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How many people are there in a German army division? Organization of German tank forces

Lieutenant Colonel K. Volodin

A prominent place in the implementation of the Pentagon's militaristic plans is given to the ground forces - one of the main branches of the US armed forces. The foreign military press reports that in recent years they have undergone significant changes. Their construction is based on the long-term Army-90 program (1981-1990), in accordance with which intensive research and practical activities are carried out to develop and adopt qualitatively new weapon systems and military equipment, improve the organizational structure and search optimal ways combat use formations, units and subdivisions.
In terms of improving the organizational structure, the American command pays special attention to the issue of achieving a balance between the so-called heavy and light formations. It is planned to achieve such a ratio of formations of these types within the ground forces that would make it possible to maintain strong forward groups and quickly build them up, as well as, using the high strategic mobility of light divisions, to respond in a shorter time to changes in the military-political situation in various regions of the world, declared by the United States as "zones of its own" national interests", and carry out their aggressive plans there.
Heavy formations in the United States include mechanized and armored divisions of the ground forces, designed to conduct high- and medium-intensity combat operations, primarily in the European theaters of operations, and light formations include the newly created light infantry divisions, as well as existing airborne and air assault.
The light infantry division, according to American experts, is a qualitatively new type of combined arms formation of the ground forces. It is intended for rapid airlift and low-intensity combat operations, mainly in poorly equipped theaters of operations in difficult physical and geographical conditions (mountains and deserts of South-West Asia, forests of Central and South America, Africa and the Pacific). The issues of combat use of divisions of this type in the European theater of war as part of the advanced group of US armed forces during the conduct of medium and high intensity combat operations in accordance with the concept of “air-ground operation (battle)” are also being studied.
Organizationally, a light infantry division includes: a headquarters and a headquarters company, three brigade headquarters with headquarters companies, nine infantry battalions, four artillery battalions, anti-aircraft division, brigade army aviation, three separate battalions (reconnaissance and electronic warfare, communications and engineering), rear command (headquarters and headquarters company, four battalions: repair, transport and supply, medical, maintenance and repair of aviation equipment), a military police company. In total, the division (see table) has 10,768 personnel, eight 155 mm and 54 105 mm towed howitzers, 36 106.7 mm and 54 60 mm mortars, 44 ATGM launchers on the M966 vehicle, 162 Dragon ATGM launchers ", eight 25-mm automatic cannons, 18 Vulcan self-propelled guns, 90 Stinger MANPADS, 99 helicopters, including 31 reconnaissance, 29 fire support, 36 general purpose, 870 1.25-ton off-road vehicles, 135 motorcycles and other weapons.
According to existing plans, the ground forces are expected to have five light infantry divisions (four regular and one national guard). Currently, the 7th Light Infantry Division has been formed on the basis of the 7th Infantry Division (Fort Ord, California). In the coming years, on the basis of the 25th Infantry (Hawaii Islands) and the previously disbanded 6th Infantry (Fort Richardson, Alaska), 10th Mountain (Fort Drum, New York) and 29th National Infantry Guard (Fort Belvoir, Virginia) it is planned to create light infantry divisions with the same numbers.
According to foreign experts, the main advantage of a light infantry division compared to an infantry division of an existing organization is its high strategic and operational-tactical mobility. So, to transport it to any point in the world, according to their calculations, no more than 500 flights of C-141B military transport aircraft will be required (for a regular infantry division, 1,450 flights are needed). At the same time, experimental exercises conducted with units and subunits of the 7th Light Infantry Division revealed weak sides in her organizational structure, combat use and support of combat operations. It is also noted that it has relatively low fire and anti-tank capabilities, insufficient tactical mobility (only three of the nine infantry battalions of the division can be deployed within the boundaries of its combat area by standard helicopters and other vehicles), limited capabilities for conducting combat operations (stockpiles of logistics equipment designed for 2-3 days). Considering the issues of combat use of formations of this type in poorly equipped theaters of operations, the command of the ground forces believes that when transferring a light infantry division to an operational area, certain difficulties may arise related to the issues of receiving military transport aircraft and their refueling during flights, including and in the air, as well as the creation of the necessary reserves of material and technical means, etc. These and other factors may, in his opinion, reduce the division’s ability to increase its efforts.
The Pentagon, creating light divisions primarily as a means of pursuing its aggressive policy “from a position of strength” primarily against “third world” countries, is also developing plans for their combat use in the European theater of war. According to the Chief of Staff of the US Army, General J. Wickham, light infantry divisions, having high strategic mobility, are capable of quickly strengthening NATO’s “deterrent forces” in the initial period; military conflict in Europe and ensure the strategic deployment of the united armed forces (JAF) of the bloc: in accordance with existing plans. Subsequently, in terms of management; combat operations of medium and high intensity, their use will significantly increase combat capabilities, mechanized and armored formations, especially when operating in difficult terrain conditions.
The most likely areas for the operational deployment of light infantry divisions in the European theater of war, according to the foreign press, may be the northern and southern flanks of the NATO Allied Forces group, where terrain conditions can allow achieving high efficiency when using these formations. The most likely areas for the deployment of light infantry divisions in the Central The European theater of operations refers to areas of mountainous and wooded terrain in the zones of action of the 5th and 7th US Army Corps, as well as the urbanized areas of the Ruhr industrial area. At the same time, light infantry brigades from their composition will be assigned to heavy divisions for subsequent use in secondary directions and on terrain that impedes the actions of mechanized and armored formations.
The American command considers the basics of the combat use of light infantry divisions in the European theater of war in relation to the concept of “air-ground operation (battle).” 1ak, in an offensive, units and subunits of a light infantry division can be used in secondary directions, as well as carry out combat missions to penetrate enemy defenses through difficult terrain and defeat him on the flanks and in the rear. In addition, they are capable of acting as airborne assault forces, landing at a depth of up to 70 km behind enemy lines in order to destroy or capture enemy targets (each division will have 850 military personnel trained under the Rangers program). In defense, units and subunits of the light infantry division are planned to be used mainly in secondary directions to conduct combat operations in populated areas, forests and mountains, and in wetlands.
Much attention is paid to developing the fundamentals for using these divisions in cooperation with mechanized and tank units, as well as fire support helicopters when carrying out combat missions for the protection and defense of rear areas. It is believed that the joint use of forces and means of heavy and light formations will bring the greatest effect when operating against enemy airborne and airborne assault forces, tank and motorized infantry units and units of maneuver groups operating in the rear areas of divisions and army corps.
In the case of combat use of light infantry divisions in independent directions as part of the NATO Allied Forces, they can receive up to three reinforcements separate brigades(mechanized or armored tank, field artillery and army aviation). In addition, it is proposed to include light infantry divisions in the operational or strategic reserve of an army corps, army group or Allied Forces of NATO in the European theater.
According to the American command, the presence of light infantry divisions in the ground forces can provide the military-political leadership of the country with a highly mobile contingent of forces for the rapid transfer of them to anywhere in the world in order to carry out their assigned tasks.

Personnel, main weapons and vehicles US Light Infantry Division

Personnel and weapons	Command, headquarters and headquarters company of the division	Command, headquarters and headquarters company of the brigade (3)	Infantry battalion. (9)	Division artillery	Anti-aircraft division	Army Aviation Brigade	Baht. reconnaissance and electronic warfare	Baht. communications	Engineering baht.	Military Police Company	Rear Command	Total
Personnel, people	236	105	561	1441	322	1091	313	479	284	77	1181	10768
155 mm howitzers with mechanical traction	-	-	-	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	8
105 mm mechanically driven howitzers	-	-	-	54	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	54
106.7 mm mortars on the M966 vehicle	-	-	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	36
60 mm mortars	-	-	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	54
25-mm automatic cannons on the M966 vehicle	-	-	-	-	-	8	-	-	-	-	-	8
ATGM launchers on the M966	-	-	4	-	-	8	-	-	-	-	-	44
ATGM "Dragon" launchers	-	-	18	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	162
RPG M203	-	-	58	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	522
M60 machine guns	-	-	18	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	162
ZU "Vulcan"	-	-	-	-	18	-	-	-	-	-	-	18
MANPADS "Stinger"	2	1	1	18	40	-	-	-	-	18	-	90
Fire support helicopters	-	-	-	-	-	29	-	-	-	-	-	29
General purpose helicopters	-	-	-	-	-	36	-	-	-	-	-	36
Reconnaissance helicopters	-	-	-	-	-	31	-	-	-	-	-	31
Electronic warfare helicopters	-	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	3
1.25-terrain vehicles M966	-	-	34	86	-	110	.	.	-	-	-	870
Multi-purpose wheeled and trucks, trailers	-	-	15	20	-	30	-	-	-	-	-	616
Motorcycles	-	-	15	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	135

* By latest messages foreign military press. The light infantry division has a battery of 155 mm howitzers (in the text, a division), as well as an aircraft maintenance and repair company (in the text, a battalion). - Ed.

moto - motorized (or motorized, as you like)
BA - armored car

Subdivision	Included	Personal composition, people	Small arms	Artillery and mortars	Transport
Headquarters	commands subsection; motorbike. courier platoon; cartographer. platoon	98	pistols carbines submachine guns 2 hand machine gun	-	2 buses 29 cars and trucks 17 motorcycles several riding horses
Infantry units
Reconnaissance Battalion		623 19 officers 90 non-commissioned officers 512 privates 2 officials	7 manual machine guns	-	29 cars 20 trucks 50 motorcycles (28 with stroller) 260 horses 7 carts
	Intelligence squad Headquarters; Intelligence motorized platoon		9 manual machine guns	-
	Cyclists department		9 manual machine guns 2 machines machine gun	3 50 mm mortars
	Heavy motorcycle division			2 75 mm infantry. guns 3 37-50 mm PTO	3 mild asthma
1st Infantry Regiment	Headquarters; communications platoon; gentleman platoon; light column infantry; 3 infantry battalion; sapper platoon; regimental orchestra; regimental train	3.049 75 officers; 493 non-commissioned officers 2,474 privates; 7 officials	288 pistols 180 pistol-bullet. ? rifles 115 manual machine gun 36 machine machine guns 27 PTR	27 50 mm mortars 18 81 mm mortars	73 cars 47 motorcycles 210 carts 600 horses
	Regimental Artillery Company			6 75 mm infantry. guns 2 150 mm infantry. op.
	The engine has been destroyed. tanks			12 37-50 mm anti-tank guns
2nd pp	- // -
3rd point	- // -
Total (3rd shelf)	-	9.147		135 mortars 18 75mm infantry. guns 6 150 mm infantry. op. 36 37-50 mm PTO	219 cars 141 motorcycles 620 carts 1,800 horses
Artillery units
The battalion was destroyed. tanks	Headquarters; Communications platoon 3rd exterminated companies	550	18 manual machine guns	36 37-50 mm PTO	114 cars 45 motorcycles
Artillery Regiment	Headquarters; communications platoon; 3 light divisions with 3 batteries each	2.696	18 manual machine guns	36 105 mm howitzers	2,249 horses
Heavy Artillery Battalion	Headquarters; communications platoon; correction platoon; cartographic platoon; 3 batteries	2.696		12 150 mm howitzers	2,249 horses
Parts of collateral
Signal Battalion	Headquarters; Telephone Company; 1st radio company (moto); 1st light communications company (moto)	474	17 manual machine guns	-	103 cars; 32 motorcycles; 52 horses; 7 carts
Sapper battalion	Headquarters; 1st, 2nd engine 3rd cavalry company; Battalion Band	520 17 officers; 60 non-commissioned officers; 442 privates; 1 official	9 PTR; 9 flamethrowers	-	9 cars; 38 trucks; 24 motorcycles; 14 riding horses; 38 draft horses; 19 carts
Column of (motorized) bridge laying machines
Light engineer column (moto)
Logistics service (moto)	food squad; bakery company; slaughter platoon	226 3 officers; 195 non-commissioned officers and privates; 28 officials		-
Supply service	3 motorized columns; 3 horse columns; fuel column; repair company; supply company	598 16 officers; 572 non-commissioned officers and privates; senior treasurer; doctor; vet; 7 officials and engineers		-	38 cars; 69 trucks (4 with trailers); 37 motorcycles (25 with stroller); 36 carts; 11 fuel tankers
Medical service	motorota; horse company; field hospital (moto); 2 ambulance platoons (moto)	16 medical officers; 600 privates		-
Veterinary service	equestrian	30 veterinarians
Military police	military police platoon GFP
Postal service	post office (moto)

http://krieg.wallst.ru/frames/div.html
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http://rkka1941.blogspot.com/

REFERENCE: 26th Wehrmacht Infantry Division –

26th.In June 1940 - in the West, from June 1941 - in the East, in August 1944 it was destroyed while in the Northern Ukraine army group.

In September 1944, it was again restored as the 26th People's Grenadier Division by incorporating the 582nd People's Grenadier Division and the remnants of the 174th Reserve Division, from November 1944 - in the West.

The structure of the German infantry division 1939-1945.

The German ground forces (Heer) during the Second World War consisted of tank, motorized infantry, anti-tank, mountain rifle and infantry divisions.ei

On March 15, 1935, the former Reichswehr was renamed the Wehrmacht. In 1934, the ground forces consisted of 21 Infantry Divisions. With the introduction of conscription in 1935, and by the beginning of the war, the Wehrmacht already had 41 infantry divisions (from 1 to 46, infantry divisions with numbers 13, 37, 40, 42 and 43 never existed within the Wehrmacht).

During the war, 35 so-called “waves of formation” of new divisions took place. The last infantry division to be formed was numbered 719, although only 294 infantry divisions were formed during the war. Some of these divisions were reorganized into motorized infantry divisions, and some were disbanded over time. The remaining divisions of the 719 were field training (Feldausbildungsdivisionen), guard (Sicherungsdivisionen), garrison (Bodenstaendige Divisionen), coastal defense divisions (Kuestenverteiligungsdivisionen), reserve and training (Ersatz- und Ausbildungsdivisionen) divisions. In the last years of the war formal status some divisions received battle groups- improvised combat units, significantly inferior in number to conventional infantry divisions.

