WW2 German War Units
The German army fielded over 300 infantry divisions, which provided the bulk of their forces. Command of ground forces was confused with SS, Heer, Kiegsmarine and Luftwaffe all having ground units under their separate command with no formal means of cooperation between them prior to September 1944. There was a continual shortage of equipment, so units shown here are almost certainly over strength, always feel free to substitute captured enemy equipment as this was a frequent German practice.
German Infantry Regiment 1938 to 1943 (may command up to 3 battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Cannon Company 2 150IG, 2 Limber
Regimental Anti Tank Company 3 37ATG, 3 Limber
Regimental Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Horse
Regimental Pioneer Platoon 1 Engr
German Infantry Regiment 1943 to 1944 (may command up to 2 battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Cannon Company 1 150IG, 1 75IG, 2 Limber
Regimental Anti Tank Battery 2 50ATG (1944 75ATG), 2 Medium Trucks
Regimental Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Horse
Regimental Pioneer Platoon 1 Engr
German Static Infantry Regiment 1943 to 1944 (may command up to 2 battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Horse
Regimental Pioneer Platoon 1 Engr
German Luftwaffe Infantry Regiment 1943 to 1944 (may command up to 3 battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Cannon Company 2 75IG, 2 Limber
Regimental Anti Aircraft Battery 2 20AAG, 2 Light Trucks
Regimental Anti Tank Platoon 1 50ATG, 1 Medium Truck
Regimental Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Horse
Regimental Pioneer Platoon 1 Engr
German Kiegsmarine Infantry Regiment 1944 (may command up to 2 battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Cannon Company 2 75IG, 2 Limber
Regimental Anti Tank Platoon 1 50ATG, 1 Medium Truck
Regimental Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Horse
German Volksgrenadier Regiment October 1944 to 1945 (may command up to 2 battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Anti Aircraft Company 1 20AAG, 1 Limber
Regimental Cannon Company 2 150IG, 2 Limber
Regimental Anti Tank Platoon 1 75ATG, 1 Medium Truck, 2 Pz S
Regimental Mortar Company 2 120M, 2 Limber
German Motorized Regiment Headquarters 1938 to 1943 (Commands 2 or 3 Battalions plus Motorcycles Battalion)
HQ 1 HQ
1 Recce Platoon 2 SMG, 2 Motorcycle
1 Assault Gun Company 3 GW1 (Europe only)
German Parachute Regiment Headquarters 1939 to 1945 (Commands 3 Battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
1 Recce Platoon 2 SMG, 2 Motorcycle
Regimental Cannon Company 1 150IG, 1 75IG, 2 Limber
Regimental Mortar Company 2 120M, 2 Limber
German Motorized Grenadier/Panzer Grenadier Regiment Headquarters 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
1 Engineer Company each 2 Engr, 1 Medium Truck, 1 251/7, 1 251/16
1 Cannon Company 2 sIG 33
Note Panzer Grenadier Regiment commands 1 Armored Grenadier and Motorized Battalion, Motorized Grenadier Regiment commands 2 Motorized Battalions
German SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Headquarters 1943 to 1945 (Commands 1 Armored and 2 Motorized Battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
1 Panzer Jager Company 3 PJIV (or StuG3g)
1 Engineer Company each 2 Engr, 1 Medium Truck, 1 251/7, 1 251/16
1 Cannon Company 2 sIG 33
German Infantry Battalion 1938 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Heavy Company 1 37ATG, 1 75IG, 2 Limber
1 Machinegun Company 3 MMG, 1 81M
German Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1944
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Heavy Company 1 50ATG (75ATG in 1944), 1 120M, 2 Medium Truck
1 Machinegun Company 2 MMG, 1 81M
German Luftwaffe or Kiegsmarine Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1944
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Heavy Company 2 Pz S, 1 120M, 1 Limber,
1 Machinegun Company 2 MMG, 1 81M
German Volksgrenadier Battalion October 1944 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 2 Rifle, 1 SMG
1 Heavy Company 2 Pz S, 1 75IG, 1 Limber
1 Machinegun Company 2 MMG, 1 81M
German Static Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Machinegun Company 2 MMG, 1 81M
German Motorized Battalion 1938 to 1943 (Europe and Russia)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Companies each 3 Rifle, 3 Light Trucks
1 Heavy Company 1 75IG, 1 37ATG, 2 Light Truck
1 Machinegun Company
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M, 1 Light Truck
2 Machinegun Platoons each 2 MMG, 1 Light Truck
Note One company may be mounted in an Sdkfz 251/1, up to 1941.
