Unit strength reports

[RockinHarry]

When reading german Divisional ect. histories, oftentimes you can read about "weekly reports" about unit strengths to superior command (corps, army, AG or OKW). Usually the forces/troops are categorized and assigned roman figures like "I", "II",...ect.

What do these categories mean in detail? In example a Division of category "IV" is in what particular shape and why does "IV" apply?

So far I know that units are roughly classified as "angriffsfähig/capable to attack", "verteidigungsfähig/capable to defend", "beschränkt verteidigungsfähig/ limited capability to defend",..ect. and thus are assigned to the various categories.

At smaller scale (Rgt., Btl.) terms are used like "stark/strong", "durchschnittlich/average", "schwach/weak", "abgekämpft/exhausted", "zersprengt/shattered" ect.

When are these terms used and when does a unit apply to these small scale categories?

Do you know about certain regulations (Merkblatt, Verordnung, Dienstvorschrift, ect.) that set and explain the various categories, as well as giving a good overview?

Thanks in advance

[JasonC]

The strength categories applied to infantry battalions and referred to combat strength, roughly infantry plus heavy weapons ("kampfstarke"). As follows -

stark (400+ men)

mittelstark (300-400)

durchschnittlich (200-300)

schwach (100-200)

abgekämpft (0-100)

As for can see, what you translate "average" means more like "cut in half".

Hat tip - the Dupuy Institute...

[RockinHarry]

Originally posted by JasonC:

The strength categories applied to infantry battalions and referred to combat strength, roughly infantry plus heavy weapons ("kampfstarke"). As follows -

stark (400+ men)

mittelstark (300-400)

durchschnittlich (200-300)

schwach (100-200)

abgekämpft (0-100)

As for can see, what you translate "average" means more like "cut in half".

Hat tip - the Dupuy Institute...

Thanks! Now to the categories wth the roman numbers? :confused: