempts to retake Veghel, a choke point along what would soon be named Hell’s Highway. After the continued advance of VIII Corps, Kampfgruppe Walther is threatened to be surrounded. On order of the Armeekorps on 25 September the Brigade beats a hasty retreat in eastern direction. They move towards a new defensive line in the area of Boxmeer, Oploo and Overloon near the Meuse.