German Motorized Battalion 1941 to 1943 (Africa)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Companies each 3 Rifle, 3 Light Trucks
1 Heavy Company
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 37ATG, 1 Light Truck (50ATG in 1943)
1 Cannon Platoon 1 GW1
1 Machinegun Company
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M, 1 Light Truck
1 Machinegun Platoon 2 MMG, 1 Light Truck
1 Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Motorcycle
German Parachute Battalion 1939 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
3 Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Heavy Company
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 37ATG, 1 Light Truck (28ATG in 1941)
1 Anti Aircraft Platoon 1 20AAG, 1 Light Truck
1 Cannon Platoon 1 75RR, 1 105RR, 2 Light Truck
1 Machinegun Company
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
1 Machinegun Platoon 2 MMG
1 Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Motorcycle
1 Engr Platoon 1 Engr
German Parachute Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Parachute Companies each 3 Rifle, 3 Light Truck
1 Heavy Company
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 75ATG, 1 Medium Truck (28ATG in 1943)
1 Engr Platoon 1 Engr, 1 Medium Truck
1 Machinegun Company
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M, 1 Light Truck
1 Machinegun Platoon 1 MMG, 1 Light Truck
1 Recce Platoon 1 SMG, 1 Motorcycle
German Armored Grenadier Battalion 1942 to 1945 (In Russia, Tunisia and Europe)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Grenadier Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 251/10, 2 251/1
1 Heavy Company
1 Anti Aircraft Platoon 1 AA H/T
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 Marder (251/22 or StuG3g)
1 Cannon Platoon 1 251/9
1 Machinegun Company
1 Recce Platoon 2 SMG, 2 Motorcycle
1 Machinegun Platoon 1 MMG, 1 251/1
1 Engr Platoon 1 Engr, 1 251/7
1 Mortar Battery 1 120M, 1 81M, 1 251/1, 1 Medium Truck
Note Elite units may replace 1 81M and 1 251/1 with 251/81.
German Mixed Grenadier Battalion 1944 to 1945 (In Russia and Europe)
HQ 1 HQ
1 Grenadier Company 3 SMG, 1 251/10, 2 251/1
2 Grenadier Companies each 3 Rifle, 3 Light Truck or 2 Medium Trucks
1 Heavy Company
1 Anti Aircraft Platoon 1 AA H/T
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 75ATG, 1 Medium Truck (sometimes an SPAT (251/22, StuG3g, Marder)
1 Cannon Platoon 1 251/9
1 Machinegun Company
1 Recce Platoon 2 SMG, 2 Motorcycle
1 Machinegun Platoon 1 MMG, 1 Light Truck
1 Engr Platoon 1 Engr, 1 251/7
1 Mortar Battery 1 120M, 1 81M, 1 Light Truck, 1 Medium Trucks
Note The first Panzer Grenadier Regiment of a Panzer Division had this type of organization in place of a full Armored Grenadier Battalion with the other battalions of the division being Motorized Grenadier Battalions. Only SS and Elite Army and Luftwaffe formations had full Armored Grenadier Battalions. This was a result of the 1944 re-org of the German Army and the continuing equipment and manpower shortages.
German Motorized Grenadier Battalion 1942 to 1945 (All theatres)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Grenadier Companies each 3 Rifle, 3 Light Trucks or 2 Medium Trucks
1 Heavy Company
1 Anti Aircraft Platoon 1 AA Truck
1 Anti Tank Platoon 2 75ATG, 2 Medium Trucks
1 Cannon Platoon 1 75IG, 1 Light Truck
1 Machinegun Company
1 Recce Platoon 2 SMG, 2 Motorcycles
1 Machinegun Platoon 1 MMG, 1 Light Truck
1 Engr Platoon 1 Engr, 1 Medium Truck
1 Mortar Battery 1 81M, 1 120M, 1 Light Truck, 1 Medium Truck
German Motorcycle Battalion 1939 to 1943 (All Theatres) (One of these per Panzer Division)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Motorcycle Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MMG, 4 Motorcycles
1 Heavy Company 1 37ATG, 3 Light Truck, 1 AA Truck, 1 81M, 1 75IG
German Panzer Regiment Headquarters 1938 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
German Panzer Regiment Headquarters 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
German Panzer Lehr Panzer Regiment Headquarters 1944 to 1945 (Commands 12 Pz Lehr Companies (4 companies of 5 PzV, 4 companies of 5 Pz IV and 4 companies of 5 PzVI)
HQ 1 HQ
1 Jagd Panzer Company 4 Jpz 4
1 Anti Aircraft Company 4 AA H/T
1 Recce Company 4 Luchs, 4 SMG, 4 Motorcycles
German Luftwaffe Panzer Regiment Headquarters 1943 to 1945 (Herman Goring Division, Commands 1 PzV 1 PzIV Battalion and 1 StuG3 Battalion)
HQ 1 HQ, 3 AA H/T
German Panzer Battalion 1938 to 1941 (Europe and Russia)
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Pz1, 2 SMG, 1 Engr, 2 Motorcycle, 1 Medium Truck
2 Panzer Companies each 3 Pz
1 Support Company 3 Pz4d
Note Pz is Pz1, Pz2, Pz38, and Pz3e
May not mix Panzer III with Panzer 38(t) or Panzer 35(t). For Russia in 1941 delete the Pz I except in Headquarters units, Pz III may be upgraded to E F, G, or H.
