Grossdeutschland info

['panzer' Mayer]

does anybody have any info on the deployment and equipment that GD used during the earky years of the war and Kursk

[M2A0]

Why yes I do.

A wealth of information can be gleaned from this link http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/

I'll post additional info below.

[M2A0]

Order of Battle - Infantry Regiment GD
June 1941 - April 1942


Thanks to Jason "Panzer Leader" Barnes for his help in compiling information for this page.

Regimental Headquarters

Signals Platoon
Band
Motorcycle Platoon 12 Motorcycles
1 m/c with sidecar
1 Kfz 15 car
Artillery Battalion 400
HQ Battery - Signals Platoon, Meteorological Section, Printing Section, Calibration Detachment

1 Battery 4 x 15 cm howitzers (towed by truck) - s. FH 18 field pieces
2 Battery 4 x 10.5 cm howitzers (towed by truck) - l. FH 18 field pieces
3 Battery 4 x 10.5 cm howitzers (towed by truck) - l. FH 18 field pieces
Supply Column 400
Headquarters

Supply Unit
Column 1 30 tonne motorized transport column
Column 2 30 tonne motorized transport column
Column 3 30 tonne motorized transport column
Column 4 POL (Petrol, Oil, Lubricants) column
Workshop Company
First Battalion (I./Inf Rgt GD)



Battalion HQ
Battalion CO
Adjutant
IVa
IVb
HQ Company
4 motorcycles
2 m/c with sidecar
2 Kfz-11 cars
1 Kfz 18 car
2 x Light Telephone section - 1 Kfz 15 car)
4 x Pack Radio section - Kfz-2 car
2 x Light Radio section - Kfz-17 van

1 Company 1 Kübelwagen (Company Commander)
1 rations truck
1 fuel truck
1 munitions truck
4 motorcycles
3 x Kfz 15 cars
Infantry Platoon - HQ Section - m/c with sidecar, 2 ton truck
Infantry squad, 3 ton truck (Opel Blitz)
Infantry squad - as above
Infantry squad - as above
Infantry squad - as above
Mortar section - 3 ton truck and 5 cm mortar
Infantry Platoon - as above
Infantry Platoon - as above
MG detachment - 3 ton truck and 2 heavy MGs
2 Company As for 1 Company

3 Company As for 1 Company

4 (MG) Company Company HQ - 4 motorcycles, 3 x Kfz 15 cars
MG Platoon HQ section - 1 m/c with sidecar
2 x Kfz 15 cars
MG detachment - 3 ton truck and 2 MGs
MG detachment as above
MG Platoon - as above
MG Platoon - as above
81mm Mortar platoon HQ section - 1 m/c, 2 x Kfz 11 cars
Mortar section - Kfz 11 car, 2 x 3 ton truck, 2 x 8.1 cm mortar
Mortar section - as above
Mortar section - as above
Heavy Company Company Headquarters - 2 x m/c, 2 x m/c with sidecar, 2 x Kfz 15 cars
Light Anti Tank Platoon HQ section - 1 m/c, 1 m/c with sidecar, 1 x Kfz 12 car
Ammo section - 2 x Kfz 69 trucks, 1 LMG
Gun section - 3 Kfz 69 trucks, 3 x 3.7cm PaK (towed)
Medium Anti Tank Platoon HQ section - 1 m/c, 1 m/c with sidecar, 1 x Kfz 12 car
Ammo section - 2 x Sd Kfz 10 halftracks, 2 LMGs
Gun section - 3 x SdKfz 10, 3 x 5cm PaK (towed)
FlaK Platoon
4 x 20mm AA guns (towed) HQ section - 3 x m/c, 2 x Kfz 15 cars
Ammo section - 2 x SdKfz 10 halftracks
Gun section - 4 x SdKfz 10 halftracks towing 2cm FlaK guns (single barrel)
Motorized Pioneer Platoon HQ section- 2 x m/c, 2 m/c with sidecars, 3 x Kfz 1 cars
Pioneer section - 2 x 2-ton truck, 1 section with LMG
Pioneer section - as above
Pioneer section - as above
Second Battalion (II./Inf Rgt GD)


Battalion HQ
As for I./Inf Rgt GD

5 Company
6 Company
7 Company
8 (MG) Company
Heavy company
Third Battalion (III./Inf Rgt GD)

Battalion HQ

As for I./Inf Rgt GD

9 Company
10 Company
11 Company
12 (MG) Company
Heavy Company
Fourth Battalion (IV./Inf Rgt GD)

Battalion HQ
Battalion Headquarters Battalion CO
Adjutant
IVa
IVb
HQ Company
4 motorcycles
2 m/c with sidecar
2 Kfz-11 cars
1 Kfz 18 car
2 x Light Telephone section - 1 Kfz 15 car)
4 x Pack Radio section - Kfz-2 car
2 x Light Radio section - Kfz-17 van
13th (Light Infantry Gun) Company Company HQ 3 x m/c
3 x m/c with sidecar
2 x Kfz 12 cars
light telephone section - Kfz 15 car
Light Infantry Gun Platoon HQ section - 1 m/c, Kfz 12 car
light telephone section - Kfz 15 car
ammo section - 2 x Kfz 12 cars with trailer
gun section - 2 x Kfz 12 car towing 7.5 cm infantry guns
Light Infantry Gun Platoon As above
Light Infantry Gun Platoon As above
14th (Panzerjäger) Company Company HQ 3 x m/c
m/c with sidecar
Kfz 12 car
1 LMG
Anti-Tank Platoon HQ section - 1 m/c, 1 m/c with sidecar, Kfz 12 car, 1 LMG
Ammo section - 2 x Kfz 10 halftracks with trailers
gun section - 3 x Sd Kfz 10 halftracks, 3 x 5.0cm Pak (towed)
Anti-Tank Platoon As above
Anti-Tank Platoon As above
(One source lists 12 x 5cm AT guns instead)

15th (Heavy Infantry Gun) Company HQ section 3 motorcycles, 1 m/c with sidecar, 3 x Kfz-15 cars, two light telephone section with Kfz 15 car, 2 pack radio sections with Kfz-2 car
4 heavy guns, light gun tractors
Heavy Infantry Gun Platoon HQ Section - 1 motorcycle, 2 x Kfz 15 cars
Ammo section - 2 x SdKfz 10 halftracks (with ammo trailers)
Gun section - 2 x Sd Kfz 10 halftracks, towing 15 cm Infantry guns
Heavy Infantry Gun Platoon As above
16th (Assault Gun) Company


StuG IIIB (short barrelled 75 mm gun)

Battery Headquarters - 4 motorcycles, 1 m/c with sidecar, 1 SdKfz 253 command vehicle, 1 StuG IIIB
StuG Platoon

HQ section - 1 m/c, 1 Sd Kfz 253 command vehicle
Ammo Section - 1 SdKfz 252 ammo carrier and trailer
Gun section - 2 StuG IIIB
StuG Platoon - as above
StuG Platoon - as above
Transport Platoon - 6 x SdKfz-7 halftracks, 6 tank transport trailers
Fifth Battalion (V./Inf Rgt GD)
17th (Reconaissance Company) armoured car platoon - 4 vehicles (2cm armament)
motorcycle platoon - 3 sections, each section with 3 m/c (1 with MG)
5cm mortar section (m/c mounted)
HMG section (m/c mounted)
18th (Pionier) Company 3 platoons, each of 3 sections
Bridging Platoon (Bridging Equipment K)
All fully motorized
19th (Signals) Company
20th (FlaK) Company 3 platoons, each with 3 3.7cm FlaK guns mounted on 5 tonne tractors
signals section
3 radio sections

[M2A0]

Order of Battle - Infantry Division (Motorized) "Grossdeutschland"
April 1942


Thanks to Jason "Panzer Leader" Barnes for his help in compiling information for this page.

Divisional Headquarters

Divisional Staff
32 Officers
143 NCOs and Men

Ranks indicated at right were not always the ranks held by men filling these positions; they were sometimes one grade lower. Waffenfarben in some cases is conjectural; anyone with additional info please contact the webmaster!
Position Duties
Division Commander
Command of the division.

