CHAPTER II
Organization of the Field Forces


Section I. OVER-ALL FIELD ORGANIZATION

The High Command frameworks below the Army High Command are the Army Groups (Heeresgruppenkommandos) that are formed for particular campaigns to control two to four Armies in a single Theater of Operations, or in an important and more or less self-contained sector under such a theater. Since 1941 the total number of army groups has been between four and twelve.

The chart on page 3 shows the variations in the number of Armies (Armeeoberkommandos) per army group, of corps per army and of divisions per corps.

Section II. HIGH COMMAND IN THE FIELD

Under the German military system the basic principle is unity of command at all levels. Thus the Army, Navy, and Air Force are considered branches of a single service, the Armed Forces (Wehrmacht). This joint High Command is responsible for the whole preparation of defense in time of peace and for the general conduct of war; it appoints commands for the joint task forces in the field and sees to it that the efforts of the three branches of the armed forces are thoroughly coordinated.

In time of war the Armed Forces High Command, as well as the High Command of each of the three branches establishes a field headquarters away from Berlin for the conduct of operations. Its location at any given time depends on the theater to which the main attention is being directed. In the case of the Navy, it is usually at one of the naval bases while the headquarters of the Army, the Air Force and the Armed Forces have been in close proximity to each otherat various points since the spring of 1941. The Commander-in-Chief and the bulk of the General Staff of each High Command are stationed at field headquarters, while the non-operational branches back in the Zone of the Interior continue to handle all basic administrative matters, procurement, mobilization, training and replacement of personnel, and equipment.

Hitler is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht). His Deputy as such is General Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel, Chief of the Armed Forces High Command (Chef des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht).

Under the Armed Forces High Command the functions of the joint general staff are performed by what is known as the Armed Forces Operations Staff (Wehrmachtführungsstaf-W.F.St).

The field headquarters of the Armed Forces High Command which includes the principal sections of the Armed Forces Operations Staff is known as the Führerhauptquartier. During the Polish campaign it was stationed between Berlin and the Polish Frontier, moving to the Rhineland for the Western campaign in 1940, back to the East in 1941, and again to the West in 1944. Hitler's headquarters (Führerhauptquartier) is believed to have moved recently to southern Germany where it is probably located in the vicinity of Berchtesgaden.

The personnel of the Armed Forces High Command is drawn from all three branches, but the Army naturally has the largest representation.

The name of a command, organization, or unit deriving from the Armed Forces High Command is often prefixed by Wehrmacht- or Führungs in order to distinguish it from a similar command, organization, or unit in one of the three branches.

Since December 1941, when von Brauchitsch was dismissed as Commander-in-Chief of the Army (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres), and Hitler took direct control of the Army, the field headquarters

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U. S. Designations: A H Comd
(OKH)
A Gps
(Heeresgruppenkommandos)
As
(Armeeoberkommandos)
Corps
(Korps)
Divs
(Divisionen)
C G Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres Oberbefehlshaber der Heeresguppe Befehlshaber des Armeeoberkommandos Kommandierender General Divisionskommandeur
C of S Chef des Generalstabes des Heeres Chef des Generalstabes Chef des Generalstabes Chef des Generalstabes (I-a)
G-1 Offs Heerespersonalamt II-a, 1. Adjutant II-a, 1. Adjutant II-a, 1. Adjutant II-a, 1. Adjutant
EM Allgemeines Heeresamt, Truppenabteilung II-c, 2. Adjutant II-c, 2. Adjutant II-c, 2. Adjutant II-c, 2. Adjutant
G-2 Oberquartiermeister IV I-c, 3. Generalstabsoffizier I-c, 3. Generalstabsoffizier I-c, 3. Generalstabsoffizier I-c, 3. Generalstabsoffizier
G-3 Opns Oberquartiermeister I I-a, 1. Generalstabsoffizier I-a, 1. Generalstabsoffizier I-a, 1. Generalstabsoffizier I-a, 1. Generalstabsoffizier
Tng Oberquartiermeister II I-d, 4. Generalstabsoffizier I-d, 4. Generalstabsoffizier
G-4 Generalquartiermeister (Gen. Qu.) I-c, 2. Generalstabsoffizier Oberquartiermeister (0. Qu) Quartiermeister (Q- Qu.) I-c, 2. Generalstabsoffizier
C Arty O General der Artillerie Stabsoffizier der Artillerie (Stoart) Höherer Artilleriekommandeur (Harko) Artilleriekommandeur (Arko) Artillerieführer (Arfü)
C Engr O General der Pioniere und Festungen General der Pioniere (Gen. d. Pi.) Armeepionierführer (A. Pi. Fu.) Stabsoffizier der Pioniere (Stopi) Kommandeur des Pionierbataillons
C Sig O Chef des Heeresnachrichtenwesens Heeresgruppennahrichtenführer (H. Gr. Nachr. Fu.) Armeenachrichtenführer (A. Nachr. FU.) Korpsnachrichtenführer Kommandeurder Nachrichtenabteilung
C Clm O General der Nebeltruppen Höherer Kommandeur der Nebeltruppen? Stabsoffizier für Gasabwehr Gasabwehroffizier (Gabo) Gasabwchroffizieror Gasschützoffizier (Gabo)
C AT O General für Panzerabwehr Stabsoffizier für Panzerbekämpfung? Stabsoffizier für Panzerbekämpfung (Stopak) Stabsoffizier für Panzerbekämpfung Kommandeur der Panzerjägerabteilung

Figure 1.--German designations of Stf Offs andSecs in the higher echelons.

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Figure 2.--Over-all field organization.

Figure 2.--Over-all field organization.

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of the Army High Command virtually has been merged with that of the Armed Forces High Command. The functions of the two, however, have remained distinct, and there has been no personal union except at the top. Keitel acts as Hitler's deputy in the latter's capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Army as well as in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

For the organization of the Armed Forces High Command see Figure 4, Chapter 1.

For the organization of the Army High Command see Figure 5, Chapter 1.

The Führerhauptquartier is frequently located in special trains. It is at all times well protected against air or land attacks by crack SS units. In addition to those the following two units of the elite army motorized division, the Grossdeutschland Panzer Grenadier Division, have been temporarily charged with that protection and were therefore awarded the honor of including "The Führer" in their unit designation. These units are:

The Führer Escort Brigade, which consists of three infantry battalions, one artillery battalion, one tank regiment (including one battalion of Pz. Kpfw. IV and one battalion of assault guns), and one engineer company;

The Führer Grenadier Brigade which consists of:

Two infantry battalions (one motorized and one armored); one battalion of self-propelled artillery; one assault gun company; one Panther tank battalion.

Section III. ORGANIZATION OF HIGHER HEADQUARTERS

The headquarters of all German divisions, corps, armies, and army groups consist of command staffs (Kommandobehörden) which are organized in a uniform manner. Corps and higher staffs are known as senior command staffs (höhere Kommandobehörden). They are headed by a chief of staff, whereas in divisions the first General Staff officer in charge of operations is simultaneously head of the staff.

The sections of these staffs are numbered with Roman numerals and letters. Similar to the custom in the U.S. Army, the numbers represent the sections as well as the men in charge of them. Originally the positions of I-a, I-b, I-c and I-d were all reserved for officers of the German General Staff Corps, but in 1944 the I-c at division and I-d at army and army group were frequently identified as not being General Staff officers. Figure 3 shows in numerical order the designations of the staff officers and sections, and Figure 4 shows the same staff officers and sections as they function operationally.

The headquarters of an army group is organized similarly to that of an army, but the ranks of the officers holding corresponding positions are higher.

The headquarters of a corps also is organized similarly to that of an army; however, the specialist officers more frequently take command in the field of all the units of their arm whether organic or attached.

The headquarters of divisions also are organized similarly with most of the specialist officers being simultaneously in command of the units of their arms, e.g. the commanding officer of the division artillery regiment (Artillerieführer-Arfü) is also the chief artillery officer on the specialist staff of the division commander. When General Headquarters artillery units are attached to the division this Arfü usually is subordinated to a special artillery commander known as Artilleriekommandeur whose small special staff is supplemented in action by the organic staff of the division artillery regiment.

While some of the designations of staff officers and sections remain unchanged in all echelons of higher headquarters (as the U.S. designations do) several of these titles vary in accordance with the rank and echelon in which they are functioning.

It should be noted that the main channel of supplies flows from the Zone of the Interior via army to division, while the army group and the corps are primarily tactical headquarters.

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Figure 3.--Army Headquarters showing in numerical order the designations of the staff officers and sections
Figure 3.--Army Headquarters showing in numerical order the designations of the staff officers and sections.

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Figure 4.--Army Headquarters showing the staff officers and sections as they function operationally
Figure 4.--Army Headquarters showing the staff officers and sections as they function operationally.

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Section IV. PRINCIPLES AND TRENDS IN UNIT ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT

The German Army, like the U.S. Army, believes in uniform organization for standard units up to and including companies, troops, and batteries. These either are combined as components of battalions, regiments, and divisions, or temporarily grouped in varying combinations as components of task forces or combat groups. Each standard unit of company size has a table of organization and table of equipment number designating its particular type, and each smaller unit adds a letter to that number designating its place within that standard unit. The following figures showing the organization, strength, and equipment of various German units are based on these tables of organization and equipment, but in the field the strength of any unit will vary in accordance with its specific mission and local conditions. However, even in the greatest deviation from the tables of organization and equipment, the basic pattern still will be clearly recognizable.

As shown in Figure 2 in Section I, the German Army in the field is organized into army groups, armies, corps, and divisions. Divisions are the largest units in the German Army known to have a prescribed organization, and those divisions which function as tactical units are normally the smallest formations which include units of various arms and services resulting in operational self-sufficiency.

General Headquarters, army, and corps troops are being allotted temporarily to lower echelons in a flexible manner, in accordance with operational plans or local tactical necessities.

From the outbreak of the War until the summer of 1943, comparatively only minor changes occurred in the tables of organization of most types of German divisions. The average divisional table of organization strength for that period was about 15,000 to 17,000 and with the normally attached troops it usually reached about 20,000. From the summer of 1943 until now, however, several series of new tables of organization and equipment have been issued for almost all types of divisions showing revolutionary changes in their strength and equipment. In all these reorganizations the trend is clearly towardsan economizing of manpower and a simultaneous increase in firepower. This is being accomplished by a careful distribution of large numbers of automatic small arms, by lowering the number of mortars, antitank guns, and tanks, but at the same time increasing potentially their calibers and weights. These changes resulted in the lowering of the table of organization strength of the average German division to approximately 11,000 to 13,000 in January 1945 and further drastic action in that direction may be expected. The various types of German Army, SS, and Air Force divisions are shown in the following Section V, while their components and the general headquarters troops are listed in Sections VI and VII.

Section V. DIVISIONS

1. Comparative Charts

The main types of German divisions, their German designations, and strengths are listed in the first two columns of Figure 5. The remaining columns on the upper part of that chart show the main components for the first 13 types of divisions. Figure 6 shows the type distribution of weapons and equipment in the first 13 types of divisions mentioned above.

The following paragraphs of this section cover the more important types of German divisions and Sections VI and VII include the components of these divisions as well as General Headquarters troops listed together in accordance with their arm or service. These sections cover in great detail the three most numerous types of German divisions: the Infantry Division, 1944 Type; the Volks Grenadier Division; and the Armored Division, as well as the other types of divisions with their most important componentsonly.

Most of this information is based on factual evidence, and wherever such was not available the best possible estimates have been made. This refers particularly to the strength figures of the division staffs controlling various units (lower part of Figure 5), as such staffs may be temporarily in charge of much smaller or much larger numbers of men in accordance with tactical and local conditions.

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DIVISIONS

TYPES OF DIVISIONS Personnel COMPONENTS
Hq Rcn Sig Inf
Infantry Division, Old Type (Infanteriedivision) (3 Inf Regts of 3 Bns each) 17,000 Div Hq Rcn Bn Sig Bn Inf Regt
Infantry Division, 1944 Type[1] (Infanteriedivision n.A, later Kriegsetat 44) (3 Inf Regts of 2 Bns each) 12,500 Div Hq Fus. Bn Sig Bn Inf Regt
Infantry Division, Two Regiment Type (Infanteriedivision) (2 Inf Regts of 3 Bns each) 10,000 Div Hq Fus. Co Sig Bn Inf Regt
Volks Grenadier Division (Volksgrenadierdivision) (3 Inf Regts of 2 Bns each) 10,000 Div Hq Fus. Co Sig Bn Inf Regt
SS Infantry Division (SS Grenadier division) (3 SS Inf Regts of 2 Bns each) 14,000 Div Hq SS Rcn Bn SS Sig Bn SS Inf Regt
Army Mountain Division (Gebirgsdivision) (2 Mt Inf Regts of 3 Bns each) 13,000 Div Hq Mt Rcn Bn Mt Sig Bn Mt Inf Regt
Army Light Division (Jägerdivision) (2 Light Inf Regts of 3 Bns each) 13,000 Div Hq Bcl Bn Sig Bn Light Inf Regt
SS Mountain Division (SS Gebirgsdivision) (2 Mt Inf Regts of 4 Bns each) 16,000 Div Hq SS Mt Rcn Bn SS Mt Sig Bn SS Mt Inf Regt
Army Motorized Division (Panzergrenadierdivision) (2 Mt Inf Regts of 3 Bns each) 14,000 Div Hq Armd Rcn Bn Armd Sig Bn Mtz Inf Regt
SS Motorized Division (SS Panzergrenadierdivision) (2 SS Mtz Inf Regts of 3 Bns each) 15,000 Div Hq SS Armd Rcn Bn SS Sig Bn SS Pz. Gren. Regt
Army Armored Division (Panzerdivision) (2 Pz. Gren. Regts of 2 Bns each) 14,000 Div Hq and Hq Co Rcn Bn Armd Sig Bn Pz. Gren. Regt
SS Armored Division (SS-Panzerdivision) (2 Pz. Gren. Regts of 3 Bns each) 17,000 Div Hq and Hq Co SS Armd Rcn Bn SS Armd Sig Bn SS Pz. Gren. Regt
Air Force Parachute Division (Fallschirmjägerdivision) (3 Prcht R Regts of 3 Bns each) 16,000 Div Hq Rcn Co Prcht Sig Bn Prcht Rifle Regt
Air Force Field Division (Luftwaffenfelddivision) (3 Inf Regts of 2 Bns each) 12,500 Absorbed by the Army. Organized similarly to the Infantry Division, 1944 Type.
Cavalry Division (Kavalleriedivision) (4 Cav Regts of 2 Bns each) 16,000 Cossack and SS Cavalry Divisions consisting of two cavalry brigades, a weak artillery regiment and the usual supporting units.
Line of Communication Division (Sicherungsdivision) 10,000 Designed for mopping-up duties in the rear areas; may consist of two reinforced regiments or of a number of independent battalions.
Coast Defense Division (Künslenverteidigungsdivision) 10,000 Consists of a division staff controlling fortress battalions and coast artillery units in a coastal sector.
Assault Division (Sturmdivision) 10,000 An honorary title for some divisions with reduced infantry personnel and a concentration of heavy fire power and automatic weapons.
Frontier Guard Division (Grenzwachdivision) 13,000 Consists of a division staff controlling certain frontier guard units.
Special Administrative Division Staff (Divisionskommando z.b.v.) 10,000 Consists of a division staff controlling Landesschützen Battalions and GHQ troops stationed in a corps area in Germany.
Replacement Division Staff (Div. Nr.....) 15,000 A division staff within a corps area in Germany to supervise the induction of personnel and replacements for field units.
Reserve Division (Reservedivision) 16,000 Controls reserve units for training, occupational, and defensive duties.
Field Training Division (Feldausbildungsdivision) 16,000 Controls field training regiments in the rear of the Eastern Front.
Non-Motorized Air Force Antiaircraft Division (Flakdivision) (verlegefähig) 10,000 Consists of a division staff controlling antiaircraft and searchlight regiments having limited mobility.
Motorized Air Force Antiaircraft Division (Flakdivision) (motorisiert) 19,000 Consists of a division staff controlling motorized antiaircraft

and searchlight regiments.
[1] This type of division is believed to have been superseded by the Infantry Division, Type 1945 (Infanteriedivision 45), in which the various components of the division have been reduced by approximately 10%, resulting in a total personnel of about 11,500.

Figure 5.

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DIVISIONS

COMPONENTS
Inf Inf Arty Armd AA Projectors AT Engr Serv
Inf Regt Inf Regt Arty Regt -- -- -- AT Bn Engr Bn Div Serv
Inf Regt Inf Regt Arty Regt -- -- -- AT Bn Engr Bn Div Serv
Inf Regt -- Arty Regt -- AA Co -- AT Co Engr Bn Div Serv
Inf Regt Inf Regt Arty Regt -- -- -- AT Bn Engr Bn Sup Regt
SS Inf Regt SS Inf Regt SS Arty Regt -- SS AA Bn -- SS AT Bn SS Engr Bn Div Serv
Mt Inf Regt -- Mt Arty Regt -- -- -- AT Bn Mt Engr Bn Div Serv
Light Inf Regt   Arty Regt -- -- -- AT Bn Engr Bn Div Serv
SS Mt Inf Regt -- SS Mt Arty Regt SS Tk or Assault Gun Co SS AA Bn -- SS AT Bn SS Mt Engr Bn Div Serv
Mtz Inf Regt Armd Arty Regt Tk or Assault Gun Bn AA Bn -- AT Bn Armd Engr Bn Div Serv
SS Pz. Gren. Regt -- SS Armd Arty Regt SS Tk Bn SS AA Bn -- SS AT Bn or Assault Gun Bn SS Armd Engr Bn Div Serv
Pz. Gren. Regt   Armd Arty Regt Tk Regt AA Bn -- AT Bn Armd Engr Bn Div Serv
SS Pz. Gren. Regt --   SS Tk Regt SS AA Bn SS Rkt Projector Bn SS AT or Assault Gun Bn SS Armd Engr Bn Div Serv
Prcht Rifle Regt Prcht Rifle Regt Prcht Arty Regt   Prcht AA Bn Prcht Hv Mort Bn Prcht AT Bn Prcht Engr Bn Div Serv

Figure 5. (Continued)

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DIVISIONS

Weapons and equipment (type distribution in the main types of divisions listed under paragraph 1.)

TYPES OF DIVISIONS Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas or AT Rs Flame Throwers 150-or 210-mm Rkt Projectors 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AT or Tk Guns 28/20-mm AT Guns
Infantry Division, Old Type 15500 1100 700 527 116 58   90 20     11  
Infantry Division, 1944 Type 9069 1981 1503 566 90 48 28 108 20   12    
Infantry Division, Two Regiment Type -- -- -- 497 52 42 24 -- 16   12    
Volks Grenadier Division 6054 1536 2064 369 54 42 24 216 12        
Army Mountain Division -- -- -- 485 84 48 24 72 20   12    
Army Motorized Division 9455 3222 1441 1019 82 52 24 -- 26   75 38  
Army Armored Division 9186 3317 1543 1157 64 46 16 -- 68   74 38 3
SS Armored Division 11513 4064 2050 1465 100 58 24 -- 74 18 114 38 3
Air Force Parachute Division 9689 3810 3026 930 80 125 63 250 20   39    
SS Infantry Division--Organized and equipped similarly to the Infantry Division 1944 Type, however with an additional Antiaircraft Battalion and slightly stronger components.

Army Light Division--Organized and equipped similarly to the Army Mountain Division with slightly more motorization.

SS Mountain Division--Organized similarly to the Army Mountain Division, however with two more Mountain Infantry Battalions, one Antiaircraft Battalion and a Tank or Assault Gun Company.

SS Motorized Division--Organized similarly to the Army Motorized Division, however with additional Antiaircraft Companies and an Artillery Observation Battery.

Figure 6.

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DIVISIONS

Weapons and equipment (type distribution in the main types of divisions listed under paragraph 1.)

37-mm AA/AT Guns 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) 75-mm Tk Guns (Superlong) 88-mm AA/AT Guns 75-mm Inf-Hows 75- mm Inf. Hows (SP) 105-mm Inf-Hows 150-mm Inf-Hows (SP) 75-mm Guns 105-mm Guns/Hows 105-mm Guns/Hows (SP) 150-mm Hows 150-mm Hows (SP) Pz. Kpfw. IV's Pz. Kpfw. V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Hs
  75         20   6     36   12       942 452 1133 5375
  21 14       18   6     36   12       615 168 1466 4662
  20       12 12   4     24           543 218 726 2734
9 9 14       38       18 24   12       426 119 1142 3002
3 24         14   4   24 12   12       500 200 1000 5000
  30 44 48   8       12   12 12 12 6 48   2637 469    
8 12 47 52 51 8   12   12   12 12 12 6 52 51 2685 480    
8 12 69 64 62 12   24   12   12 12 12 and 12 Hv Guns 6 64 62 3329 530    
  21 14     12 20         24   12       2141 389    

Figure 6. (Continued)

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2. Infantry Divisions

Despite the important role which has been played by specialized branches of the German Army, the infantry has been and remains today the foundation for most German operations.

a. INFANTRY DIVISION, OLD TYPE (Infanteriedivision) (THREE REGIMENTS OF THREE BATTALIONS EACH). Contrary to the American conception of a completely motorized infantry division, the German infantry divisions mostly have relied on horse-drawn vehicles for their transportation. In recent reorganizations the proportion of motorization in these types of divisions has decreased even more. Except for the reorganization of the infantry platoon from three to four squads after the Polish campaign in 1939, and the temporary increase in the number of horses in the divisions employed in Russia from 1941 to 1943, the German three-regiment, nine-battalion division remained unchanged for all practical purposes until the fall of 1943. This type of division probably will not be encountered any more; however, as it has been the basic type of German infantry division for a period of about 4 years, it is shown in Figures 7 and 8 and designated for explanatory purposes as the Infantry Division, Old Type.

b. INFANTRY DIVISION, 1944 TYPE (Infanteriedivision n.A later Kriegestat 44) (THREE REGIMENTS OF TWO BATTALIONS EACH). In October 1943 the Germans reorganized radically their infantry divisions in reducing the infantry regiments from three to two battalions, and the other divisional components were revised accordingly. In the remaining six infantry battalions the number of squads per rifle platoon was reduced from four to three, but without having much effect on the fire power of the division since the caliber of the mortars and antitank guns has been increased, and the number of machine guns kept unchanged. This type of division was designated Infantry Division, New Type (Infanteriedivision n.A.). This type of infantry division will not be discussed further here, as it soon was designated the Infantry Division, 1944 Type (Infanteriedivision Kriegestat 44). This redesignation took place in May 1944 after the following additional economies were put into effect. The strength of the squad was reduced from ten to nine, the number of light machine guns per rifle company from 16 to 13, and the strength of the trains on all levels was reduced sharply. Figures 9 and 10 show the Infantry Division, 1944 Type, but newest regulations point towards a further reduction of the components of that type of division by approximately 10 per cent and the re-designation of the thus reorganized division as Infantry Division, Type 1945 (Infanteriedivisions 45). It has just been learned that all German infantry divisions are to be reorganized on the basis of the Infantry Division, Type 45, and that the organization and strength of that division are almost identical with those of the Volks Grenadier Division. (See subparagraph d below and Section VI, paragraph 2, subparagraph a (5).)

c. INFANTRY DIVISION, TWO REGIMENT TYPE (Infanteriedivision) (TWO REGIMENTS OF THREE BATTALIONS EACH). Independent of the various stages of organization of the three regiment infantry divisions, the Germans have formed, since the spring of 1941, a number of two-regiment, six-battalion, infantry divisions with weaker components and over-all reduced strength and fire power. The number of this type of divisions recently has been reduced by the reorganization of several into three-regiment divisions. We refer to this type of division as Infantry Division, Two-Regiment Type.

d. Volks Grenadier DIVISION (Volksgrenadierdivision) (THREE REGIMENTS OF TWO BATTALIONS EACH). In September 1944, after Heinrich Himmler, the Chief of the SS, the Police and the Minister of the Interior had become also the Chief of Army Equipment and Commander of the Replacement Training Army, a new type of infantry division, the "Peoples Infantry Division" (Volks Grenadier Division) was created. The political significance of this type of division lies in designating it: "the Peoples," and thus stressing the emergency of the Fatherland. As the members of the Volks Grenadier Division are reported to be interchangeable with the members of the SS divisions, it is believed that through their creation the influence of the SS on the Army has been strengthened. To increase the Esprit de Corps of its members, supporting General Headquarters units also have been designated Volks Artillery Corps, Volks Engineer Brigades, and Volks Rocket Projector Brigades, all of which will be discussed in Section VII.

