Hat Trick Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Is there a guide that describes the different types of German Infantry? Specifically, what are the differences between Volksgenadiers, Sturmkompanies, Pioneers, Security troops, Pz Grenadiers, Fallschirmjager, Gebirgsjager and Volksstrum? While I can look up the weapons that they use, are there other differences between the units? If I knew what their different roles were historically I could select them with more confidence (and not be accused of "gamey" selections). Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvio Manuel Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 Drink at this Oasis of German Infantry type knowledge courtesy of JasonC Heh...his m# of 5490 is a good ref.point for seaching out CM knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maj. Battaglia Posted October 25, 2002 Share Posted October 25, 2002 JasonC's post is a very good summary. I would add the following to provide some more context and help you with your question concerning how to avoid being "gamey" when choosing units. Mountain troops are very rare on the western front, unless you are thinking about Italy. There were also SS mountain troops (which are probably very close at the CM level to their Wehrmacht cousins-extra support at regimental level). The 6th SS mountain division took part in Operation Nordwind. Sturmkompanie are not integral parts of any division. They were individual companies or battalions attached to corps and armies. They are also quite rare. Volksgrenadiers were developed to maximize German manpower efficiency: smaller units with more SMGs to keep firepower high. Ostensibly they were under the control of the SS as Hitler had diminished trust in the Heer after the attempt on his life. Also, a higher proportion of panzerschrecks here, as the integral AT guns of the regiments were mostly replaced by them. They were built from cores of many destroyed divisions, plus the disbanded Luftwaffe field divisions, spare navy personnel, etc. Many destroyed infantry divsions are rebuilt as VG divisions in fall 1944, although many infantry divisions remain unconverted (I think Hitler wanted to convert all to VG). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted October 25, 2002 Author Share Posted October 25, 2002 Thanks. This is very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 Hi guys. I read Jason's post and it was excellent. He doesn't mention the Escort Platoon however. Do you guys know what that was specifically used for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maj. Battaglia Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 The escort company in the panzer division was part of the divisional HQ element, one per division. I can't be sure, but since it was a mix of infantry, AA, and AT assets, and given the name, I assume the original purpose was to provice security for the division while on the move, particularly strategic movement. Someone correct me if you know better. From what I have read, a corps might also have an escort company. These would also be used as a reserve formation, filling gaps in an emergency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brightblade Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 One company to guard a whole division on a march? Wouldn´t be much, don´t you think so? AFAIK the Escort company simply protected the division´s HQ. Such a HQ has a lot of equipment and can´t pack and move too fast. But it is a very desireable target for the enemy - if he knows where it is. So it needs protection. Something of everything, AA against aircrafts, AT against enemy armoured recon or (less often, but sometimes it might have happened) against enemy armoured units which have broken through the front line and are threatening the HQ before it can evade, and infantry against enemy commando forces/airborne sent to take out the HQ. And of course against enemy infantry which may have broken through the front together with the armoured units. [ November 10, 2002, 02:13 PM: Message edited by: Brightblade ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 My understanding is also that the Escort company was a divisional HQ guard unit - that could be employed for other duties as necessary/desired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maj. Battaglia Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 A guard for the Div HQ makes sense. Brightblade, I meant more along the lines of securing a specific railhead, bridge, etc., as opposed to the entire route of the march. You are right that one company (with only one platoon of inf) would be too small. Does anyone know when this formation first appeared in the German Army? I am wondering if it was inserted later in the war as a result of partisan actions and breakthroughs in Russia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 Originally posted by Maj. Battaglia: A guard for the Div HQ makes sense. Brightblade, I meant more along the lines of securing a specific railhead, bridge, etc., as opposed to the entire route of the march. You are right that one company (with only one platoon of inf) would be too small. Does anyone know when this formation first appeared in the German Army? I am wondering if it was inserted later in the war as a result of partisan actions and breakthroughs in Russia.According to one source, the GD Division added an "escort" company to Div HQ upon reformation as a Panzergrenadier Division in June 1943; however, the division had a "security" company (the composition of which is unknown to me) from April 1942 to May 1942. I'm not sure what the distinction was, if any, but God, Honor, Fatherland tells us the divisional escort company added in 1943 was modelled after that found in Waffen SS divisions, and could be used as a small battlegroup - according to different sources, this company included some or all of the following: rifle platoon motorcycle platoon heavy machinegun/mortar platoon infantry gun Platoon heavy Anti-tank platoon self-propelled FlaK Platoon mixed Anti-Tank (Panzerjäger) platoon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maj. Battaglia Posted November 11, 2002 Share Posted November 11, 2002 Thank you Michael, that is interesting information. I got the feeling from things I have read and seen on the Internet that escort companies might not have been completely standardized, as you say. I've seen either towed or SP 75mm AT/20mm AA sections, for example. CM:BO has all towed assets. Also, I imagine when committed to combat some elements might not have been included (the motorcycle platoon seems like it would be primarily a divisional HQ courier/taxi service, for example). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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