Ia I General Staff Officer
Chief of Operations
Trained general staff officer who both advised the division commander and helped draft plans.
O1 1st Assistant Adjutant
Assisted the Ia, prepared maps and the divisional war diary, liason with neighbouring units, and structuring component units of the division.
Ib II General Staff Officer Supply and Administration
Directed the supply and workshop units of the division, field police, provost marshall and field post office units.
O2 1st Assistant Adjutant
Assisted the Ib and handled the organization of all back line services.
Ib/WuG (Waffen und Geräte)
Weapons and Equipment
Responsible for replacement, repair, supply, and maintenance of ammunition, weapons and non-specialized equipment.
Ib/Kfz Divisional Engineer
Provided for replacement and supply of motor vehicles, spare parts, tires, fuel, etc. as well as traffic control, the workshop companies, fuel points and columns.
Ic III General Staff Officer
Intelligence
Responsible for interrogation of POWs, radio intercept work, etc.
O3 Third Assistant Adjutant

Assisted the Ic, oversaw map unit and interpreters at division HQ.
Id Training
IIa Adjutant
Handled administration such as loss and casualty reports, rosters, etc. as well as administration relating to officers - replacements, promotions, decorations, leaves, punishment
IIb Division Assistant Adjutant

Handled administrative matters described above regarding the NCOs and men and oversaw the divisional orderly room.
IIIa Chief of Feldjustizamt GD (legal branch) In charge of divisional courts-martial, civilian relations, legal matters.
IVa Head of Intendantur
Supplies, clothing, medical, dental, pay matters, canteens, housekeeping needs, etc.
IVb Divisional Surgeon
Commanded the medical services simultaneous with this position, responsible for sanitation and hygience, movement and treatment of sick and injured soldiers, procurement and maintenance of medical equipment.
IVz Divisional Paymaster Oversaw paying the troops.
Va Chief Chaplain Regular divisions had 2 chaplains (one catholic, one protestant) but GD was forbideen from having chaplains after holding mass at Notre Dame in 1940. Divisional level chaplain support was provided as needed from the Corps level.

Map Section Eight men charged with reproducing maps, overprinting captured maps, shot diagrams for the divisional artillery, etc.
Headquarters Company
219 man guard company On formation of the Division, the commander of this unit was held by Oberleutnant Paul Müller, who was later promoted to Hauptmann.
Feldgendarmerie (Military Police)
Military Police Troop
Numbering one platoon of men, the Military Police detachment (recruited like the rest of the Army's MPs from civilian police) were equipped with light cars and motorcycles. Almost all military policemen not holding officer rank were NCOs (Unteroffizier or higher) excepting some drivers, in order to provide authority for their duties - including maintenance of discipline, but most importantly collection of prisoners and traffic control duties. GD had several hundred motorized vehicles which had to be moved over great distances both rapidly and efficiently.
Kriegsberichter (War Correspondent Platoon)
Responsible for recruitment and propaganda literature.




Infantry Regiment "Großdeutschland" 1
Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland reorganized in Rjetschiza, Russia as Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland 1.

Regimental Headquarters
I. Battalion Headquarters
1. Company - Headquarters -
Maintenance Echelon Truck
Fuel Truck
Weapons/Ammunition Truck
2 Field Kitchen Vehicles
3 motorcycle-sidecar combinations
Several solo motorcycles
Rifle Platoon - light anti-tank rifle team, three squads, each with 2 LMGs
Rifle Platoon
Rifle Platoon
Heavy Platoon - 4 HMGs, two 81mm mortars, heavy anti-tank rifle team
2. Company - as above
3. Company - as above
4. (MG) Company - 12 HMG, 6 LMG
5. (Heavy) Company Light Infantry Gun Platoon - 3 light infantry guns
Pionier Platoon - 3 LMGs
Anti-Tank Platoon - 3 x 5.0 cm Anti-Tank guns and anti-tank rifle squad with 3 anti-tank rifles
II. Battalion 6. Company - as 1 above
7. Company - as 1 above
8. Company - as 1above
9. (MG) Company - as 4 above
10. (Heavy) Company - 5 as above
III. Battalion 11. Company - as 1 above
12. Company - as 1 above
13. Company - as 1 above
14. (MG) Company - as 4 above
15. (Heavy) Company - as 5 above
IV. (Heavy) Battalion 16. (FlaK) Company
17. (Infantry Gun) Company
18. (Panzerjäger) Company 1st Platoon self-propelled



Infantry Regiment "Großdeutschland" 2
Formed from units in Wehrkreise (Military District) III and IX.

Regimental Headquarters As for Infantry Regiment GD 1, above

I. Battalion
II. Battalion
III. Battalion
IV. (Heavy) Battalion



Artillery Regiment "Großdeutschland"

I Battalion - formed from Art. Regt 400 Headquarters Battery and Signals Platoon
1. Battery - 4 x l.FH. 18 (105mm) howitzers
2. Battery - 4 x l.FH. 18 (105mm) howitzers
3. Battery - 4 x s.FH. (150mm) 18 howitzers
II Battalion - formed from men from Vienna area Headquarters Battery and Signals Platoon
4. Battery - 4 x l.FH. 18 (105mm) howitzers
5. Battery - 4 x l.FH. 18 (105mm) howitzers
6. Battery - 4 x s.FH. 18 (150mm) howitzers
III Battalion - formed from men from Silesia Headquarters Battery and Signals Platoon
7. Battery - 4 x s.FH. (150mm) 18 howitzers
8. Battery - 4 x s.FH. (150mm) 18 howitzers
9. Battery - 4 x K 18 10 cm howitzers
10. Battery - intended to be a rocket battery, but never formed - battery number was left open
11. Battery - Armoured Observation Battery Sound Ranging Platoon
2 x Flash Spotting Platoon
Survey Platoon
Warning Platoon
2 x Analysis Platoons



Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from 285th Army Flak Battalion in Freising (near München), in a normal division would have been IV Battalion of the Artillery Regiment, but in GD's case was a seperate battalion.

1. Battery - 4 x 8.8 cm - halftracked prime movers
2. Battery - 4 x 8.8 cm - halftracked prime movers
3. Battery - 4 x 8.8 cm - halftracked prime movers
4. Battery - 3.7 cm self propelled
5. Battery - from 20 Company of I.R. GD 3.7 cm self propelled

[M2A0]

Panzerjäger (Anti-Tank) Battalion "Großdeutschland"

1. (Self Propelled) Company -
1. Platoon - 3 x Marder
2. Platoon - 3 x Marder
3. Platoon - 3 x Marder
2. Company - 4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
3. Company - 4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun



Reconaissance Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from several units.

Battalion HQ 8 motorcycles
2 Kfz 15 cars
1 Sd Kfz 247 armoured car
Battalion Maint Det - 1 motorcycle/sidecar, 1 car (2/40), 1 light car, 2 x 3ton trucks
Battalion train - 1 motorcycle, 2 light cars, 1 Kfz 15 car, 2 light trucks, 2 medium trucks, 1 medium (33 seat) bus
Signal Platoon
HQ Section - 1 mc
- 1 mc with sidecar
- 1 Kfz 15 car
2 x pack radio sections "b" each with Kfz 2
1 light armoured radio section "b" with 1 armoured car Sd Kfz 260
4 x light armoured radio section "c" with 1 armoured car Sd Kfz 261
3 x med armoured radio section "b" each with 1 car (Kfz 15) and 1 armoured car Sd Kfz 263
1. (Armd Car) Squadron -
This squadron wore golden yellow waffenfarbe.
Squadron HQ - 2 motorcycles, 5 motorcycle/sidecars, 1 Kfz 15 car
Heavy Armoured Car platoon - 3 x Sd Kfz 231, 3 x Sd Kfz 232
Light Armoured Car Platoon - 4 x Sd Kfz 222, 2 x Sd Kfz 223
Light Armoured Car Platoon - 4 x Sd Kfz 222, 2 x Sd Kfz 223
Light Armoured Car Platoon - 4 x Sd Kfz 222, 2 x Sd Kfz 223
Maintenance Section - 1 mc/sidecar, 1 car (2/40) 2 x 2 ton truck
Squadron Train - 1 Kfz 15 car, 3 x 2 ton truck, 1 med truck, 3 ton truck
2. (Armd Recon) Squadron - Squadron HQ - 4 motorcycles, 1 mc/sidecar, 2 x SPW 250/3
Recon Platoon
HQ Sec - SPW 250, SPW 250/10
Squad - 2 x SPW 250/1
Squad - as above
Squad - as above
Squad - 2 x LMG
Recon Platoon - as above
Recon Platoon - as above
Heavy Platoon
HQ section - mc, SPW 250/1
HMG section - 3 x SPW 250/1, 2 x HMG
HMG section - as above
Mtr section - 2 x SPW 250/7, 2 SPW 250/7 without mortar (ammo carrier?)
Maintenance Section - 1 mc/sidecar, 2 x 2 ton trucks, 1 Kfz 10 halftrack, 1 x LMG
Squadron train -Kfz 15 car, 2 ton truck, med truck, 2 x 3 ton truck
3. (Recon) Squadron (Volkswagen) - Squadron HQ - 4 motorcycles, 2 x Kubelwagen (Kfz 1)
Recon Platoon
HQ section - 1 mc, 1 x Kubel (Kfz 1), 1 anti-tank rifle
Squad - 4 x Kubel
Squad - as above
Squad - as above
Recon Squad - 2 x LMG
Recon Platoon - as above
Recon Platoon - as above
Heavy Platoon
HQ section - mc, 3 x Kubel
HMG sec - 7 x Kubel, 2 x HMG
HMG sec - as above
Mortar sec - 3 x trucks (Kfz 70) and 2 mortars (81mm)
Maintenance Section - 1 mc/sidecar, 1 car (2/40)
Squadron train - Kubel (Kfz 1), 2 ton truck, med truck, 3 ton truck
4. (Recon) Squadron (Volkswagen) - As above
5. (Heavy) Squadron - Squadron HQ 3 x mc, 2 x mc/sidecar, 1 Kfz 15
Light telephone sec - 1 Kfz 15
Maintenance section - mc/sidecar, 1 car (2/40)
Anti-Tank Platoon HQ sec - mc, mc/sidecar, Kfz 15
Ammo sec - 2 Sd Kfz 10 halftracks, 2 ammo trailers
Gun sect - 3 Sd Kfz 10 halftracks, 3 x 50mm Anti-Tank guns, 3 x LMG
Pionier Platoon HQ sec - mc, mc/Sidecar, Kfz 15, 2 x 2 ton truck
4 x Engineer section (each with 2 ton truck)
1 x Engineer section with LMG
Anti-Tank gun sec - mc/sidecar, 3 x Kfz 70 truck, 3 x 28mm ATG, 3 x LMG
Infantry Gun Platoon HQ sec - 1 mc, 1 mc/sidecar, 1 Kfz 69 truck
Ammo sec - Kfz 69 truck, ammo trailer
Gun sec - 2 x Kfz 69 trucks, 2 light 75mm Infantry guns
Squadron train - Kfz 15, 2 ton truck, med truck, 3 ton truck
Motorized light column Column HQ - 3 x motorcycle, 4 x mc/sidecar, Kfz 15, 3 x LMG
1 Section - mc, 5 x 2 ton truck
2 Section - 4 x medium truck
Column train - mc/sidecar, 2 x medium truck