From the organization point of view, the significance of the Volks Grenadier Division lies in its decrease of personnel and increase of small automatic weapons, particularly submachine guns.

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Figure 7.--Infantry Division, Old Type
Figure 7.--Infantry Division, Old Type.

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UNIT Pers LMGs Hv MGs 7.92-mm AT Rs 75-mm AT Guns 20-mm AA/AT Guns 50-mm Morts 81-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows 150-mm Inf Hows 105-mm Gun/Hows 105-mm Guns 150-mm Hows Flame Throwers Armd C Mtrcls Mtr Vehicles H-Dr Vehicles Hs
Div Hq 158 2                           17 31    
Rcn Bn 625 25 8   3 3 3 4 2           3 45 30 3 213
Sig Bn 474 17                           32 103 7 52
Inf Regt 3,250 123 36 27 12   27 18 6 2           47 73 210 683
Inf Regt 3,250 123 36 27 12   27 18 6 2           47 73 210 683
Inf Regt 3,250 123 36 27 12   27 18 6 2           47 73 210 683
Arty Regt 2,500 32                 36 4 8     40 105 229 2,274
AT Bn SS0 18     36                     45 114    
Engr Bn 843 34   9                   20   44 87 19 52
Div Serv 2,300 30       8                   88 253 245 735
Total[1] 17,200 527 116 90 75 11 84 58 20 6 36 4 8 20 3 452 942 1,133 5,375
[1] A Repl Bn may be added to any Inf Div.

Figure 8.--Infantry Division, Old Type, total strength 17,200.

Also company and battalion trains have been merged into battalion supply platoons, thus freeing the company commander from all duties other than operational and facilitating a more even distribution of all types of supplies with less personnel. Bazookas replace all antitank guns in the infantry regiments; the artillery regiment is organized in batteries of six guns instead of four, with one battalion of eighteen 75-mm guns replacing a normal battalion of twelve 105-mm gun/howitzers. An additional new feature is the formation of a divisional supply regiment which combines all the divisional services except the military police detachment which has been assigned to the division headquarters. This type of division is shown on the Figures 14 and 15 as Volks Grenadier Division.

e. SS INFANTRY DIVISION (SS Grenadierdivisionen) (THREE SS REGIMENTS OF TWO BATTALIONS EACH). The great majority of German infantry divisions are army infantry divisions. However, there are also several SS infantry divisions (SS-Grenadierdivisionen) which have been formed by the armed SS (Waffen-SS). This type of division is organized similarly to the Infantry Division, 1944 Type, but it has slightly stronger components and includes an organic antiaircraft battalion.

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Figure 9.--Infantry Division, 1944 Type
Figure 9.--Infantry Division, 1944 Type.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) 75-mm Inf-Hows 150-mm Inf-Hows 105-mm Gun/Hows 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Div Hq 34 87 106 121 92 12 5                         32 21   1  
Fus Bn 15 113 580 477 122 127 43 12 0 4                   8 5 102 57 165
Sig Bn 16 80 283 326 18 35 11                         76 13 14 2 54
Inf Regt 48 316 1,644 1,373 350 332 107 24 12 8 36     3   6 2     45 20 242 130 495
Inf Regt 48 316 1,644 1,373 350 332 107 24 12 8 36     3   6 2     45 20 242 130 495
Inf Regt 48 316 1,644 1,373 350 332 107 24 12 8 36     3   6 2     45 20 242 130 495
Arty Regt[2] 85 460 1,906 2,065 307 164 69                     36 12 30 7 441 34 2,318
AT Bn 17 123 344 318 123 81 29           12 12 14         113 20   17  
Engr Bn 18 92 510 432 136 71 31 6 6     20               17 19 52 25 97
Div. Serv. [1] 58 219 1,182 1,181 133 17 57                         204 23 131 25 543
Total 387[3] 2,122 9,843 9,069 1,981 1,503 566 90 48 28 108 20 12 21 14 18 6 36 12 615 168 1,466 SS1 4,656
[1] A Fld Repl Bn with a C Sch may be added to any Inf Div.

[2] The Arty Regt may be reduced in some Divs by 39 NCOs, 399 Pvts, 545 Hs, three 105-mm Gun/Hows, three 150-mm Hows, and other equipment.

[3] Including 71 officials.

Figure 10.--Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 12,352.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls Tlrs
Div Hq 33[1 61 92 95 81 7 2 25 21 1
Map Repro Sec   1 7 7 1     2    
MP Det 1 25 7 19 10   3 5    
Total 34[1] 87 106 121 92 12 5 32 21 1
[1] Including 10 officials.                    
Figure 11.--Division Headquarters, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 227.

[II-16]

Figure 12.--Infantry Division, Two-Regiment Type
Figure 12.--Infantry Division, Two-Regiment Type.

UNIT Pers LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts FlameThrowers 20-mm AA Guns 75-mm AT Guns 88-mm AT Guns 75-mm Inf Hows 150-mm Inf Hows 105-mm Gun/Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Hs
Div Hq 150 2                     48 15    
Fus Co (Bcl) 120 16   2   2             5 3 5 20
Sig Bn 402 11                     85 20 6 25
Inf Regt 2,645 178 24 18 12     3   6 2   51 44 244 631
Inf Regt 2,645 178 24 18 12     3   6 2   51 44 244 631
Arty Regt 1,755 43             12     2-\ 52 28 106 968
AA/AT Bn 350 17         12 14         88 24    
Engr Bn 397 22 4 4   14             3 7 35 68
Div Serv 1,395 30                     159 33 86 391
Total 9,859 497 52 42 24 16 12 20 12 12 4 24 543 218 726 2,734
A Fld Repl Bn with a C Sch may be added to any Inf Div.

Figure 13.--Infantry Division, Two-Regiment Type, total strength 9,859.

[II-17]

Figure 14.--Volks Grenadier Division
Figure 14.--Volks Grenadier Division.

[II-18]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas Flame Throwers 37-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) 75-mm Inf Hows 75-mm Guns 105-mm Gun/Hows 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Div Hq 34 87 106 121 92 12 5                         32 21   1   5
Fus Co[2] 3 28 169 89 26 84 8 2 2             2         1 19 10 56 166
Sig Bn 14 57 234 266 34 5 11                         44 10 12 2 44 4
Inf Regt (Bel) 46 267 1,598 1,048 269 597 79 16 12 8 72         12       10 10 223 84 524 698
Inf Regt 46 267 1,541 991 269 597 79 16 12 8 72         12       9 10 219 84 430 100
Inf Regt[1] 46 267 1,541 991 269 597 79 16 12 8 72         12       9 10 219 84 430 100
Arty Regt 75 405 1,264 1,405 201 132 45                   18 24 12 99 13 285 30 1,062 49
AT Bn 17 119 324 326 140 26 30           9 9 14         100 18   16    
Engr Bn 15 66 361 316 115 11 18 4 4     12               12 14 35 17 68 297
Sup Regt 46 161 868 951 121 3 15                         111 12 130 18 388 103
Total 342[3] 1,724 8,006 6.504 1,536 2,064 369 54 42 24 216 12 9 9 14 38 18 24 12 426 119 1,142 346 3,002 1,522
[1] A Fld Repl Bn with a C Sch may be added to any Volks Gren. Div.

[2] May be replaced by a Fus. Bn.

[3] Including 49 officials.

Figure 15.--Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 10,072.

[II-19]

UNIT Pers LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns (SP) 37-mm AT Guns 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Mt Inf Hows 150-mm Mt Inf Hows 75-mm Mt Hows 105-mm Mt Hows 150-mm Hows
Div Hq 195 2                          
Mt Rcn Bn 650 38 6 6         3   2        
Mt Sig Bn 453 11                          
Mt Inf Regt 3,064 130 36 18 12 36       3 6 2      
Mt Inf Regt 3,064 130 36 18 12 36       3 6 2      
Mt Arty Regt 2,230 69                     24 12 12
AT Bn 500 15           12   18          
Mt Engr Bn 900 31 6 6     20                
Div Serv 2,000 59                          
Total 13,056 485 84 48 24 72 20 12 3 24 14 4 24 12 12
A Fld Repl Bn with a C Sch may be added to any Mt Div.
Figure 16.--Army Mountain Division, total strength 13,056.

3. Mountain and Light Divisions

a. ARMY MOUNTAIN DIVISION (Gebirgasdivision) (TWO MOUNTAIN INFANTRY REGIMENTS OF THREE BATTALIONS EACH.). German Army Mountain divisions are organized and specially equipped for mountain warfare as well as for warfare in difficult terrain. Their means of transportation therefore will vary from a large number of pack horses and mules in higher mountains to a fair proportion of motorization in flat country. The principle of decentralizing heavy weapons is particularly adapted to the relatively independent mountain infantry battalions which are as administratively and tactically self-sufficient as possible. The German army mountain division consists of two mountain infantry regiments with a total of six battalions; and a mountain artillery regiment, with 75-mm mountain howitzers, 105-mm gun/howitzers, and 150-mm howitzers. Its reconnaissance battalion usually uses bicycles for transportation and is therefore highly mobile.

b. ARMY LIGHT DIVISION (Jägerdivision) (TWO LIGHT INFANTRY REGIMENTS OF THREE BATTALIONS EACH). The Army Light Division is organized similarly to the Army Mountain Division but is believed to have more motorization and less mountain equipment.

c. SS MOUNTAIN DIVISION (SS Gebirgsdivision) (TWO MOUNTAIN INFANTRY REGIMENTS OF FOUR BATTALIONS EACH). The SS Mountain Division is organized similarly to the Army Mountain Division, but it has stronger components and includes an antiaircraft battalion. The SS Mountain Infantry Regiment may have in addition to three mountain infantry battalions a fourth mountain infantry battalion or several regimental companies.

4. Motorized Divisions

a. ARMY MOTORIZED DIVISION (Panzergrenadierdivision) (TWO MOTORIZED INFANTRY REGIMENTS OF THREE BATTALIONS EACH). The Army Motorized Division has two motorized infantry regiments of three battalions each but otherwise is organized similarly to the Army Armored Division except that it has a tank or assault gun battalion instead of a tank regiment. The motorized infantry battalions originally were organized exactly as the normal infantry battalions, except they used trucks as means of transportation. During the year 1944, however, the components of the motorized infantry battalion have been reorganized along the lines of the Panzer Grenadier battalions in armored divisions. The two infantry regiments are usually designated (Infanterieregiment- (mot)), but in some divisions they officially adopted the designation of Panzer Grenadier regiment.

b. SS MOTORIZED DIVISION (SS-Panzergrenadierdivision) (TWO SS MOTORIZED INFANTRY REGIMENTS OF THREE BATTALIONS EACH). The SS Motorized Division is organized similarly to the Army Motorized Division, except that its infantry regiments include additional regimental companies, and the tank battalion has a greater strength and a larger number of tanks. The SS motorized infantry regiments are designated SS Panzer Grenadier regiments.

[II-20]

Figure 17.--Army Mountain Division
Figure 17.--Army Mountain Division.

[II-21]

Figure 18.--Army Motorized Division
Figure 18.--Army Motorized Division.

[II-22]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AA Guns Four-
Barreled (SP)
20-mm AT Guns 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) 88-mm AA Guns 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) 105-mm Gun Hows (Mtr-Dr) 105-mm Gun/ Hows (SP) 150-mm Hows (Mtr-Dr) 150-mm Hows (SP) Pz. Kpfw. IV's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Div Hq 32 31 78 95 44 3 2                                     32 8
Armd Rcn Bn 27 223 692 434 300 206 147 4 10   6       35   13                 193 22
Sig Bn 13 83 360 400 50 40 17                                     107 14
Tk Bn 27 212 328 229 286 95 112             3       48             48 94 18
Mtz Inf Regt 85 545 2,413 1,938 789 316 201 36 18 12   18       9       6           502 108
Mtz Inf Regt 85 545 2,413 1,938 789 316 201 36 18 12   18       9       6           502 108
Armd Arty Regt. 69 365 1,215 1,217 343 203 92         9                 12 12 12 6   407 31
AA Bn 22 142 600 673 69 47 18         18             8             171 16
AT Bn 20 166 327 271 142 100 47                 12 31                 135 17
Engr Bn 24 116 733 SS2 245 102 96 6 6   20       3                     171 42
Div Serv 64 292 1,529 1,708 165 13 86                                     323 85
Total 468[1] 2,720 10,688 9,455 3,222 1,441 1,019 82 52 24 26 63   3 38 30 44 48 8 12 12 12 12 6 48 2,637[2] 469
[1] Including 64 officials.

[2] Including 184 Armd vehicles.

Figure 19.--Army Motorized Division, total strength, 13,876.

[II-23]

5. Armored Divisions

a. ARMY ARMORED DIVISION (Panzerdivision) (TWO Panzer Grenadier REGIMENTS OF TWO BATTALIONS EACH). Every German large-scale attack and counterattack in this war was spearheaded by armored (Panzer) divisions. These thrusting attacks account for the great importance the armored divisions play within the German armed forces and for the especially well trained personnel and newest types of weapons and equipment in the armored division. In order to keep the weapons and equipment in accordance with the newest development at all times, the reorganizations within that type of division have been continuous since the outbreak of the war and are still continuing.

In 1939 the German armored divisions which spearheaded the attack into Poland consisted of a tank brigade of two tank regiments, a Panzer Grenadier brigade of two regiments, and the supporting elements. The tank brigade consisted of about 400 light and medium tanks, about two-thirds of which were Pz. Kpfw. I and II and one-third were Pz. Kpfw. III and IV. During the winter of 1940 the Germans formed additional armored divisions and reduced the tank components of each to one regiment of approximately 200 tanks. When these divisions went into action in the French campaign, the bulk of the tanks were Pz. Kpfw. III and IV. In 1941 and 1942 the number of tanks per regiment was further reduced, the Pz. Kpfw. I were withdrawn, and the Pz. Kpfw. II were used mainly for reconnaissance purposes. In the fall of 1943 the German High Command issued a new table of organization for the armored division specifying a total number of about 200 tanks of the Pz. Kpfw. IV and V type exclusively. This planned strength, however, remained only a theory, as no armored division encountered had more than 150 tanks, and most of the divisions had approximately 100 only. Early in 1944 the German High Command issued an order that all companies and battalion trains in the tank regiment, in the Panzer Grenadier regiments, and in the armored reconnaissance battalion should be reduced in strength and merged into supply companies on the battalion level, thus freeing the company commanders from all duties other than operational and facilitating a more even distribution of all types of supplies with curtailed personnel. The most important changes which occurred in the organization of other components of the armored division will be covered under the appropriate branches of arms or services in Sections VI and VII.

While the last known tables of organization of the army armored division still specify 17 tanks for each of the four companies in the tank battalion, current front reports indicate that a new set of tables of organization is being issued specifying the components as shown in Figures 20-22.

b. SS ARMORED DIVISION (SS-Panzerdivision) (TWO Panzer Grenadier REGIMENTS OF THREE BATTALIONS EACH). The SS Armored Division is organized similarly to the Army Armored Division except that it has stronger components. The tank regiment has a larger number of tanks, each of the Panzer Grenadier regiments has a Panzer Grenadier battalion and an antiaircraft company, the armored artillery regiment has one more armored artillery battalion (170-mm guns or 210-mm howitzers), the armored engineer battalion usually has an additional bridge column, and the division includes a rocket projector battalion and an assault gun battalion. The divisional services are also proportionately stronger.

In accordance with the above, the SS Armored Division may be considered the strongest type of division in the German armed forces. Only the Air Force Parachute Armored Division, Herman Goering, and the Army Armored divisions, Panzer Lehr and Grossdeutschland, are believed to be of equal strength.

[II-24]

Figure 20.--Army Armored Division
Figure 20.--Army Armored Division.

[II-25]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AT Guns 28/20-mm AT Guns 37-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) 75-mm Tk Guns (Superlong) 88-mm AA Guns 75-mm Inf Hows (SP) 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) 105-mm Gun Hows (Mtr-Dr) 105-mm Hows (SP) 150-mm Hows (Mtr-Dr) 150-mm Hows (SP) Pz. Kpfw.| IVs Pz. Kpfw. Vs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Div Hq 32 31 78 95 44 3                                             32 8
Div Hq Co 3 37 179 138 65 19 16 2 2     4         3                       31 28
Armd Rcn Bn 27 223 692 434 300 206 147 4 10   6   35       13                       199 22
Armd Sig Bn 16 103 396 444 69 51 35                                           114 14
Tk (Pz) Regt 69 SS3 1,039 822 704 228 252         6     8     52 51             5 2 51 313 53
Pz. Gren. Regt. (Armd) 64 436 1,794 1,373 595 336 224 26 14 8 24 25                 12 6             406 81
Pz. Gren. Regt. (Mtz) 61 410 1,787 1,449 574 235 144 26 14 8 18 12                   6             380 83
Armd Arty Regt 69 365 1,215 1,217 343 203 92         9                     12 12 12 6     407 31
AA Bn 22 142 600 673 69 47 18         18               8                 171 16
AT Bn 20 166 327 271 142 100 47                 12 31                       135 17
Armd Engr Bn 24 118 743 562 247 102 96 6 6   20   3 3                             174 42
Div Serv 64 292 1,529 1,708 165 13 86                                           323 85
Total 471[1] 2.876 10,379 9,186 3,317 1,543 1,157 64 46 16 68 74 38 3 8 12 47 52 51 8 12 12 12 12 12 6 52 51 2,685[2] 480
[1] Including 69 officials.

[2] Including 357 Armd vehicles.

Figure 21.--Army Armored Division, total strength 13,725.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 20-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm AT Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Armed Div Hq 32[1] 30 71 86 43 3           30 8
Map Repro Sec   1 7 7 1             2  
Div Hq Co 3 37 179 138 65 19 16 2 2 4 3 31 28
Total 35[1] 68 257 231 109 22 16 2 2 4 3 63 36
[1] Including ten officials.
Figure 22.--Division Headquarters, Army Armored Division, total strength 360.

[II-26]

Figure 23.--SS Armored Division
Figure 23.--SS Armored Division.

[II-27]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 150 or 210-mm Rkt Projectors 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AT Guns 28/20-mm AT Guns (SP)  37-mm AA Guns 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) 75-mm Tk Guns (Superlong) 88-mm AA Guns 75-mm Inf Hows (SP) 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) 105-mm Gun Hows (Mtr-Dr) 105-mm Gun Hows (SP) 150-mm Hows (Mtr-Dr) 150-Hows (SP) 170-mm Guns Pz. Kpfw. IV's Pz. Kpfw. Vs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Div Hq 32 31 78 95 44 3                                                 32 8
Div Hq Co 3 37 179 138 65 19 16 2 2       4         3                         31 28
Armd Rcn Bn 27 223 692 434 300 206 147 4 10   6     35       13                         193 22
Armd Sig Bn 16 103 396 444 69 51 35                                               114 14
Tk (Pz.) Regt. 70 614 1,087 816 719 245 296           6     8     64 62                 64 62 313 53
Pz. Gren. Regt 89 598 2,555 1,957 852 443 284 38 20 12 24   43                 12 6               527 88
Pz. Gren. Regt 89 598 2,555 1,957 852 443 284 38 20 12 24   43                 12 6               527 88
Armd Arty Regt 89 473 1,605 1,636 409 255 109 12                               12 12 12 6 12     534 40
AA Bn 22 148 654 729 73 47 22           18               12                   181 16
Bn Rkt Projector. 14 101 358 380 40 53 18         18                                     107 8
Assault Gun Bn 15 111 218 294 80 70 22                     22                         100 11
AT Bn 20 166 327 271 142 100 47                   12 31                         135 17
Armd Engr Bn 26 132 826 654 254 102 99 6 6   20     3 3                               212 5\2
Div Serv 64 292 1,529 1,708 165 13 86                                               323 85
Total 576[1] 3,627 13,059 11,513 4,064 2,050 1,465 100 58 24 74 18 114 38 3 8  12 69 64 62 12 24 12 12 12 12 6 12 64 62 3,329[2] 530
[1] Including 62 officials.
[2] Including 359 Armd vehicles.
Figure 24.--SS Armored Division, total strength 17,262.