1939 - 38 divisions participated in the Polish campaign, 38 divisions were on the Western Front.
1940 - 5 divisions participated in the Norwegian campaign.
1940 - At the beginning of the French campaign, the Wehrmacht had 141 infantry divisions, 123 participated in the battles in France, 5 were part of the occupation forces in Poland, 5 were in Denmark and Norway, and 8 remained in the Reich. After the French campaign, 23 infantry divisions were disbanded or reformed.
1941 - 4 divisions participated in the Balkan campaign.
1941 - By the beginning of the war with Soviet Union The Wehrmacht had 152 divisions, of which 99 were in the east, 38 in the west, 8 in Norway, 8 in the Balkans, one in Denmark and one in Finland. After the start of the fighting, the number of divisions in the east increased to 119.
1944 - At the beginning of the Allied landings in Normandy, there were 17 infantry divisions there.

Although the divisions did not always have the same structure, the differences in their staffing levels were minimal. Significant organizational differences were very rare. Most German divisions also had one field reserve battalion, consisting of 3-5 companies.
According to the staffing table (KStN), the division was supposed to have (excluding the field reserve battalion): 518 officers, 102 officials, 2573 non-commissioned officers and 13667 soldiers. Thus, the total strength of the division was 16,860 people. There were no female personnel in the infantry divisions.
The division's armament consisted of: 3,681 pistols, 12,609 rifles, 312 submachine guns, 90 anti-tank rifles, 425 light machine guns, 110 heavy machine guns, 84 50-mm light mortars, 54 heavy 81-mm mortars, 75 37-mm anti-tank guns, 20 light 75 mm infantry guns, 36 light 105 mm infantry howitzers, 12 150 mm field howitzers, 9 flamethrowers and 3 light reconnaissance armored vehicles.
The division had: 1,743 riding horses, 3,632 draft horses, 895 carts, 31 trailers, 500 bicycles, 530 motorcycles (190 with sidecars), 394 cars, 536 trucks (67 with trailers).

Wartime infantry division

Division headquarters: motorcycle courier platoon, cartographic or printing platoon with 2 machine guns.
Combat units: 3 infantry regiments, each regiment includes: regimental headquarters, communications platoon, cavalry platoon, engineer platoon, regimental orchestra. Each regiment consisted of 3 infantry battalions. Each battalion includes: a battalion headquarters and a communications platoon, three rifle companies with 12 light machine guns, three light mortars and 3 anti-tank rifles, one machine gun company with 12 heavy machine guns and 6 mortars.
Regimental artillery company (horse-mounted): 6 light 75 mm guns, 2 heavy 150 mm guns.
Tank destroyer company (motorized): 12 37 mm anti-tank guns, 4 light machine guns.
Light infantry column.
Reconnaissance detachment: headquarters, motorized reconnaissance platoon (9 light machine guns).
Cyclist squad: 9 light machine guns, 2 heavy machine guns, 3 light mortars.
Heavy (motorized) division: 2 light 75 mm infantry guns, 3 37 mm anti-tank guns, 3 light armored vehicles (Panzerspaewagen).
Motorized tank destroyer squad: headquarters and communications platoon; 3 companies of tank destroyers: 12 37 mm anti-tank guns, 6 light machine guns.
All units of the division, with the exception of the headquarters and tank destroyer company, use horse traction.
Artillery regiment: headquarters and communications platoon; 3 light divisions: headquarters, communications platoon and spotter platoon, 3 batteries - each with 4 105 mm light field howitzers and two light machine guns.
Artillery column.
Heavy artillery division: headquarters, communications, correction and cartographic platoons, 3 batteries of 4 heavy field howitzers.
Sapper battalion: headquarters and battalion orchestra, 3 sapper companies (2 ton-powered, 1 motorized), 3 anti-tank rifles, 3 flamethrowers.
1 bridge laying column (motorized).
1 light sapper column (motorized).
Communications battalion: headquarters, telephone company (partially motorized), 1 radio company (motorized), 1 light communications company (motorized).
Rear services: food detachment, bakery company, slaughterhouse platoon (all motorized).
Supply services: 6 supply columns (3 horse, 3 motorized), fuel column, repair company, supply company.
Medical services: 2 medical companies (1 horse, 1 motorized), 1 field hospital (motorized), 2 sanitary platoons (motorized).
Veterinary services: 1 veterinary service (equestrian).
Military Police: A platoon of military police.
Postal service: post office (motorized).

Infantry Branch - Schuetzengruppe

The infantry squad consisted of nine soldiers and a commander. In the Wehrmacht Infantry Division there was no division into rifle and machine gun sections. The first shooter (Schuetze) became the most accurate shooter in the squad. The first shooter fired from an MG 34 or MG 42 light machine gun and had an eight-round P 08 or P 38 pistol. In addition, the shooter carried a set of tools for repairing and cleaning the machine gun. The second shooter carried ammunition for the machine gun - four belts of 50 rounds of ammunition, a box with 300 rounds of ammunition, a spare barrel casing and two spare barrels. The second shooter was armed with a pistol. The duties of the second number were to help the first number fire from a machine gun. The second gunner fed cartridges, changed overheated machine-gun barrels, repaired minor problems, and loaded the belt. If the first shooter failed, he took his place. The duties of the third number included carrying ammunition for the machine gun. The shooter was armed with a rifle and carried two boxes of 300 machine-gun cartridges each and a machine gun mounting. When the shortage of manpower became especially acute, the third number was excluded from the machine gun crew, and all the soldiers in the squad carried the ammunition for the machine gun in turn. The remaining six soldiers, including the deputy squad commander, were armed with rifles. The squad leader was armed with a submachine gun. The infantry squad was the minimum tactical unit of the Infantry Division.

Infantry Platoon - Schuetzenzug

A rifle platoon was the next largest unit in an infantry division and consisted of a platoon leader, a headquarters squad, four infantry squads (by the end of the war the number of squads in a platoon may have been fewer), a mortar squad and several drivers. The platoon size was respectively 1:6:43 people. The first platoon of each company was usually led by a lieutenant, while the second and third platoons were commanded by a sergeant major or oberfeldwebel. The platoon commander was armed with a submachine gun. The headquarters department consisted of a commander (non-commissioned officer) and three couriers (one of whom was also a signalman). All four were armed with rifles. Later, one of the couriers armed himself sniper rifle. In addition, the headquarters department included a medical orderly armed with a pistol. The orderly had a medical bag and an additional flask of water. In the first years of the war, the orderly wore a white bandage with a red cross and a bib on his left sleeve, but after 1941 they stopped wearing them. The soldiers from the headquarters section had scissors for cutting barbed wire, a flare gun, signal flags and a small flashing light (Blinkgeraet).
The light mortar crew consisted of three people: a commander and two numbers. The mortarmen served a light 50-mm mortar of the 1936 model. The crew commander was armed with a rifle and had field binoculars, a tablet, and also carried a bipod for the mortar and a charging box with ten mines. The first crew number was armed with a pistol and carried a mortar base plate. The second number was also armed with a pistol and carried a mortar barrel. In their hands, both numbers carried two charging boxes with mines. In a combat position, the mortar was assembled from three parts.
In total, the infantry platoon was armed with 5 submachine guns, 4 light machine guns, 11 pistols, 34 rifles and one rocket launcher. The platoon's ammunition consisted of 1,048 rounds of pistol and submachine gun ammunition, 4,600 machine gun rounds, 2,040 rifle rounds, about 60 hand grenades and 50 mortar rounds. At the beginning of the war, each infantry platoon had a two-horse cart (HF 1), on which during marches they transported machine guns, a mortar, a machine gun mounting, hand grenades, tools, entrenching tools, wire, tools for cleaning weapons, camouflage products, as well as additional ammunition. After the start of the war, four-horse carts appeared, lined with iron sheets and equipped with rubber wheels. When a division entered battle, the horse-drawn carts were assembled into a company convoy, usually led by a Hauptfeldwebel.
The usual platoon battle formation was a deployed wedge with three platoons in the first line and a fourth platoon in reserve, or a sharp wedge with one platoon in front and three in the rear. The platoon commander, together with the headquarters section, occupied a place in the middle of the battle formations, from where it was possible to maintain contact with all units. The platoon could carry out large tactical operations, for example, breaking through enemy defenses, etc.