Panzer (Tank) Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from mainly from I Battalion of Panzer Regiment 100

Battalion Headquarters Platoon 2 x PzKpfw IV
Sd Kfz 250s
Maintenance Platoon 3 Ton Trucks
1. Company - Company HQ - 2 x PzKpfw IV
1. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
2. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
3. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
2. Company - Company HQ - 2 x PzKpfw III
1. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
2. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
3. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
3. Company - Company HQ - 2 x PzKpfw III
1. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
2. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
3. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III



Sturmpionier (Assault Pioneer) Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from 18th Company, Infantry Regiment GD, as well as 43rd Sturm Pionier Battalion which had supported GD in France in 1940.

Headquarters
1. Company 219 Officers and Men
1 Platoon
2 Platoon
3 (Storm boat) Platoon - 27 assault boats
2. Company 219 Officers and Men
1 Platoon
2 Platoon
3 (Storm boat) Platoon - 27 assault boats
3.Company 219 Officers and Men
1 Platoon
2 Platoon
3 (Storm boat) Platoon - 27 assault boats
"K" Type Bridging Column Transported "K" type bridges - assembly responsiblity of the companies above.
Light Pioneer Column



Sturmgeschütz (Assault Gun) Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from 16th Company, Infantry Regiment GD and the 192nd Assault Gun Battalion.

Headquarters
1. Battery - also includes Sd Kfz 252 or 260/6 ammunition carrier 6 x StuG III (7.5cm StuK gun)
2. Battery - also includes Sd Kfz 252 or 260/6 ammunition carrier 6 x StuG III (7.5cm StuK gun)
3. Battery - also includes Sd Kfz 252 or 260/6 ammunition carrier 6 x StuG III (7.5cm StuK gun)



Nachrichten (Signals) Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from IR GD Signals Company and remnants of 309th Signals Battalion

Telephone Company
Radio Company



Medical Battalion "Großdeutschland"

Medical Company Heavy Platoon
Light Platoon
Pharmacy
Dental Station
Medical Company Heavy Platoon
Light Platoon
Pharmacy
Dental Station
GD Field Hospital
1. Ambulance Platoon
2. Ambulance Platoon
3. Ambulance Platoon



Supply Services
Formed from IR GD Supply Services

Supply Services 18 columns
Field Workshop Company
Field Workshop Company
Field Workshop Company
Replacement Parts Company Armourer-Artificer Platoon
Administrative Services Bakery Company
Butcher Company
Division Ration Office
Field Post Office

[M2A0]

Order of Battle - Panzergrenadier Division "Grossdeutschland"
September 1943


Divisional Headquarters

Divisional Staff
32 Officers
143 NCOs and Men

Ranks indicated at right were not always the ranks held by men filling these positions; they were sometimes one grade lower. Waffenfarben in some cases is conjectural; anyone with additional info please contact the webmaster!
Position Duties
Division Commander
Command of the division.

Ia I General Staff Officer
Chief of Operations
Trained general staff officer who both advised the division commander and helped draft plans.
O1 1st Assistant Adjutant
Assisted the Ia, prepared maps and the divisional war diary, liason with neighbouring units, and structuring component units of the division.
Ib II General Staff Officer Supply and Administration
Directed the supply and workshop units of the division, field police, provost marshall and field post office units.
O2 1st Assistant Adjutant
Assisted the Ib and handled the organization of all back line services.
Ib/WuG (Waffen und Geräte)
Weapons and Equipment
Responsible for replacement, repair, supply, and maintenance of ammunition, weapons and non-specialized equipment.
Ib/Kfz Divisional Engineer
Provided for replacement and supply of motor vehicles, spare parts, tires, fuel, etc. as well as traffic control, the workshop companies, fuel points and columns.
Ic III General Staff Officer
Intelligence
Responsible for interrogation of POWs, radio intercept work, etc.
O3 Third Assistant Adjutant

Assisted the Ic, oversaw map unit and interpreters at division HQ.
Id Training
IIa Adjutant
Handled administration such as loss and casualty reports, rosters, etc. as well as administration relating to officers - replacements, promotions, decorations, leaves, punishment
IIb Division Assistant Adjutant

Handled administrative matters described above regarding the NCOs and men and oversaw the divisional orderly room.
IIIa Chief of Feldjustizamt GD (legal branch) In charge of divisional courts-martial, civilian relations, legal matters.
IVa Head of Intendantur
Supplies, clothing, medical, dental, pay matters, canteens, housekeeping needs, etc.
IVb Divisional Surgeon
Commanded the medical services simultaneous with this position, responsible for sanitation and hygience, movement and treatment of sick and injured soldiers, procurement and maintenance of medical equipment.
IVz Divisional Paymaster Oversaw paying the troops.
Va Chief Chaplain Regular divisions had 2 chaplains (one catholic, one protestant) but GD was forbideen from having chaplains after holding mass at Notre Dame in 1940. Divisional level chaplain support was provided as needed from the Corps level.

Map Section Eight men charged with reproducing maps, overprinting captured maps, shot diagrams for the divisional artillery, etc.

Headquarters Company
219 man Divisional Escort Company
Added in June
On formation of GD as a Panzergrenadier Division, a Divisional Escort Company was added to Divisional headquarters. Modelled after the escort companies of Waffen SS Divisions, this unit was intended to guard divisional headquarters, serve as a mobile reserve, and was in essence a small battle group suited to all operational circumstances.

It included, according to varying sources, some or all of the following: a rifle platoon, motorcycle platoon, heavy machinegun/mortar platoon, infantry gun Platoon, heavy Anti-tank platoon, self-propelled FlaK Platoon and mixed Anti-Tank (Panzerjäger) platoon.
Feldgendarmerie (Military Police)
Military Police Troop
Numbering one platoon of men, the Military Police detachment (recruited like the rest of the Army's MPs from civilian police) were equipped with light cars and motorcycles. Almost all military policemen not holding officer rank were NCOs (Unteroffizier or higher) excepting some drivers, in order to provide authority for their duties - including maintenance of discipline, but most importantly collection of prisoners and traffic control duties. GD had several hundred motorized vehicles which had to be moved over great distances both rapidly and efficiently.
Kriegsberichter (War Correspondent Platoon)
Responsible for recruitment and propaganda literature.