[II-28]

Figure 25.--Air Force Parachute Division
Figure 25.--Air Force Parachute Division.

6. Air Force Parachute Division (Fallschirmjägerdivision) (Three Parachute Rifle Regiments of Three Battalions Each)

As the abovementioned Armored Division may be considered the strongest type of division in the German armed forces, the German Air Force Parachute Division is believed to be the strongest type of the various infantry divisions. While in the course of this war small German parachute units have been employed successfully as airborne troops in various campaigns, in the West, in the Balkans, in Crete and Sicily, one generally may consider the present Air Force Parachute divisions as especially carefully selected, well trained, and equipped crack infantry divisions, with only a small percentage of their personnel having received training as parachutists in the American sense of the word. The significant organizational difference between the parachute division and the army infantry division is that each of the three parachute rifle regiments has three battalions and a larger allotment of machine guns than the corresponding army units. The parachute artillery regiment has only three battalions (two light and one medium), but the division includes a parachute antiaircraft battalion and a parachute 120-mm mortar battalion.

7. Air Force Field Division (Luftwaffenjelddivision (Three Infantry Regiments of Two Battalions Each)

The Air Force Field Divisions were formed in the later part of 1942 from surplus personnel of the antiaircraft artillery, the air signal troops, the ground crews of the flying troops, and administrative units, as well as a certain number of recruits and foreigners. Most of these divisions were sent to the Russian front in the winter of 1942-1943 but some also were encountered on the Italian front and in France. The organization of this type of division varied, but it is believed that the basic pattern was originally a two-regiment, three-battalion division, with normal supporting units and an additional antiaircraft battalion. In the fall of 1943 the Air Force Field divisions were absorbed by the Army. Many of them had suffered heavy losses and were disbanded in 1943 and 1944, and the remaining few were reorganized along the lines of the Infantry Division, 1944 Type.

8. Cavalry Division (Kavallariedivision) (Four Cavalry Regiments of Two Battalions Each)

The only army cavalry division identified is the Cossack Division which consists of Don, Kuban, and Terek Cossacks; some German officers and noncommissioned officers; and possibly elements of other nationalities.

The Waffen-SS is believed to have two cavalry divisions.

All three of these cavalry divisions are organized similarly and consist of two cavalry brigades of two regiments each, a weak artillery regiment, a reconnaissance battalion, a signal battalion,

[II-29]

an engineer battalion, and the divisional services.

UNIT Pers Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns (Mtr-Dr) 20-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) 88-mm AA Guns 75-mm Light Guns 105-mm Gun/ Hows 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Div Hq 194 102 82 7 2       6                   27 21
Rcn Co 200 89 26 84 8 2 2   4             2     10 1
Prcht Sig Bn 379 326 18 35 11       6                   83 13
Prcht R Regt 3,206 1,651 968 751 224 24 39 9 54       3     6     304 71
Prcht R Regt 3,206 1,651 968 751 224 24 39 9 54       3     6     304 71
Prcht R Regt 3,206 1,651 968 751 224 24 39 9 54       3     6     304 71
Prcht Arty Regt 1,571 1,250 218 168 53       12   9           24 12 396 30
Prcht AA Bn 824 729 73 47 22       12   18       12       181 16
Prcht 120-mm Mort Bn 594 290 87 258 42     36 6                   123 33
Prcht AT Bn 484 318 123 81 29       36     12 12 14         113 20
Prcht Engr Bn 620 432 136 71 31 6 6   6 20                 43 19
Div Serv 1,492 1,200 143 22 60                           253 23
Total 15,976 9,689 3,810 3,026 930 80 125 63 250 20 27 12 21 14 12 20 24 12 2,141 389
Figure 26.--Air Force Parachute Division, total strength 15,976.

[II-30]

9. Line of Communication Division (Sicherungsdivision)

Designed for mopping-up duties in the rear areas, such a division may consist of two reinforced regiments or of a number of independent battalions.

10. Coast Defense Division (Kustenverteidigungsdivision)

This consists of a division staff controlling fortress battalions and coast artillery units in a coastal sector.

11. Assault Division (Sturmdivision)

This is an honorary title for some divisions with reduced infantry personnel and a concentration of heavy firepower and automatic weapons.

12. Frontier Guard Division (Grenzwachdivision)

This consists of a division staff controlling certain frontier guard units.

13. Special Administrative Division Staff (Divisionskommando z.b. V.)

This consists of a division staff controlling Landesschützen Battalions and General Headquarters troops stationed in a corps area in Germany.

14. Replacement Division Staff (Div. Nr. . . .)

This is a division staff within a corps area in Germany to supervise the induction of personnel and replacements for field units.

15. Reserve Division (Reservedivision)

This controls reserve units for training, occupation, and defensive duties. This type of division is organized similarly to field infantry divisions; it has a preponderance of infantry, engineers, and static artillery, but the other elements are believed to be very much under strength. In spite of that, several reserve divisions have been redesignated combat divisions (Kampfdivisionen) and went into action on short notice.

16. Field Training Division (Feldausbildungsdivision)

This controls field training regiments in the rear of the Eastern Front. Is believed to be organized similarly to the Reserve Division and therefore may be encountered in the field.

17. Antiaircraft Division (Flakdivision)

Under the German system, antiaircraft defense is in the main the responsibility of the German Air Force, although the German Army also has a large number of antiaircraft units of its own. While the composition and equipment of antiaircraft batteries generally are standardized, the formation of these into battalions, regiments, divisions, or units of equivalent size, however, is subject to more variations than in any other of the German arms. The average non-motorized, air force, antiaircraft division, which is shown in the following figure, usually is located in the Zone of the Interior. It has a large number of trailers but very little motorization, and depends for mobility on separate transportation units. As pointed out above, many other combinations of the units shown as divisional components may be encountered frequently,

UNIT Pers LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AA Guns (Four-Barreled) 37-mm AA Guns 88-mm AA Guns 105-mm AA Guns 60-cm SLs 105-cm SLs 200-cm SLs Bar Blns Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Div Hq 200 2                   30 1 20
Air Def Sig Bn 300 11                   44 12 10
Hv SL Regt 2,043 29             90 18   94 255 52
AA Regt 2,448 38 52 9 12 24 16 16     72 109 238 SS
AA Regt 2,448 38 52 9 12 24 16 16     72 109 238 SS
AA Regt 2,448 38 52 9 12 24 16 16     72 109 238 SS
Air Med Unit 250 2                   37   2
Total 10,137 158 156 27 36 72 48 48 90 18 216 532 982 249
In motorized AA units the number of personnel is approximately twice as high.
Figure 27.--Antiaircraft Division in Zone of Interior, total strength 10,137.

[II-31]

Figure 28.--Antiaircraft Division in Zone of Interior
Figure 28.--Antiaircraft Division in Zone of Interior.

[II-32]

Section VI. COMBAT TROOPS (FECHTENDE TRUPPEN)

1. General

This section consists of a list of the more important types of combat units in the German armed forces, of the status of regiments and below with particulars on their organization. They are arranged according to the arms and services (Waffengattungen), divided into organic units (integral parts of divisions) and General Headquarters units (Heerestruppen) (units held in the General Headquarters pool from which they are allotted to army groups, armies, and corps and sub-allotted temporarily to divisions for specific operations).

2. Organic Infantry Units

a. GENERAL. For the purpose of clarity we are including under this paragraph all units which are infantry units in accordance with the American conception. The Germans consider security troops (Sicherungstruppen) a separate category of units of the field army, but in reality they consist principally of infantry. Similarly, the Germans consider armored infantry (Panzergrenadiere) as belonging to the armored arm and not to the infantry.

On the other hand, the Germans include reconnaissance and other former cavalry units as a part of the infantry arm which are listed in this section under paragraph 19, Reconnaissance Units. The designation of the infantry regiment was changed to Grenadierregiment in 1942 by special order of Hitler to honor the infantry arm. The same applies to the infantry battalion now called Grenadierbataillon and to the infantry company Grenadierkompanie.

b. INFANTRY REGIMENT. (1) Old Type Regiment. The infantry regiments of the Infantry Division, Old Type, may be considered the basic type of German infantry regiments, as their organization remained for all practical purposes unchanged from the beginning of 1940 until the end of 1943. Each of the three regiments of the Infantry Division, Old Type, consisted of three infantry battalions, a thirteenth infantry howitzer company, and a fourteenth antitank company. In spite of the fact that the Infantry Division, Old Type, will not be encountered any more, it is believed that this type of regiment has formed the basic pattern and tradition for most of the infantry regiments now in the field.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Inf Hows 150-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Regtl Hq 7 1 16 16 7 2                 3 3     8 2
Regtl Hq Co S 28 165 143 26 32 10               5   28 6 84 9
Inf Bn 15 113 580 477 122 127 43 12 6 4         8 5 92 57 165 17
Inf Bn 15 113 580 477 122 127 43 12 6 4         8 5 92 57 165 17
Inf How Co[1] 3 32 149 140 22 27 5           6 2 8 2 22 2 63 3
AT Co[2] 3 29 154 120 51 17 6       36 3     13 5 8 8 10 6
Total 48[3] 316 1,644 1,373 350 332 107 24 12 8 36 3 6 2 45 20 242 130 495 54
[1] Referred to by the traditional designation: "13" Co.
[2] Referred to by the traditional designation: "14" Co.
[3] Including six officials.
Figure 29.--Infantry Regiment, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 2,008.

[II-33]

(2) 1944 Type Regiment. The above type of regiment has been superseded by the infantry regiment in the Infantry Division, 1944 Type, which consists also of three regiments, but each regiment has only two battalions in addition to the infantry howitzer and antitank companies. (See Figures 29 to 39.)

(3) Three-Battalion Regiment. In addition to the type of infantry regiment mentioned in subparagraph (2), another type may be encountered which is similar to the basic one mentioned in subparagraph (1). It is the three-battalion regiment of the infantry division, two-regiment type. However, it is believed that there is a trend toward reorganizing that type of division on a three-regiment, two-battalion basis. After such a reorganization, the regiment probably will be similar to the Infantry Regiment, 1944 Type.

Figure 30.--Infantry Regiment, Infantry Division, 1944 Type
Figure 30.--Infantry Regiment, Infantry Division, 1944 Type.

[II-34]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 5 2 3 5 1         1 3
1st (Com) Plat 1 2 29 23 1 9     6 6 7  
20 (Engr) Plat 1 7 65 53 8 13 6   6   13 2
30 (Mtd) Plat[1]   4 27 20 4 7 3   1   31  
Tn 2[2] 10 42 44 8 2 1 5 15   32 4
Total 5[2] 28 165 143 26 32 10 5 28 6 84 9
[1] The Mtd Plat may be replaced by a Bcl Plat with 29 Bcls and 2 Hs.
[2] Including two officials.
Figure 31.--Regimental Headquarters Company, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 198.

Figure 32.--Infantry Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type
Figure 32.--Infantry Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type.

[II-35]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs HV MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 6[1] 13 58 58 8 14 1       1 2 16 4 33 6
R Co 2 21 119 96 22 28 13 2         15 11 27 3
R Co 2 21 119 96 22 28 13 2         15 11 27 3
R Co 2 21 119 96 22 28 13 2         15 11 27 3
  3 37 165 131 48 29 3 6 6 4 7 3 31 20 51 2
Total 15[1] 113 580 477 122 127 43 12 6 4 8 5 92 57 165 17
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 33.--Infantry Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 708.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Hq Sec 4 3 10 11 5 4   1 2     4 3
Com Sec   3 22 17   8       4 4 4  
Tn 2[1] 7 26 30 3 2 1     12   25 3
Total 6[1] 13 58 58 8 14 1 1 2 16 4 33 6
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 34.--Infantry Battalion Headquarters, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 77.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 3 8 8 2 3     1 1 1 2
1st R Plat 1 3 29 22 5 7 4   2 2 3  
2d R Plat   4 29 22 5 7 4   2 2 3  
3d R Plat   4 29 22 5 7 4   2 2 3  
Hv MG Sec   3 15 11 4 3   2 3 2 4  
Tn   4 9 11 1 1 1   S 2 12 1
Total 2 21 119 96 22 28 13 2 15 11 27 3
Figure 35.--Rifle Company, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 142.

UNIT Offs[1] NCOs[1] Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Plat Hq 1   5 4 2 1 1 2 2 3
R Sqd   1 8 6 1 2 1      
R Sqd   1 8 6 1 2 1      
R Sqd   1 8 6 1 2 1      
Total 1 3 29 22 5 7 4 2 2 3
[1] Only the 1st Plat of the R Co is commanded by an officer; the 2d and 3d Plats are commanded by NCOs, and consequently the number of NCOs in these two platoons increases from three to four.
Figure 36.--Rifle Platoon, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 33.

[II-36]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 4 15 15 2 4           1 2 2 5 1
1st (HvMG) Plat 1 9 45 31 15 10   6         8 6 11  
20 (81-mm Mort) Plat                                
(H-Dr)   10 56 37 23 6     6       15 12 19  
30 (120-mm Mort) Plat                                
(Mtz) 1 7 39 36 5 7 2     4 7 2        
Tn   7 10 12 3 2 1           6   16 1
Total 3 37 165 131 48 29 3 6 6 4 7 3 31 20 51 2
Figure 37.--Heavy Weapons Company, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 205.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm Inf Hows 150-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 4 13 14 3 2       1   2 2 5 2
1st (75-mm Inf How) Plat 1 5 30 27 4 6 1 2       5   15  
2d (75-mm Inf How) Plat   6 30 27 4 6 1 2       5   15  
3d (75-mm Inf How) Plat   6 30 27 4 6 1 2       5   15  
4th (150-mm Inf How) Plat 1 5 33 29 5 6 1   2 6 2        
Tn   6 13 16 2 1 1     1   5   13 1
Total 3 32 149 140 22 27 5 6 2 8 2 22 2 63 3
Referred to by the traditional designation: "13th" Co.
Figure 38.--Infantry Howitzer Company, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 184.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Bazookas 75-mm AT Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 10 26 29 6 3       1 4     2 6
1st (75-mm AT) Plat (Mtz) 1 4 28 25 4 5 3   3 5 1        
2d (Bazooka) Plat (H-Dr)   5 43 25 19 4 1 18       4 4 4  
3d (Bazooka) Plat (H-Dr) 1 4 43 25 19 4 1 18       4 4 4  
Tn (Mtz)   6 14 16 3 1 1     7          
Total 3 29 154 120 51 17 6 36 3 13 5 8 8 10 6
Referred to by the traditional designation: "14th" Co.
Figure 39.--Antitank Company (partly mortorized), Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 186.

[II-37]

(4) Volks Grenadier Regiment. The infantry regiment in the Volks Grenadier Division shows a completely new organization. The infantry company and battalion trains are merged to a supply platoon on a battalion level. The infantry company consists of two sub-machine gun platoons and a rifle platoon. The heavy-weapons company of the infantry battalion includes an infantry howitzer platoon. The regimental infantry howitzer company is equipped with 120-mm mortars and 75-mm infantry howitzers only, and the regimental antitank company has been replaced by a bazooka company equipped with 72 bazookas. (See Figures 40 to 50.)

Figure 40.--Infantry Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division
Figure 40.--Infantry Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division.

[II-38]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas 75-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Regtl Hq 6 1 12 4 3 14             2 3     8 2
Regtl Hq Co 5 25 157 133 22 32 10           1   27 6 53 38
Inf Bn 15 95 532 309 80 253 30 8 6     4 2 3 70 32 125 27
Inf Bn 15 95 532 309 80 253 30 8 6     4 2 3 70 32 125 27
Inf How Co[1] 3 32 162 145 21 31 5     8   4 1   33 2 89 4
Bazooka Co[2] 2 19 146 91 63 14 4       72   1 1 19 12 30 2
Total 46[3] 267 1,541 991 269 597 79 16 12 8 72 12 9 10 219 84 430 100
[1] Referred to by the traditional designation: "13th" Co.

[2] Referred to by the traditional designation: "14th" Co.

[3] Including four officials.

Figure 41.--Infantry Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 1,854.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 5 2 3 4 1         1 3
1st (Com) Plat 1 2 29 23   9     6 6 7  
2d (Engr) Plat 1 7 65 53 7 13 6   6   13 2
3d (Bcl) Plat   4 27 20 4 7 3   1   2 29
Tn 2[1] 7 34 34 7 2 1 1 14   30 4
Total 5[1] 25 157 133 22 32 10 1 27 6 53 38
[1] Including two officials.                        

Figure 42.--Regimental Headquarters Company, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 187.

>Figure 43.--Infantry Battalion, Volks Grenadier Division
Figure 43.--Infantry Battalion, Volks Grenadier Division.

[II-39]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Ha 4 6 34 21 3 20 1       1 2 4 4 8 3
Sup Plat 2[1] 6 39 42 3 2 1       1   17   42 4
Gren. Co 2 16 101 46 9 64 9           7 4 10 5
Gren. Co 2 16 101 46 9 64 9           7 4 10 5
Gren. Co 2 16 101 46 9 64 9           7 4 10 5
Hv Wpn Co 3 35 156 108 47 39 1 8 6 4   1 28 16 45 5
Total 15[1] 95 532 309 80 253 30 8 6 4 2 3 70 32 125 27
[1] Including one official.
Figure 44.--Infantry Battalion, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 642.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 5 14 16 1 3   1 1 1 5
1st (Sub-MG) Plat 1 3 29 5 2 26 3 2 1 3  
2d (Sub-MG) Plat   4 29 5 2 26 3 2 1 3  
3d (R) Plat   4 29 20 4 9 3 2 1 3  
Total 2 16 101 46 9 64 9 7 4 10 5
Figure 45.--Infantry Company, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 119.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Plat Hq 1   5 2 1 3 2 2 1 3
Sub-MG Sqd   1 8     9        
Sub-MG Sqd   1 8     9        
R Sqd   1 8 3 1 5 1      
Total 1 3 29 5 2 26 3 2 1 3
Only the 1st Plat of the Gren Co is commanded by an officer; the 2d (Sub-MG) and 3d (R) Plats are commanded by NCOs and consequently the number of NCOs in these Plats increases by three to four.
Figure 46.--Submachine gun Platoon, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 33.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Plat Hq   1 5 2 1 3   2 1 3
R Sqd   1 8 6 1 2 1      
R Sqd   1 8 6 1 2 1      
R Sqd   1 8 6 1 2 1      
Total   4 29 20 4 9 3 2 1 3
Figure 47.--Rifle Platoon, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 33.

[II-40]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Mort 75-mm Inf Hows Mtrcl H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 8 15 14 3 7         1 2 2 5 4
1st (MG) Plat 1 6 22 11 9 9   4       2 1 3  
2d (MG) Plat   7 22 11 9 9   4       2 1 3  
3d (Inf How) Plat 1 7 44 38 5 9 1     4   7   15 1
4th (Medium Mort) Plat   7 53 34 21 5     6     15 12 19  
Total 3 35 156 108 47 39 1 8 6 4 1 28 16 45 5
Figure 48.--Heavy weapons Company, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 194.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 120-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 4 15 13 2 5         2 2 5 2
120-mm Mort Plat 1 7 44 38 6 8 2 4     9   27  
120-mm Mort Plat   8 44 38 6 8 2 4     9   27  
75-mm Inf How Plat 1 7 44 38 5 9 1   4   8   17 1
Tns   6 15 18 2 1       1 5   13 1
Total 3 32 162 145 21 31 5 8 4 1 33 2 89 4
Referred to by the traditional designation: "13th" Co.
Figure 49.--Infantry Howitzer Company, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 197.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Bazookas Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1   2 2 1 1     1          
Bazooka Plat 1 4 45 26 20 4 1 18     5 4 6  
Bazooka Plat   5 45 26 20 4 1 18     5 4 6  
Bazooka Plat   5 45 26 20 4 1 18     5 4 6  
Tn   5 9 11 2 1 1 18[2]   1 4   12 2
Total[1] 2 19 146 91 63 14 4 72 1 1 19 12 30 2
[1] Referred to by the traditional designation: "14th" Co.

[2] In reserve.

Figure 50.--Bazooka Company, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 167.

(5) Volks Grenadier Bicycle Regiment. One of the three infantry regiments in the Volks Grenadier Division is an infantry regiment (bicycle). That regiment includes one infantry battalion (bicycle), and one normal infantry battalion, a regimental infantry howitzer company, and a regimental bazooka company as shown in sub-paragraph (4). This infantry regiment (bicycle) may be employed in the same way as the other two battalions of the Volks Grenadier Division or may be used as a mobile reserve. (See Figures 51 to 54.)

The newest type of standard German infantry regiment is the Infantry Regiment of the Division, Type 45, which is believed to have become the pattern for all German infantry regiments (see Figures 55 and 56).

[II-41]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas 75-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcl H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Regtl Hq 6 1 12 4 3 14           2 3     8 2
Regtl Hq Co 5 25 157 133 22 32 10         1   27 6 53 38
Inf Bn (Bcl) 15 95 589 366 80 253 30 8 6   4 3 3 74 32 219 625
Inf Bn 15 95 532 309 80 253 30 8 6   4 2 3 70 32 125 27
Inf How Co[1] 3 32 162 145 21 31 5     8 4 1   33 2 89 4
Bazooka Co[2] 2 19 146 91 63 14 4     72   1 1 19 12 30 2
Total 46[3] 267 1,598 1,048 269 597 79 16 12 8 72 12 10 10 223 84 524 698
[1] Referred to by the traditional designation: "13th" Co.

[2] Referred to by the traditional designation: "14th" Co.

[3] Including four officials.