Infantry company - Schuetzenkompanie

It consisted of a company commander (usually a captain or lieutenant) of a headquarters department, 3 infantry platoons (Schuetzenzug), 3 tank destroyer crews (Panzerbuchsentrupp), a convoy, two quartermaster detachments, and a mobile workshop. The total strength of the infantry company was 2:21:178 people, of which 176 people were in combat units. The infantry company was armed with 16 submachine guns, 12 light machine guns, 44 pistols, 130 rifles, 3 anti-tank rifles, 3 light mortars. In addition, the company had one horse under saddle, 12-18 draft horses, 8 bicycles, 1 motorcycle, 1 motorcycle with a sidecar, 3 trucks. The company, especially strengthened by heavy weapons battalion, could independently fight. In attack and defense, the company was built according to the same rules as the platoon. The headquarters squad included: a squad commander (sergeant major), armed with a submachine gun, 4 couriers (one of them is a part-time musician), 2 courier cyclists, 1 groom (with a bicycle) - all armed with rifles, 1 nurse (with a bicycle) and 1 orderly - armed with pistols. In addition to the usual equipment, the headquarters department carried ten small square-shaped pieces of fabric from which various signs of their aviation could be laid out on the ground.
Tank destroyers. The tank destroyer squad consisted of a squad commander (non-commissioned officer), who had a bicycle, and three crews of anti-tank rifles. Each of them was served by two numbers - both armed with pistols. The first number fired from a gun, the second carried ammunition - two bags of ten shots each. Typically, each platoon received one anti-tank rifle.
Oboz. The chief of the convoy (Gefechtstrossfuehrer), armed with a rifle and had a bicycle. Hauptfeldwebel, armed with a pistol and had a bicycle. Arms and equipment non-commissioned officers (armed with pistols), three drivers (three two-horse carts or three one-horse gigs), a postilion and driver (four-horse cart), postilion, driver and two cooks (four-horse field kitchen), two orderlies - all armed with rifles.
First quartermaster detachment. A quartermaster (non-commissioned officer) with a bicycle, one private and a driver (two-horse cart) are all armed with rifles.
Second quartermaster detachment. Quartermaster (non-commissioned officer), motorcyclist (motorcycle without sidecar), driver and assistant driver (three-ton truck).
Mobile workshop. The commander - paymaster (non-commissioned officer), assistant paymaster, tailor, shoemaker, saddler, motorcyclist (motorcycle with sidecar), driver and assistant (three-ton truck) - are all armed with rifles.
If the division led an offensive, then the convoy and the first quartermaster detachment were directly subordinate to the battalion headquarters, and the second quartermaster detachment and workshop were subordinate to the regimental headquarters. In defense or on vacation, the convoy, quartermaster detachments and workshop were located 3-5 km in the rear or in the company’s deployment zone. Often the role of the soldiers who served in the convoy is underestimated; often combat soldiers often called the convoy soldiers “luggage bearers.” Therefore, it is necessary to make a few comments about this. The distinctive sign of a Hauptfeldwebel was two Kolbenringe (“piston rings”) sewn on the sleeves of his jacket. The Hauptfeldwebel was considered the “mother of the company,” and the soldiers among themselves called him “Spiess,” which can be roughly translated as “long nose.” “Spiess” was responsible for the rear of the company and freed the company commander from household concerns, allowing the latter to concentrate entirely on solving combat missions . Hauptfeldwebel controlled the work of all rear services and ensured order in the rear. Hauptfeldwebel did everything to ensure that even in war conditions the supply of the company was at the proper level. "Spiess" looked through papers, including reports, incoming orders, promotion lists, lists of arrivals and departures, inventory lists, reports, etc. All information concerning the personnel of the company passed through the hands of the Hauptfeldwebel, he compiled funeral notices, responded to requests from the authorities, etc. “Spiess” checked and distributed mail to the soldiers, in his duties It was part of his job to ensure that leave was allocated clearly, he made sure that the company received everything it needed on time, the Hauptfeldwebel organized a bath for soldiers going home, and if they had to wait for a train, he provided them with accommodation. As a last resort, a Hauptfeldwebel could replace an incapacitated platoon commander. The quartermaster (Verpflegunteroffizier) was responsible for supplying the company with food and fodder, as well as for storing and distributing the food received. The tailor, shoemaker and saddler were always at work, repairing uniforms, equipment and horse harnesses. The treasurer and assistant were responsible for paying salaries to all company personnel. The treasurer issued salaries even at the front line, in addition, he carried out other financial transactions. Medical brothers and orderlies operated as part of the battalion dressing station. In defense or during periods of calm, they were located in an infirmary or field hospital, equipped in a suitable building in the rear of the company, where they treated the wounded, treated the sick and those recovering. The battalion doctor headed the company medics.
A few words should be said about the drovers, who, in conditions of a shortage of forage, often made risky trips through the occupied territory. Together with the battalion forager and blacksmith, the drivers cared for the horses and carts, often operating in terrible conditions under enemy fire or constant air raids, knee-deep in mud or waist-deep in snow. Important role played by two cooks in the field kitchen, whom the soldiers jokingly called “kitchen bulls” (Kuechenbullen). Everyone knows the saying: “An army marches on its belly,” the physical condition and morale of the soldiers largely depended on the daily diet. Good cooks showed extraordinary skill in the field. Of course, the dinners, prepared from everything that the quartermasters and supplies could get, could not compare with the banquets, but they were good enough to keep the soldiers happy. Lunch usually consisted of soup, roast and gravy, and potatoes, although the menu could vary considerably depending on the situation. If possible, the soldiers’ diet was varied with fruits, chocolate or other desserts. Field kitchens distributed dry rations and emergency food supplies. Products were supplied centrally or purchased locally - another responsibility of the Hauptfeldwebel. Confiscation of food from the local population was strictly prohibited. The soldiers were entitled to three meals a day, but at the front it was not always possible to deliver food on time. For this reason, the chefs had to improvise on the fly. If there was a lull at the front, the soldiers themselves went to the kitchen for lunch; during intense battles, lunch was delivered almost to the very front line. In the dark, the camp kitchens moved to the designated point, where the envoys from the trenches also gathered. Usually the soldiers came in groups of three or four. The first took six pots with hot food, the second took flasks with tea and coffee, and the third took packed rations. Such trips for food were fraught with danger, since noise was inevitably created, based on which the enemy could open fire. The role of field kitchens can hardly be overestimated. When, at the end of the war, the fronts were bursting at the seams and the soldiers fled to the rear, they were gathered at the field kitchens, fed, and combat groups were formed from the collected people. Of course, there were often interruptions in the delivery of food at the front, but the soldiers did not have to starve for long. After all, exhausted soldiers would not be able to make thousand-kilometer marches throughout Europe. And it is also worth noting that in the German army, soldiers and officers ate from the same cauldron, which could not be said about other armies that participated in the 2nd World War.
When the enemy managed to break through the front line and reach the rear of the German army, soldiers from the convoys often stood in the way of the attackers. The following phrase is often found in German reports: “A hastily organized defense with the involvement of soldiers from the rear units and convoys made it possible to stop the enemy’s advance.” However, rewards for this were rarely given.