Panzergrenadier Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Regimental Headquarters Headquarters Company - signals platoon, pioneer platoon, motorcycle platoon
I. (SPW) Battalion
At the beginning of June 1943, 83 SPW halftracks arrived to equip the first battalion of the Grenadier Regiment.
Headquarters
1. Company - Headquarters -
Rifle Platoon - light anti-tank rifle team, three squads, each with 2 LMGs
Rifle Platoon
Rifle Platoon
Heavy Platoon - 4 HMGs, two 81mm mortars, heavy anti-tank rifle team
2. Company - as above
3. Company - as above
4. (MG) Company HQ Platoon
Mortar Platoon
Light Infantry Support Platoon
5. (Heavy) Company
II. (Motorized) Battalion 6. Company - as 1 above
7. Company - as 1 above
8. Company - as 1above
9. (MG) Company - as 4 above
10. (Heavy) Company - as 5 above
III. (Motorized) Battalion 11. Company - as 1 above
12. Company - as 1 above
13. Company - as 1 above
14. (MG) Company - as 4 above
15. (Heavy) Company - as 5 above
IV. (Heavy) Battalion 16. (FlaK) Company
17. (Infantry Gun) Company
18. (Panzerjäger) Company 1st Platoon self-propelled

Panzerfüsilier Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Regimental Headquarters As for Panzergrenadier Regiment GD, above

I. Battalion
II. Battalion
III. Battalion
IV. (Heavy) Battalion

Artillery Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Regimental Headquarters HQ Battery
Observation Battery
Self-propelled light FlaK platoon
I Battalion Headquarters Battery and Signals Platoon
1. Battery - 4 x l.FH. 18 (105mm) howitzers
2. Battery - 4 x l.FH. 18 (105mm) howitzers
3. Battery - 4 x s.FH. (150mm) 18 howitzers
II Battalion Headquarters Battery and Signals Platoon
4. Battery - 6 x Wespe SP (105mm) howitzers
5. Battery - 6 x Wespe SP (105mm) howitzers
6. Battery - 6 x Hummel (150mm) howitzers
III Battalion Headquarters Battery and Signals Platoon
7. Battery - 4 x s.FH. (150mm) 18 howitzers
8. Battery - 4 x s.FH. (150mm) 18 howitzers
9. Battery - 4 x K 18 10 cm howitzers
IV Battalion - formed upon reorganization Headquartes Battery and Signals Platoon
10. Battery - 105 mm howitzers
11. Battery - 105 mm howitzers
12 Battery - 6 x Nebelwerfer
Armoured Observation Battery Sound Ranging Platoon
2 x Flash Spotting Platoon
Survey Platoon
Warning Platoon
2 x Analysis Platoons

Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Reorganizations in June 1943 involved renumbering the 3.7 FlaK batteries 1 and 2, and the addition of 6 Battery

1. Battery - 3.7 cm self propelled
2. Battery - 3.7 cm self propelled
3. Battery - 4 x 8.8 cm - halftracked prime movers
4. Battery - 4 x 8.8 cm - halftracked prime movers
5. Battery - 4 x 8.8 cm - halftracked prime movers
6. Battery - Quadruple anti-aircraft guns

Panzerjäger (Anti-Tank) Battalion "Großdeutschland"

1. (Self Propelled) Company -
1. Platoon - 3 x Marder
2. Platoon - 3 x Marder
3. Platoon - 3 x Marder
2. Company - 4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
3. Company - 4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun
4 x 5cm PaK 38 AT gun

[M2A0]

Panzer Aufklärungs (Armoured Reconaissance) Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Upon expansion to a panzergrenadier Division, this battalion adopted golden-yellow waffenfarbe and cavalry traditions for all its companies.

Battalion HQ 8 motorcycles
2 Kfz 15 cars
1 Sd Kfz 247 armoured car
Battalion Maint Det - 1 motorcycle/sidecar, 1 car (2/40), 1 light car, 2 x 3ton trucks
Battalion train - 1 motorcycle, 2 light cars, 1 Kfz 15 car, 2 light trucks, 2 medium trucks, 1 medium (33 seat) bus
Signal Platoon
HQ Section - 1 mc
- 1 mc with sidecar
- 1 Kfz 15 car
2 x pack radio sections "b" each with Kfz 2
1 light armoured radio section "b" with 1 armoured car Sd Kfz 260
4 x light armoured radio section "c" with 1 armoured car Sd Kfz 261
3 x med armoured radio section "b" each with 1 car (Kfz 15) and 1 armoured car Sd Kfz 263
1. (Armd Car) Squadron - Squadron HQ - 2 motorcycles, 5 motorcycle/sidecars, 1 Kfz 15 car
Heavy Armoured Car platoon - 3 x Sd Kfz 231, 3 x Sd Kfz 232
Light Armoured Car Platoon - 4 x Sd Kfz 222, 2 x Sd Kfz 223
Light Armoured Car Platoon - 4 x Sd Kfz 222, 2 x Sd Kfz 223
Light Armoured Car Platoon - 4 x Sd Kfz 222, 2 x Sd Kfz 223
Maintenance Section - 1 mc/sidecar, 1 car (2/40) 2 x 2 ton truck
Squadron Train - 1 Kfz 15 car, 3 x 2 ton truck, 1 med truck, 3 ton truck
2. (Armd Recon) Squadron - Squadron HQ - 4 motorcycles, 1 mc/sidecar, 2 x SPW 250/3
Recon Platoon
HQ Sec - SPW 250, SPW 250/10
Squad - 2 x SPW 250/1
Squad - as above
Squad - as above
Squad - 2 x LMG
Recon Platoon - as above
Recon Platoon - as above
Heavy Platoon
HQ section - mc, SPW 250/1
HMG section - 3 x SPW 250/1, 2 x HMG
HMG section - as above
Mtr section - 2 x SPW 250/7, 2 SPW 250/7 without mortar (ammo carrier?)
Maintenance Section - 1 mc/sidecar, 2 x 2 ton trucks, 1 Kfz 10 halftrack, 1 x LMG
Squadron train -Kfz 15 car, 2 ton truck, med truck, 2 x 3 ton truck
3. (Recon) Squadron (Volkswagen) - Squadron HQ - 4 motorcycles, 2 x Kubelwagen (Kfz 1)
Recon Platoon
HQ section - 1 mc, 1 x Kubel (Kfz 1), 1 anti-tank rifle
Squad - 4 x Kubel
Squad - as above
Squad - as above
Recon Squad - 2 x LMG
Recon Platoon - as above
Recon Platoon - as above
Heavy Platoon
HQ section - mc, 3 x Kubel
HMG sec - 7 x Kubel, 2 x HMG
HMG sec - as above
Mortar sec - 3 x trucks (Kfz 70) and 2 mortars (81mm)
Maintenance Section - 1 mc/sidecar, 1 car (2/40)
Squadron train - Kubel (Kfz 1), 2 ton truck, med truck, 3 ton truck
4. (Recon) Squadron (Volkswagen) - As above
5. (Heavy) Squadron - Squadron HQ 3 x mc, 2 x mc/sidecar, 1 Kfz 15
Light telephone sec - 1 Kfz 15
Maintenance section - mc/sidecar, 1 car (2/40)
Anti-Tank Platoon HQ sec - mc, mc/sidecar, Kfz 15
Ammo sec - 2 Sd Kfz 10 halftracks, 2 ammo trailers
Gun sect - 3 Sd Kfz 10 halftracks, 3 x 50mm Anti-Tank guns, 3 x LMG
Pionier Platoon HQ sec - mc, mc/Sidecar, Kfz 15, 2 x 2 ton truck
4 x Engineer section (each with 2 ton truck)
1 x Engineer section with LMG
Anti-Tank gun sec - mc/sidecar, 3 x Kfz 70 truck, 3 x 28mm ATG, 3 x LMG
Infantry Gun Platoon HQ sec - 1 mc, 1 mc/sidecar, 1 Kfz 69 truck
Ammo sec - Kfz 69 truck, ammo trailer
Gun sec - 2 x Kfz 69 trucks, 2 light 75mm Infantry guns
Squadron train - Kfz 15, 2 ton truck, med truck, 3 ton truck
Motorized light column Column HQ - 3 x motorcycle, 4 x mc/sidecar, Kfz 15, 3 x LMG
1 Section - mc, 5 x 2 ton truck
2 Section - 4 x medium truck
Column train - mc/sidecar, 2 x medium truck

Panzer (Tank) Regiment "Großdeutschland"

Regimental Headquarters HQ Company - 17 x PzKpfw IV
I. Battalion Battalion Headquarters Company
17 x PzKpfw IV
1. Company HQ Platoon - 3 x PzKpfw V
1. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw V
2. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw V
3. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw V
2. Company HQ Platoon - 3 x PzKpfw IV
1. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
2. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
3. Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
3. Company
4. Company
II. Battalion (raised February 1943)
as per I. Battalion Battalion Headquarters Company
5. Company
6. Company
7. Company
8. Company
III. Battalion (joined Division August 1943) Battalion Headquarters Headquarters Company - signals platoon, scout platoon (motorcycles), pioneer platoon (2 x SPW, 4 trucks), flak platoon with 4 x quadruple guns, reconaissance platoon with 7 x SPW
9. Company 14 Tigers
10. Company 14 Tigers
11. Company 14 Tigers
Heavy Workshop Company
Maintenance Platoon 3 Ton Trucks

Sturmpionier (Assault Pioneer) Battalion "Großdeutschland".