1940 Tank mixes:
1, 2, 10 Panzer Divisions – HQ/Recce - Panzer 1, Medium Tanks – Panzer 2 and Support Tanks – Panzer 4d
3, 4, 5 Panzer Divisions - HQ/Recce - Panzer 1, Medium Tanks – Panzer 1 and 2 and Support Tanks – Panzer 3e and 4d
6, 7, 8 Panzer Divisions - HQ/Recce - Panzer 1, Medium Tanks – Panzer 38 and Support Tanks – Panzer 3e
9 Panzer Division - HQ/Recce - Panzer 1, Medium Tanks – Panzer 2 and Support Tanks – Panzer 3e and 4d
1941 Tank mixes:
6, 7, 8, 12, 19, 20 Panzer Divisions – HQ/Recce - Panzer 38t, Medium Tanks – Panzer 38t and Support Tanks – Panzer 4d. These divisions had 3 instead 2 medium tank companies with the regiments having 3 battalions.
All other Panzer Divisions - HQ/Recce - Panzer 2, Medium Tanks – Panzer 3 and Support Tanks – Panzer 4d
German Panzer Battalion March 1941 to November 1942 (Africa)
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Pz2, 2 SMG, 1 Engr, 2 Motorcycle, 1 Medium Truck
1 Anti Aircraft Platoon 1 AA H/T
3 Panzer Companies each 3 Pz3
1 Support Company 3 Pz4d
Note P3 maybe e, h or j. Pz38t maybe substituted for Pz3 in Europe only. See 1941 Tank Mixes in note above that 3 tank companies was not typical although it was the recommended army order of battle, 2 companies being the norm at the front.
German Panzer Battalion 1942
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Pz2, 2 SMG, 1 Engr, 2 Motorcycle, 1 AA H/T, 1 Medium Truck
3 Panzer Companies each 3 P3j
1 Support Company 3 Pz4g
Note Note above also applies.
German Panzer Battalion 1943
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Pz2, 2 SMG, 1 Engr, 2 Motorcycles, 1 AA H/T, 1 251/7
3 Panzer Companies each 3 Pz4g
1 Support Company 3 Pz3m
Note Some battalions in 1943 will use the Pz3n/Pz4g combination like 1942; some will use all Pz4g or Panther. SS Panzer Battalions use SS units unless equipped with Pz3n. Note in above also applies. This is a very confusing year to nail down an ORBAT any combination is possible depending on local resources
German Panzer Battalion 1944 to 1945 (Europe and Russia)
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Luchs, 1 SMG, 1 Motorcycle, 1 Whirlwind, 1 Engr, 1 251/7
4 Panzer Companies each 3 Pz
Note Pz is Pz4h or Panther. SS Panzer Battalions use SS units.
12th SS Panzer Division 1944 - Some SS Panzer Battalions had 4 or 5 companies such as the 12SS panzer regiment in June 1944.
21st Panzer Division 1944 – 1 battalion of Pz 4g and 1 battalion of Somua 35 with H39 as Headquarters tanks. There were a number of independent panzer battalions that served as training units in France and support units in the Arctic against the Soviets; they all had captured French equipment mostly R35, H39 and S35.
Security Tanks - FT17 were used as internal security vehicles in the rear area and maybe available to security divisions in combat (about a company’s worth of tanks).
11th Panzer Division 1944 – this unit stationed in the South of France used the Pz3n instead of Pz4h and Pz5 and was in action against US and Free French Forces during Operation Anvil/Dragoon. Use the 1943 order of battle.
18th Panzer Division 1944 – this unit was struck from the order of battle as a panzer division and became a breakthrough artillery division.
German Heavy Tank Battalion 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Panzer Companies each 2 Tiger I, 1 Pz3j
Note Pz3 may be omitted. This unit normally operates by independent companies. Between 1942 and 1943 the following battalions were raised:
501 - 3/42 North Africa to 3/43 then East Front
502 - 3/42 East Front
503 - 1/43 East Front rebuilt in 1/45 as Feld Herren Halle Battalion of FHH Panzer Division. Use Tiger 2 from 8/44.
504 – 1/43 Italy (East Front for Kursk then Italy)
505 – 1/43 East Front. Use Tiger 2 from 8/44.
506 – 3/43 East Front, then West Front from 4/44. Use Tiger 2 from 8/44.
507 – 4/43 East Front
508 – 3/43 Italy to 1/45 then West Front
509 – 4/43 East Front. Use Tiger 2 from 8/44.