Infantry Battalion – Bataillon

The infantry battalion was the smallest tactical unit of the German army. The battalion consisted of a commander, 13 officers, 1 official, 846 non-commissioned officers and privates and had 131 horses. The battalion included: battalion headquarters, headquarters section, communications platoon, engineer platoon, 3 infantry companies, 1 machine gun company, convoy consisting of the 1st group and 2nd supply group, and a mobile workshop. The battalion headquarters included: a battalion commander with the rank of Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) or major, an adjutant, an assistant adjutant, a battalion doctor and a battalion veterinarian. The battalion commander bore full responsibility for his unit. He accepted orders from superior officers and divided responsibilities among his commanders.
In battle, the battalion headquarters was divided into two parts: the headquarters itself - the battalion commander, the assistant adjutant, two horse breeders (all on horseback), two mounted couriers, the headquarters was equipped with a stereo tube and the command post - was located on the front line or at the command post, depending on the combat situation on There were an adjutant, a clerk, and a topographer. At the command post there were also the commander of a machine gun company, two clerks, a doctor, a veterinarian and an officer responsible for communications with the artillery. Nearby were units directly subordinate to the battalion commander (attached armored vehicles, air defense artillery, etc.). If a machine gun company was in battle, then the company commander went to the front line, leaving his deputy or adjutant at the command post.
The commander of the machine gun company was responsible for the troop billet, processed all information about losses in manpower, horses and equipment, made requests for replenishment and supplies of the battalion, and was also responsible for maintaining the morale of personnel and conducting propaganda among enemy soldiers. The clerk helped the commander of the machine gun company in everything.
The adjutant was an assistant, adviser and deputy battalion commander. The adjutant selected a place for the command post, monitored the movement of units, received reports and transmitted the necessary information to the front line. The adjutant maintained contact with neighbors, directed reconnaissance and observation, ensured the immediate transmission of orders by telephone or by couriers, developed a battle plan with the commander, wrote reports, kept a battalion journal, and reported all important information to the battalion commander. In addition, the adjutant compiled a daily report, which, as a rule, was sent to the regiment commander at 19.00. The report reflected all enemy movements, daytime incidents, losses, ammunition consumption, official requests, etc.
The clerk wrote down all dictated instructions and registered incoming and outgoing documents. In addition, the clerk made a copy of the battalion journal.
The topographer drafted maps, diagrams, made fire plans, etc.
The assistant adjutant, when not with the battalion commander, was the deputy adjutant. The assistant adjutant commanded the headquarters department, provided communications with the artillery, delivered particularly important documents, and was responsible for supplying the battalion as a whole and individual companies in particular. If command post The battalion was relocated to a new location, the assistant adjutant remained at the old command post until the new command post began to function.
The battalion doctor was responsible for the health of the soldiers, provided them with qualified medical care and sent the wounded and sick to a dressing station or to a field hospital. During the battle, the doctor organized the battalion dressing station, and during a lull he acted in the infirmary. The doctor was assisted by two nurses and eight orderlies. The orderlies were recruited from among the company personnel and were engaged in carrying the wounded from the battlefield.
The battalion veterinarian was responsible for the condition of the horses, treated sick and wounded animals, and checked the horse stock. In case of serious injury or illness, the veterinarian sent the horse to a collection point or to a veterinary hospital. Together with the doctor, the veterinarian was responsible for the health of the battalion soldiers (tested food, water, etc.). The veterinarian and the doctor were assisted by a second clerk. The doctor and veterinarian had their own horses and each had one foot orderly.
The officer responsible for communication with the artillery ensured coordination of the actions of the infantry and artillery, made proposals on the most effective use of artillery, tried to take into account the wishes of the battalion commander, ensured quick communication with the artillery, helped draw up fire plans, etc. The officer’s duties included maintaining contact with the attached units and subdivisions.
The headquarters department consisted of a commander (usually a sergeant major) with a bicycle, a battalion trumpeter, couriers (6 cyclists, 2 motorcyclists on motorcycles with a sidecar, 2 motorcyclists on single motorcycles) and one driver of the command vehicle. The squad commander was responsible for the construction and dismantling of the battalion's command post and other units, provided cover for the routes along which the battalion was supplied, maintained order in the rear, conducted aerial surveillance, gave air raid signals, gave signs to his aircraft (he had at his disposal one set of colored cloth squares). Finally, the commander of the headquarters department organized the actions of the couriers. The headquarters department wore a triangular battalion standard.
Horse squad. All the riding horses of the battalion were collected in this detachment. The detachment was directly subordinate to the battalion commander. Although the battalion command post, supply post, and headquarters section could operate independently, they were usually located close to each other or even at the same point. A similar organization of the battalion headquarters existed until the start of the war in the East. However, in Russia it turned out that having such a headquarters was too expensive, so the size of the headquarters was constantly reduced.
Communications platoon. Commander (sergeant major). Two groups of telephone operators, each group consisted of a non-commissioned officer and 3 soldiers. Each group had two field telephones and one flashing light. Four groups of radio operators of 12 people each served 4 type “d” radio stations. The groups maintained two connections for linear transmission and three connections for radial transmission. One two-horse cart with a driver, the cart stored 8 km of light field cable, 2 km of heavy field cable, 6 field telephones, 1 folding radio box, radio parts, tools, etc. The battalion communications platoon maintained communication between the battalion companies, the heavy weapons company and the neighbor on the right flank. Additional communications within the battalion were supported by couriers on bicycles and motorcycles.
Infantry engineer platoon. The sapper platoon was organized only for a time when it was needed. In each infantry company of the battalion there were soldiers who had undergone sapper training, and it was they who were assigned to the sapper platoon. Towards the end of the war, the engineer platoon was used as a battalion reserve.