Headquarters
1. Company 219 Officers and Men
1 Platoon
2 Platoon
3 (Storm boat) Platoon - 27 assault boats
This company was outfitted with armoured personnel carriers after Kursk.
2. Company 219 Officers and Men
1 Platoon
2 Platoon
3 (Storm boat) Platoon - 27 assault boats
3.Company 219 Officers and Men
1 Platoon
2 Platoon
3 (Storm boat) Platoon - 27 assault boats
"K" Type Bridging Column Transported "K" type bridges - assembly responsiblity of the companies above.
Light Pioneer Column

Sturmgeschütz (Assault Gun) Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from 16th Company, Infantry Regiment GD and the 192nd Assault Gun Battalion.

Headquarters
1. Battery - also includes Sd Kfz 252 or 260/6 ammunition carrier 6 x StuG III (7.5cm StuK gun)
2. Battery - also includes Sd Kfz 252 or 260/6 ammunition carrier 6 x StuG III (7.5cm StuK gun)
3. Battery - also includes Sd Kfz 252 or 260/6 ammunition carrier 6 x StuG III (7.5cm StuK gun)

Nachrichten (Signals) Battalion "Großdeutschland"
Formed from IR GD Signals Company and remnants of 309th Signals Battalion

Telephone Company
Radio Company

Medical Battalion "Großdeutschland"

Medical Company Heavy Platoon
Light Platoon
Pharmacy
Dental Station
Medical Company Heavy Platoon
Light Platoon
Pharmacy
Dental Station
GD Field Hospital
1. Ambulance Platoon
2. Ambulance Platoon
3. Ambulance Platoon

Supply Services
Formed from IR GD Supply Services

Supply Services 18 columns
Field Workshop Company
Field Workshop Company
Field Workshop Company
Replacement Parts Company Armourer-Artificer Platoon
Administrative Services Bakery Company
Butcher Company
Division Ration Office
Field Post Office

[M2A0]

Grossdeutschland's Medium Tanks


Panzertruppe GD (April 1942 - March 1943)

The Panzertruppe GD (also known as Panzer Abteilung GD) was formed upon the creation of the GD Division in April 1942, and served as a battalion sized organization until the creation of Panzer Regiment GD in the summer of 1943, with the change to Panzergrenadier status.

The Panzertruppe GD was a conventionally organized panzer battalion.

Headquarters 2 x PzKpfw IV
1 Kompanie Company HQ - 2 x PzKpfw IV
1 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
2 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
3 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw IV
2 Kompanie Company HQ - 2 x PzKpfw III
1 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
2 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
3 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
3 Kompanie Company HQ - 2 x PzKpfw III
1 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
2 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III
3 Platoon - 5 x PzKpfw III

1. Kompanie

The First Company (1. Kompanie) was equipped with a mix of PzKpfw IV F (also known as PzKpfw IV F1) armed with the short barrelled 75 mm gun, and the PzKpfw IV F2, which had the long barrelled 75mm gun which was greatly improved. Tanks in photos are a mix of overall panzer grey, with some vehicles being mottled with dark yellow.

The PzKpfw IV ausf F/F1 were produced until March 1942 and equipped with the 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24 cannon; between March 1942 and March 1943 the F2 version was in production, equipped with the long barreled KwK 40 L/43 cannon which was far superior in anti-armour performance than the short gun.

The First Company used a unique style of vehicle markings, as shown at right.
While more than one tank may have carried these markings (ie replacements for combat losses) the following tank types can be associated with the following markings in at least one photograph: -

PzKpfw IV F or F1 (short barrel) 0
4

PzKpfw IV F2 (long barrel) 1
1

Headquarters Photographic evidence shows tanks marked as below (headquarters vehicles?):
0
0


1 Platoon 1
2
3
4
5

2 Platoon 1
2
3
4
5

3 Platoon 1
2
3
4
5





Markings seen on two Panzerkampfwagen IV ausf F, as used by GD in September 1942 in the Rzhev Salient. This version of the PzKpfw IV still carried the low velocity 75 mm gun. The markings on the vehicle at left indicate the fourth vehicle of the 3rd Platoon. Vehicle at right may be a headquarters vehicle; also notable are the location of the national insignia and GD helmet.

2. Kompanie & 3. Kompanie

The Second and Third Companies were equipped with the PzKpfw III, uparmed over early versions with a long barrelled 5 cm main armament.

[M2A0]

Grossdeutschland Tigers


Tiger Tanks

The Panzerkampfwagen VIE, commonly known as the "Tiger I", was an armoured fighting vehicle born out of combat experience on the Russian Front. It's thick frontal armour and 8.8cm main armament made it a most feared adversary. Most Tigers were employed in special heavy tank battalions (schwere panzer abteilungen or s.Pz.Abt) but Grossdeutschland was one of but a few elite units to have its own organic Tigers. GD's first Tigers were early production models, with characteristic rubber-rimmed roadwheels and tropical air cleaners, but in 1944 newer Tigers with steel rimmed roadwheels, a lower cast cupola, and zimmerit (anti-magnetic paste) began to become available to GD.

Panzer Battalion GD

While still designated a motorized infantry division in early 1943, GD had Tigers assigned to its Panzer Abteilung (tank battalion), as the 13th Company of the battalion. Hauptmann Wallroth commanded this company from 13 Jan 1943 to 15 August 1943.

In February 1943, 9 Tiger Is were delivered to the battalion, and none were lost between then and Kursk (even during the fighting around Kharkov). They were painted in dark (panzer) grey with white outlined turret numbers. These Tigers along with 10 PzKpfw IIIs) came from No. 3 Company, Panzer Regiment 203.

On 3 Mar 1943, only 6 of the 9 Tigers were operational.

Tank Numbers - 13. Company Panzer Battalion GD March 1943

Headquarters S01
1 Platoon S10 S11 S12 S13
2 Platoon S20 S21 S22 S23

The period 7 - 19 March 1943 was described in Germany's Tiger Tanks by Thomas Jentz. During this period GD's Tigers saw action in the Poltawa-Belgorad area, beginning at 0615 on 7 March. There was reason to be optimistic; Tiger crews reported first round hits at ranges of 600 to 1000 metres with frontal penetration of T-34 tanks, with these penetrations even resulting in the destruction of the engine at the rear of the tank. It was found that few T-34s were made to burn when hit from the front, but in 4 of 5 instances of shots from the same ranges striking the hull side of the T-34, towards the rear, or actually hitting the rear of the tank itself, the fuel tanks were made to explode. A report indicated that " Even at ranges of 1500 meters and longer, during favorable weather, it is possible to succeed in penetrating the T-34 with minimal expenditure of ammunition."

Another report by GD Tigers told of a scout patrol by two Tigers encountering 20 Russian tanks to their front, with other tanks attacking from their rear. Both Tigers were hit at least 10 times by Russian armour piercing shells mostly of 76.2 mm size, at ranges of 500 - 1000 metres. No penetrations were achieved on the Tigers, and even hits on the Tiger's running gear that tore away suspension arms did not prove to be immobilizing. The two Tigers managed to knock out 10 enemy tanks within fifteen minutes.

During March, the Tigers knocked out over 40 Russian vehicles without suffering a single combat loss. On 31 March, only 1 Tiger was operational. Repairs were made in April, however.