3/35 – 1/43 Kursk with 35th Panzer Regiment disbanded after Kursk
3/GD – 3/43 Kursk with Greater Germany Panzer Regiment through out the war. Removed from division in 1/45 to serve as a Corps asset as “Heavy Panzer Battalion Greater Germany”.
HG – 1/43 Italy as part of Hermann Goering Panzer Division and saw service in several Parachute Corps.
German Heavy Tank Battalion 1944 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Panzer Companies each 3 Tiger I or II
Note This unit normally Operates by independent companies. Between 1944 and 1945 the following battalions were raised (in addition those in existence):
510 - 3/44 East Front
511 - 1/44 East Front then folded into 502. Use Tiger 2 from 8/44.
511 - 1/45 East Front, newly raised from training Troops. Use Tiger 2 from 1/45.
1/130 – 1/44 West Front, was made a panther battalion after 8/44
SS 101 – 2/44 West Front, then East Front from 1/45. Use Tiger 2 from 12/44.
SS 102 – 2/44 West Front, then East Front from 1/45. Use Tiger 2 from 12/44.
SS 103 – 2/44 West Front, then East Front from 1/45. Use Tiger 2 from 12/44.
424 - 1/45 East Front. Formed from the surplus Tiger 1s of Tiger 2 re-equipped units.
German Tank Demolition Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
3 Tank Companies each 1 StG3g, 2 BV Tiger 1
Note There was only one of these battalions and it served on the Eastern Front throughout the war. StuG3g are the controller vehicles and BV Tigers drop off the demolition charge on the target.
German Divisional Anti-Tank Battalion 1938 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
3 Anti Tank Companies each 4 37ATG, 4 Light Truck (replace in 1942 with 50ATG)
1 Anti Aircraft Company 2 20AAQG, 2 Light Trucks (Infantry Divisions only)
Note The option to upgrade 1 ATG platoon per company applies to Panzer Divisions in 1940, and Infantry divisions in 1941.
German Infantry Division Anti-Tank Battalion Late 1942 to 1945 (Use this for Africa as well)
HQ 1 HQ
1 SPAT Company 3 SPAT (StuG3g, Marder, Hetzer)
1 Anti-Tank Company 4 50ATG, 4 Medium Truck
2 Anti Aircraft Company 2 AA H/T or 2 20AA, 2 Light Trucks
Note 75ATG from November 1943. Must use 7.62ATG in North Africa and may use 7.62ATG on East Front after July 1942.
German Panzer & Panzer Grenadier Division Anti-Tank Battalion 1942 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
2 SPAT Companies each 3 SPAT (StuG3g, JP4, Marder, Hetzer (1944))
2 Anti Tank Companies each 2 75ATG, 2 RSO
German Volksgrenadier Anti-Tank Battalion 1944-45
HQ 1 HQ
3 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 2 20AAG, 2 Light Trucks
2 Panzer Jager Batteries each 1 SPAT
1 Anti Tank Company each 2 75ATG, 2 Medium Trucks
Note SPAT can be Marder, StuG3g or SU76.
German Corps Heavy Anti-Tank Battalion 1941 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Panzer Jager Companies each 3 SPAT or 3 ATG, 3 Sdfz 7
Note SPAT can be Jagd Panzer 1 (1941-43), Marder 2 (late 1942), Elefant (early 1943), Jagd Panzer 4 or (late 1943), Nashorn (early 1944), Jagd Panther (from August 1944) or Jagd Tigers (from December 1944). Battalions equipped with Jagd Panther were always short of such vehicles, so up to two-thirds of such battalion maybe equipped with JP4 instead. Jagd Tiger battalions have only two fighting companies and served on the West Front only. Towed battalions were 75ATG until November 1944 then 88ATG.
In 1944 there were 23 such battalions and at least one per Corps would be available in an active or threatened sector. On average 3 (1 Nashorn, 1 towed 75mm and 1 Elefant) served in Italy, 14 served on the East Front (8 towed 88mm, 2 towed 75mm, 1 Nashorn, 4 JP5), 1 in Norway and the remainder on the West Front (1 Nashorn (later JP6), 3 JP5, 1 JP6). All towed 88 battalions served on the East Front only. The battalion in Norway had a mixture of 75mm and 50mm anti-tank guns and no self-Propelled guns. There were only 2 battalions of Elefants were ever formed in 1943 for the Kursk offensive and only 1 battalion available after October 1943 that survived the debacle of Operation Citadel. Elefants served on Italian Front in 1944 and West Front in April 1945 in independent companies may have officially still been part of 654th Battalion. There was one company of Elefant attached to 3rd Parachute Division during Ardennes Campaign.