Figure 51.--Infantry Regiment (bicycle), Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 1,911.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 4 6 35 22 3 20 1       2 2 4 4 12 30
Sup Plat 2[1] 6 51 54 3 2 1       1   17   54 24
Gren. Co. (Bcl) 2 16 110 55 9 64 9           8 4 24 130
Gren. Co. (Bcl) 2 16 110 55 9 64 9           8 4 24 130
Gren. Co. (Bel) 2 16 110 55 9 64 9           8 4 24 130
Hv Wpn Co (Bcl) 3 35 173 125 47 39 1 8 6 4   1 29 16 81 181
Total 15[1] 95 589 366 80 253 30 8 6 4 3 3 74 32 219 625
[1] Including one official.
Figure 52.--Infantry Battalion (bicycle), Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 699.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 5 17 19 1 3   2 1 6 34
1st (Sub-MG) Plat 1 3 31 7 2 26 3 2 1 6 32
2d (Sub-MG) Plat   4 31 7 2 26 3 2 1 6 32
3d (R) Plat   4 31 22 4 9 3 2 1 6 32
Total 2 16 110 55 9 64 9 8 4 24 130
Figure 53.--Infantry Company (bicycle), Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 128.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co Hq 1 8 18 17 3 7         1 3 2 11 38
1st (MG) Plat 1 6 24 13 9 9   4       4 2 12 54
2d (MG) Plat   7 24 13 9 9   4       7   21 43
3d (Inf How) Plat 1 7 48 42 5 9 1     4   15 12 37 46
4th (Medium Mort) Plat   7 59 40 21 5     6            
Total 3 35 173 125 47 39 1 8 6 4 1 29 16 81 181
Figure 54.--Heavy Weapons Company (bicycle), Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 211.

[II-42]

UNIT Offs Officials NCOs Pvts Incl Hiwis Rs Pistols Sniper Rs R Grenade Launchers Sub-MGs Assault Rs 44 LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas 75-mm Inf Hows 150-mm Inf Hows Mtr

Vehicles
Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs   Bcls
Regtl Hq and Hq Co 12 1 30 165 18 126 26 10 9 46   10             3 3 27 6 61 40
Inf Bn 14 1 95 534 40 284 86 18 35 91 165 30 8 6     4   2 3 70 32 125 27
Inf Bn 14 1 95 534 40 284 86 18 35 91 165 30   6     4   2 3 70 32 125 27
Inf How Co 3   30 153 14 137 21   4 28   5     8     2 1   34 6 108 3
AT Co 2   19 146 6 91 62     14   4       72     1 1 19 12 30 2
Total 45 3 269 1.532 118 922 281 46 83 270 330 79 16 12 8 72 8   9 10 220 88 449 99
Figure 55.--Infantry Regiment of Infantry Division 45, total strength 1,849.

UNIT Offs Officials NCOs Pvts Inc Hiwis[1] Rs Pistols Sniper Rs R Grenade Launchers Sub-MGs Assault Rs 44 LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq & Sup Plat 5 1 12 73 12 63 6   3 22   2       2 2 21 4 50 7
Gren Co 2   16 101 4 37 11 6 9 10 55 9           7 4 10 5
Gren Co 2   16 101 4 37 11 6 9 10 55 9           7 4 10 5
Gren Co 2   16 101 4 37 11 6 9 10 55 9           7 4 10 5
Hv Co 3   35 158 16 110 47   5 39   1 8 6 4   1 28 16 45 5
Total 14 1 95 534 40 284 86 18 35 91 165 30 8 6 4 2 3 70 32 125 27
[1] Hilfswilliger (Hiwi) is a Foreign Auxiliary, usually an Ex-pw.
Figure 56.--Infantry Battalion of Infantry Division 45, total strength 644.

[II-43]

(6) SS Infantry Regiment. In the SS Infantry Division the infantry regiment is similar to the Infantry Regiment, 1944 Type.

(7) Mountain Infantry Regiment. There are usually two regiments per mountain division organized especially for mountain warfare by making each of the three battalions self-sufficient. The normal infantry howitzer company is lacking, but mountain infantry howitzers are organic in each battalion. (See Figures 57 to 59.)

(8) The Light Infantry Regiment. Light divisions usually have two regiments organized similarly to the Army Mountain Division but have slightly more motorization.

(9) The SS Mountain Infantry Regiment. The two infantry regiments per SS Mountain Division are organized similarly to the Army Mountain Regiment; however, they have either a fourth battalion or additional regimental companies.

(10) The Motorized Infantry Regiment (Grenadier regiment (Mot)). Normally there are two regiments to the Motorized Division, consisting of three motorized infantry battalions, heavy infantry howitzer company (self-propelled), and an antitank company. The motorized infantry battalions originally were organized similarly to normal infantry battalions; however, in 1944 they were reorganized along the lines of the armored infantry battalions (Panzergrenadierbataillons) of the Armored Division. (See Figures 60 and 61.)

(11) The SS Motorized Infantry Regiment (SS-Panzer Grenadier Regiment). Two regiments per SS Motorized Division are organized similarly to the army motorized regiment; however, it has an additional antiaircraft company.

Figure 57.--Mountain Infantry Regiment
Figure 57.--Mountain Infantry Regiment.

[II-44]

UNIT Pers LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Mt Inf Hows 150-mm Mt Inf Hows
Regtl Hq 25                
Regtl Hq Co 182 4             2
Mt Inf Bn 877 40 12 6 4     2  
Mt Inf Bn 877 40 12 6 4     2  
Mt Inf Bn 877 40 12 6 4     2  
16th (AT) Co 190 6       36 3    
Light Mt Clm 36                
Total 3,064 130 36 18 12 36 3 6 2
Figure 58.--Mountain Infantry Regiment, total strength 3,064.

UNIT Pers LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts 75-mm Mt Inf Hows
Bn Hq 27          
Mt Inf Co 147 12   2    
Mt Inf Co 147 12   2    
Mt Inf Co 147 12   2    
MG Co 208   12   4  
Hv Wpn Co[1] 201 4       2
Total 877 40 12 6 4 2
[1] Often referred to as a Bn Hq Co.
Figure 59.--Mountain Infantry Battalion, total strength 877.

[II-45]

Figure 60.--Motorized Infantry Regiment, Panzer Grenadier Division
Figure 60.--Motorized Infantry Regiment, Panzer Grenadier Division.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts 20-mm AA Guns 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) 75-mm AT Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 6 2 8 7 6 3               3 3
Regtl Hq Co 3 47 97 93 50 4 4             22 18
Gren. Bn (Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4 6     143 25
Gren. Bn (Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4 6     145 25
Gren. Bn (Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4 6     143 25
150-mm Inf How Co (SP) 3 31 108 92 28 22 8         6   25 5
75-mm AT Co 4 21 109 102 18 14 9           9 23 7
Total 85 545 2,413 1,938 789 316 201 36 18 12 18 6 9 502 108
Figure 61.--Motorized Infantry Regiment, Panzer Grenadier Division, total strength 3,043.

[II-46]

(12) The Panzer Grenadier Regiment. The two regiments of the Armored Division are composed of only two battalions, a heavy infantry howitzer company (self-propelled), and an engineer company. One of the four battalions in the division is designated armored (Gepanzert or Gp.). because it is equipped with armored personnel carriers with mounted arms enabling the crews to fight from their vehicles. The other three battalions of the division are motorized only. The regiment, of which the armored battalion is a component, also is designated armored. The other regiment which contains two motorized battalions is designated motorized. (See Figures 62 to 75.)

(13) The SS Armored Infantry Regiment (SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment). There are two per SS Armored Division, each consisting of one armored and two motorized Panzer Grenadier battalions, a heavy infantry howitzer company (self-propelled), an engineer company (halftrack), and an antiaircraft company. Components of the regiment are organized like those of the Army Panzer Grenadier Regiment. (For the Panzer Grenadier Regiment see Figure 76; for the breakdown of the components see Figures 64 and 65.)

Figure 62.--Panzer Grenadier, Army Armored Division
Figure 62.--Panzer Grenadier, Army Armored Division.

[II-47]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm Inf Hows (SP) 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 6 2 8 7 6 3                 3 3
Regtl Hq Co (Armd) 3 47 97 93 50 4 14               29 17
Pz.Gren. Bn (Armd) 26 168 673 456 242 179 115 12 6 4   18 12   158[2] 24
Pz.Gren. Bn (Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4   6     143 25
Hv Inf How Co (SP) 3 31 108 92 28 22 8             6 25 5
Engr Co (H-Trk) 3 40 211 177 40 37 27 2 2   24 1     48 7
Total 64[1] 436 1,794 1,373 595 336 224 26 14 8 24 25 12 6 406 81
[1] Including eight officials.

[2] Including 125 Armd Pers carriers.

Figure 63.--Panzer Grenadier Regiment, Army Armored Division, total strength 2,294.

Figure 64.--Panzer Grenadier Battalion, Army Armored Division
Figure 64.--Panzer Grenadier Battalion, Army Armored Division.

[II-48]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts 20-mm AA Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm Inf Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 9 30 24 9 10 6           8 4
Pz. Gren. Co (Armd) 4 32 147 83 55 45 29 4 2   6 2 25 4
Pz. Gren. Co (Armd) 4 32 147 83 55 45 29 4 2   6 2 25 4
Pz. Gren. Co (Armd) 4 32 147 83 55 45 29 4 2   6 2 25 4
Hv Wpn Co (Armd) 3 23 74 46 31 32 17     4   6 21 6
Sup Co 7[1] 40 128 137 37 2 5           54 2
Total 26[1] 168 673 456 242 179 115 12 6 4 18 12 158[2] 24
[1] Including three officials.

[2] Including 87 Armd vehicles

Figure 65.--PanzerGrenadier Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 867.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 20-mm AA Guns 75-mm Inf Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 7 8 11 2 3 2         4 2
Pr. Gren. Plat (Armd) 1 3 26 12 10 8 9         4  
Pr. Gren. Plat (Armd)   4 26 12 10 10 9         4  
Pr. Gren. Plat (Armd)   4 26 12 10 8 9         4  
Hv Wpn Plat (Armd) 1 8 41 28 12 10   4 2   2 4 2
AA Plat (Armd) 1 6 20 8 11 8       6   5  
Total 4 32 147 83 SS 45 29 4 2 6 2 25[1] 4
[1] Including 21 Armd pers carriers.
Figure 66.--PanzerGrenadier Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 183.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 120-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 7 11 13 3 4 2     4 3
75-mm Inf How Plat (SP) 1 8 26 15 13 15 8   6 9 1
120-mm Mort Plat (Armd) 1 8 37 18 15 13 7 4   8 2
Total 3 23 74 46 31 32 17 4 6 21[1] 6
[1] Including 17 Armd vehicles.
Figure 67.--Heavy Weapons Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 100.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Mortars Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns (Mtr-Dr) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 5 8 7 5 2 1       1 3 1
Engr Plat 1 7 50 41 7 10 8     8   10 2
Engr Plat 1 7 50 41 7 10 8     8   10 2
Engr Plat   8 50 41 7 10       8   10 2
Hv MG Sec   3 12 8 5 2   2       1  
81-mm Mort Sec   3 14 7 8 2 2   2     2  
Maint Sec   2 8 9 1             3  
Tns   5 19 23   1           9  
Total 3 40 211 177 40 37 27 2 2 24 1 48[1] 7
[1] Including 28 Armd vehicles.
Figure 68.--Engineer Company (half-tracked), Panzer Grenadier Regiment, total strength 254.

[II-49]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns (Mtr-Dr) 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 6 2 8 7 6 3               3 3
Regtl Hq Co 3 47 97 93 50 4 4             22 18
Pz. Gren. Bn (Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12   4   6   143 25
Pz. Gren. Bn (Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4   6   143 25
150-mm Inf How Co (SP) 3 31 108 92 28 22 8           6 34 5
Engr Co (Mtz) 3 34 180 161 32 24 12 2 2   18     35 7
Total 61[1] 410 1.787 1,449 574 235 144 26 14 8 18 12 6 380 83
[1] Including eight officials.
Figure 69.--Panzer Grenadier Regiment (motorized), Army Armored Division, total strength 2,258.

Figure 70.--Panzer Grenadier Battalion (motorized), Army Armored Division
Figure 70.--Panzer Grenadier Battalion (motorized), Army Armored Division.

[II-50]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts 20-mm AA Guns (M-Dr) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 9 29 36 4 2           9 4
Pr. Gren. Co. (Mtz) 3 29 165 115 59 23 18 4 2     24 4
Pr. Gren. Co. (Mtz) 3 29 165 115 59 23 18 4 2     24 4
Pr. Gren. Co. (Mtz) 3 29 165 115 59 23 18 4 2     24 4
Hv Wpn Co (Mtz) 3 22 79 63 24 17 2     4 6 20 5
Sup Co 7[1] 30 94 104 24 3 4         42 4
Total 23[1] 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4 6 143 25
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 71.--PanzerGrenadier Battalion (motorized), Army Armored Division, total strength 868.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 7 9 10 3 4       3 4
Pz. Gren. Plat (Mtz) 1 4 38 26 13 4 6     5  
Pz. Gren. Plat (Mtz)   5 38 26 13 4 6     5  
Pz. Gren. Plat (Mtz)   5 38 26 13 4 6     5  
MG Plat (Mtz) 1 8 42 27 17 7   4 2 6  
Total 3 29 165 115 59 23 18 4 2 24 4
Figure 72.--PanzerGrenadier Company (motorized), Army Armored Division, total strength 197.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 120-mm Morts 20-mm AA Guns (M-Dr) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 7 10 13 2 3       4 2
20-mm AA Plat 1 7 32 18 14 8     6 8 1
120-mm Mort Plat 1 8 37 32 8 6 2 4   8 2
Total 3 22 79 63 24 17 2 4 6 20 5
Figure 73.--Heavy Weapons Company (motorized), Army Armored Division, total strength 104.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 5 13 8 7 4 2   3 2
150-mm Inf How Plat 1 5 23 18 6 5 2 2 6 1
150-mm Inf How Plat 1 5 23 18 6 5 2 2 6 1
150-mm Inf How Plat   6 23 18 6 5 2 2 6 1
150-mm Inf How Plat   1 5 5   1     3  
Mun Sec   3 10 13         4  
Maint Sec   6 11 12 3 2     6  
Total 3 31 108 92 28 22 8 6 34 5
Figure 74.--150-mm Infantry Howitzer Company (self-propelled), Army Armored Division, total strength 172.

[II-51]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Flame Throwers Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 3 5 5 1 3         1 3
Com Sec   2 8 10             3  
Engr Plat 1 S 41 36 5 6 4     6 6 1
Engr Plat 1 5 41 36 5 6 4     6 6 1
Engr Plat   6 41 36 5 6 4     6 6 1
81-mm Mort Sec   3 14 8 8 1     2   2  
Hv MG Sec   3 12 8 5 2   2     2  
Maint Sec   1 3 4             1 1
Tns   6 15 18 3           8  
Total 3 34 180 161 32 24 12 2 2 18 35 7
Figure 75.--Engineer Company (motorized), Army Armored Division, total strength 217.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm Inf Hows (SP) 150-mm Inf Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 6 2 8 7 6 3                    
Regtl Hq Co 3 47 97 93 50 4 14                  
Pz. Gren. Bn (Armd) 26 168 673 456 242 179 115 12 6 4   18 12   152 24
Pz. Gren. Bn (Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4   6     143 25
(Mtz) 23 148 697 548 229 91 60 12 6 4   6     143 25
Hv Inf How Co (SP) 3 31 108 92 28 22 8             6 25 5
Engr Hq (H-Trk) 3 40 211 177 40 37 27 2 2   24 1     48 7
AA Co 2 14 64 36 28 16           12     16 2
Total 89[1] 598 2,555 1,957 852 443 284 38 20 12 24 43 12 6 527[2] 88
[1] Including 11 officials.

[2] Including 89 Armd vehicles.

Figure 76.--SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, SS Armored Division, total strength 3,242.

(14) The Parachute Rifle Regiment. Three per Parachute Rifle Division, these consist of three parachute rifle battalions, a 120-mm mortar or a light gun company, and an antitank company. These regiments usually are employed as crack infantry. They include some men trained for airborne operations, but most of the so-called parachutists are well trained infantrymen only. The equipment includes a high proportion of small automatic weapons, bazookas, and antitank rocket pistols. (See Figures 77 to 82.)

[II-52]

Figure 77.--Parachute rifle regiment, air force parachute division
Figure 77.--Parachute Rifle Regiment, Air Force Parachute Division.

UNIT Offs EM Rs of Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Light Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 7 60 36 17 10 3             13 4
Regtl Hq Co 6 225 182 89 37 11             12 1
Prcht R Bn 25 828 410 257 214 66 8 13       2 81 19
Prcht R Bn 25 828 410 257 214 66 8 13       2 81 19
Prcht R Bn 25 828 410 257 214 66 8 13       2 81 19
120-mm Mort or Light Gun Co 5 158 83 40 45 6     9       19 4
AT Co 3 183 120 51 17 6       54 3   17 5
Total 96[1] 3,110 1,651 968 751 224 24 39 9 54 3 6 304 71
[1] Including 12 officials.
Figure 78.--Parachute Rifle Regiment, Air Force Parachute Division, total strength 3,206.

[II-53]

UNIT Offs EM Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 75-mm Light Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 7[1] 89 57 21 20 2       12 5
Com Plat 1 41 29 13 9 2       6 1
Prcht R Co 4 166 72 59 43 20   3   15 3
Prcht R Co 4 166 72 59 43 20   3   15 3
Prcht R Co 4 166 72 59 43 20   3   15 3
Prcht MG Co 5 200 108 46 56 2 8 4 2 18 4
Total 25[1] 828 410 257 214 66 8 13 2 81 19
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 79.--Parachute Rifle Battalion, Air Force Parachute Division, total strength 853.

UNIT Offs EM Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 81-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 35 11 12 14   3 3 3
Prcht R Plat 1 38 16 15 9 6   2  
Prcht R Plat 1 38 16 15 9 6   2  
Prcht R Plat 1 38 16 15 9 6   2  
Tns   17 13 2 2 2   6  
Total 4 166 72 59 43 20 3 15 3
Figure 80.--Parachute Rifle Company, Air Force Parachute Division, total strength 170.

UNIT Offs EM Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Light Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 22 6 6 12         2 4
Com Sec   11 7   4         1  
Prcht Hv MG Plat 1 37 19 11 9   4     2  
Prcht Hv MG Plat 1 37 19 11 9   4     2  
Prcht 81-mm Mort Plat 1 48 28 11 11     4   3  
Prcht Light Gun Plat: 1 27 15 5 9       2 2  
Tns   18 14 2 2 2       6  
Total 5 200 108 46 56 2 8 4 2 18 4
Figure 81.--Parachute Machine-Gun Company, Air Force Parachute Division, total strength 205.

UNIT Offs EM Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 120-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 2 13 3 5 9 1   1 4
Com Sec   18 12   6     2  
Prcht 120-mm Mort Plat 1 33 15 11 9 1 3 3  
Prcht 120-mm Mort Plat 1 33 15 11 9 1 3 3  
Prcht 120-mm Mort Plat 1 33 15 11 9 1 3 3  
Mun Sec   11 10   1     2  
Tns   17 13 2 2 2   5  
Total 5 158 83 40 45 6 9 19 4
Note: Some Prcht Regts may have 75-mm or 105-mm Light (Recoilless) Guns instead of the 120-mm Morts.
Figure 82.--Parachute 120-mm Mortar or Light Gun Company, Air Force Parachute Division, total strength 163.

[II-54]

c. FIELD REPLACEMENT BATTALION (Feldersatzbataillon). Field replacement battalions consist of three to five companies containing replacement elements for the various arms and divisional combat school. They may be found in all types of divisions and are a training unit as well as a field reserve for the entire division. Their personnel may be drawn from other divisional units or may consist of fresh reserves from the rear areas. Figures 83 and 84 show the Field Replacement Battalions of the Infantry Division, 1944 Type, and of the Army Armored (Panzer) Division, but their organization in other types of divisions is very similar.

d. INFANTRY ANTIAIRCRAFT COMPANY (Inf. Fla-Kp.) The infantry antiaircraft company is organic in all types of infantry divisions and is usually self propelled. It is subordinated for administrative purposes to the divisional antitank battalion, but receives all tactical directives from the division. It is equipped with 20-mm and 37-mmantiaircraft guns. It may be employed for both antiaircraft and antitank defense. Similarly organized antiaircraft companies organic in the armored division are believed to belong to the armored arm while most of the non-organic light antiaircraft companies belong to the air force.

3. General Headquarters

a. FORTRESS BRIGADE (Festungsbrigade). Independent static infantry brigades.

b. FORTRESS REGIMENT (Festungsregiment). Regimental staffs controlling fortress battalions.

c. FORTRESS BATTALIONS (Festungsbataillon). Static infantry battalions employed in the defense of fixed fortifications. It consists largely of Landesschützen personnel. It often is attached for tactical purposes to divisions operating in the same combat area.

d. PERMANENT FORTRESS BATTALION (Festungsstammabteilung). Formed as a cadre personnel, it is attached to corps manning fortifications in coastal sectors and now is found in the Westwall defenses. The battalions carry the Roman numeral of the corps to which they are attached, but also have been identified with Arabic numbers in the 300 series. These units may occur as Festungsstammregimenter (permanent fortress regiments) or as Festungsstammkompanie (permanent fortress companies) depending on the size of the sector to which they are assigned.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns 50-mm AT Guns 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Inf Hows 105-mm Gun/Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Hs
Bn Hq 2   2 2 2 2                     1 1    
C Sch 13 78 5 5 31 81                       15    
Sup Co 3[1] 19 S3 84 6 6 50 12 6 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 10 31 63
Repl Pool     750 750                                
Total 18[1] 97 810 841[2] 39 89 so 12 6 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 26 31 63
[1] Including one official.

[2] Including 20 SARs.

Figure 83.--Field Replacement Battalion, Infantry Division 1944 type, total strength 925.

[II-55]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AA Guns 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Inf Hows 105-mm Gun/Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Hs
Bn Hq 2   2 2 2                     1      
C Sch 13 78 5 5 31 86                          
Sup Co 3[1] 13 57 66 7   50 12 6 2 2 1 1 1 1 8[2] 3 24 48
Repl Pool     200 200                              
Repl Pool     200 200                              
Repl Pool     200 200                              
Repl Pool     200 200                              
Total 18[1] 91 864 873 40 86 50 12 6 2 2 1 1 1 1 9[2] 3 24 48
[1] Including one official.

[2] Various types of armored vehicles may be attached for demonstration purposes.