On 13 May 1943, 6 more Tiger Is were delivered to Grossdeutschland, giving them a total of 15, organized into four platoons as follows:

Tank Numbers - 13. Company Panzer Battalion GD May 1943

Headquarters S01
1 Platoon S10 S11 S12 S13
2 Platoon S20 S21 S22 S23
3 Platoon S30 S31 S32
4 Platoon S40 S41 S42

On 30 June 1943 12 of these were operational, and on 1 July 14 of the 15 were operational. None were lost during the Kursk fighting in the next weeks, which began at 0400 on 7 July 1943. In the first week, the Tiger company advanced 20 miles with the rest of the Division GD and destroyed almost 60 Russian tanks for the loss of just six Tigers.
On 18 July 1943, GD transferred to Army Group Centre, seeing action again on 25 July. The Tiger saw limited action between then and 14 August 1943 when it was redesignated and assigned to the new III Battalion of the newly expanded Panzer Regiment GD.


III Battalion, Panzer Regiment Grossdeutschland

The Panzer Battalion GD was expanded to a Regiment in June 1943, as the Division was reorganized from a motorized infantry division to a panzergrenadier division. In August the former 13th Company of the Panzer Battalion was now redesignated the 9th Company, to fit in to the new Regimental organization, and two more heavy tank companies were added, to form the III Battalion of the new Regiment.

III Battalion Commanders


Major Gomille Jun 43 - Apr 44

Oberstleutnant Baumungk Apr 44 - 9 Aug 44 (wounded)

Hauptmann Bock
9 Aug 44 - Apr 45

The III Battalion comprised three tank companies:

No. 9 Company - formed from the old 13 Company of the Panzer Battalion GD
No. 10 Company - formed from the 3rd Company of s.Pz.Abt. 501
No. 11 Company - formed from the 3rd Company of s.Pz.Abt. 504

Supporting elements of the battalion included:

Headquarters Company: signals platoon in three armoured vehicles, medium-wave radio squad, reconnaissance platoon with 3 medium and 4 light armoured personnel carriers, amd Pioneer platoon with 2 APCs and 4 trucks. Also present were a FlaK platoon with three self propelled quadruple mount 20mm guns, a scout platoon with 4 Schwimmwagens, 4 motorcycle-sidecar combinations and 2 solo motorcycles.

Company Commanders
Late July 1943

9 Company
Leutnant Folke
10 Company
Hauptmann von Villebois
11 Company

Oberleutnant Bayer

At full strength, the Tiger battalion would possess 45 Tigers, as shown in the diagram below.

Tank Numbers - III Battalion, Panzer Regiment GD September 1943

[M2A0]

Regimental Headquarters
Staff S01 S02 S03
9 Company
Headquarters A01 A02
1 Platoon A11 A12 A13 A14
2 Platoon A21 A22 A23 A24
3 Platoon A31 A32 A33 A34
10 Company
Headquarters B01 B02
1 Platoon B11 B12 B13 B14
2 Platoon B21 B22 B23 B24
3 Platoon B31 B32 B33 B34
11 Company
Headquarters C01 C02
1 Platoon C11 C12 C13 C14
2 Platoon C21 C22 C23 C24
3 Platoon C31 C32 C33 C34

On 14-15 August 1943, 36 Tigers were on hand in the three companies.

The new Tiger battalion joined the Division at the front in mid August, but on 31 August the battalion commander, Major Gomille, was not happy with the workshop support and other services that were being provided to his unit. In a report written 31 August, he outlined the condition of the battalion.

The headquarters had 3 Tiger Command vehicles.
The reconnaissance platoon had 7 halftracks without weapons.
The 9th Company (formerly 13th Company of the Panzer Battalion GD) had no operational Tigers.
The 10th Company was complete, less one Tiger still in Germany.
The 11th Company had lost four Tigers and most of the maintenance groups equipment during a long road march.
The entire headquarters company was missing as well as the Workshop company (less one platoon), as well as all vehicles for the regimental staff.

The trains in which the new battalion had been transported had offloaded at Nisch Ssirowatka in the middle of August forcing the battalion to march over 110 kilometres to their positions two kilometres southeast of Jassenowole. Ten Tigers had fallen out of the march because of mechanical problems both large and small.

Despite the condition of the battalion, orders were to go into action near Belsk (30 kilometres southwest of Akhtyrka) the next morning, to stop Russian forces who had attacked across the Vorskla. The Tiger battalion had no supply or repair services, no Recovery Platoon (Bergezug) and no spare parts for repairs. Elements of the battalion Reconnaissance Platoon scouted the terrain on the night of 14 August, and the battalion left their assembly areas at 1830 hours, ordered to hold Grun. But Grun had been taken by the enemy, who was reconnoitering northwards. The Battalion moved to Persche Trawnja, five kilometres northwest of Grun, and prepared to attack as ordered on the 15th.

The Tiger battalion joined a Kampfgruppe along with a company of Panther tanks, reconnaissance troops and assault guns from the GD Division. At 0630 hours, with the Tigers in the lead, the group set off for Grun, ordered to break through to Belsk and destroy the enemy that had broken through. One kilometre north of Grun, the battalion received heavy anti tank fire from a ridge east of the north side of the village, and the leading Tiger struck a mine, though only superficial damage was caused. The battalion was ordered to attack, turned left, and moved onto the ridge line, finding two deep ravines across their path of advance. The 10th Company stopped to provide covering fire while 11 Company pressed the attack over both ravines, receiving fire from anti tank guns and self propelled guns. A lengthy fight ensued before the enemy positions were quieted.

Hauptmann von Villebois, commanding 10 Company, was seriously wounded when his Tiger was hit some eight times by 122 mm shells from the Soviet assault guns. Nonetheless, the battalion reached the cemetery in Belsk, and passed through part of the village before advancing to the south of Grun against little opposition.

Six operational Tigers were left, including two command vehicles. Five had been hit by enemy fire, one was lost to mines, and seven Tigers suffered mechanical failures (either engine, transmission or gun). However, the battalion continued to advance, clearing the enemy out of the north edge of Budy without loss. Replenishment of fuel and ammunition followed, and at 1900 the battalion once more moved towards Belsk with only three Tigers still operational. The middle of Belsk was reached at 0100 where additional Soviet anti tank guns and mines were cleared.


This first combat action of the battalion caused the following casualties: One man killed, one officer seriously wounded, and three officers and three men with less serious wounds. The battalion was able to claim 21 Russian guns (anti tank, anti-aircraft, and artillery pieces) as well as nine armoured vehicles.

On 16 August, the battalion marches from Belsk to Grun, to a forest southwest of Akhtyrka. The next day, 10 Tigers were up and running.

further attacks on 18 August 1943 caused further casuaties; attacking Boich-Osero at 0830, eight Tigers hit wooden box mines in a thick minefield supplemented with heavy shells (possibly 21 cm in size) to increase the effectiveness of the mines. Some vehicles hit more than one mine simultaneously; the regular anti-tank mines caused superficial damage, but those laid with the larger shells causes major damage to tracks and suspension. Five Tigers suffered light damage in this field; the other three were immobilized. The battalion saw no further action that day on account of the damage. Only one man was wounded, however, due to a bomb fragment, and the battalion still accounted for five enemy anti-tank guns.

Just four Tigers were left operational.

On 19 August 1943, these four operational Tigers joined with the Panzer Regiment for an attack on Parchornowka; one was knocked out by an assault gun, and the enemy put up a stubborn resistance with anti-tank guns and tanks of T-34 and KV-1 type. The days' losses included three men dead and one wounded, with one Tiger heavily damaged and two other Tigers with damaged guns. However, the Tigers accounted for 12 heavy and six light anti-tank guns destroyed.

Including repairs done to other tanks, the Tiger battalion had 5 Tigers operational by evening.

[M2A0]

On 20 August 1943, three of these Tigers went down due to mechanical breakdowns, two of them with transmission and electrical generator problems. While the unit moved south to link up with SS Division Totenkopf, five enemy tanks were knocked out by the two remaining runners.

In an engagement on 22 August 1943, a local counterattack saw a single Tiger destroy six heavy anti-tank guns and many anti-tank rifles.

On 23 August 1943, the Tiger battalion commander took over a kampfgruppe consisting of almost all of the remaining operational tanks in the Panzer Regiment GD as a whole - two Tigers, nine Panthers, three PzKpfw IV (long 7.5 cm gun), three PzKpfw IV (short barreled 7.5 cm guns), three PzKpfw III, three flamethrowing tanks and one command vehicle. The group was used to repulse enemy armoured incursions along the front of the Grenadier Regiment GD near Michailowka, 12 kilometres southwest of Akthyrka. One Tiger received a gun hit, but 25 enemy tanks and 7 enemy guns were knocked out.