Battalion supply detachment: detachment commander (non-commissioned officer), forager (mounted), armorer (with a bicycle), assistant armorer, blacksmith, assistant blacksmith, chemical protection non-commissioned officer, non-commissioned officer - medic (with a motorcycle), 2 field cooks , 2 assistants (foot soldiers moved on carts). The detachment's carts: a gunsmith, a blacksmith, with an entrenching tool, a medical cart, a small camp kitchen, a cart with fodder (all carts were two-horse, the carts had drivers).
1st quartermaster detachment: Hauptfeldwebel, clerk, sergeant major (quartermaster) with a bicycle, 2 two-horse carts.
2nd Quartermaster Detachment: treasurer, supply non-commissioned officer, motorcyclist (with motorcycle), 2 three-ton trucks (each with driver and assistant).
Travel workshop: 1 non-commissioned officer (with a motorcycle), 1 three-ton truck with driver and mechanic.
The forager was responsible for obtaining and distributing fodder obtained centrally and obtained from the local population. The forager was also responsible for the condition of the horse stock, collaborating in this matter with the battalion veterinarian.
The gunsmith and his assistants monitored the weapons, repaired breakdowns, tested new weapons, controlled the collection of captured weapons, and were responsible for the delivery and storage of spare weapons and ammunition.
The blacksmith and his assistants worked with the battalion veterinarian, shoeing horses, and also helped the veterinarian treat sick animals.
The chemical defense non-commissioned officer was responsible for storing anti-chemical agents (gas masks, gas protective capes, 0B indicators, etc.). Considering that in the 2nd World War Neither side used combat 0B, chemical defense spent its days idly.
Two orderlies assisted the battalion doctor and, on his orders, supervised the work of orderlies and porters.
The treasurer, whose position was equivalent to that of an officer, simultaneously commanded a motorized supply column and was also responsible for the complete and timely supply of the entire battalion. Often the treasurer had to travel around the clock between battalion and division warehouses, not paying attention to bad weather and partisans, delivering the necessary cargo to the battalion. In addition, the treasurer was responsible for all financial matters of the battalion, maintained direct contact with the division command and, if necessary, obtained what was needed on the spot.
All these numerous and unknown foragers, supplies, gunsmiths, shoemakers, tailors, cooks and drivers, whose services were rarely recognized with awards, all served during the war years, trying to do everything possible to supply the soldiers on the front line with everything they needed.
Machine gun company. The machine gun company, in fact, was armed not only with machine guns, but had mixed weapons: heavy machine guns and heavy mortars. Thus, it would be more correct to call a machine gun company a heavy weapons company. The machine gun company was always the fourth company of the battalion, so in each regiment the 4th, 8th and 12th companies were machine gun companies. Machine gun companies were always directly subordinate to the battalion commander. The personnel of the machine gun company consisted of 5 officers and 174 non-commissioned officers and soldiers with 58 horses. Structurally, the machine gun company consisted of:
Company Commander (Captain)
Headquarters platoon: platoon commander, 1 non-commissioned officer-observer, rangefinder, two cyclist courier, one mounted courier (aka signalman), one horse guide (on horseback); The communications section consisted of 6 telephone operators and one two-horse cart with a driver (the cart carried 6 field telephones, a light field cable, three telephone connectors, and a fourth connector for the fire spotter).
Three platoons of heavy machine guns. Each platoon was led by a lieutenant. The platoon consisted of two sections and was armed with 12 heavy machine guns. Each platoon had a two-horse cart on which machine guns, ammunition, and other cargo were transported. Each machine gun section consisted of a commander and two crews. The crew, in turn, consisted of a crew commander and four numbers.
One platoon of heavy mortars, led by a lieutenant. The lieutenant was helped to command the platoon by the staff (1 non-commissioned officer and 3 couriers). The platoon included three heavy mortar squads - six in total. Each squad consisted of a commander, a rangefinder and six mortarmen. Each squad was assigned a one-horse chaise with a trailer, on which disassembled mortars, ammunition, telephone sets, etc. were transported. In addition, each squad had a two-horse carriage on which additional ammunition and personal property of the soldiers were transported. The standard ammunition included 48 rounds per barrel, of which 15 were in combat readiness.
A convoy (generally the same as in regular infantry companies), a forager and a blacksmith.
The company's heavy machine guns were used to conduct dense flat fire along the front of the battalion. Machine guns took part in all battles, they were used to hit targets at long and medium distances. The machine gunners supported the infantry advance, pinning the enemy to the ground. Heavy machine guns formed the basis of the battalion's defensive fire barrier. The effectiveness of machine guns varied depending on the type of target. Typically, machine guns fired several short sighting bursts, after which they fired continuously at single (machine-gun nests, pillbox loopholes, etc.) or group targets (advancing or retreating infantry, enemy concentration areas, etc.). Typically, machine gun crews were assigned to infantry squads and platoons and operated as part of these units for quite a long time, directly reporting to the battalion commander. Usually one well-placed machine gun was enough to dominate the battlefield. The deployment time for a machine gun platoon was twenty minutes.
Before entering the battle, the crew commander removed the machine gun sight and one box of ammunition from the cart. The first number of the crew took a machine gun, the second number - a machine gun, the 3rd and 4th numbers - two boxes of ammunition. Each box held 1,500 rounds. In the first years of the war, each machine gun platoon had a two- or four-horse cart. Machine guns and anti-aircraft sights were transported on the cart. However, anti-aircraft sights very quickly fell out of use because they turned out to be ineffective.
The mortar platoon provided the battalion with overhead fire. Unlike machine guns, mortars were used primarily for indirect fire. Heavy mortars could quickly open fire on the enemy both defensively and offensively. However, mortars could only fire at an entrenched enemy if they were able to adjust the fire. Otherwise the fire could not be effective enough. In defense, heavy mortars, like all other types of weapons, laid a curtain of fire in front of the advancing enemy. Typically, one infantry company received one mortar squad at its disposal, and the company commander carried out operational command department. The heavy mortar consisted of three parts: a barrel, a bipod and a base plate. Before the battle, each of these parts, weighing at least 18 kg, was assembled by the gunner, while the rest of the crew brought mines. Each person could carry two boxes at a time, containing three mines. The mass of such a box was 22 kg. The crew commander carried a sight and an additional box of mines. With this burden, the mortar men always trudged to the rear. Often the infantrymen helped the mortarmen carry ammunition.
Thanks to its heavy weapons, the machine gun company significantly increased firepower infantry battalion. Machine guns and heavy mortars remained in service with the German infantry throughout the war.