Figure 84.--Field Replacement Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 973.

e. MACHINE-GUN BATTALION (Maschinengewehrbataillon). The independent machine-gun battalion consists of three companies equipped with heavy machine guns and bazookas and a heavy weapons company. It probably has been redesignated fortress machine-gun battalion.

f. FORTRESS MACHINE-GUN BATTALION (Festungs-Maschinengewehrbataillon). These static machine-gun battalions are composed largely of Landesschützen personnel. Their organization is similar to a Maschinengewehrbataillon except for the mobility.

g. SUPER-HEAVY MACHINE-GUN BATTALION (Überschweres Maschinengewehrbataillon). Organization of this battalion is probably similar to that of the Maschinengewehrbataillon. It is equipped with 20-mm and 37-mm antiaircraft guns and bazookas.

h. LIGHT ANTIAIRCRAFT BATTALION (Flabataillon). This consists of light antiaircraft companies organized similarly to those found organically in the infantry divisions. It is believed that many light antiaircraft battalions have been reformed and redesignated super-heavy machine-gun battalions and are being employed as mobile defense units of fortified zones.

i. TANK DESTRUCTION BATTALION (Panzerverstörer Bataillon). This battalion is equipped with bazookas and other infantry antitank weapons.

j. HEAVY MORTAR BATTALION (Schweres Granatwerferbataillon). This consists of three companies. Each company has twelve heavy mortars (120-mm).

k. ALPINE INFANTRY BATTALION (Hochgebirgsbataillon). The personnel of this battalion is especially trained for warfare in high terrain and mountain climbing.

l. LOCAL DEFENSE (Landesschützen) REGIMENT AND BATTALION. A local defense regiment controls a varying number of battalions which are composed of two to six companies. The average company strength is 150, and total battalion strength may vary between 400 and 900. These units originally were employed for guard duties at vital installations and as support for the military administration in occupied territories.

m. SECURITY REGIMENT AND BATTALION (Sicherungsregiment). Numerous Landesschützen battalions have received additional transportation and equipment and been redesignated security battalions (Sicherungsbataillone). While the strength of these battalions varies, similarly to that of the local defense battalions, Figures 85 and 86 show an average security battalion as it may be encountered in the field.

Several such battalions may be controlled by a security regiment which usually is attached to commanders of army groups or army rear areas.

n. For a complete list of all infantry and security units see the "Order of Battle of the German Army", March 1945 edition.

[II-56]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Hs
Bn Hq 4 3 11 12 5 4       1 2   6
Com Sec   4 14 14   4           2 2
Security Co 2 24 135 97 30 39 10 2 2 2   12 28
Security Co 2 24 135 97 30 39 10 2 2 2   12 28
Security Co 2 24 135 97 30 39 10 2 2 2   12 28
Tns 1[1] 8 18 20 5 2 1         10 21
Total[2] 11[1] 87 448 337 100 127 31 6 6 7 2 48 113
[1] Including one official.

[2] A reduced Bn has a T/O strength of 11-78-419 and accordingly less fire power and transportation.

Figure 85.--Security Battalion, total strength 508-546.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles H-Dr Vehicles Hs
Co Hq 1 3 6 6 2 3       1   1
1st Plat 1 3 32 22 5 10 3       2 4
2nd Plat   4 32 22 5 10 3       2 4
3d Plat   4 32 22 5 10 3       2 4
4th (Hv Wpn) Plat   6 25 15 12 5   2 2   3 7
Tns   4 8 10 1 1 1     1 3 8
Total 2 24 135 97 30 39 10 2 2 2 12 28
Figure 86.--Security Company, Security Battalion, total strength 161.

4. Armored Organic Units

Armored troops (Panzertruppen), created as an arm in April 1943, include many units which, according to the American conception, belong to other arms. This refers specifically to the Panzer Grenadier units which the Germans include in the armored troops arm, while we consider them as belonging to the infantry; tank destroyer units; and armored reconnaissance units, each of which we consider as belonging to their appropriate arm while the Germans include them under armored troops.

a. THE ARMY TANK (Panzer) REGIMENT. This consists of two tank battalions of three companies each, but a fourth, an assault gun company, frequently may be encountered. It is believed that the tables of organization specify 14 tanks for each of the companies, distributed as follows: two in company headquarters, and four in each of the three platoons. One battalion usually is equipped with Pz. Kpfw. V tanks, and the other with Pz. Kpfw. IV tanks. (See Figures 87 to 96.)

b. THE SS TANK (Panzer) REGIMENT. This regiment is organized similarly to the Army Tank (Panzer) Regiment except that the tank companies are believed to consist of 17 instead of 14 tanks. They are distributed as follows: two in company headquarters and five in each of the three platoons. The SS tank regiment has therefore more strength and fire power than the Army Tank Regiment. (See Figures 97 to 101.)

[II-57]

Figure 87.--Tank Regiment, Army Armored Division
Figure 87.--Tank Regiment, Army Armored Division.

[II-58]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 37-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) 75-mm Tk Guns (Super-long) Pz. Kpfw. IV's Pz. Kpfw. V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 4 3 7 9 3 2               2 4
Regtl Hq Co 4 51 54 37 71 8 14     4 3 4 3 15 5
37-mm AA Plat (SP)[1] 1 27 49 19 42 16 8   8         7 2
Pz. Kpfw. V Bn 27 221 416 319 285 103 114 3     48   48 127 18
Pz. Kpfw. IV Bn 27 212 328 229 286 95 112 3   48   48   94 18
Tk Maint Co 6 39 185 209 17 4 4             68 6
Total 69[2] 553 1,039 822 704 228 252 6 8 52 51 52 51 313[3] 53
[1] May be replaced by a flame-thrower Tk Plat with six flame-thrower Pz. Kpfw. III's.

[2] Including seven officials.

[3] Including ten Armd vehicles.

Figure 88.--Tank Regiment, Army Armored Division, total strength 1,661.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) 75-mm Tk Guns (Super-long) Pz. Kpfw. IV's Pz. Kpfw. V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1   2 2   1           1 1
Com Plat   8 8 3 13 3 6   3   3 1 1
Tk Plat 1 11 8   20 4 8 4   4      
Maint Sec   3 11 11 3             3 1
Tns 2 29 25 21 35             10 2
Total 4 51 54 37 71 8 14 4 3 4 3 15 5
Figure 89.--Tank Regiment Headquarters Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 109.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Super-long) Pz. Kpfw. V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 4 7 11 1 3 2       4 2
Bn Hq Co 4 32 99 61 53 22 24 3 6 6 19 8
Sup Co 7 59 211 226 21 30 4       98 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Total 27[1] 221 416 319 285 103 114 3 48 48 127[2] 18
[1] Including two officials.

[2] Including five Armd vehicles.

Figure 90.--Pz. Kpfw. V (Panther) tank battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 664.

[II-59]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns[1] Pz. Kpfw. IV's or V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 2 2 3 2           1  
Com and Rcn Plat 1 18 17 2 27 8 12   6 6 3  
Engr and Rcn Plat 1 8 45 32 12 10 11       11 7
20-mm AA Plat (SP) 1 4 35 24 12 4 1 3     4 1
Total 4 32 99 61 53 22 24 3 6 6 19[2] 8
[1] Long-barreled in Pz. Kpfw. IV; superlong-barreled in Pz. Kpfw. V.

[2] Including five Armd vehicles.

Figure 91.--Tank Battalion Headquarters Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 135.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 3 5 14 13 7 2   4 2
Med Serv 1 3 5 2 6 1   3  
Maint Serv (Mtr Vehicles and Wpns) 2 34 130 137 4 25   42  
Fuel Serv   4 22 23 2 1 2 21  
Mun Serv   3 15 16 1 1 1 14  
Adm Serv 1 10 25 35 1   1 14  
Total 7[1] 59 211 226 21 30 4 98 2
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 92.--Pz. Kpfw. V (Panther) Tank Battalion Supply Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 277.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm Tk Guns[1] Pz. Kpfw. IV's or V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 9 9 7 10 4 4 2 2 2 2
Tk Plat 1 11 8   20 4 8 4 4    
Tk Plat 1 11 8   20 4 8 4 4    
Tk Plat 1 11 8   20 4 8 4 4    
Total 4 42 33 7 70 16 28 14 14 2 2
[1] Long-barreled in Pz. Kpfw. IV; superlong-barreled in Pz. Kpfw. V.
Figure 93.--Tank Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 79.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 3 5 14 13 7 2   4 2
Med Serv 1 2 5 2 6     3  
Maint Serv (Mtr Vehicles and Wpns) 2 28 59 65 4 20   27  
Fuel Serv   3 9 10 1 1 1 8  
Adm Serv   3 12 13 1 1 1 11  
Adm Serv 1 10 24 34 1   1 13  
Total 7[1] 51 123 137 20 24 3 66 2
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 94.--Pz. Kpfw. IV Tank Battalion Supply Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 181.

[II-60]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AT Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) Pz. Kpfw. IV's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 3 7 10 3 1 1       3 2
Bn Hq Co 4 32 99 61 53 22 24 3 6 6 19 8
Sup Co 7 51 123 137 20 24 3       66 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Total 27[1] 212 328 229 286 95 112 3 48 48 94[2] 18
[1] Including two officials.

[2]Including five Armd vehicles.

Figure 95.--Pz. Kpfw. IV, Tank Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 567.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 3   8 8 2 1   4 2
Tk Maint Plat 1 9 50 59 1   1 14 1
Tk Maint Plat 1 9 50 59 1   1 14 1
Tk Salv Plat   7 39 37 6 3 2 15 1
Ord Sec 1 1 8 8 2     5  
Sig Equip Rep Sec   4 8 10 2     4  
Spare Parts Sec   2 6 8       4  
Tn   7 16 20 3     8 1
Total 6[1] 39 185 209 17 4 4 68 6
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 96.--Tank Maintenance Company, Army Armored Division, total strength 230.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA guns Four-Barreled (SP) 37-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) 75-mm Tk Guns (Super-long) Pz. Kpfw. IV's Pz. Kpfw. V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 4 3 7 9 3 2               2 4
Regtl Hq Co 5 54 56 37 76 9 16     5 3 5 3 15 5
37-mm AA Co. (SP)[1] 1 27 49 19 42 16 8   8         7 2
Pz. KPz. Kpfw. V Bn 27 250 439 316 290 111 135 3     59   59 127 18
Pz. Kpfw. IV Bn 27 241 351 226 291 103 133 3   59   59   94 18
Tk Maint Co 6 39 185 209 17 4 4             68 6
Total 70[2] 614 1 ,087 816 719 245 296 6 8 64 62 64 62 313[3] 53
[1] May be replaced by a flame-thrower Tk Plat with six flame-thrower Pz. Kpfw. III's.

[2] Including seven officials.

[3] Including ten Armd vehicles.

Figure 97.--SS Tank Regiment, SS Armored Division, total strength 1,771.

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c. THE TANK BATTALION. In the Army Motorized Division this battalion is organized similarly to the tank battalions in the Army Armored Division; it sometimes may be replaced by an assault gun battalion.

d. THE TANK BATTALION. In the SS Motorized Division it is organized similarly to the tank battalions in the Armored Division.

e. THE SS TANK COMPANY. In the SS Mountain Division this is organized similarly to the SS tank companies in the SS Armored Division; it may be replaced sometimes by an assault gun company.

f. FLAME-THROWER TANK PLATOONS. These consist of six flame-throwing Pz. Kpfw. II tanks, and are frequently organic in the tank regiment (Army and SS). They are either a part of the regimental headquarters company or are assigned directly to the regimental headquarters.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Super-long) Pz. Kpfw. V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 4 7 11 1 3 2       4 2
Bn Hq Co 4 37 104 61 61 24 27 3 8 8 19 8
Sup Co 7 59 211 226 21 30 4       98 2
Tk Co 4 50 39 6 69 18 34   17 17 2 2
Tk Co 4 50 39 6 69 18 34   17 17 2 2
Tk Co 4 50 39 6 69 18 31   17 17 2 2
Total 27[1] 250 439 316 290 111 135 3 59 59 127[2] 18
[1] Including two officials.

[2] Including five Armd vehicles.

Figure 98.--Pz. Kpfw. V, Tank Battalion, SS Armored Division, total strength 716.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AT Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns[1] Pz. Kpfw. IV's or V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 2 2 3 2           1  
Com and Rcn Plat 1 23 22 2 35 10 16   8 8 3  
Engr and Rcn Plat 1 8 45 32 12 10 11       11 7
AA Plat 1 4 35 24 12 4   3     4 1
Total 4 37 104 61 61 24 27 3 8 8 19[2] 8
[1] Long-barreled guns in Pz. Kpfw. IV, superlong in Pz. Kpfw. V.

[2] Including five Armd vehicles.

Figure 99.--Tank Battalion Headquarters Company, SS Armored Division, total strength 145.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm Tk Guns[1] Pz. Kpfw. IV's or V's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 8 9 6 9 3 4 2 2 2 2
Tk Plat 1 14 10   20 5 10 5 5    
Tk Plat 1 14 10   20 5 10 5 5    
Tk Plat 1 14 10   20 5 10 5 5    
Total 4 50 39 6 69 18 34 17 17 2 2
[1] Long-barreled guns in Pz. Kpfw. IV, superlong in Pz. Kpfw. V.
Figure 100.--SS Tank Company, SS Armored Division, total strength 93.

[II-62]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 75-mm Tk Guns (Long) Pz. Kpfw. IV's Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 3 7 10 3 1 1       3 2
Bn Hq Co 4 37 104 61 61 24 27 3 8 8 19 8
Sup Co 7 51 123 137 20 24 3       66 2
Tk Co 4 50 39 6 69 18 34   17 17 2 2
Tk Co 4 50 39 6 69 18 34   17 17 2 2
Tk Co 4 50 39 6 69 18 34   17 17 2 2
Total 27[1] 241 351 226 291 103 133 3 59 59 94[2] 18
[1] Including two officials.

[2] Including five Armd vehicles.

Figure 101.--Pz. Kpfw. IV, SS Tank Battalion, SS Armored Division, total strength 619.

5. Armored General Headquarters Units

a. THE GENERAL HEADQUARTERS Pz. Kpfw. VI (Tiger) BATTALION. This type of tank battalion frequently allotted to corps is the heaviest tank battalion in the German Armed forces. (See Figures 102 to 103.)

b. THE GENERAL HEADQUARTERS Pz. Kpfw. V (Panther) BATTALION. This is organized similarly to the Pz. Kpfw. VI (Tiger) battalion except that some may have 17 tanks per company instead of 14.

c. THE TANK FLAME-THROWER BATTALION. This is an independent battalion, normally found employed under armored corps. It consists of three companies of flame-thrower tanks, either Pz. Kpfw. II, which has two flame throwers, or with Pz. Kpfw. III, which has only one flame thrower, but of greater range. Pz. Kpfw. II tank platoons originally were organic in the flamethrower tank battalion, but it is believed that they have been withdrawn because of their light weight and armament.

d. THE HEAVY TANK COMPANY (Tiger) (FKL) (REMOTE CONTROL TANK). This company is usually found allotted from General Headquarters but may also be found organic in crack armored divisions. It has 14 Tiger tanks and 36 remote controlled B-IV tanks. (See Figure 104.)

UNIT Offs NCO's Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 88-mm Tk Guns Pz. Kpfw. VI Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 4 7 11 1 3 2       4 2
Bn Hq Co 4 27 89 51 48 22 18 3 3 3 19 8
Sup Co 7 59 211 226 21 30 4       98 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Tk Co 4 42 33 7 70 16 28   14 14 2 2
Total 27[1] 216 406 309 280 103 108 3 45 45 127[2] 18
[1] Including two officials.

[2] Including eight Armd vehicles.

Figure 102.--GHQ Pz. Kpfw. VI, (Tiger) Battalion, total strength 649.

[II-63]

Figure 103.--Heavy Tank Company (Tiger) (FKL) (Remote Control), total strength 188
Figure 103.--Heavy Tank Company (Tiger) (FKL) (Remote Control), total strength 188.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 88-mm Tk Guns Pz. Kpfw. VI Remote Control Tks Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 2 8 9 5 14 2 4 2 2   2 3
Plat 1 13 18 2 30 5 9 4 4 9    
Plat 1 13 18 2 30 5 9 4 4 9    
Plat   14 18 2 30 5 9 4 4 9    
Maint Sec   6 30 26 10 4 1       10  
Tns   7 30 22 15 2 1     9 10 1
Total 4 61 123 59 129 23 33 14 14 36 22 4
Figure 104.--Heavy Tank Company (Tiger) (FKL) (Remote Control), total strength 188.

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6. Organic Artillery Units

In the German Army much of the field artillery and all the Army coast artillery and railway artillery belong to the General Headquarters pool. The coastal artillery is in peace time exclusively the responsibility of the Navy, but in war time the Army also has formed coast artillery units principally for the protection of coasts in occupied areas. Coast artillery, Naval or Army, normally is assigned to the sector command in which it is located. Units are allotted from this pool to army groups or armies according to operational needs. They then may be sub-allotted to corps or divisions, in which case they usually are placed under the control of special artillery commanders and staffs. Divisional artillery is frequently reinforced by General Headquarters artillery, army antiaircraft artillery, and projector units. Figures 105-121.

a. ARTILLERY REGIMENT (Artillerieregiment). One to a division, this regiment varies in composition according to the type of the division. Several types exist.

(1) In Infantry Division, Type 1944. Four battalions (I, II, and III equipped with 105-mmgun-howitzers and IV with 150-mm howitzers.

(2) In Volks Grenadier Division. Four battalions (I equipped with 75-mm AT guns, II and III with 105-mm gun/howitzers, and IV with 150-mm howitzers).

Figure 105.--Artillery Regiment, Infantry Division, 1944 Type
Figure 105.--Artillery Regiment, Infantry Division, 1944 Type.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 105-mm Gun/Hows 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Regtl Hq 5 2 18 17 6 7       3 2     8 1
Regtl Hq Btry 4 22 59 64 17 6 1     2 1 29 2 65 3
1st (Light) Bn 19 109 424 460 71 38 17 12   7 1 96 8 516 13
2d (Light) Bn 19 109 424 460 71 38 17 12   7 1 96 8 516 13
3d (Light) Bn 19 109 424 460 71 38 17 12   7 1 96 8 516 13
4th (Medium) Bn 19 109 SS7 604 71 37 17   12 4 1 124 8 697 13
Total 85[1] 460 1,906 2,065 307 164 69 36 12 30 7 441 34 2,318 56
[1] Including ten officials.
Figure 106.--Artillery Regiment, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 2,451.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 6 3 8 10 7 4     2 1     12 1
Hq Btry Incl Tns 4[1] 22 111 126 16 9 2   2   34 2 142 3
150-mm How Btry 3 28 146 156 16 8 5 4     30 2 181 3
150-mm How Btry 3 28 146 156 16 8 5 4     30 2 181 3
150-mm How Btry 3 28 146 156 16 8 5 4     30 2 181 3
Total 19[1] 109 SS7 604 71 37 17 12 4 1 124 8 697 13
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 107.--Medium Artillery Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 685.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 105-mm Gun/Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 6 3 8 10 7 4     2 1     12 1
Hq Btry Ind Tns 4[1] 22 104 108 16 10 2   5   30 2 126 3
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 28 104 114 16 8 5 4     22 2 126 3
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 28 104 114 16 8 5 4     22 2 126 3
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 28 104 114 16 8 5 4     22 2 126 3
Total 19[1] 109 424 460 71 38 17 12 7 1 96 8 516 13
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 108.--Light Artillery Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 552.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 105-mm Gun/Hows 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Hs
Regtl Hq 5 2 18 17 6 7       3 2   8
Regtl Hq Btry 4 22 59 64 17 6 1     2 1 29 65
1st (Light) Bn 19 100 344 371 74 37 17 11   7 1 70 406
2d (Light) Bn 19 100 344 371 74 37 17 11   7   70 406
3d (Light) Bn 19 100 344 371 74 37 17 11   7 1 70 406
4th (Medium) Bn 19 97 398 422 74 67 17   9 4 1 90 476
Total 85[1] 421 1,507 1,616 319 191 69 33 9 30 7 329 1,767
[1] Including ten officials.
Figure 109. Artillery Regiment (Reduced Strength and Fire Power), Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 2.013.

[II-66]

Figure 110.--Artillery Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division
Figure 110.--Artillery Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm Guns 105-mm Gun/Hows 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Regtl Hq 5 3 7 7 3 5                 4  
Regtl Hq Btry 4 23 68 74 14 7 1       7 2 15 4 42 4
75-mm Gun Bn 18 123 372 416 SS 36 14 18     30 1 71 8 267 12
105-mm Gun/How Bn 16 85 270 300 43 28 10   12   22 1 56 6 211 10
105-mm Gun/How Bn 16 85 270 300 43 28 10   12   22 1 56 6 211 10
150-mm How Bn 16 86 277 308 43 28 10     12 18 8 87 6 327 13
Total 75[1] 405 1,264 1,405 201 132 45 18 24 12 99 13 285 30 1,062 49
[1] Including ten officials.
Figure 111.--Artillery Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 1,744.

[II-67]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 5 3 7 9 3 3     3 1     9 1
Hq Btry 4 24 101 107 13 9 2   3   26 2 90 5
75-mm Gun Btry 3 30 88 100 13 8 4 6 8   15 2 56 2
75-mm Gun Btry 3 33 88 100 13 8 4 6 8   15 2 56 2
75-mm Gun Btry 3 33 88 100 13 8 4 6 8   15 2 56 2
Total 18[1] 123 372 416 SS 36 14 18 30 1 71 8 267 12
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 112.--Artillery Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 513.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 105-mm Gun/Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 6 3 8 10 3 4     3 1     9 1
Hq Btry 4 22 88 92 14 8 2   3   26 2 90 5
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 30 87 99 13 8 4 6 8   15 2 56 2
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 30 87 99 13 8 4 6 8   15 2 56 2
Total 16[1] 85 270 300 43 28 10 12 22 [1] 56 6 211 10
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 113.--105-mm Gun-Howitzer Battalion, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 371.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MG: LMGs 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 6 3 8 10 3 4       1     9 1
Bn Hq Btry 4 23 95 100 14 8 2   6 5 29 2 100  
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 30 87 99 13 8 4 6 6 1 29 2 109 6
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 30 87 99 13 8 4 6 6 1 29 2 109 6
Total 16[1] 86 277 308 43 28 10 12 18 8 87 6 327 13
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 114.--150-mm Howitzer Battalion, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 379.