On 24 August 1943, the divison moved west to defensive positions, with all operational tanks of the Panzer Regiment GD held in reserve, with all non-operational tanks moved further west in anticipation of a general withdrawal. This left just two Tigers with the battalion commander; strong enemy penetration of the Grenadier Regiment's lines were stopped, with four enemy tanks destroyed. These last two remaining Tigers fought throughout the night of 25-26 August. Further action on the 26th saw one Tiger break down due to engine and transmisson failure, and another receive hits in the suspension, gunsight and gun in a fight which saw the Tiger destroy two T-34s.

On 26 August 1943, 6 new Tigers arrived, bringing the total held by the Regiment to 41.

On 20 October 1943, 23 Tigers were on hand. This number fell to 13 by 16 Nov 1943. By 21 Dec 1943, the number of operational Tigers was 7.

On 6 Mar 1944, 6 new Tigers were received bringing the total on hand to 19. On 20 April 1944 6 more were delivered, bringing the total to 20. On 6 May, 8 more (with 4 transferring to SS Division Totenkopf) leaving 24 on hand, and on 18 May 6 more again (with 2 going to Totenkopf again) leaving 28 on strength.

On 1 June 1944, 6 more Tigers were delivered, giving GD a total of 34, with 19 operational. After shipping to Gumbinnen in East Prussia in June, 2 Tigers were destroyed by fighter-bomber attack while the crews were changing their tracks (presumably removing the transit tracks that Tiger had fitted when moving by rail, to the wider combat tracks that were shipped with them).

A period of refitting in June and July followed, with combat following again in August. On 6 August 1944, 4 Tigers were lost to IS-2 tanks. On 17 August 1944, 12 more were delivered, leaving a total of 41. These were apparently the last new Tigers delivered to the battalion.

Tank Numbers - III Battalion, Panzer Regiment GD August 1944

Regimental Headquarters
Staff S01 S02 S03
9 Company
Headquarters A01 A02
1 Platoon A11 A12 A13 A14
2 Platoon A21 A22 A23 A24
3 Platoon A31 A32 A33 A34
10 Company
Headquarters B01 B02
1 Platoon B11 B12 B13 B14
2 Platoon B21 B22 B23 B24
3 Platoon B31 B32 B33 B34
11 Company
Headquarters C01 C02
2 Platoon C21 C22 C23 C24
3 Platoon C31 C32 C33 C34

On 1 October 1944, 11 of GD's 33 Tigers were operational. On 1 November 1944, 8 of 15 Tigers were operational, and a period of refitting followed for November and December.

Heavy Tank Battalion Grossdeutschland

On 13 December 1944, the III Battalion of the Panzer Regiment was redesignated Heavy Tank Battalion Grossdeutschland (schwere Panzer Abteilung GD). The companies were renumbered 1, 2 and 3 Company. The 1st Company received new Tiger II Ausf B "King Tigers".

On 16 December 1944, 4 more Tigers were delivered, but 2 were transferred to s.Pz.Abt 502, leaving GD with 17. These Tigers were factory rebuilds; the previous month a GD Tiger (C42) had been transferred to s.Pz.Abt 502 also.

On 1 February 1945, only 4 of GD's 11 Tigers were operational. The entire battalion was absorbed into the GD Division's tank battlegroup, with excess tank crews going to Paderborn to train on the Tiger II heavy tanks. This battlegroup consisted of a command platoon with one Tiger and two PzKpfw IVs, a Heavy Company with the remaining Tigers (and apparently a Brummbär), and a Medium Company with 5 Panthers, 1 PzKpfw IV, and a battery of assault guns composed of two Sturmgeschützen and two Jagdpanzer IVs.

On 19 March 1945, GD's last Tigers were destroyed in East Prussia during combat in the Balga pocket.

The last Tiger crews in Paderborn were used as infantry in April 1945, and never fought in tanks. No Tiger IIs were ever received by GD tank crewmen.

The GD Tiger unit, from its inception as the 13th company, through its expansion to regimental status and to its eventual destruction in March 1945, had the highest confirmed tally of enemy kills for any Army Tiger unit, with 1036 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles claimed, and over 300 enemy guns.

[M2A0]

HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY - GROSSDEUTSCHLAND

1939 12 Apr Wachregiment Berlin named Infantry Regiment GD
1 Sep Invasion of Poland.
1940
10 May GD regiment, supported by artillery and engineers from the 10th Panzer Division, attacks through Luxemburg to move against the southern Belgian fortifications. Simultaneously elements of GD's 3rd Battalion land as airborne troops.
12 May Early skirmishes at the Samois
13 May Capture of the Maas River crossings at Sedan and breakthrough to the Maginot Line. GD temporarily placed under the command of 1st Panzer Division
14 May GD fights enemy tank attacks at Chemery and Bolson
15 - 17 May Beginning of the battles on the Stonne highlands
17 - 19 May Lull in the fighting around Bolson
20 - 23 May GD marches toward St. Omar (south of Dunkirk) and engages the enemy at Arras
24 - 26 May GD fights the British E F south of Dunkirk and establishes bridgeheads at St. Pierre Brouck
27 - 28 May Attack on Wormhoudt and Herzeele; firing continues around Dunkirk
29 May Battles on the Canal de la Colma; continued engagements at Dunkirk. Occupation of Bergnes
4 Jun GD transferred to the Amiens bridgehead
6 Jun German units break through the Weygand Line
8 Jun Beginning of the pursuit of enemy forces to the Oise River
11 Jun With the destruction of the Oise Bridge, the Germans turn NE into the area around Guiscard
15 Jun Fighting for the Seine crossings
16 Jun Further pursuit of the retreating enemy units to Lyon via Le Creusot and Maron
19 Jun Occupation of Lyon
20 Jun - 4 Jul GD serves as occupation security troops around Lyon
5 Jul March to Paris
19 Jul Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral
27 Jul - 26 Oct GD at Celsace, preparing for Sealion
27 Oct - 31 Dec GD is transferred to the army training camp at Le Valdahon near the Swiss border, where it remains till the end of 1940. The unit trains for operation Feline, the assault on Gibraltar

[M2A0]

27 Jan - 4 Apr March into Belfort area and rest period there
5 Apr - 10 Apr GD is transported by rail to Vienna - from there the unit advances via Baub, Budapest, and Szegedin to Romania, where it is assigned to 41st Army Corps (mot)
11 Apr March into Yugoslavia
12 Apr Pursuit of enemy forces to Pancevo on to the Danube River with few engagements
13 Apr GD 1st Battalion participates in the occupation of Belgrade
15 Apr GD provides security troops in Yugoslavia Banat east of the Danube
15 Jun March into the area SE of Warsaw assigned as reserve, 2nd Panzer Army
21 Jun Barbarossa begins
27 Jun - 28 Jun GD crosses the Russian frontier north of Brest-Litovsk
29 Jun - 3 Jul GD fights in a consolidation action supporting assaults on surrounded Russian troops west of Minsk
3 Jul - 6 Jul GD advances to Minsk
7 Jul - 10 Jul Further advances allow GD to link up with armor units assigned to 10th Panzer Division
11 Jul - 16 Jul Attack across the Dnieper followed by fighting in the bridgehead
16 Jul - 20 Jul Continuing advance as 46th Panzer Ko Corps reserve into the Yelnya area
21 Jul - 5 Aug Fighting in the Yelnya area
6 Aug - 8 Aug Relief and rest in the area around Dankovo - Vaskovo
9 Aug - 18 Aug Defense actions in the Yelnya salient west of Yelnya
1 Sep - 4 Sep GD marches south to participate in the battle for Kiev. The unit crosses the Desna River at Novgorod-Seversk and secures a bridgehead
5 Sep - 25 Sep GD advances south. Assaults across the Seym River at Putiul. Has engagements at Schelkova, Konotop and Belopolye
26 Sep - 3 Oct GD holds against Russian counterattacks east of Rommy
17 Oct - 21 Oct Rest and recuperation in Orel
24 Oct - 5 Dec Fighting around the Tula area
7 Dec - 20 Dec GD repels counterattacks in the Tula area. There are extensive battles from Tula to defensive positions east of Orel
21 Dec Advance north of Ore
22 Dec - 31 Dec Defensive engagements on the Oka River. GD is divided, with units assigned to support 3 different Infantry divisions

[M2A0]