Below is a condensed table of these battalions and their service in the early, middle and late periods of the last eighteen months of the war showing their main equipment and theatre of action (In all cases E means East Front, I means Italian Front, W means West Front and N means Norway and Northern Finland):
|
Separate Heavy Anti-Tank Battalions 1944-5
|
|
Unit
|
Early
|
Front
|
Middle
|
Front
|
Late
|
Front
|
|
88
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
|
93
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
Nashorn
|
W
|
|
463
|
Towed
|
N
|
Towed
|
N
|
Towed
|
N
|
|
512
|
JP4
|
E
|
JP4
|
W
|
JP6
|
W
|
|
519
|
Nashorn
|
I
|
JP5
|
W
|
JP5
|
W
|
|
525
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
JP5
|
I
|
JP5
|
I
|
|
559
|
|
E
|
JP5
|
W
|
JP5
|
W
|
|
560
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
JP5
|
E
|
JP5
|
W
|
|
561
|
Towed 75
|
E
|
Towed 75
|
E
|
Towed 75
|
E
|
|
563
|
Towed 75
|
E
|
Towed 75
|
E
|
Towed 75
|
E
|
|
564
|
Towed 75
|
I
|
Towed 75
|
I
|
Towed 75
|
I
|
|
616
|
Marder 2
|
E
|
Hertzer
|
E
|
Hertzer
|
E
|
|
653
|
Elefant
|
I
|
JP6
|
I
|
JP6
|
W
|
|
654
|
JP5
|
E
|
JP5
|
W
|
JP5
|
W
|
|
655
|
Nashorn
|
E
|
JP5
|
I/E
|
JP5
|
W
|
|
661
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
|
662
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
|
663
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
|
664
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
|
665
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
|
666
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
|
667
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
|
668
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
Towed 88
|
E
|
German Infantry Division Reconnaissance Battalion 1938 to 1944
HQ 1 HQ, 1 222
1 Recce Squadron 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Recce Company 3 Rifle, 3 Bicycle
1 Heavy Company 1 75IG, 1 81M, 1 37ATG, 1 Limber, 1 Light Truck
Note In September 1944 this was reduced to a large company consisting of 1 222, 3 Rifle, 1 81M, 4 Bicycle and called the Volksgrenadier Divisional Fusilier Company, see below.
German Panzer/Motorized Division Reconnaissance Battalion 1938 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
2 Recce Companies each 1 231/8 (or 231/6 to 1941), 3 222
1 Motorcycle Company 3 SMG, 3 Motorcycle
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 37ATG, 1 Light Truck
1 Cannon Platoon 1 75IG, 1 Light Truck
German Panzer Division Reconnaissance Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
Armored Car Company 3 234/1, 1 234/2
Armored Recce Company 3 SMG, 3 250/1
1 Heavy Company
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M, 1Light Truck
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 75ATG, 1 Medium Truck
1 Cannon Platoon 1 234/3
1 Engr Platoon 1 Engr, 1 251/7
Note May replace Armored Car Coy with another Recce Coy. In 1943 the Recce Coy could still be a Motorcycle Coy. The 234/1 maybe replaced by 250/9. In 1943 use 231/8 in place of 234/1, 2, 3. VW or swimmwagen or Staff Car often replaced half-track and even the armored cars on occasion. Usual organization was 1 armored recce company and 1 armored car company of mixed armored car types. 234/2 armored cars were often used in anti tank platoon. Almost any type of armored car could be found in these units in 1944 but the same type would equip one battalion.
German Panzer Grenadier Reconnaissance Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
1 Armored Car Company 1 231/8, 3 222
3 Recce Companies each 3 Rifle, 3 Motorcycle
1 Heavy Company
1 Cannon Platoon 1 75IG, 1 Light Truck
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 75ATG, 1 Medium Truck
1 Engr Platoon 1 Engr, 1 Medium Truck
Note From October 1944 replace Motorcycle with V/W, Swimmwagen or Staff Car, these can be mixed in one battalion. 2nd Parachute Corps had one battalion as a GHQ unit, it had the organization above without the armored car company and replace motorcycles with kubelwagens or civilian cars.
German Volksgrenadier Divisional Fusilier Company 1944 to 1945
1 222, 2 Rifle, 1 SMG, 1 81M, 5 Bicycle
German Infantry Division Artillery Regiment 1939 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Light Battalions each 3 105H, 1 FAO, 3 Limbers
1 Heavy Battalion 3 150H, 1 FAO, 3 Limbers
Note Battalions may be fielded individually. Mountain Infantry Divisions have 4 light battalions of 75H. After December 1943 delete one battery from each light battalion as part of the re-org to the 1944 Infantry Division. In some Divisions after 1943 Russian 122H Howitzers were used, similarly 25pdr and US or French 105H or French 75H can be substituted. If an SS unit, add a battalion of 170H (this is theory not practice. In practice add a battery). If SS mountain, add another battalion of 75H instead.
German Cavalry Division Artillery Regiment 1939 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
2 Light Battalions each 3 105H, 1 FAO, 3 Limbers
1 Recoilless Gun Battalion 3 75RR, 1 FAO, 3 Limbers
1 Heavy Mortar Company 2 120M, 2 Wagons
Note Battalions may be fielded individually.
German Panzer or Motorized Division Artillery Regiment 1938 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
2 Light Battalions each 3 105H, 1 FAO, 3 Medium Trucks
1 Heavy Battalion 3 150H, 1 FAO, 3 Medium Trucks
Note Optional to upgrade one light battalion with Wespe in 1942.
German Panzer or Motorized Division Artillery Regiment 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
2 Light Battalion 2 105H, 1 FAO, 2 Medium Trucks
1 Heavy Battalion 2 150H, 1 FAO, 2 Medium Trucks
1 Armored Battalion 2 Wespe, 1 Hummel, 1 FAO
Note Battalions may be fielded individually. A second light battalion frequently replaced the Armored Battalion. If SS, add a Nebelwerfer battalion (sometimes self-propelled) and a 170H battalion (although a battery was often only available).
German Parachute Division Artillery Regiment 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Light Battalions each 3 105H, 1 FAO, 3 Medium Trucks
1 Heavy Battalion 3 150H, 1 FAO, 3 Medium Trucks
German Nebelwefer Regiment 1942 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
2 Light Battalions each 3 NW, 3 Medium Truck
1 Heavy Battalion 3 Mauliter/NW
Note Normally only used as single battalions; several brigades were massed for use in the Ardennes in 1944. Brigades have 2-4 regiments.
German Parachute Division Mortar Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ, 1 VW, 1 20AAQG, 1 Light Truck
3 Mortar Batteries each 2 120M, 2 Medium Trucks
German Assault Gun Battalion 1939 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
3 Assault Gun Batteries each 1 StuG3e
Note Between 1940 and 1943 the following 69 battalions and 10 independent batteries were raised:
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 184-185
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 185
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 189-192
Sturmartillerie Ersatz Abtreilung 200
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 200-204
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 209-210
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 226
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 228
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 232
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 236-237
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 239
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 242-245
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 247
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 249
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 259
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 261
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 270
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 276-281
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 286-287
Sturmartillerie Erastz Abtreilung 300
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 300-301
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 303
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 311
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 322
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 325
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 333
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 341
Sturmartillerie Batterie 352-353
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 393
Sturmartillerie Erastz Abtreilung 400
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 428
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung zVB 600
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 600
Sturmartillerie Erastz und Aus Abtreilung 600
Sturmartillerie Batterie 640
Sturmartillerie Batterie 659-660
Sturmartillerie Batterie 665-667
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 667
Sturmartillerie Erastz Abtreilung 700
Sturmartillerie Batterie 741-742
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 902
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 904-905
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 907-909
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 911-913
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 915-916
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 918
Sturmartillerie Abtreilung GD
SS Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 1-3
SS Sturmartillerie Abtreilung 105 (5 SS Corps)
German Assault Gun Battalion 1943 to Jan 1944
HQ 1 HQ
2 Assault Gun Batteries each 1 StuG3f
1 Support Battery 1 StuG42
Note In late 1943 a support battery was added.
German Sturm Gun Battalion Feb 1944 to June 1944
HQ 1 HQ
SMG Company 3 SMG, 1 81M, 1 251/10, 3 251/1
2 Assault Gun Batteries each 2 StuG3g
1 Support Battery 2 StuG42
Note In early 1944 additional Stugs and an escort company was added and these units were re-designated Sturm Gun Battalions.