[II-68]

(3) In Armored and Motorized Divisions. Three battalions (I normally equipped with two batteries of 105-mm gun/howitzers and one battery of 150-mm howitzers all self-propelled, II equipped with 105-mm gun howitzers, and III with 150-mm howitzers). Panzer and Panzer Grenadier divisions also have a separate Army antiaircraft artillery battalion as an organic divisional component. In SS Panzer divisions a heavy artillery battalion, usually equipped with 170-mm guns, is added as the fourth battalion in the artillery regiment.

(4) In Light and Mountain Divisions. It has four battalions--I and II equipped with 75-mmmountain howitzers and III with 105-mm gun-howitzers. The organization of IV may vary but it normally is equipped with 150-mm howitzers.

All the types of artillery battalions organic in divisions may be found with some variations in the General Headquarters pool.

b. THE ARMY ANTIAIRCRAFT ARTILLERY BATTALION (Heeresflakartillerieabteilung). One to a Panzer and a motorized division, consisting of two 88-mm antiaircraft batteries and one 20-mm antiaircraft battery.

c. THE ASSAULT-GUN BATTALION (Sturmgeschützabteilung). This sometimes replaces the antitank battalion in Panzer Grenadier divisions. Those in company strength, but designated battalions organic in infantry, light, and mountain divisions, were renamed Panzerjägerkompanie in the fall of 1944. Most of those in the General Headquarters pool were renamed Assault Gun Brigades, however, a few General Headquarters assault gun battalions are believed to have kept their designation.

Figure 115.--Armored Artillery Regiment, Army Armored Division
Figure 115.--Armored Artillery Regiment, Army Armored Division.

[II-69]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 105-mm Gun/Hows 105-mm Guns/Hows (SP) 150-mm Hows 150-mm Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 6 4 10 11 9 6             7 1
Regtl Hq Btry 3 18 52 58 11 6 2           18 2
Mixed SP Arty Bn 20 127 411 348 191 87 56 3   12   6 133[2] 10
Light Arty Bn 20 108 352 381 66 52 17 3 12       122 9
Medium Arty Bn 20 108 390 419 66 52 17 3     12   127 9
Total   365 1 215 1,217 343 203 92 9 12 12 12 6 407[2] 31
[1]Including eleven officials.

[2]Including 27 Armd vehicles.

Figure 116.--Armored Artillery Regiment, Army Armored Division, total strength 1,649.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Btry Hq 1 1 1 2 1 1   1 1
Com Plat   7 27 30 2 2   6  
Ord Maint Sec 2[1] 4 7 8 5 1   2  
Mtr Vehicle Maint Sec   1 3 3   1   2  
Tns   5 14 15 3 1 2 7 1
Total 3[1] 18 52 58 11 6 2 18 2
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 117.--Artillery Regiment Headquarters Battery, Armored Division, total strength 73.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 105-mm Guns/How (SP) 150-mm Hows (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 6 3 4 6 7 5         3 1
Bn Hq Btry 5[1] 31 128 120 40 16 5 3     46[2] 3
105-mm Gun/How Btry (SP) 3 31 91 72 48 22 17   6   28 2
105-mm Gun/How Btry (SP) 3 31 91 72 48 22 17   6   28 2
150-mm How Btry (SP) 3 31 97 78 48 22 17     6 28 2
Total 20[1] 127 411 348 191 87 56 3 12 6 133[2] 10
[1] Including three officials.

[2] Including 27 Armd vehicles.

Figure 118.--Mixed Self-Propelled Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 558.

[II-70]

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 105-mm Gun/Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 6 3 6 8 7 5       5  
Bn Hq Btry 5[1] 27 100 109 17 11 2 3   36 2
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 26 82 88 14 12 5   4 27 2
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 26 82 88 14 12 5   4 27 2
105-mm Gun/How Btry 3 26 82 88 14 12 5   4 27 2
Total 20[1] 108 352 381 66 52 17 3 12 122 9
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 119.--Light Artillery Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 480.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 150-mm Hows Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 6 3 6 8 7 5       5 1
Bn Hq Btry 5[1] 27 102 111 17 11 2 3   41 2
150-mm How Btry 3 26 94 100 14 12 5   4 27 2
150-mm How Btry 3 26 94 100 14 12 5   4 27 2
150-mm How Btry 3 26 94 100 14 12 5   4 27 2
Total 20[1] 108 390 419 66 52 17 3 12 127 9
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 120.--Medium Artillery Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 518.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 88-mm AA Guns Light SLs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 5 3 5 5 5 3         3 3
Bn Hq Btry 7[1] 27 122 136 19 11 2       42 2
Hv AA Btry 3 34 130 149 12 10 4 3 4   31 2
Hv AA Btry 3 34 130 149 12 10 4 3 4   31 2
Light AA Btry 3 38 146 164 18 12 6 12[2]   4 41 5
Light AA Clm 1 6 67 70 3 1 2       23 2
Total 22[1] 142 600 673 69 47 18 18[2] 8 4 171 16
[1]Including four officials.

[2]The twelve 20-mm AA guns may be sometimes replaced by nine 37-mm AA guns.

Figure 121.--Antiaircraft Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 764.

[II-71]

7. General Headquarters Artillery Units

a. THE ARTILLERY DIVISION. This consists of a divisional staff controlling several artillery regiments. Such divisions were encountered on the Eastern Front in the beginning of 1944 but it is believed that such a concentration of fire power may also occur in other theaters. (See Figure 122.)

UNIT 150-mm Rkt Projectors 105-mm Gun/Hows 105-mm Guns 122-mm Hows 155-mm Hows
  18        
105-mm Arty Regt   24 12    
105-mm Arty Regt   24 12    
Mixed Arty Regt       24 12
Total 18 48 24 24 12
Figure 122.--Artillery Division.

b. ARTILLERY BRIGADE (Artilleriebrigade). This is an independent artillery brigade consisting of a varying number of artillery batteries. All or most artillery brigades have been converted to Volksartilleriekorps.

c. THE ASSAULT GUN BRIGADE (Sturmgeschützbrigade). This is a redesignated General Headquarters assault gun brigade. The strength and fire power of the Assault Gun Battalions, which were greater than those of ordinary battallions may have warranted this differentiation in nomenclature from organic assault gun battalions which were actually only of battalion strength, but the redesignation also may have been motivated by the aim to raise the morale. The guns of assault gun brigades are sometimes referred to as Sturmartillerie.

d. THE VOLKS ARTILLERY CORPS (Volksartilleriekorps). This corps is an independent General Headquarters unit which has been converted from artillery brigades. The corps is probably composed of six battalions which may be equipped with 75-mm antitank guns, 105-mm howitzers, and 150-mm and 170-mm howitzers.

e. THE FORTRESS ARTILLERY REGIMENT (Festungsartillerieregiment). This controls several fortress artillery battalions.

f. THE FORTRESS ARTILLERY BATTALION (Festungsartillerieabteilung). These are static artillery battalions organized in the summer of 1944, equipped with German and captured guns.

g. THE ARMY COAST ARTILLERY REGIMENT (Heereskustenartillerieregiment). This normally controls two or three army coast artillery battalions and possibly any number of independent batteries.

h. THE ARMY COAST ARTILLERY BATTALION (Heereskustenartillerieabteilung). This battalion varies in composition. It may be organized as a regular battalion with three batteries or as battalion staff controlling a larger number of independent batteries.

i. THE NAVAL COAST ARTILLERY BATTALION (Marineartillerieabteilung). This battalion, which varies in composition, belongs to the German Navy but may come under the Army coast command in which it is located.

j. ARTILLERY ANTITANK GUN BATTALION (Artillerie-Pak-Abteilung). Equipped with 75 or 88-mm antitank guns.

k. MAPPING AND SURVEYING UNITS (Kartenund Vermessungseinheiten). Mapping and surveying units belong to the artillery although German orders have at times referred to them as a separate arm.

(1) The Artillery Observation Battalion (Beobachtungsabteilung). Normally allotted to corps, but often attached to divisional artillery regiments, it contains a sound-ranging battery, light-ranging battery, and meteorological platoon.

(2) Light-ranging battery (Lichtessbatterie). Normally one to an observation battalion.

(3) Sound-ranging battery (Schallmessbatterie). Normally one to an observation battalion.

(4)Army or Corps Map Reproduction Center (Armee or Korpskartenstelle). Previously known as Armee-or Korpskartenlager.

(5) Printing and Survey Battalion (Druck-und Vermessungsabteilung). Probably similar to a Vermessungs-und Kartenabteilung.

(6) Map Printing Battalion (Karten-Druckereiabteilung).

(7) Survey and Mapping Battalion (Vermessungs-und Kartenabteilung). In General Headquarters, to be allotted to army groups or armies, obtains topographical information and prints maps and photos which are used for operational purposes.

(8) Astronomical Survey Platoon (Astronomischer Messzug).

(9) Observation Battalion Battery (Ballonbatterie).

(10) Magnet Survey Battery (Magnet-Messbatterie).

[II-72]

(11) Velocity Measurement Platoon (Velozitatsmesszug).

(12) Meteorological Platoon (Wetterpeilzug). Makes air analyses for artillery units but does not engage in weather forecasting.

8. Antitank Units (Panzerjäger)

Most of the antitank units are considered by the Germans as part of the armored (Panzer) arm. It should be noted, however, that the personnel of the antitank companies in infantry regiments and the personnel in the antiaircraft companies in the antitank battalions belong to the infantry arm.

Almost all German divisions include antitank battalions in their organic components. These battalions usually consist of three companies, of which two are always antitank companies, while the third is either an antitank or an antiaircraft company. (See Figures 123 to 125.)

It should be noted that the majority of all heavy antiaircraft guns are dual-purpose guns, and units equipped with them therefore may be employed for the support of the antitank units.

Similarly, artillery units, particularly those equipped with artillery antitank guns or light cannons, at any time may be employed as antitank units. In addition, there is a clear trend to equip almost every unit in the German Armed Forces with a generous allotment of bazookas and rocket antitank pistols. The allotment of these small anti-tank weapons, however, has been so irregular that they had to be omitted in many of the tables of organization listed herein.

9. General Headquarters Antitank Units

Numerous types of motor-drawn and self-propelled antitank gun units may be allotted from the General Headquarters pool to corps or divisions in accordance with tactical needs. Self-propelled General Headquarters units sometimes have been referred to as assault gun battalions or brigades. The strongest type of General Headquarters antitank battalions is the Tiger-P antitank battalion. It consists of three companies of fourteen 88-mm antitank guns mounted on the Tiger-P chassis. (See Figures 126 to 129.)

The Fortress Antitank Gun Battalion (Festungs-Pak-Bataillon) is similar to ordinary antitank battalions except that it has very limited transport facilities.

The Fortress Antitank Gun Command (Festungs-Pak-Verband) is a staff controlling several independent fortress antitank gun companies in a given sector.

The Fortress Antitank Gun Company (Festungs-Pak Kompanie) is an independent static antitank gun company attached for administrative purposes to a fortress antitank gun command and for tactical purposes to the field unit which mans the sector. It is equipped with 76.2 (Russian) and 88-mm antitank guns.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls Tlrs
Bn Hq 5 1 6 7 5           2 3  
Bn Hq Co 4[1] 20 49 58 13 2 1       23 2 4
1st (75-mm) AT Co (Mtr-Dr) 3 24 104 99 50 16 12   12   36 5  
2d (75-mm) AT Co (SP) 3 44 72 59 29 31 14     14 28 4 7
3d (20-mm) AA Co (SP) 2 34 113 95 26 32 2 12     24 6 6
Total 17[1] 123 344 318 123 81 29 12 12 14 113 20 17
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 123.--Antitank Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 484.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 37-mm AA Guns (SP) 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls Tlrs
Bn Hq 5 1 6 7 5           2 3  
Bn Hq Co 4[1] 20 49 58 13 2 1       23 2 4
1st (75-mm) AT Co (M-Dr) 3 20 84 87 44 4 9   9   28 4  
2d (75-mm) AT Co (SP) 3 44 72 69 40 10 16     14 28 4 7
3d (37-mm) AA Co (SP) 2 34 113 105 38 10 4 9     19 5 5
Total 17[1] 119 324 326 140 26 30 9 9 14 100 18 16
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 124.--Antitank Battalion, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 460.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm AT Guns (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 1 6 7 4         2 2
Bn Hq Co 1 20 27 29 10 9 4   3 15 1
75-mm AT Co (SP)[1] 3 40 30 11 33 29 14   14 19 4
75-mm AT Co (SP)[1] 3 40 30 11 33 29 14   14 19 4
75-mm AT Co (Mtr-Dr) 3 20 94 59 41 17 12 12   17 4
Sup Co 6[2] 45 140 154 21 16 3     63 2
Total 20[2] 166 327 271 142 100 47 12 31 135 17
[1] Frequently referred to as Assault Gun Co.

[2] Including three officials.

Figure 125.--Antitank Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 513.

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Figure 126 --The Tiger-P Antitank Battalion
Figure 126 --The Tiger-P Antitank Battalion.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 88-mm AT Guns on Tk chassis Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 4 7 11 1 3 2     4 2
Bn Hq Co 7 55 235 222 71 22 10 3 3 83 13
AT Co 4 67 130 84 117 34 16   14 35 12
AT Co 4 67 130 84 117 34 16   14 35 12
AT Co 4 67 130 84 117 34 16   14 35 12
Total 23[1] 260 632[2] 485 423 127 60 3 45 192 51
[1]Including three officials.

[2] It is believed that various changes in the T/O recently have been made to economize on manpower. These include the merging of the Co Tns and Maint Secs into a Bn Sup Co and result in a reduction of the total strength of the Bn to about 700.

Figure 127.--Tiger-P Antitank Battalion, total strength 915.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns Four-Barreled (SP) 88-mm AT Guns on Tk chassis Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 2 11 9 3 19 6 3   3 1 2
Com Plat 1 8 23 30 2         10 1
AA Plat   5 41 27 19 4 1 3   7 3
Engr Plat 1 3 23 17 6 4 3     4 4
Maint Sec 1 9 41 47 4 4       16  
Trains 2 19 98 98 21 4 3     45 3
Total 7[1] SS 235 222 71 22 10 3 3 83 13
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 128.--Battalion Headquarters Company, Tiger-P Antitank Battalion, total strength 297.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 88-mm AT Guns on Tk chassis Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 2 8 13 10 13 4 2 2 2 4
1st Plat 1 14 20 9 26 9 4 4 4 2
2d Plat 1 14 20 9 26 9 4 4 4 2
3d Plat   15 20 9 26 9 4 4 4 2
Maint Sec   3 23 21 5 3     8  
Tns   13 34 26 21   2   13 2
Total 4 67 130 84 117 34 16 14 35 12
Figure 129.--Antitank Company, Tiger-P Antitank Battalion, total strength 201.

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10. Chemical Warfare Units (Nebeltruppen)

Chemical warfare battalions are organic in Armored Divisions, and possibly in some correspondingly strong Army or Air Force divisions. Usually, however, they are allotted from General Headquarters to armies, corps, and divisions. The standard tactical units of the chemical warfare troops are:

a. ROCKET PROJECTOR BATTALION (MOTORIZED) (Werferabteilung (mot.)).

b. HEAVY ROCKET PROJECTOR BATTALION (MOTORIZED (Schwere Werferabteilung (mot.)).

c. MOUNTAIN ROCKET PROJECTOR BATTALION (Gebirgswerferabteilung).

The first two types of battalions are usually components of rocket-projector regiments, normally three battalions per regiment. A rocket-projector battalion is designated heavy when it has more than one heavy-projector battalion (210, 300 or 280/320-mm). Two rocket-projector regiments usually compose a rocket-projector brigade, one of which has been identified as Volkszverferbrigade with all its components adding the prefix "Volks" to their unit designation. Rocket-projector units until now have been employed in firing high explosive, incendiary, and smoke rockets, but all of them also are equipped and trained for gas warfare. All rocket-projector battalions also are equipped and their personnel trained for street and road contamination as well as decontamination.

d. In addition to the above listed projector battalions, there is also an independent armored projector company (Panzerwerferbatterie) which is an independent unit of two platoons, each equipped with four 150-mm armored rocket projectors. This is a 10-barrelled projector mounted on a medium armored carrier. The company may be employed either attached to a projector battalion or as an independent company. (For details on rocket projector regiment (motorized) see Figures 130 to 132.)

The following two units are not included by the Germans in the chemical warfare arm but are considered parts of the medical services.

e. TROOP DECONTAMINATION COMPANY (Truppenentgiftungskompanie). This unit is composed of medical personnel attached to the General Headquarters pool. It is motorized and is sent wherever high gas casualties occur. The company is capable of decontaminating personnel, clothing, and equipment. It carries supplies of replacement clothing, and is said to be able to decontaminate and reclothe 150 men per hour.

f. TROOP DECONTAMINATION PLATOON (Truppenentgiftungszug). It is reported that one or two of this type of unit may be found in any type of division. They are medical troops, equipped with gas protective clothing and responsible for the establishment of decontamination centers and, presumably, for the care of gas casualties.

g. HORSE DECONTAMINATION UNIT (Pferdentgiftungstrupp). This is a veterinary unit, formed within veterinary companies and veterinary hospitals from the personnel and with the equipment already within these units. It is motorized and can be sent wherever needed. The capacity of this unit is stated to be 10 to 20 horses per hour.

h. AIR DEFENSE BATTALION (Luftschutzabteilung).

This is an Air Force unit, used to clear up the results of enemy air attacks on important installations. It is equipped for decontamination of terrain, streets, clothing, and equipment.

i. GAS PROTECTION WITHIN THE ARMED FORCES.

Each headquarters down to battalion level has a gas officer, and each company has a gas noncommissioned officer. They are charged with instructing their units in proper gas protective measures and with periodic inspection of all gas protective equipment.

Found at all levels and in all units of a division are the Gas Detection Squads (Gasspürtrupps) and the Decontamination Squads (Entgiftungstrupps). They are fighting troops with additional gas training. Gas Detection Squads consist of one noncommissioned officer and three privates. The duties of the squad are simple gas detection and, upon occasion, minor decontamination. The squad is equipped with light protective clothing, gas detectors, and gas warning devices. Decontamination Squads consist of one noncommissioned officer and six privates. They are equipped for decontamination of personnel, terrain, weapons, and equipment.

11. Organic Engineer Units

This arm includes the regular combat engineers, as well as fortress engineers, construction engineers, and regional engineers. On the other hand, the engineer arm does not include railway engineers and railway operating troops, and these therefore are listed separately. (See paragraph 13, below.)

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It should be noted that the personnel of engineer platoons in organic divisional units (other than the organic engineer battalion) belong to the arm of the unit which they are serving and not to the engineer arm, although they are trained to perform minor engineer functions.

Engineer units often form small detachments within their unit for special missions (such as flame-thrower detachments and mine-detection detachments).

An engineer battalion (Pionierbataillon) is organic in every German division, varying in strength and composition according to the type of division. (See Figures 133 to 135.)

The engineer battalion in the Two-Regiment Infantry Division is similar to that in the Volks Grenadier Division except that its components are slightly weaker.

The armored engineer battalion in the Motorized Division is very similar to the armored battalion in the Army Armored Division.

The armored engineer battalion in the SS Armored Division is similar to the armored engineer battalion in the Army Armored Division. It has, however, two bridge columns instead of only one.

A mountain engineer battalion is approximately equal in strength to an armored engineer battalion; however, it includes mountain climbing devices and trestle bridge equipment.

The parachute engineer battalion is believed to be organized similarly to the engineer battalion in the Infantry Division, 1944 Type.

Bridge columns were, until 1943, an organic component of the engineer battalions in all types of divisions. At the time of the major reorganization of German divisions the bridge columns were withdrawn to corps from all but the armored divisions. The different types of bridge columns are designated by various capital letters, i.e., "B," "J," "K," and "T," each of which represents the type of bridge-building equipment used. Of these, the bridge column "B" has sufficient equipment for building longer bridges than does column "K." However, bridges built by column "B" are of wood, while those built by column "K" are steel.

Armored engineer platoons, Goliath, about 35 men strong, may be included in any type of engineer battalion. These platoons specifically are equipped for the handling of the cable-controlled, small, armored demolition-charge carrier, the Goliath (not to be confused with the large radio controlled demolition carrier, B-IV, which is employed by the Tiger (FKL) Company and the crew of which belongs to the armored arm, while the Goliath crew belongs to engineers).

12. General Headquarters Engineers

As the reorganizations of German divisions of 1943 and 1944 have greatly reduced the strength of most types of organic engineer battalions, the General Headquarters engineer units have gained considerably in their importance.

Engineer bridging battalions consisting of four bridging companies and an engineer park company, with a total strength of about 900, may be allotted from the General Headquarters pool.

Various types of bridge columns listed under paragraph 11, sub-paragraph g, are usually allotted to corps.

Various types of engineer battalions, sometimes controlled by regimental staffs, may be employed in the support of the division engineers according to tactical requirements.

The construction engineers belonged formerly to a separate arm of inferior status known as construction troops (Bautruppen). They were reclassified as engineers in the fall of 1943, and included in the designation of their regiments and various types of battalions their new arm: engineers (Pioniere).

For a complete list of identified engineer units see "Order of Battle of the German Army," March, 1945, edition,

13. Railway Engineers

Railway Engineers (Eisenbahnpioniere or Eisenbahntruppen) constitute a separate arm. All railway engineer units are allotted by the General Headquarters pool.

The railway engineer regiments (Eisenbahnpionierregiment) consist of two battalions of four companies each. The companies operate independently, and frequently make use of prisoner-of-war labor. Their main work is the maintenance and repair of tracks and the building of railway bridges.

Railway Construction Companies (Eisenbahnpionierbaukompanien) are specialist companies engaged in various types of railway construction work.

14. Railway Operating Troops

Railway Operating Troops (Eisenbahnbetriebstruppen) (formerly part of the railway engineers)

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were created as a separate arm in November, 1943, and include all railway operating units.

They are responsible for the operation of military traffic; for providing engineers, guards, and antiaircraft protection for military trains, and for supervising the repair of bomb damage to railroads.

15. Organic Signal Troops (Nachrichtentruppen)

It should be noted that the personnel of signal platoons and organic divisional units other than the organic signal battalion belong to the arm of the units in which they serve, although they are trained to perform minor signal tasks. The propaganda troops, which formerly belonged to the signal troops, are now a separate arm. (See paragraph 17 below.)