1942
1 Jan - 19 Jan Battles on the Oka between Orel and Belev
20 Jan - 18 Feb Engagements against enemy breakthroughs and partisans in the Gorodoh area. Fighting to secure the area
1 Feb 2nd Battalion disbanded and the men and equipment spread through the remaining battalions as reinforcements
9 Feb Attack on Verch
10 Feb Battle to clear the Bolkhov-Yagodnaya railroad
11 Feb - 18 Feb More engagements in the area with many casualties
19 Feb The two remaining Grenadier Battalions are reformed into one unit
20 Feb GD attacks Kosovha and Chuchlova
21 Feb - 8 Apr consolidating the gains won and securing the area. The disbanded battalions are reformed and reorganized
1 Apr - 22 May GD Regiment is relieved and moves to Orel, second regiment and divisional units assembled in Germany to create Motorized Infantry Division GD

23 May - 31 May Units to expand GD to a division arrive in Russia, GD assigned to 48th Panzer Corps
1 Jun - 27 Jun GD trains in the Fatesch area and assembles close to Shchigry for the summer offensive planned for Southern Russia
28 Jun - 4 Jul GD breaks through Russian positions at Jim, and pursues the retreating enemy all the way to the upper Don River at Voronezh
5 Jul - 6 Jul GD battles across the Don and helps capture Voronezh
8 Jul - 31 Jul Advance through the big bend area encompassed by the Don. Then a forced march with light skirmishes to the Donets River just north of its joining with the Don. GD crosses the Donets, extends bridgehead to the Sal River and secures the area by taking Susutzki. Then a rapid advance to the Manytsch River.
1 Aug - 4 Aug GD division is relieved and assembles on the north bank of the Donets as OKH reserve
15 Aug - 18 Aug GD loads equipment onto trains and transports to Smolensk
25 Aug GD marches NE from Smolensk to the Rzhev area west of Moscow
30 Aug - 9 Sep GD moves into bivouac area south of Rzhev, as Army reserve for AOK9
10 Sep - 8 Oct heavy defensive battle with GD counterattacking south of Rzhev, as a part of 27th Army Corps
9 Oct - 25 Nov GD is relieved and transferred to the rest area around Olenino
26 Nov - 5 Dec Beginning of GD's action in the winter battles around Rzhev resulting in heavy casualties. In the battle 9th Army was stretched over a front of 100 km (from Rzhev to Byeloy)
1 Dec Battle of the Lutschessa Valley
6 Dec - 17 Dec Fighting begins to slacken, scattered units reorganize
18 Dec - 20 Dec GD's section of Rzhev front quiet
21 Dec 1st counterattack with 12th Panzer
30 Dec 2nd counterattack with 12th Panzer

[M2A0]

1943
1 Jan - 8 Jan Stabilizing the front at Rzhev
9 Jan - 17 Jan GD marches to Smolensk then transported to the Volchansk area
21 Jan - 8 Feb GD engages in battles between the Oskol and the upper Donets east of Byelgorod
8 Feb Byelgorod is lost to the Russians
9 Feb - 14 Feb Battles along the Byelgorod & Karkov railroad
15 Feb Germans evacuate Kharkov
16 Feb - 23 Feb GD engages the enemy on the Karkov-Poltava RR
24 Feb - 4 Mar Most of the division is relieved and sent to a rest area 30 km south of Poltava. Reinforcements arrive IV Artilery Abt. and a Tiger 1 Company and Divisional Escort Company
5 Mar GD marches to the starting point for the counterattack on Byelgorod and Karkov.

7 Mar Counterattack begins
11 Mar Bogodukhov is taken
19 Mar Tomarovka is captured
23 Mar - 29 Jun GD is relieved and transferred to a bivouac area north of Poltava for rest and refitting. Additional SPWs are received and GD is assigned as Army reserve.
23 Jun GD is re-designated Panzer Grenadier Division GD
30 Jun Beginning of the march to the staging area for "Citadel"
4 Jul Start of "Citadel"
5 Jul - 16 Jul Heavy fighting breaking through Russian positions. Heavy losses
18 Jul Panzer Grenadier Division GD is relieved and transfered to the area around Tomarovka.
21 Jul GD transferred again to the Karachev area - assigned to Army Group Centre
24 Jul - 3 Aug Fighting in the woods around Karachev, countering the enemy advancing from Bolkhov
4 Aug GD relieved again - transferred to Army Group South to Akhtyrka. here the newly organized Tiger Abteilung joined the Division.
8 Aug - 23 Aug Defensive battles in the area around Akhtyrka
26 Aug GD transferred to 48th Panzer Korps
28 Aug - 15 Sep GD fights in many areas serving as a "fire brigade" reinforcing critical points in the battles west of Kharkov and north of Poltava
16 Sep - 19 Sep Delaying battles at the Dnieper River (Kremenchug bridgehead). At this point all available spare units are evacuated to the west bank of the Dnieper. GD reforms as separated units, fight to the German lines;
29 Sep Panzer Regiment GD reduced to only 1 operational tank
30 Sep - 14 Oct Battles at Michurin-Rog against strong forces; GD attacks across the Dnieper
15 Oct Start of the main Soviet offensive from the bridgehead on both sides of the Michurin-Rog.
16 Oct - 31 Dec Withdrawl and defensive engagements against strong enemy forces, to the south of Sofiyevka (east of Krivoi-Rog)

[M2A0]

1944
1 Jan - 3 Jan Continued defensive battles east of Krivoi-Rog
4 Jan GD relieved and transferred to the area west of Kirovograd
16 Jan 1./Panzer Regiment 26 (Panther) joins GD
27 Jan - 8 Feb Major elements of Panzer Regiment GD transferred to Cherkassy battle
8 Mar - 15 Mar Defensive battles west of Kirovograd and withdrawal under fire to the bend in the Bug River
16 Mar - 30 Mar GD transfers back to the Dniester River
31 Mar Defensive battles in North Bessarabia
25 Apr GD successfully counter attacks at Targol Frumos
2 May - 26 May Heavy defensive fighting at Targol Frumos
7 May - 31 May Period of quiet at Targol Frumos. At this point 1./Panzer Füsilier Regiment GD is transferred to Germany for re-equipping with SPW's. The armored recon unit of GD is also re-equipped with armored vehicles. The size of the Füsilier regiments are reduced to 3 battalions instead of 4 and each battalion is reduced from 5 companies to 4.
1 Jun GD transfers to an area north of Podul
2 Jun - 5 Jun GD counterattacks at Podul
6 Jun Elements of the Panzer Füsilier Regiment rejoin the regiment
7 Jun 1./Panzer Regiment GD, who were transferred to France for conversion to Panthers, is thrown into the defense of France
8 Jun GD is pulled out of the lines
15 Jun - 24 Jul GD is transferred to a rest area 100km south of Jassy. The 1./Füsilier Regiment GD rejoins the Division. The Armored Assault Engineers Battalion is reformed as an Armored Assault Engineer Regiment.
25 Jul - 2 Aug GD is transferred to East Prussia from Romania in the area near Gumbinnen
5 Aug - 9 Aug First counterattack by GD at Virballen and Vilkovischen (in Lithuania)
12 Aug Beginning of the march to an area west of Stauliai
18 Aug Beginning of the defensive battles to prevent Soviet breakthroughs to the Baltic Sea
22 Aug GD marches north and prepares for an attack towards Tukums
25 Aug The attack begins and bogs down at the Lithuanian - Latvian border
26 Aug - 2 Oct GD remains in positions gained in the attack
3 Oct Parts of GD withdraw into the area west of Stauliai as a Kampfgruppe
5 Oct Major offensive by the Soviet army west of Stauliai; more units from GD are transferred to this area as reinforcements
6 Oct - 9 Oct Engaged in heavy defensive fighting between Stauliai and Memel
10 Oct - 28 Nov Defensive and holding battles in the Memel bridgehead
15 Nov 1./Panzer Regiment GD rejoins the Division (had fought in France and Poland). 1./Panzer Regiment 26, which had replaced 1./Panzer Regiment GD, transfers to Hungary
26 Nov - 31 Dec GD transfers via boat through Königsburg into the area around Rastenburg-Sensburg, to join Korps Staff GD
1945
1 Jan - 11 Jan
GD Division transferred to the Willenberg area as OKH reserves
15 Jan - 30 Jan GD's defensive battles in N. Poland lead to a retreat into E. Prussia and then into an area south of Königsburg
31 Jan GD engaged in heavy defensive battles in E. Prussia
29 Mar - 12 Apr Last remnants of GD - barely 4,000 men - leave the city of Balga on the Fritsches Bay by the Baltic. The unit travels on ferries, lands at Pillau, and goes into combat in the Samland.
13 Apr - 25 Apr The last remnants of GD are largely destroyed or dispersed in heavy retreating battles at Pillau
26 Apr - 4 May The last survivors of GD are able to cross the Hela peninsula and from there go through Bornholm to Schleswig-Holstein.

['panzer' Mayer]

your my hero