Infantry Regiment – Infanterie Regiment

The infantry regiment consisted of:
Regimental headquarters.
Combat units: engineer platoon, cavalry platoon, communications platoon, regimental band, 3 infantry battalions (12 companies), infantry artillery company (13th company), tank destroyer company (14th company), light infantry column.
Regimental convoy.
The infantry regiment consisted of 75 officers, 7 officials, 493 non-commissioned officers and 2,474 privates. The regiment was armed with 288 pistols, 180 submachine guns, 115 light machine guns, 36 heavy machine guns, 27 anti-tank rifles, 27 light mortars, 18 heavy mortars, 6 light infantry guns, 2 heavy howitzers and 12 anti-tank guns. The regiment had 73 vehicles. 47 motorcycles, 210 horse-drawn carts, and approximately 600 horses.
The regimental headquarters consisted of a commander, an adjutant, a deputy adjutant, an intelligence officer, and a staff captain. In its structure, the regimental headquarters was in many ways similar to the battalion headquarters, although it was more numerous and included a larger number of non-commissioned officers and privates who acted as clerks, couriers, orderlies, drivers, etc.
A regimental engineer platoon consisted of: a platoon commander (usually a lieutenant, mounted), a headquarters section (section commander, 3 courier, one horse handler, one orderly on a bicycle), 6 squads (nine soldiers and a squad commander). In the 1st, 3rd and 6th departments there was one light machine gun. 3 two-horse carts with entrenching tools, one two-horse cart with weapons. The platoon was staffed by so-called infantry sappers, its color, like that of the infantry, was white (unlike the sappers from the sapper battalions, whose branch color was black). Infantry sappers were used for limited tasks: mine clearance, setting up roadblocks, digging in, etc. If necessary, infantry sappers assisted “black” sappers.
A regimental cavalry platoon consisted of: A platoon commander (usually an oberfeldfe-bel or sergeant-major). Staff section (one non-commissioned officer and three soldiers). 3 squads (one non-commissioned officer and 7 soldiers). The department was divided into two units (Abmaersche) of four people. 1 two-horse cart with driver and blacksmith. Small field kitchen with a driver and two cooks, one treasurer (on a bicycle). The platoon's combat strength consisted of 29 cavalrymen (1 spare horse). The platoon's armament consisted of pistols (for the platoon commander and squad leader), as well as rifles (for everyone else). The cavalry platoon did not have machine guns. Only in mid-1943, instead of rifles, cavalrymen began to receive assault rifles of the 1944 model. By that time, the platoon commanders already had submachine guns. Equipping with automatic weapons significantly increased the firepower of a cavalry platoon. The cavalry platoon conducted close-range reconnaissance, provided combat guards, and served as courier communications. It was especially difficult for cavalrymen in the first months of the war in Russia, when they had to travel 70-80 km per day. The cavalrymen moved ahead of the main forces of the regiment, conducting reconnaissance of the area. In the first years of the war, on occasion, the platoon took part in hostilities, then the platoon was reinforced with a machine gun section.
A regimental communications platoon consisted of a platoon commander (usually a lieutenant, a horseman), who was also part of the regimental headquarters, a headquarters section (radio operator, a horseman, two signalmen), a small telephone department a, 2 medium telephone departments “b”, 4 radio groups “d”, 2 four-horse telephone carts, one two-horse radio cart. The communications platoon was equipped with the following equipment: 10 field induction telephones (weight 5.9 kg), 2 folding switches (for 10 and 20 lines), 8 kilometers of light single-core field cable on large drums (500 m per drum), 14 kilometers of heavy single-core field cable cables on large drums (750-1000 m per drum), portable receiver type “d” (DORA), three-watt transmitter (operating frequencies 33.8-38 MHz), the transmitter was operated by two radio operators and could work with both a key and microphone (transmitter weight 11 kg). Communication range was 15/5 (key/microphone) km. Nickel-cadmium batteries were used as an energy source. In addition to the regimental communications platoon, the regiment had other communications units operating at the battalion and company level. The regimental artillery had its own communications. The regimental communications platoon maintained contact with the battalions of the regiment, as well as with its neighbors on the right. The platoon reported directly to the regimental commander. If necessary, the regimental signalmen assisted the artillerymen. The main type of communication in the regiment was the telephone. Despite the fact that telephone operators constantly tried to provide reliable telephone communications, this was not easy to do. First of all, laying the telephone cable was time-consuming. In good terrain, it took telephone operators up to 20 minutes to lay 1 km of light cable. 1 km of heavy cable could be laid in half an hour. Sometimes the cable was suspended, but usually it was laid on the ground. During the offensive it was extremely difficult to maintain reliable telephone communications. In addition, the telephone cable was easily damaged by enemy fire, as well as by heavy vehicles and tanks. To eliminate the break, a signalman had to be sent along the cable. Signalmen had to operate in difficult conditions, often under enemy fire. It was especially difficult to repair the break at night, in mud or deep snow. In any case, it took a lot of time to repair the break. Therefore, in the front zone, two cables were usually laid at once, switching from one to the other in case of a break. The portable short-wave transceiver, which was brought into working condition in just 5-8 minutes, was free of these shortcomings. In addition, the radio could be used even during marches. The portable radio station was operated by three soldiers. The crew commander carried the antenna, spare batteries, headphones, etc. The first number carried the receiver, and the second carried the transmitter. However, the radio station also had disadvantages. First of all, it was very heavy and provided only simplex communication (transmission in only one direction was possible at the same time). The reliability and range of communications varied greatly depending on the weather. In any case, voice communication was provided over too short a distance; usually it was necessary to use a key. Since radiograms and even telephone conversations could be intercepted by the enemy, code names and code names were used.
Regimental orchestra. Unlike other European armies, the Wehrmacht clearly differentiated the specialty and rank of musicians. For example, in the regiment there were one: two musicians with large and two small flutes, two musicians with oboes (on the march, one played the glockenspiel (metallophone), and the second played the cymbals, 2 musicians with bassoons, 1 musician with a clarinet, 8 musicians with clarinets, 4 musicians with French horns, 2 musicians with soprano cornets, 2 musicians with tenor horns, 2 musicians with bass tubas, 2 musicians with bass tubas or helicons, 2 musicians with trumpets, 2 musicians with trumpets, 3 musicians with tenor trombones, 1 musician with a snare drum and 1 musician with a large (bass) drum. Orchestras were available not only in infantry regiments, almost all sapper battalions had their own orchestras. In addition to the regimental orchestra, each regiment had 12 musicians (6 flutists and 6 drummers ), recruited from among combat soldiers (1 from each company). During the war, the musicians handed over their instruments to the regimental convoy and served as orderlies, carrying the wounded from the battlefield and providing them with first aid. During a lull, the musicians remembered their main specialty and played on special occasions (funerals, religious services, etc.), entertained wounded soldiers in hospitals, gave concerts in rear areas, etc. In May 1944, the orchestras were disbanded, leaving only small orchestras at the divisional level.
Regimental artillery company. Among the heavy infantry weapons were not only heavy machine guns and mortars, but also light and heavy infantry cannons. Regimental artillery was consolidated into a special company, usually numbered 13. Thus, each regiment commander had his own artillery at his disposal. The infantry company consisted of about 180 officers, non-commissioned officers and privates and had 133 horses. Company commanders had personal horses, while soldiers rode on the limbers of guns and on charging boxes.
The company consisted of:
Company commander - Captain (mounted).
Headquarters department: non-commissioned communications officer, 3 telephone operators, 3 couriers, 2 observers, 2 calculators, 1 range finder, 1 horse guide (on horseback), 1 four-horse cart with two drivers.
Three platoons of heavy infantry guns. Each platoon consisted of: a commander, a headquarters section (deputy platoon commander - at the same time a non-commissioned officer in the firing position, 2 non-commissioned fire spotter officers, a rangefinder, a courier, a groom - all on horseback, 3 telephone operators and 1 courier - on foot). 2 75 mm infantry guns, each pulled by 4 horses. The gun crew consisted of a commander (on horseback), five artillerymen (a gunner, a loader and three ammunition carriers) and two horse drivers. 1st ammunition delivery group: 2 four-horse carts (two drivers and two ammunition carriers for each). 3 telephone operators and a courier. All soldiers who did not have their own horses rode on the front of their guns.
One platoon of heavy infantry guns: platoon commander, headquarters section, two heavy 150 mm guns. Each cannon was pulled by six horses. The crew of the 150-mm gun consisted of a commander, 6 soldiers (gunner, 2 loaders, 3 ammunition carriers) and three drivers. The guns were attached to two heavy four-horse carts with ammunition and two gun limbers.
Combat supply train: 1 large field kitchen, 1 camp forge. Blacksmith, forager, cook, etc.
1st Quartermaster Detachment (as in other units).
Baggage convoy.
Infantry artillery usually fired at small open targets or at closed targets (machine gun nests, gun positions, etc.), which mortars could not reach or which could not be suppressed by flat machine gun fire. Artillery was successfully used to destroy enemy fortifications. Infantry artillery was ineffective against other targets. In general, light infantry artillery platoons were subordinate to battalions, although it happened that a battalion was reinforced with only one gun. The artillerymen received combat missions from the battalion commander. Sometimes the regiment commander concentrated artillery at his discretion. The listed states of people, horses, guns and machines acted only on early stage war, they were subsequently revised more than once. For example, in 1942, light artillery platoons were combined into artillery battalion, and instead of them the regiments received a platoon of heavy artillery. The new, newly formed infantry regiments did not have enough artillery, so the regiments received double the number of 81-mm mortars. Although the mortars did not have such shooting accuracy, they were quite good for setting up a protective fire barrage. At the same time, mortars did not require so many horses and people for transportation. In 1943, many regiments received double the number of 120 mm mortars instead of heavy guns. In many regiments, artillery companies were entirely equipped with 81-mm mortars. To transport light mortars, horses were not even required - the soldiers placed the mortars on carts and towed them by hand. In this way, it was possible to free up a large number of horses, vehicles and soldiers.
Tank destroyer company. The tank destroyer company was fully motorized and consisted of four platoons. Each platoon had three anti-tank guns and 12 light machine guns.
The light infantry column transported ammunition included in the main ammunition load. The column consisted of a commander (on horseback), two couriers (on motorcycles) and three platoons. Each platoon consisted of a commander and eight two-horse carts (a driver and his assistant). The column was controlled by the quartermaster section at division headquarters.
The regimental train consisted of: a combat support platoon: one doctor (with a motorcycle), 2 veterinarians (on horseback), a regimental gunsmith, a blacksmith, one two-horse cart, cooks (a large field kitchen with four horses); 1st quartermaster detachment: quartermaster (with a motorcycle), one two-horse cart; 2nd quartermaster detachment: senior treasurer (with a regimental cash register, on a motorcycle), two trucks and a convoy detachment: one officer (with a motorcycle), two trucks. (All cars had drivers, horse-drawn carts had drivers).