German Sturm Gun Brigade July 1944 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
SMG Company 3 SMG, 1 81M, 1 251/10, 3 251/1
3 Assault Gun Batteries each 3 StuG3g
1 Support Battery 3 StuG42
Note By this time infantry transport was in short supply, SMG company propably run on the assault guns instead of having their own half racks. Additional Stugs were added again and these units were again re-designated as Sturm Gun Brigades. Between 1944 and 1945 the following 69 brigades were formed (Most were formed from surviving assault gun battalions):
Sturmartillerie brigade Lehr 111
Sturmartillerie brigade177
Sturmartillerie brigade184-185
Sturmartillerie brigade189-191
Sturmartillerie brigade197
Sturmartillerie brigade 200-203
Sturmartillerie brigade 209-210
Sturmartillerie brigade 226
Sturmartillerie brigade 228
Sturmartillerie brigade 232
Sturmartillerie brigade 236-237
Sturmartillerie brigade 239
Sturmartillerie brigade 242-245
Sturmartillerie brigade 249
Sturmartillerie brigade 259
Sturmartillerie brigade 261
Sturmartillerie brigade 270
Sturmartillerie brigade 276-281
Sturmartillerie brigade 286-287
Sturmartillerie brigade 300-303
Sturmartillerie brigade 311
Sturmartillerie brigade 322
Sturmartillerie brigade 325
Sturmartillerie brigade 333
Sturmartillerie brigade 341
Sturmartillerie brigade393-398
Sturmartillerie brigade 600
Sturmartillerie brigade 667
Sturmartillerie brigade 901-902
Sturmartillerie brigade 904-905
Sturmartillerie brigade 907
Sturmartillerie brigade 909
Sturmartillerie brigade 911-912
Sturmartillerie brigade 920
Sturmartillerie brigade 1170
Sturmartillerie brigade 1180
Sturmartillerie brigade GD
SS Sturmartillerie brigade 1-3
LW Sturmartillerie brigade 1
LW Sturmartillerie brigade 11
LW Sturmartillerie brigade 111
FJ Sturmartillerie brigade 2
FJ Sturmartillerie brigade 12
FJ Sturmartillerie brigade 121
FJ Sturmartillerie brigade 21
FJ Sturmartillerie brigade 210
FJ Sturmartillerie brigade Schmitz
German Corps Heavy Sturm Gun Battalion 1944-45
HQ 1 HQ
2 Sturm Batteries each 2 Sturmtiger or Brummbar
Note Little information is available on service. There were sufficient equipments for three battalions at any one time available. The 216th and 1 Company/218 served on the Eastern Front and the 217th and 2 Company/218 served on the West Front. All three units were equipped with the Brummbar. Two independent Wehrmacht Sturm Tiger companies (1000th and 1001st Sturm Mortar Companies) were also available on the East Front for the Warsaw Uprising in Poland and on the Western Front from November 1944. There is rumored to be one SS battalion (SS/101 Sturm Mortar Battalion) equipped in late 1944 with Brummbar. I would suggest these SS units served in 6 SS Panzer Army with the batteries divided up amongst I or II SS Panzer Corps.
German Anti-Aircraft Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
2 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Batteries each 2 88AAG, 2 Sdfz 7, 1 20AAQG, 1 Light Truck
1 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery 3 20AAQG, 3 Light Truck
German Anti Aircraft Regiment (has 4 battalions and is a Corps asset)
HQ 1 HQ
German Anti-Aircraft Division (sometimes called a Corps) (has 3 (Division) – 4 (Corps) regiments and is an Army or Army Group asset that is operationally under control but administratively under the Luftwaffe)
HQ 1 HQ
German Engineer Battalion 1941 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ, 1 222
3 Engineer Companies each 3 Engr, 3 Medium Trucks
1 Bridging Company 3 Engr, 1 Tank (Panzer Divisions only) or Truck Bridge, 4 Medium Trucks
1 Heavy Company 1 81M, 1 150IG, 1 50ATG, 2 Light Trucks, 1 Medium Truck
1 Armored Engineer Coy 3 Flamm Pz (not in Inf Div)
Note Germans often used this unit as infantry in a reserve defensive position detaching the bridging assets and armored engineers to division Headquarters. A very small number of these units had an armored bridging company with Pz 4 AVLB instead of trucks carrying the bridges, such units were probably Corps assets.
German Horse Cavalry Regiment 1939-45
HQ 1 HQ
Regt Weapons Company 1 150IG, 1 37ATG, 2 Limber
2 Cavalry Battalions each
HQ 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MMG, 4 Horse
Machinegun Company 3 MMG, 3 Horse
Weapons Company 3 81M, 3 Wagon
Note There were never more than three divisions of cavalry available to the Germans (plus two SS cavalry divisions) throughout the war. None were used on the Italian or Western Fronts. By late 1944 all cavalry divisions should be re-rated as brigades (there was only one army unit, two SS units and three Russia Free Corps units all of which served on the Southern part of the Eastern Front).
Large Units:
Infantry Division 1939 – 3 Infantry Regiments (3 Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Infantry Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion
Air Landing Infantry Division 1940-44 – 2 Infantry Regiments (2 Battalions each), 1 Parachute Regiment (3 battalions), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Infantry Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (one of these divisions was in Normandy during D Day)
Mountain Infantry Division 1939-44 – 3 Mountain Infantry Regiments (3 Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment (all 75mm Howitzers), 1 Infantry Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion (37mm, 28mm or 50mm Anti Tank Guns), 1 Engineer Battalion (all transport is wagon or pack horse or horse)
Infantry Division 1944 – 3 Infantry Regiments (2 Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Infantry Battalion, 1 Fusilier Company, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion,
78th Sturm Infantry Division 1943-44 – 3 Sturm Infantry Regiments (1 Infantry Battalion and 1 105H Artillery Battalion each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Fusilier Company, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Jagd Panzer Battalion (Marder 2), 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti Aircraft Battalion, 1 Mortar Battalion, 1 Assault Gun Battalion
Static Infantry Division 1944 (Security Division) – 3 Static Infantry Regiments (2 Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-tank Battalion
Volksgrenadier Division (late 1944 to 1945) – 3 Volksgrenadier Regiments (2 Volksgrenadier Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Volksgrenadier Fusilier Company, 1 Volksgrenadier Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion
Luftwaffe Field Division – 2 Luftwaffe Infantry Regiments (3 Luftwaffe Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment (only 2 Light Battalions), 1 Fusilier Company (as per the Volksgrenadier Fusilier Company but no armored car), 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Parachute Infantry Division – 3 Parachute Infantry Regiments (3 Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Infantry Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Assault Gun Battalion, 1 Mortar Battalion (SPECIAL NOTE: only the first 3 divisions (1st, 2nd, 3rd) are motorized delete all infantry transport and assault gun battalions from the divisions with numbers higher than 3)
SS Infantry Division (after 1943) – 3 Infantry Regiments (3 battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Infantry Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Motorized Infantry Division (until 1943) – 3 Motorized Infantry Regiments (3 motorized infantry battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Light Division 1939-41 – 1 Panzer Regiment, 1 Motorized Infantry Regiment, 1 Artillery Battalion, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Panzer Division 1939 – 2 Panzer Regiments, 1 Motorized Infantry Regiment, 1 Motorcycle Battalion, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Panzer Division 1941 – 1 Panzer Regiment, 2 Panzer Grenadier Regiments (two battalions each), 1 Motorcycle Battalion, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Panzer Division 1943 – 1 Panzer Regiment, 1 Panzer Grenadier Regiment (2 Battalions each), 1 Motorized Grenadier Regiment (2 Battalions each), 1 Panzer Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Panzer Division 1945 – 1 Panzer Regiment (1 Panther Battalion, 1 Panzer Grenadier Battalion), 2 1944 Infantry Regiments (2 Infantry Battalions each), 1 Panzer Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Company, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
Panzer Lehr Panzer Division 1944-45 – 1 Panzer Lehr Panzer Regiment, 2 Panzer Grenadier Regiments (3 Battalions each), 1 Panzer Artillery Regiment (including 1 Self Propelled Nebelwerfer Battalion), 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Assault Gun Battalion (This organization should be used for the Greater Germany Panzer Division but with a standard Panzer Regiment of one battalion each Pz4h, Panther and Tiger 1)
Herman Goering Panzer Division 1943-45 – 1 Panzer Regiment, 2 Panzer Grenadier Regiments (3 Battalions each), 1 Panzer Artillery Regiment (including 1 Self Propelled Nebelwerfer Battalion), 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Regiment (2 Anti Aircraft Battalions, 1 Motorized Grenadier Battalion), 1 Assault Gun Battalion (This organization should be used for the 1st Herman Goering Panzer Division and 2nd Herman Goering Panzer Grenadier Division (with one panzer battalion only in Herman Goering Panzer Grenadier Division)
SS Panzer Division 1943 (from September 1943) – 1 Panzer Regiment (1 battalion each of Panthers, Pz4h, Tiger), 2 Panzer Grenadier Regiments (3 Battalions each), 1 Panzer Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Assault Gun Battalion
Panzer Grenadier Division 1943 – 1 Panzer Battalion (Assault Gun battalion in 1945), 2 Motorized Grenadier Regiments (2 Battalions each), 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion
SS Panzer Grenadier Division 1943 – 1 Panzer Battalion, 2 Panzer Grenadier Regiments (3 Battalions each), 1 Panzer Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Assault Gun Battalion
18th Artillery Division (1943-44 East Front) – 1 Panzer Artillery Regiment, 1 Heavy Artillery Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment (Motorized), 1 Observer Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Company (75mm), 1 Engineer Battalion (no bridging assets), 1 Anti Aircraft Battalion
Cavalry Division 1939-43 – 3 Cavalry Regiments, 1 Cavalry Artillery Regiment, 1 Infantry Recce Battalion, 1 Anti-tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Company
Brigades – The Germans considered Brigades to be ad hoc units composed of numerous companies reporting to a Headquarters, very often they are referred to as an “ALARM UNIT” with the last name of the commander, such as ALARM UNIT Schiller. For example a Panzer Brigade in August 1944 consisted of a Headquarters, 2 to 4 Panzer Companies, 2 to 4 Panzer Grenadier Companies, A Panzer Jager Company or two, a few mortar or artillery batteries and an Anti-Aircraft battery.
Cavalry Brigade 1944-45 – 2 Cavalry Regiments, 1 Cavalry Artillery Regiment, 1 Motorized Recce Battalion (frequently not available), 1 Anti-tank Battalion (older weapons), 1 Engineer Company (these brigades sent more time fighting partisans than regular Troops)
Parachute Brigade Ramke 1942 Africa – 4 Parachute Infantry Battalions, 1 Artillery Battalion (105mm), 1 Anti Tank Company (28mm), 1 Engineer Company (this unit had no infantry transport and borrowed transport from the Afrika Corps Flak Battalions after they were positioned).
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