A Signal Battalion (Nachrichtenbataillon) is organic in every German division, varying in strength and composition according to the type of division. (See Figures 136 to 138.)

The signal battalions in all German divisions are composed of a telephone company, a radio company, and a light signal column or a battalion supply platoon. Their equipment and strength, however, vary considerably in accordance with their type of employment.

16. General Headquarters Signal Units

These are allotted to all echelons of the German Armed Forces, from the Armed Forces High Command itself down to corps and divisions.

The Armed Forces Signal Regiment (Führungsnachrichtenregiment) is under direct control of the Armed Forces High Command. Its primary mission is to maintain signal communications between Hitler's headquarters (Führerhauptquartier), army groups, and army headquarters, as well as among the three branches of the armed forces.

The Armed Forces Signal Command (Wehrmachtnachrichtenkommandantur) is an inter-service signal headquarters which supervises operations of permanent signal installations.

The Army Group or Army Signal Regiment (Heeres- or Armeenachrichtenregiment) is found with either an army group or an army.

The Field Signal Command (Feldnachrichtenkommandantur) is found in each army. It is a static signal headquarters responsible for the permanent signal installations in the army area.

The Corps Signal Battalion (Korpsnachrichtenabteilung) is found with each corps.

The Railway Signal Regiment (Eisenbahnnachrichtenregiment) controls a varying number of railway signal battalions.

The Women's Auxiliary Signal Battalion (Nachrichtenhelferinnenabteilung) is engaged in signal work, such as radio, telephone, and telegraph operation.

Independent specialist companies are engaged in various types of signal work. Their function usually is shown by their title. For a complete list of identified signal units see "Order of Battle of the German Army", March, 1945 edition.

17. Propaganda Troops (Propagandatruppen)

Formerly belonging to the signal troops, these became a separate arm in the beginning of 1943. They consist mainly of news reporters, photographers, film camera men, and radio commentators. Their main function is front line reporting, but they also conduct propaganda addressed to the enemy as well as to German troops. The basic unit is the propaganda company. (See Figure 139.)

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Figure 130.--Rocket Projector Regiment (motorized)
Figure 130.--Rocket Projector Regiment (motorized).

UNIT Pers LMGs 75-mm AT Guns Rkt Projectors Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 31       7 3
Regtl Hq Btry 110 2     20 2
Projector Bn SS5 20 4 18 109 9
Projector Bn SS5 20 4 18 109 9
Projector Bn SS5 20 4 18 109 9
Light Projector Clm 70       20 5
Total 1,876 62 12 54 374 37
A Rkt projector Regt (Mtz) consists of either two 150-mm projector Bns plus one Hv projector Bn (210 or 280/320-mm), or three 150-mm projector Bns. A Hv projector Regt (Mtz) consists of two Hv projector Bns (210 or 280/320-mm), plus one 150-mm projector Bns.
Figure 131.--Rocket Projector Regiment (motorized), total strength 1,876.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 75-mm AT Guns Rkt Projectors Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 2 3 10 10 3 2       3 1
Bn Hq Btry 3 12 70 70 9 6 2 1   13 2
Projector Btry 3 27 105 113 10 12 6 1 6 31 2
Projector Btry 3 27 105 113 10 12 6 1 6 31 2
Projector Btry 3 27 105 113 10 12 6 1 6 31 2
Am Clm   5 45 45 2 3          
Total 14 101 440 464 44 47 20 4 18 109 9
Figure 132.--Rocket Projector Battalion (motorized), total strength 555.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Flame Throwers Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Bn Hq 9[1] 14 60 65 18 7 4     2 14 10 4 1 10
Engr Co 3 26 150 122 40 21 9 2 2 6 1 3 16 8 29
Engr Co 3 26 150 122 40 21 9 2 2 6 1 3 16 8 29
Engr Co (Bcl) 3 26 150 123 38 22 9 2 2 6 1 3 16 8 29
Total 18 92 510 432 136 71 31 6 6 20 17 19 52 25 97
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 133.--Engineer Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 620.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Flame Throwers Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Trls Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 9[1] 14 61 60 17 7         10 8 3 1 10 37
Engr Co (Bcl) 3 26 150 128 49 2 9 2 2 6 1 3 16 8 29 130
Engr Co (Bcl) 3 26 150 128 49 2 9 2 2 6 1 3 16 8 29 130
Total 15[1] 66 361 316 115 11 18 4 4 12 12 14 35 17 68 297
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 134.--Engineer Battalion, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 442.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm AT Guns 28/20-mm AT Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 3 3 13 9 6 4 3           4 2
Bn Hq Co 9[4] 22 128 136 27 12 11     2     48 10
Engr Co (Mtz) 3 25 167 128 41 21 18 2 2 6     24 7
Engr Co (Mtz) 3 25 167 128 41 21 18 2 2 6     24 7
Engr Co (Armd) 4 29 185 69 125 44 43 2 2 6 3 3 36 6
Br Clm K (Mtz)[1] 2 14 83 92 7   3           38 10
Total 24[2] 118 743 562 247 102 96 6 6 20 3 3 174[3] 42
[1] May be replaced by a similar Br Clm, Type J.

[2]Including five officials.

[3] Including 31 Armd vehicles.

Figure 135.--Armored Engineer Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 885.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Bn Hq 6[1] 6 8 9 8 3   4 3      
1st (Tp) Co 4 37 132 154 4 15 5 35 4 7 2 42
2d (Rad) Co (Mtz) 4 27 105 122 3 11 4 30 4      
Sup Plat 2 10 38 41 3 6 2 7 2 7   12
Total 16[1] 80 283 326 18 35 11 76 13 14 2 54
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 136.--Signal Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 379.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Bn Hq 6 6 8 9 8 3   4 3       4
Tp Co 3 27 112 131 10 1 5 19 3 6 2 34  
Rad Co 3 17 85 94 10 1 4 16 3        
Sup Plat 2 7 29 32 6   2 5 1 6   10  
Total 14[1] 57 234 266 34 5 11 44 10 12 2 44 4
[1] Including three officials.
Figure 137.--Signal Battalion, Folks Grenadier Division, total strength 305.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MG: LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 7[1] 9 26 28 13 3   11 2
Armd Tp Co 4 39 150 175 17 21 14 44 6
Armd Rad Co 4 50 200 216 37 25 20 50 6
Light Sig Clm 1 5 20 25 2 2 1 9  
Total 16[1] 103 396 444 69 51 35 114[2] 14
[1] Including three officials.

[2] Including 20 Armd vehicles.

Figure 138.--Armored Signal Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 515.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 11[1] 3 17 6 4
Light War Reporters Plat 9 5 8 7 3
Light War Reporters Plat 9 5 8 7 3
Hv War Reports Plat 9 5 14 9 2
Propaganda Plat 8 23 26 15 6
Working Det 2 8 22 8 5
Tns   8 10 4 3
Total 48[1] 57 105 56 26
[1] Including eight officials.
Figure 139.--Propaganda Company, total strength 210.

18. Organic Reconnaissance Units

Most types of German field divisions include an organic reconnaissance battalion, and the remainder have strong reconnaissance companies. The following are the basic types of the divisional reconnaissance units:

The reconnaissance battalion of the Infantry Division, Old Type, consisted of a horse cavalry troop, a bicycle troop, and a heavy weapons troop. For many years it was the basic reconnaissance unit of the German Army. Since the end 1943, however, it has been replaced by the Füsilier battalion.

The Füsilier battalion of the Infantry Division, 1944 Type, consists of three rifle companies and a heavy weapons company. This battalion may be employed either on reconnaissance missions or as a crack divisional reserve unit. (See Figure 140.)

When, at the end of 1944, the tables of organization for the newly formed Volks Grenadier divisions were issued, the reconnaissance unit for that type of division was specified to be a strong Füsilier company, highly mobile through a large allotment of bicycles. (See Figure 141.)

Front reports indicate, however, that there is a trend toward increasing the strength of the Füsilier battalion again.

The armored reconnaissance battalion, after many reorganizations in recent years, became a very strong and highly mobile standard type of reconnaissance unit in most types of German armored and motorized divisions. (See Figures 142 and 143.)

The Mountain Battalion (Aufklärungsabteilung) is organic in army and SS mountain divisions and in light divisions. It consists of three bicycle companies and a heavy weapons company.

One of the bicycle companies, however, sometimes may be replaced by a motorcycle company. For the strength and equipment of the mountain reconnaissance battalion, see Section V, Paragraph 3.

The Mobile Battalion (Schnelle Abteilung) was formed in 1943 by merging the reconnaissance and antitank battalions. A considerable number of infantry divisions adopted that type of a reconnaissance unit. Early in 1944, however, the mobile battalions started to revert to their former status of a separate antitank battalion and a separate reconnaissance battalion. At that time the latter was reformed and redesignated Füsilier battalion.

19. General Headquarters Reconnaissance Units

The Mobile Battalion (Schnelle Abteilung) is a component of the Mobile Brigade (Schnelle Brigade). It normally is composed of a mounted troop, two bicycle troops, and a heavy weapons troop. It also may contain organic antitank units.

The Mounted Regiment (Reiterregiment) recently has been identified. A new table of organization for cavalry regiments exists, however, and new units may be formed.

The Motorcycle Company (Kradschutsenkompanie) still may be found in organic reconnaissance units in mountain and light infantry divisions and also a component of a General Headquarters motorcycle battalion.

In addition to reconnaissance units mentioned in this paragraph, there are also numerous regimental and battalion reconnaissance platoons and squads, but the personnel in these units belongs to the arm of the regiment in which they are serving.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Bn Hq 6[1] 13 58 58 8 14 1       1 2 16 4 33
R Co (Bcl) 2 21 119 96 22 28 13 2         15 11 27
R Co 2 21 119 96 22 28 13 2         15 11 27
R Co 2 21 119 96 22 28 13 2         15 11 27
Hv Wpn C0 3 37 165 131 48 29 3 6 6 4 7 3 41 20 51
Total 15[1] 113 580 477 122 127 43 12 6 4 8 5 102 57 165
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 140.--Füsilier Battalion, Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 708.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 75-mm Inf Hows Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Co. Hq 1 8 18 17 3 7         1 3 2 11 18
Sub-MG Plat (Bcl) 1 3 31 7 2 26 2         2 1 6 32
Sub-MG Plat (Bcl)   4 31 7 2 26 2         2 1 6 32
R Plat (Bel)   4 31 22 4 9 3         2 1 6 32
Hv Wpn Plat 1 5 34 17 12 11   2 2     6 5 16 29
Inf How Sec   4 24 19 3 5 1     2   4   11 23
Total 3 28 169 89 26 84 8 2 2 2 1 19 10 56 166
[1] May be replaced by a Fus Bn similar to the Inf Bn (Bcl).
Figure 141--Füsilier Company, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 200.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Flame Throwers 20-mm Guns (Mth) 75-mm Guns (SP) Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq 4 6 12 13 4 5 3           4 4
Bn Hq Co 3 33 80 27 61 28 23       13 3 23 2
Armd Car Co 3 29 53 7 45 33 25       16   27 2
Armd Rcn Co 3 36 144 83 SS 45 29 4 2   6 2 21 4
Light Armd Rcn Co 3 39 125 65 51 51 44   2     2 30 3
Hv Wpn Co 4 32 122 67 53 38 19   6 6   6 27 4
Sup Co 7[1] 48 156 172 31 6 4           67 3
Total 27[1] 223 692 434 300 206 147 4 10 6 35 13 199[2] 22
[1] Including three officials.

[2] Including 124 Armd vehicles.

Figure 142.--Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Army Armored Division, total strength 942.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 81-mm Morts Flame Throwers 75-mm Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Co Hq 1 8 10 12 3 4 2       4 3
75-mm Gun Plat 1 7 24 4 17 11 2     6 8  
8-mm Mort Plat 1 12 43 24 20 12 2 6     8  
Engr Plat 1 5 45 27 13 11 13   6   7 1
Total 4 32 122 67 53 38 19 6 6 6 27[1] 4
[1] Including 25 Armd vehicles.
Figure 143.--Heavy Weapons Company, Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, total strength 158.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs 150-cm SLs 200-cm SLs Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 5 5 29 2     4   3
Com Sec   2 13       3   1
Hv SL Bn 16 97 SS0 9 30 6 29 85 16
Hv SL Bn 16 97 SS0 9 30 6 29 85 16
Hv SL Bn 16 97 SS0 9 30 6 29 85 16
Total 53[1] 298 1,692 29 90 18 94 255 52
[1] Including ten officials.
Figure 144.--Heavy Searchlight Regiment (non-motorized), total strength 2,043.

20. Air Force Antiaircraft Field Units and Air Force Antiaircraft Units in the Zone of the Interior

a. MOBILE UNITS. The composition of antiaircraft units larger than batteries varies greatly in accordance with local conditions, as already indicated in Section V, paragraph 17. Normally an antiaircraft battalion consists of three to five batteries, with a maximum of eight. An antiaircraft regiment normally consists of from three to four battalions, with a maximum of six. Divisions have three or four regiments.

Motorized antiaircraft units have a smaller number of components than do non-motorized units. In accordance with their type of motorization they are designated:

Motor-drawn (mot. or mot. Z); mounted on half-tracks (mot. G1); self-propelled (mot. s.).

Non-motorized units are designated:

Mobile (v for verlegefähig); or Static (o for ortsfest).

The personnel strength of motorized units is usually approximately double that of non-motorized ones.

Mobile antiaircraft units have large numbers of trailers but very little motorization and depend for mobility on separate transportation units, as already stated in Section V, paragraph 17. Static units usually are employed for the protection of specific targets.

For the difference in German designations of antiaircraft units and antiaircraft units in the Zone of the Interior, see Figure 145.

The main components of the non-motorized antiaircraft division described in Section V, paragraph 17, are one heavy searchlight regiment and three antiaircraft regiments (see Figures 144 to 150). Any of the above units may also be encountered as motorized antiaircraft with corresponding higher strength. However, the basic tactical motorized antiaircraft units are the mixed antiaircraft battalion, the light antiaircraft battalion, and the heavy searchlight battalion. Any combination of these units totaling three or four battalions may be components of a motorized antiaircraft regiment, but most frequently regiments of three mixed antiaircraft battalions probably will be encountered. (See Figures 151 to 154.)

The Germans designate antiaircraft units equipped with 20-mm or 37-mm guns as light;

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antiaircraft units equipped with 88-mm, 105-mm, 128-mm, or 150-mm as heavy (or, in the case of the latter, possibly super-heavy); and antiaircraft units including both these types of equipment as mixed. Similarly, they designate units with 60-cm searchlights as light, and with 150-cm or 200-cm searchlights as heavy. The following types of antiaircraft battalions frequently may be encountered:

The German Air Force has the main responsibility for antiaircraft defense of the Zone of the Interior and of the Field Army. For the employment of antiaircraft units with the latter, see Figure 145,

b. RAILWAY ANTIAIRCRAFT (Eisenbahnflak). Railway antiaircraft regiments consist of three heavy or two heavy and one light antiaircraft battalions. Each railway antiaircraft battalion consists of three to four batteries which are the tactical units in the employment of the railway antiaircraft guns. Railway batteries usually consist of single- or four-barrelled 20-mm, 37-mm, 88-mm, 105-mm, or 128-mm guns mounted on railway cars,

c. TOWER MOUNTED ANTIAIRCRAFT BATTALIONS (Turmflakabteilung). Tower mounted antiaircraft battalions are equipped with 20-mm (single-barrelled, and four-barrelled) and 105-mm and 128-mm double-barrelled antiaircraft guns. The guns are mounted on one or two platforms of concrete antiaircraft towers constructed in the vicinity of vital installations and of large cities.

d. ARMY ANTIAIRCRAFT BATTALION (Heeresflak). Army antiaircraft battalions are found organically in all armored, motorized, and parachute divisions, as well as in all types of SS divisions. They are discussed in paragraph 6, as they belong to the artillery arm.

e. LIGHT ARMY ANTIAIRCRAFT BATTALION (Fla Bataillon). Light army antiaircraft battalions are found in General Headquarters. They are discussed in paragraph 3, as they belong in the infantry arm.

f. LIGHT ARMY ANTIAIRCRAFT COMPANY (Fla Kompanie). Light army antiaircraft companies are found with most types of ground personnel, mostly antiaircraft personnel. The strength of the regiment is about 3,000 men, and it is believed to have three or four battalions of three or four batteries each. Each battery of about 150 men probably operates three launching sites, so that the battalion may operate between nine and twelve and the regiment between 27 and 48 launching sites.

g. NAVAL ANTIAIRCRAFT UNITS (Marine Flak). The following are the three types of naval antiaircraft units:

Antiaircraft guns mounted on board of ships and manned by the ship's crew.

Antiaircraft units manning guns for the protection of shore installations (usually static batteries).

Antiaircraft batteries mounted on barges for the protection of approaches to vital naval installations.

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Figure 145
Figure 145.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs 150-cm SLs 200-cm SLs Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Bn Hq 8[1] 14 44 1     13 5 3
Com Sec   3 16       4   1
SL Btry 2 20 125 2 7 2 3 20 3
SL Btry 2 20 125 2 7 2 3 20 3
SL Btry 2 20 120 2 8 1 3 20 3
SL Btry 2 20 120 2 8 1 3 20 3
Total 16[1] 97 550 9 30 6 29 85 16
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 146.--Heavy Searchlight Battalion (non-motorized), total strength 662.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs 20-mm Guns 20-mm Guns (Four-Barreled) 37-mm Guns 88-mm Guns 105-mm Guns 60-cm SLs Bar Bns Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Regtl Hq 7 7 42 2               7   4
Bar Bln Bn 16 97 580 9             72 29 85 16
Light AA Bn 19 134 524 9 36 9 12     16   19 67 11
Hv AA Bn 16 104 391 9 8     24       27 43 12
Hv AA Bn 16 104 391 9 8       16     27 43 12
Total 74[1] 446 1,928 38 52 9 12 24 16 16 72 109 238 55
[1] Including ten officials.
Figure 147.--Antiaircraft Regiment (non-motorized), total strength 2,448.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs Bar Blns Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Bn Hq 8[1] 14 44 1   13 5 3
Com Sec   3 16     4   1
Bar Bln Btry 2 20 130 2 18 3 20 3
Bar Bln Btry 2 20 130 2 18 3 20 3
Bar Bln Btry 2 20 130 2 18 3 20 3
Bar Bln Btry 2 20 130 2 18 3 20 3
Total 16[1] 97 580 9 72 29 85 16
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 148.--Barrage Balloon Battalion, total strength 693.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs 20-mm AA guns 20-mm AA guns (Four-Barreled) 37-mm AA guns 60-cm SLs Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Bn Hq 7[1] 13 36 1         9 3 3
Com Sec   1 8           2    
20-m AA Btry 3 30 120 2 12 3   4 2 16 2
20-mm AA Btry 3 30 120 2 12 3   4 2 16 2
20-mm AA Btry 3 30 120 2 12 3   4 2 16 2
37-mm AA Btry 3 30 120 2     12 4 2 16 2
Total 19[1] 134 524 9 36 9 12 16 19 67 11
[1] Including two officials.
Figure 149.--Light Antiaircraft Battalion (non-motorized), total strength 677.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 88-mm AA guns Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Bn Hq 8[1] 17 51 1     15 7 3
Com Sec   3 16       4   1
88-mm Btry 2 21 81 2 2 6 2 9 2
88-mm Btry 2 21 81 2 2 6 2 9 2
88-mm Btry 2 21 81 2 2 6 2 9 2
88-mm Btry 2 21 81 2 2 6 2 9 2
Total 16[1] 104 391 9 8 24[2] 27 43 12
[1] Including two officials.

[2] Some Hv AA Bns may consist of four 105-mm Btries with a total of 16 guns.

Figure 150.--Heavy Antiaircraft Battalion (non-motorized), total strength 511.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AA (Four-Barreled) 88-mm AA guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls 60-cm SLs
Regtl Hq 9 34 123 140 20 10 2       25    
Mixed AA Bn 39 403 908 1,051 241 93 17 30 18 12 339 38 12
Mixed AA Bn 39 403 908 1,051 241 93 17 30 18 12 339 38 12
Mixed AA Bn 39 403 908 1,051 241 93 17 30 18 12 339 38 12
Total 126[1] 243 2,847 3,293 743 289 53 90 54 36 1,042 119 36
[1] Including ten officials.
Figure 151.--Antiaircraft Regiment (motorized), total strength 4,216.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AA (Four-Barreled) 88-mm AA guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls 60-cm SLs
Regtl Hq 6[2] 31 93 74 41 19 1       28 11  
88-mm Btry 4 53 110 149 12 10 2 4   4 36 3  
88-mm Btry 4 53 110 149 12 10 2 4   4 36 3  
88-mm Btry 4 53 110 149 12 10 2 4   4 36 3  
20-mm Btry[1] 6 65 139 151 51 14 2 9 3   58 5 4
20-mm Btry 6 65 139 151 51 14 2 9 3   58 5 4
20-mm Btry (Four-Barreled). 7 73 151 163 59 15 4   12   59 6 4
Hv AA Clm 2 10 56 65 3 1 2       28 2  
Total 39[2] 403 908 1,051 241 93 17 30 18 12 339 38 12
[1] In some Bns replaced by a 37-mm Btry with nine guns.

[2] Including two officials.

Figure 152.--Mixed Antiaircraft Battalion, Antiaircraft Regiment (motorized), total strength 1,350.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 20-mm AA Guns 20-mm AA (Four-Barreled) 60-cm SLs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Bn Hq and Com Plat 5[1] 26 81 62 36 18 1       23 8
20-mm Btry 6 65 139 151 51 14 2 9 3 4 58 5
20-mm Btry 6 65 139 151 51 14 2 9 3 4 58 5
20-mm Btry 6 65 139 151 51 14 2 9 3 4 58 5
Light AA Clm 1 6 51 56 2 1         23 2
Total 24[1] 227 549 571 191 61 7 27 9 12 220 25
[1] Including two officials.

[2] Some light AA Bns may have four Btries and about 1,000 men.

Figure 153.--Light Antiaircraft Battalion (motorized), total strength 800.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs 150-cm SLs 200-cm SLs Mtr Vehicles Tlrs Mtrcls
Bn Hq and Com Plat 6[1] 20 90 1     25 5 6
Hv SL Btry 3 25 180 2 8 1 50 20 5
Hv SL Btry 3 25 180 2 8 1 50 20 5
Hv SL Btry 3 25 180 2 8 1 50 20 5
Total 15[1] 95 630 7 24 3 175 65 21
[1] Including two officials. Some Hv SL Bns may have four Btries and about 950 men.
Figure 154.--Heavy Searchlight Battalion (motorized), total strength 740.

21. Miscellaneous Combat Units

a. FORMATION OF TASK FORCES. It is the purpose of this section to explain briefly how the various elements of the German Armed Forces are combined to form effective combat teams. Figures 1-4 should be consulted in conjunction with this text.

The Navy, the Air Force, and the Armed SS (Waffen-SS), like the Army, are composed of many different types of units. The Navy includes battalions of coast artillery, naval antiaircraft artillery, naval aviation units, and the various types of combat fleet units. In addition to its regular aviation units the German Air Force has different types of antiaircraft units; aircraft warning service organizations; and communications, engineer, balloon barrage, and administrative units.

All types of units in the German Army, Navy, Air Force, and Armed may be considered as groups or pools. Unit organizations are withdrawn from these pools to form task forces, which then function as teams for specific missions.

Normally the commander is selected from the service which predominates in the task force or whose interests are paramount.

Since missions and circumstances vary, each task force is likely to be composed differently

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from any other. German organizations above the division should be regarded as basic command frameworks, with a minimum of organically assigned combat and administrative units; task forces are formed around these frameworks.

An effort always is made to retain a maximum number of combat units in the various types of General Headquarters pools. Consequently, when a large German unit, such as a corps or a division, is engaged in combat it almost always will be reinforced by units from the General Headquarters pools. When the amount of reinforcement is large, additional commanders and staffs also will be attached. The great influence which General Headquarters reinforcements can have on the combat power of a standard organization, such as a division, should not be overlooked.

The German system as thus outlined is both rigid and flexible. It is rigid in the sense that all the units in any single pool are as nearly alike as possible; it is flexible because the principle of combining units from the various pools is utilized to obtain any sort of combat organization which may be required for a given purpose.

Every German task force assigned to a mission is tactically and administratively an independent and self-contained organization. Coordination with other units is arranged in advance. The force never is required to depend on other units to carry out its mission.

The German system of organization for combat is both economical and effective. It enables the commanders to concentrate combat power at the most vulnerable points without changing basic dispositions. The method also is deceptive to the enemy, as it prevents an easy estimate of German strength in any particular situation.

The administrative organization for supply and evacuation is arranged in a manner similar to that of the combat organization and is employed in conformity with the principle that the administrative plan must support the tactical or strategical plan. Like the tactical organization, the German administrative organizations differ with the situation.

One of the outstanding characteristics of the German military system is unity of command. All units engaged on a single mission are under one commander, who is charged by one authority with responsibility for the success of the mission. As a corollary, two or more German commands never are assigned the same mission simultaneously. Units from the Air Force, the Navy, the Army, and the Armed SS all serve together under a commander chosen from any of the four branches. Likewise, in basic training great emphasis is placed on cooperation among the services and among different branches of the same service.

To sum up, it always should be borne in mind when confronting any situation involving German forces that the predominating note in all German military thought is the combination of all arms and services necessary for any specific mission into a task force (or combat team) under a single commander.

This holds true for all German task forces from the highest echelons down to the reinforced regiments, battalions, and companies. (See Figures 155 to 163.)

b. THE ARMORED BRIGADES (Panzerbrigaden).

These were formed in the summer of 1943 with the following components:

Several armored brigades, however, were encountered in the field with two Panzer Grenadier battalions and two tank battalions. Almost all armored brigades located on the Western Front have been incorporated into armored divisions, which were badly in need of replacements.

c. ARMORED TRAINS (Eisenbahnpanzerzüge). Armored trains have been employed by the Germans successfully since the outbreak of the war with the objective of surprising the enemy by the sudden occupation of a strategically located railroad station or to protect vital lines of communication against partisan and guerrilla attacks. Armored train, Type EP-42, consists of six armored, infantry, artillery, and antiaircraft railway cars. The train is armed with two 105-mm gun-howitzers mounted on special cars; two antiaircraft cars, each with one four-barrelled, 20-mm antiaircraft gun, one 76.2-mm Russian gun; and two infantry railway cars with two 81-mm mortars, one heavy machine gun, and 22 light machine guns. The total strength of that armored train is about 113.

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Figure 155.---Example of a Large Combat Team
Figure 155.---Example of a Large Combat Team.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts 120-mm Morts Bazookas Flame Throwers 20-mm AA/AT Guns (Mtr-Dr) 20-mm AA Guns (SP) 37-mm AA Guns 45-mm AA Guns 50-mm AT Guns 75-mm Guns (Mtr-Dr) 75-mm Guns (SP) 75-mm Mt Hows 75-mm Inf Hows 76.2-mm Guns 88-mm Guns 122-mm Hows 122-mm Guns
Div Hq 14 55 86 2                                    
Sig Bn 9 58 184 12                                    
Inf Regt 20 124 693 53 4 5                 1              
Inf Regt 17 115 838 56 3 5   3           2     4   1      
Inf Regt (East) 12 32 375 21 5 1 4           2   4       5      
Inf Regt 31 140 799 75 5 5                 2              
Inf Regt (Bcl) 16 111 642 50 5 5                       2        
Arty Regt (Mtz) 25 164 710 33           9                 24   8 4
Arty Regt (Partly Mtz) 30 239 1,460 32                     3   2   7 6 4  
AT Bn 10 94 315 25           8 4         13            
AA/AT Units 3 23 118 2               2     2              
Engr Bn (Bcl) 8 47 305 18 6 6     20                          
Med Units 5 35 157 4                                    
Total 200 1,237 6,682 383 28 27 4 3 20 17 4 2 2 2 15 13 6 2 37 6 12 4
Figure 156.--Example of a Large Combat Team, total strength 8,119.

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Figure 157.--Example of a Medium Combat Team
Figure 157.--Example of a Medium Combat Team.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Bazookas Flame Throwers 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Inf Hows 150-mm Inf Hows 105-mm Gun/Hows
Bcl Regt 46 278 1,510 91 12 19 34   3 2 1  
Sig Co (Mtz) 1 5 50                  
Arty Bn 15 100 400 9               12
Engr Co (Bcl) 3 20 120 3 1 1   2        
MT Units   3 12 2                
Amb Sec   1 4                  
Total 65 407 2,096 105 13 20 34 2 3 2 1 12
Figure 158.--Example of a Medium Combat Team, total strength 2,568.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts LMGs Hv MGs 81-mm Morts Bazookas 75-mm AT Guns 75-mm Inf Hows 150-mm Inf Hows
Regtl Hq 7 1 16              
Regtl Hq Co 5 28 165 9            
Bcl Bn 15 100 SS0 37 6 9        
Bcl Bn 15 110 570 38 6 10        
Inf How Plat 1 10 SS 4         2 1
AT Co (Part Mtz) 3 29 154 3     34 3    
Total 46 278 1,510 91 12 19 34 3 2 1
Figure 159.--Bicycle Regiment, Medium Combat Team, total strength 1,834.

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs Rkt Pistols 81-mm Morts Bazookas 20-mm AA Guns 75-mm AT Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Bcls
CT Hq 1     3 1                 1     1
Hv Wpn Co 2 4 50 43 8 3 2     2 -- 4   5     1
R Co 1 11 75 65 14 9 9 2 6                
AT Co 2 5 38 38 3 4         9   2 5 1 6 3
Total 6 20 163 149 26 16 11 2 6 2 9 4 2 11 1 6 5
Figure 160.--Example of a Small Combat Team, total strength 189.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs 81-mm Morts Bazookas 20-mm AA Guns Mtr Vehicles Bcls
20-mm AA Plat 1 4 37 34 6 3 2     4 4 1
81-mm Mort Plat 1   13 9 2     2     1  
Total 2 4 50 43 8 3 2 2   4 5 1
Figure 161.--Heavy Weapons Company, Small Combat Team, total strength 56.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Hv MGs Rkt Pistols
Co Hq 1 1 5 6   1      
R Sqd   1 7 6 1 1 1    
R Sqd   1 7 4 2 1 1    
R Sad   2 8 7 2 1 2    
R Sqd   1 8 6 2 1 2    
Hv MG Sec   2 6 6 4     2  
Engr Counter Attack Sec   2 28 24 3 3 3    
Engr AT Plat   1 6 6   1     6
Total 1 11 75 65 14 9 9 2 6
Figure 162.--Rifle Company, Small Combat Team, total strength 87.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs Bazookas 75-mm AT Guns Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Bcls
Co Hq 1 1 4 4 1 1       1   1
Mun Sec   1 2 1 2       2      
Bazooka Sqd   1 9 9   1 9       6  
AT Gun Plat 1 2 23 24   2   2 3     2
Total 2 5 38 38 3 4 9 2 5 1 6 3
Figure 163.--Antitank Company, Small Combat Team, total strength 45.

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d. MILITIA (Volkssturm) UNITS.

In October, 1944 a decree was issued by Hitler calling up all able-bodied German men between the ages of 16 and 60 for the defense of the Fatherland. That decree calls for the creation of a people's militia (Volkssturm) under the leadership of Himmler in his function as Commander-in-Chief of the Replacement Training Army.

It is believed that the Party in general, and the Storm Troop Organization (SA) and the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK) in particular, have been charged with the part time training of these men who are to remain on their jobs until a direct threat endangers their area. In such an emergency they will be called to the ranks, come under the command of the army, and be issued weapons, brassards with the inscription "Deutscher Volkssturm Wehrmacht" and identification papers as members of the German Armed Forces. Their employment probably is limited to defensive fighting in trenches, woods, and streets, since their units are equipped with small automatic weapons, machine guns, and bazookas only, but it is possible that light and medium mortars will be added later.

It is difficult to determine definitely the tables of organization for militia units as these will vary greatly in accordance with local conditions and the manpower and weapons available, but indications from the front lines point toward the following average tables of organization for the basic militia unit, the Militia Battalion. (See Figures 164 to 167.)

In some cases several militia battalions may be combined in a militia regiment.

Figure 164.--Militia (Volkssturm) Battalion
Figure 164.--Militia (Volkssturm) Battalion.

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UNIT Bn Comdr Co Leader Plat Leader Sqd Leader Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Bazookas Rkt Pistols
Bn Hq 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 4      
Co   1 4 14 83 38 13 33 9 9 9
Co   1 4 14 83 38 13 33 9 9 9
Co   1 4 14 83 38 13 33 9 9 9
Co   1 4 14 83 38 13 33 9 9 9
Total[1] 1 6 17 58 334 154 54 136 36 36 36
[1] With companies of maximum strength the Bn total may increase to 1-6-21-90-570 or 688 men and the firepower accordingly.
Figure 165.--Militia (Volkssturm) Battalion, total strength 416-688.

UNIT Leader Plat Leader Sqd Leader Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Bazookas Rkt Pistols
Co Hq 1 1 2 2 2 1 3      
Plat   1 4 27 12 4 10 3 3 3
Plat   1 4 27 12 4 10 3 3 3
Plat   1 4 27 12 4 10 3 3 3
Total[1] 1 4 14 83 38 13 33 9 9 9
[1] With four Plats of four Sqds each the Co strength may increase to 1-5-22-142 and the fire power accordingly.
Figure 166.--Militia (Volkssturm) Company, total strength 102-170.

UNIT Plat Leader Sqd Leader Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Bazookas Rkt Pistols
Plat Hq 1 1 3 3 1 1      
Sqd   1 8 3 1 3 1 1 1
Sqd   1 8 3 1 3 1 1 1
Sqd   1 8 3 1 3 1 1 1
Total[1] 1 4 27 12 4 10 3 3 3
[1] With four Sqds per Plat the Plat strength may increase to 1-5-35 and the fire power accordingly.
Figure 167.--Militia (Volkssturm) Platoon, total strength 32-41.

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Section VII. SERVICE TROOPS

1. GENERAL Every German division includes in its organic components the divisional services which vary in strength in accordance with the size and type of the division. The divisional services of all types of divisions, however, are organized on the basis of the same standard pattern and include the following components:

Divisional Supply Troops (Nachschubtruppen).

Administrative Troops (Verwaltungstruppen).

Medical Troops (Sanitätstruppen).

A Field Post Office (Feldpostamt).

Motor Maintenance Troops (Kraftfahrparktruppen), varying in size in accordance with the degree of motorization of the division. Veterinary Troops (Veterinärtruppen). Only in divisions with horse transport.

A Military Police Detachment (Feldgendarmerietrupp) which in some divisions is withdrawn from the divisional services and assigned to the divisional headquarters.

There is a trend in the German Armed Forces to centralize all types of service units. It began early in 1944 in the armored division when service companies were set up for each battalion of tank and Panzer Grenadier regiments and for the armored reconnaissance battalion. Late in 1944 Volks Grenadier divisions were formed with infantry battalions having supply platoons instead of the traditional battalion and company trains, and with divisional services combined into a divisional supply regiment. This was done as a part of the policy to facilitate a more even distribution of all types of supply with less personnel and to free company commanders from any other than operational duties.

For a compilation of the divisional services of the three most numerous types of divisions see Figures 168 to 170.

2. SUPPLY TROOPS. The supply and motor maintenance units of the German Army, originally combined under transport troops, were divided later into two separate arms. The motor maintenance units were grouped under the motor maintenance troops (see paragraph below), while the transport and supply units were classified as supply troops. Railway operating troops are an independent arm although they work in conjunction with the supply troops.

The commander of the division rear services (Kommandeur der Divisionsnachschubtruppen-Kodina), formerly known as Divisionsnachschubführer-Dinafu), commands the divisional service troops.

The light column (Leichte Kolonne), found in most types of infantry regiments, consists of 39 wagons carrying all types of supplies except rations. It serves as a supply reserve for the subordinate battalions.

The trains (Trosse) are battalion and company supply units. They consist of a combat train, a rations train (a second rations train in the battalion), and a baggage train. The company baggage train and the second battalion rations train are usually motorized. The second battalion rations train consists of one truck hauling supplies from the division distribution point.

The repair company (Instandestzungskompanie) repairs equipment and weapons except motor vehicles. Several units of this type may be found in a division.

3. Administrative Troops

Administrative troops usually include a number of civilian specialists (Beamte) in various positions. These are listed in the preceding tables of organization as officers, but designated in footnotes, as officials.

The rations supply office (Verpflegungsamt) supervises the requisitioning and supply of rations for troop units. It erects rations supply distributing points which are refilled regularly by the bakery and slaughter units and from which the troop units obtain their rations.

The slaughter platoon, found in all divisions, slaughters cattle which it preferably procures locally. Existing installations are used whenever possible.

The bakery company found in all divisions, uses wherever possible, existing local installations.

4. Medical Troops

One or two medical companies, and one to three motorized ambulance platoons are organic components of all divisions. Until 1943 most types of divisions included also a field hospital, but these have been withdrawn to higher echelons and

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UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs
Div Sup 14 62 366 294 36 5 26 60 13 103   392
Workshop Co 6 21 110 113 24   4 21 1   6  
Adm 10 34 193 216 14 3 8 37 3   15  
Med Units 21 76 372 413 32 7 12 74 4 17 3 46
Vet Co 4 19 133 130 24 2 6 8 2 11 1 105
Fld Post Office 3 7 8 15 3   1 4        
Total 58[1] 219 1,182 1,181 133 17 57 204 23 131 25 543
[1] Including 22 officials.
Figure 168.--Division Services, German Infantry Division, 1944 Type, total strength 1,459.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls
Div Sup 15 95 640 695 50 Cn 46 122 35
Adm 10 34 193 220 14 3 12 37 25
Med Units 23 83 402 450 58   11 95 10
Maint Units 12 48 279 309 30   14 60 10
MP Det 1 25 7 19 10 5 2 5 5
Fld Post Office 3 7 8 15 3   1 4  
Total 64[1] 292 1,529 1,708 165 13 86 323 85
[1] Including 18 officials.
Figure 169.--Division Services, Army Armored Division, total strength 1,885.

UNIT Offs NCOs Pvts Rs or Cbns Pistols Sub-MGs LMGs Mtr Vehicles Mtrcls H-Dr Vehicles Tlrs Hs Bcls
Regtl Hq 8 6 12 18 5 3 1 6 3       40
120 Ton Clm (Mtz) 2 17 95 112 2   2 19 1        
30 Ton Clm 2 12 80 92 2   1     42   100 5
30 Ton Clm 2 12 80 92 2   1     42   100 5
Sup Plat 1 3 60 65 1   1     19   48 3
Ord Co 3 18 67 83 3   1 5 1       10
Maint Plat 2 8 50 58 2   1 6 1   4   5
Adm Co 8 22 134 156 8   3 28 1   11   5
Med Co 10 34 150 167 27   2 16 2 17 2 46 20
Amb Plat 1 5 34   40     21 2        
Vet Co 4 15 100 102 17   2 7 1 10 1 94 10
Fld Post Office 3 9 6 6 12     3          
Total 46[1] 161 868 951 121 3 15 111 12 130 18 388 103
[1] Including eight officials.
Figure 170.--Supply Regiment, Volks Grenadier Division, total strength 1,075.

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are being allotted to divisions in accordance with the tactical requirements. For the procedure of evacuation of wounded and the definition of medical units see Section V, paragraph 3.

5. Field Post Office

There is a field post office in every German division acting as a branch post office of an army of which the division is a part.

6. Motor Maintenance Troops

The supply and motor maintenance units of the German Army, which originally combined all transport troops (Fahrtruppen), were divided into two separate arms in the fall of 1942. The transportation and supply units now are classified as supply troops (see paragraph 2 above), while the motor maintenance units are grouped under the motor maintenance troops. Their great efficiency has been proved when servicing numerous makes of motor vehicles taken from all occupied countries. Workshops are designated usually as workshop companies (Werkstattkompanien), or as mobile repair shops (Kraftwagenwerkstätte).

7. Veterinary Troops

The great majority of German divisions use horses as means of transportation and have a veterinary company which consists of a horse collecting platoon, a horse hospital, and a fodder platoon. Because of the importance which horses still play within the German Army, there is an elaborate system of veterinary units and horse hospitals in the field as well as in the Zone of the Interior.

8. Military Police

The military police duties are divided between the military police (Feldgendarmerie), whose main task is the maintenance of traffic discipline, and guard troops (Wachtruppen), primarily concerned with the guarding of vital military installations in the field. The latter also take charge of prisoners of war and escort them to the rear areas. Patrol duties and the maintenance of military discipline are carried out both by army and SS patrols and the military police.

The guard battalion is an independent battalion assigned to army groups and armies.

A military police battalion is found with each army and consists of three or four military police companies.

Military police detachments are organic in every German division. They were originally a part of the divisional services, but may be found now frequently within the division headquarters.

9. Miscellaneous Units

For a list of all identified units of the service troops arm, see "Order of Battle of the German Army," March 1945 edition.

10. Abbreviations

All abbreviations are according to TM 20-205 and/or FM 21-30. It should be noted that there are no official abbreviations for:

Bazooka         Pistol
Corps         Pool
Flame thrower         Post Office
Gun         Vehicle
Light         Workshop
Medium          

The abbreviation Sub-MG has been adopted instead of SMG to avoid confusion with Schweres Machinen Gewehr which means "Heavy Machine Gun."

The following list of abbreviations is used in connection with the organization charts.

A         Army
AA         Antiaircraft
AA/AT         Antiaircraft-Antitank
Adm         Administration
Amb         Ambulance
Armd C         Armored Car
Arty         Artillery
Asgd         Assigned
AT         Antitank
Atchd         Attached
Bar Bln         Barrage Balloon
Bcl         Bicycle
Bn         Battalion
Br         Bridge
Btry         Battery
C         Combat
C of S         Chief of Staff
Cbn         Carbine
CG         Commanding General
CH         Chaplain
Clm         Column
Cml         Chemical
Co         Company

[II-100]

Com         Command
Comdt         Commandant
C Sch         Combat School
Ct         Combat team
Decon         Decontamination
Det         Detachment
Div         Division
Ech         Echelon
Engr         Engineer
Fin         Finance
Fld         Field
Fus         Fuselier
Fwd Ech         Forward Echelon
GHQ         General Headquarters
Gp         Group
Gren         Grenadier
GS         General Staff
Gun/How         Gun-Howitzer
H         Horse
H-Dr         Horse-drawn
H-Trk         Half-track
How         Howitzer
Hq         Headquarters
Hv mg         Heavy Machine Gun
Hv Wpn Co.         Heavy Weapons Company
Incl         Including
Inf         Infantry
Int         Intelligence
JA         Judge Advocate
LMG         Light Machine Gun
Ln O         Liaison Officer
Med         Medical
Met         Meteorological
mg         Machine Gun
Mort         Mortar
MP         Military police
MT         Motor Transport
Mt         Mountain
Mth         Mounted
Mtr         Motor
Mtrcls         Motorcycles
Mtr-Dr         Motor-drawn
Mtz         Motorized
Mun         Munitions
NCO         Noncommissioned Officer
Offs         Officers
Ord         Ordnance
Pers         Personnel
Plat         Platoon
Prcht         Parachute
Pvts         Privates
Pz         Panzer
Pz. Gren.         Panzer Grenadier
Pz. Kpfw         Panzer Kampfwagen (Tank)
R         Rifle
Rad         Radio
Rcn         Reconnaissance
Regt         Regiment
Regtl         Regimental
Repl         Replacement
Repro         Reproduction
Rkt         Rocket
Rr Ech         Rear echelon
SAR         Semiautomatic Rifle
Sch         School
Sec         Section
Serv         Service
Sig         Signal
SL         Searchlight
Sp         Self-propelled
Spcl         Specialist
Sp Stf         Special Staff
Sq         Squad
Sub-MG         Sub-Machine Gun
Sup         Supply
Surg         Surgeon
Surv         Survey
Tac         Tactical
Tlr         Trailer
Tn         Train
Tng         Training
Tp         Telephone
Tr         Troop
Vet         Veterinary

[II-101]

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Transcribed and formatted by Patrick Clancey & Larry Jewell, HyperWar Foundation