Based on the book by Alex Buchner "DAS HANDBUCH DER DEUTSCHEN INFANTERIE 1939-1945"

Based on close interaction between tank and infantry formations with aviation support. Moreover, infantry units must be fully motorized, that is, equipped with wheeled and tracked vehicles. However, due to the restrictions imposed on Germany in the armament of the army and the lack of resources, it was not possible to carry out a total motorization of the Reichswehr infantry formations. In view of this, the command decided to reorganize the infantry divisions and divide them into motorized infantry (motorized) and simply infantry. In divisions of the second type, only the reconnaissance battalion was fully motorized. From the mid-20s to the early 30s, the Reichswehr gained the most experience in motorized warfare tactics and was best prepared to conduct large-scale maneuver operations, which laid the foundation for successful operations in the -1940s.

In defense, Wehrmacht infantry formations were tasked with holding defensive lines and points. According to the calculations of the German command of the ground forces, the defense front of the infantry division should not exceed ten kilometers, which made it possible to create an echeloned system consisting of interconnected strong points. Particular attention was paid to the use of the terrain - this was the practice of arranging the main positions on the reverse slope of the hills, with the creation of a fortified front support strip located on the crests of the heights. In the second half of the war, in conditions when German troops had to repel enemy attacks using large forces of armored vehicles, the tactics of the “anti-tank front” (German: Panzerabwehrkanone Front) began to be used. In this case, anti-tank weapons in tank-dangerous directions, united by a common command, were secretly deployed behind defensive positions. The infantry was not tasked with fighting enemy tanks, the main thing was to cut them off from infantry support. If the defense was broken through by enemy tanks alone, they would come under concentrated fire from camouflaged anti-tank and artillery weapons, and tank units in reserve would restore the situation with a counterattack. At the end of the war, the main efforts of the military leadership of the Third Reich were aimed at maintaining the high combat effectiveness of tank and panzergrenadier divisions, which were transferred as “fire brigades” from one crisis sector of the front to another. This led to a residual principle when allocating resources for the creation of new and re-equipment of existing infantry formations. As a result, the number of combat-ready infantry divisions was steadily declining; they were reinforced infantry regiments in size. The lack of formations on the front line led to the fact that the width of the division's defensive line began to be 20-25 kilometers, which made it impossible to build a defense in depth

A) REGIMENTAL UNITS

1. Regimental commander, regimental headquarters, chief of ammunition, liaison officer, headquarters captain. Also a platoon of headquarters, including clerks, messengers and drivers.

2. Regimental supply unit (convoy)

Regimental medical officer, two veterinarians, weapons repair platoon, kitchen, supply units (convoy), quartermaster, treasurer and duffel convoy.

3. Communications platoon

Sergeant major, four groups of telephone operators (range of action 14.8 km) and four groups of telephone operators (4 km).

4. Cavalry platoon

Three squads, one wagon, one blacksmith and one kitchen.

5. An engineering unit with six engineering platoons, six light machine guns and three equipment wagons.

B) THREE RIFLE BATTALIONS

1. In each: battalion commander, adjutant, chief of ammunition supply, battalion officer-doctor, veterinarian and battalion headquarters.

2. First battalion

Rifle companies: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Each carries 12 light machine guns and three 50mm mortars. One machine gun company (4th) with 12 light machine guns and six 80 mm mortars, plus a support unit.

3. Second battalion

Rifle companies: 5th, 6th and 7th, as well as one machine gun company (8th). (The armament is the same as in the 1st battalion.)

4. Third battalion

C) ONE MORTAR COMPANY (13th Company)

1. One company commander, four rifle platoons, a communications platoon and support units.

Weapons:

Platoons: 1st, 2nd and 3rd - two light 75 mm howitzers (firing range 5600 m).

Platoon: 4th - two 150 mm heavy howitzers (firing range 5100 m).

In 1942, a platoon with three 105 mm mortars was added to the company.

D) ONE ANTI-TANK COMPANY (14th company)

1. Company commander and four platoons.

Weapons: