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Home Gross Deutschland Panzer: Origins & Combat History n general, in the early and mid- with the arrival of Hitler, the unit was An Analysis of Hitler’s Elite 1930s the German military was continually expanded throughout the I divided into two groups. The first rest of the decade. By January 1939 it was a false front of units that repre- was renamed Infantry Regiment Gross sented the forces allowed post World Deutschland (Greater Germany). It By Roger Mason War I treaties. The second group was was by then a stand-alone regiment made up of the ever more powerful and with a full complement of support and numerous sea, air and ground forces administrative units. The soldiers of the being developed behind the scenes. regiment were allowed to wear green More particularly, Berlin was a center and silver cuff and shoulder tabs bearing of international attention as Hitler their unit’s name and initials as evidence gained and consolidated power, and of their elite status. The unit was also the face of the German Army there was unique in that, even as it expanded, the Wachtruppe Berlin (Berlin Guard it was allowed to continue to draw Troop). Drawn from regiments across from the pick of recruits from all over the country on a rotating basis, that Germany, while the other formations in unit provided ceremonial and military the army were territorially recruited. security in the capital city. Starting

6 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 7 After the surrender of France the back north to take part in the renewed By the end of June the division was regiment prepared to take part in the drive on Moscow. By mid-October it in pursuit of the Soviet units retreating invasion of England. When that opera- had reached the city of Tula, south of into Voronezh, while much of the rest tion was cancelled, it was transferred Moscow. Tula was an important rail and of Army Group South moved across the to a camp at Le Valdahon on the Swiss road junction, and its capture was criti- Donets River and then toward Stalingrad border. There the mission was to train cal to the final assault on Moscow. The and the Caucasus. During August the for Operation Felix, a projected attack regiment took part in repeated attempts division was withdrawn and sent north on Gibraltar. That was cancelled when to capture the city, but the overall to Rzhev to reinforce Army Group Center. Hitler decided to invade the Balkans. offensive ground to a halt with the onset The Soviets began putting pressure In early April 1941 the regiment of winter weather and Tula remained on Rzhev to prevent the establishment was moved by rail first to Vienna, then in Soviet hands. That period was of a German base for a new assault to Budapest, and then to Szegedin in significant because it marked the first on Moscow. In that sector the division Romania. On 11 April it participated in time a major portion of the unit had to became part of XXVII Army (Infantry) the invasion of Yugoslavia. Resistance be replaced due to deaths and injuries. Corps. After a month of inconclusive was light and Gross Deutschland moved fighting, the division was again pulled quickly, seizing the town of Pancevo 1942 back to rest and refit. Parts of it were sent on the Danube. Its battalions were Fighting continued with the regiment to reinforce several infantry divisions An officer of the II Panzer Regiment detailed to provide security during on the defensive, which further reduced that had been mauled in the fighting. “Grossdeutschland” sporting the the initial occupation of Belgrade. its strength until, by the end of February, In November the Soviets launched Grossdeutschland cuff title. On 15 June the regiment was moved it was spent. The 2nd Battalion was a major offensive in which the 86th to Warsaw. There it was assigned to disbanded and the two remaining bat- Infantry Division was crushed. The France & the Balkans the reserve of 2nd Panzer Army. talions were reformed into a single unit. only unit close enough to intervene Though the regiment didn’t take part By the end of that month the last assault was 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier in the 1939 Polish campaign, by the next Barbarossa gun in the regiment had been destroyed. Regiment of Gross Deutschland. Bitter year the high command determined it On 27 June 1941 the regiment The regiment was then pulled fighting occurred in the Lutchessa was ready for more than ceremonial and crossed into Russia as part of Army out of the line and reorganized, and River valley, lasting nearly a month, security duties. Hitler was also interested Group Center. After heavy fighting a decision was made to upgrade it to with the panzer grenadiers suffering in seeing his favorite units received a around Minsk the unit crossed the divisional strength. Tanks, artillery, serious losses. The division was mixture of combat and parade ground upper Dnepr River, advancing as far flak, engineers and support staff were withdrawn once again to rest and refit. experience. The regiment was therefore as the town of Yelnya, where a large- added. It was redesignated Motorized attached to Panzer Group Kleist. scale Soviet counterattack stymied Infantry Division Gross Deutschland. 1943 That larger formation spearheaded further German movement east toward The various new components were The division moved to Smolensk and the invasion of the West and crossed Moscow. Fighting continued through the brought together, and in the first week then railed to Volchansk, near Belgorod. the Meuse River to participate in the summer, including a deflection to the of June the division joined XXIV Panzer By February the Gross Deutschland was decisive flanking maneuver beyond south to take part in the Kiev encircle- Corps as part of Army Group South. back on the attack between Belgorod the north end of the Maginot Line. ment. The regiment was then ordered and Kharkov. At that time the division received its first Tiger tanks and an additional artillery battalion, just in time for the new German offensive to retake Belgorod and Kharkov. The Germans recaptured those places, thereby achiev- ing their last major victory in Russia. From mid-March to the end of June the division was refitted and reinforced, with the infantry given greater numbers of halftracks to improve cross-country mobility. The Gross Deutschland was also redesignated Panzer Grenadier Division Gross Deutschland, and it was moved to positions north of Tomarovka in preparation for Operation Citadel. The panzer regiment received new Mark V Panther tanks. Operation Citadel was intended to reduce the Kursk salient, which posed a threat along the boundary line between Army Groups Center and South. The plan for the offensive was to pinch off the salient from the north and south, thereby destroying the forces the Soviets would need for their next winter offensive. The Gross Deutschland was selected as the spearhead of the Men of the panzer regiment check their equipment. southern attack. The division moved GD grenadiers moving cross-country on foot.

8 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 9 Organization & Equipment The Mark VI Tiger was a heavy tank was a small tank destroyer, based on of the Panzer Grenadiers weighing 62 tons and armed with an 88mm captured Czech chasses, which was also used cannon. The division’s panzer regiment had successfully as an infantry-support assault The purpose of the panzer grenadier divi- four companies of Mark IVs and Vs and two gun. The Hetzer carried a 76mm gun. sions was to provide a mobile combined-arms companies of Mark VIs. Tigers assigned The artillery regiment was equipped with force that could fight in concert with armored directly to a division were rare, because most both towed and self-propelled artillery (SPA). divisions as well as on their own. Army plan- of them were deployed in separate battalions The regiment had two batteries of SdKfz ners originally intended those divisions would that were kept under direct control of army or 124 Wespes and one battery of SdKfz 165 be fully equipped with mechanized infantry army group commanders (for commitment at Hummels. The Wespe was based on a Mark II transport as well as tanks; however, in 1939 the decisive times and places within larger battles). Panzer chassis and armed with a 105mm how- mechanization process remained far from com- The grenadier regiment had its troops itzer. The Hummel was based on both Mark III plete. The Polish campaign included everything mounted in SdKfz. 251 Hanomag halftracks. and IV chassis and carried a 150mm howitzer. from fully mechanized divisions to others exclu- Those vehicles were lightly armored and could The Hummels were often accompanied by sively using horses pulling wagons for their carry 12 infantrymen. The grenadier units were Munitionstrager, which were gunless models transport. For average units that kind of mix also supplied with trucks and other prime used to carry extra ammunition. Those ammuni- didn’t change throughout the course of the war. movers. The prime mover was the SdKfz. 9 tion carriers could be converted by giving Panzer grenadier divisions were intended Famo heavy halftrack. They could pull artillery, them guns retrieved from disabled Hummels. to provide a force that could operate at the supply wagons or even tow disabled tanks. The division was further strengthened same speed as tanks; so elite divisions such Unlike the Hanomag, it had no side armor and by an assault gun brigade comprised of three as Gross Deutschland were well equipped was equipped with three open bench seats for batteries of Sturmgeschutz IIIs. They were with the vehicles needed to make possible its crew. Flatbed Famo could mount a light flak based on the Panzer Mark III chassis, with first that type of rapid movement. In 1943 the gun, a crane for vehicle repair and engineering a short-barrel and then a long-barrel 75mm gun. division was composed of four regiments: the tasks, or serve as a tank recovery vehicle. The low silhouette made it difficult to target panzer regiment, the grenadier regiment, the The fusilier regiment had more troops and an effective tank killer. For Kursk the regi- fusilier regiment and the artillery regiment. in Hanomags, a full flak section and an ment had 35 of those guns with long-barrel 75s. The panzer regiment was equipped anti-tank battalion. They also had a variety The table of organization was rounded with Mark IV, V and VI tanks. The Mark of trucks, both German and captured enemy out by an engineer battalion that had one IVs were armed with excellent long-barrel models. The flak section had more Famo Hanomag-mounted and three truck-mounted 75mm cannon. The Mark V was known as with towed 88mm multi-purpose (anti- companies. The rest of the division was com- the “Panther,” weighed 44 tons and had armor/anti-aircraft) guns along with smaller prised of miscellaneous support troops. Some better sloped armor than its predecessors. caliber rapid-fire weapons on flatbeds. of the most important were the vehicle recovery In May 1943 the first Tigers were delivered The anti-tank battalion was equipped crews with mobile workshops that returned to the Gross Deutschland Division. with towed anti-tank guns and the damaged tanks and vehicles to the fight. ★ Jagdpanzer SdKfz.139 Hetzer. The Hetzer

Hummel Wespe

The famous Hanomag transport.

10 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 11 » continued from page 9 off on the morning of 4 July, but the effort literally bogged down when the new Panthers became trapped by muddy conditions and previously undetected minefields. In eight days of fierce fighting the division suffered heavy casualties and was pulled back. After a short rest the division was sent north to Karachev to stabilize the front in that area. From there the division fought a continuous rearguard action back to the Dnepr River. That included heavy fighting during August at Akhtyka. The division covered the withdrawal to the Kremenchug bridgehead, then south through continuous fighting to Mischurin Rog. The year ended with German retreats along the entire front, during which the division gained the nickname the “Fire Brigade” for its repeated deployment to the points of greatest threat.

1944 In January the division moved south toward the Crimea to slow the advance there of 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts. The division was relieved and sent to Hungary in March. Next they participated in heavy defensive fighting in the Carpathian Mountains at Targul Frumos, where some of its formations were entirely wiped out. The remnants of the division were pulled back for Inc. refitting and regrouping. By summer the 1945 Schneider, W. (2005). Panzer Tactics: German Small Unit Gross Deutschland had moved back to By March the division was down to SELECTED SOURCES Armor Tactics in World War Two. Mechanicsburg, PA: Erickson, J. (1983). The Road to Berlin. London, UK: Cassell Stackpole Books. the front and took part in the defense 4,500 men and a handful of vehicles, Books. US War Department (1990). Handbook on German Military of East Prussia. In October the division with most finally surrendering to the Hastings, M. (2005). Armageddon: The Battle for Germany, Forces. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State Univ. Press. 1944-45. New York, NY: Random House. Williamson, G. (2002). German Army Elite Units, 1939-45. fought in the Memel bridgehead. In Soviets at Pillau; however, approximately Hoffmann, P. (2000). Hitler’s Personal Security. New York, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. November the unit was redesignated 800 escaped west and surrendered to NY: De Capo Press. Bull, S. (2005). World War Two Infantry Tactics: Company Lucas, J. (1982). War on the Eastern Front: 1941-1945, The and Battalion. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. a panzer corps, combining the Gross the British. Those who surrendered to German Soldier in Russia. New York, NY: Bonanza Glantz, D. & House, J. (1999). The Battle of Kursk. Lawrence, Deutschland and Brandenburg Divisions. the Soviets remained in various gulags Books. KA: Univ. of Kansas Press. Sajer, G. (2000). The Forgotten Soldier. Dulles, VA: Potomac until the mid-1950s. Only a handful of Books. survivors returned to Germany. ✪ Scheibert, H. (1987). Panzer Grenadier Division Gross Deutschland. Carrollton, Tx: Squadron Publications

The stalled advance toward Kursk.

12 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 13 Hitler’s Other Favorites with the word “Stalingrad” on it was worn on the soldiers’ shoulder straps and garrison Offensive Operations Gross Deutschland was one of a group caps. The division spent much of 1943 and of German Army and Air Force units that 1944 fighting in Italy before being transferred The Germans gave great thought to the development of their offensive doctrine came to be considered elite by Hitler and the to Hungary, where it remained until retreating during the prewar years. The foundation of it was Auftragstaktik (mission-oriented high command. They were often connected west and surrendering to the US Army in 1945. tactics), a system originally devised by the Prussian Army in the mid-19th century. That directly to Hitler in some way, and their (often meant orders to small units provided the overall objective and the intention of the officially declared) elite status indicated an Infantry Regiment “List” higher-level commander, but the small-unit commanders were in turn left free to develop elevated sense of personal loyalty to him. Hitler wanted to commemorate his World a solution based on the situation as they saw it evolving during combat. Hitler’s favorites were thus bestowed with War I unit, the 16th Bavarian Reserve Regiment HG Division in Italy. Because Gross Deutschland was a panzer grenadier (mechanized unique uniform items that helped distinguish “List” (named for its founding colonel). Though infantry) unit, its particular offensive doctrine became a mixture of armor and them from the soldiers of other units. They disbanded in 1919, by 1939 the unit had been heavy flak units. Those flak formations were infantry solutions. The mid-war addition of armored transport vehicles for also received a steady stream of the best reactivated and incorporated into the 57th detailed to provide anti-aircraft protection for the infantry allowed them to cooperate more closely with the tanks. equipment available. At the same time, though, Infantry Division, and it fought in the invasion Hitler when he was in Berlin, on his train, or All offensive planning began with the identification of aSchwerpunkt (main point of they were committed to relentless combat of France. It participated in the invasion at his mountaintop retreat at Obersalzburg. concentration). Within and near that Schwerpunkt, units were assigned specific avenues that often decimated their ranks. In cycles of of Russia and fought at Kursk in 1943. The The regiment fought in France and the early of advance to decrease confusion and the possibility of friendly fire situations. near-destruction and regrouping that ran to entire division was awarded a dark green cuff stages of the Russian campaign. They wore a Armored offensive tactics were in turn based on the idea of continual move- the end of the war, Hitler always found the band with its name in silver embroidery. standard German army uniform with Luftwaffe ment. Three specific forms of attack were: meeting engagement, hasty attack resources and personnel to rebuild them. In February 1944 the division was trapped wings on the breast and a blue cuff band with and deliberate attack. The meeting engagement was intended to allow lead As regular units shrank from combat losses, in the Cherkassy Pocket and only escaped after “Hermann Goering” sewn on it. The heavy flak units to quickly transition, upon first contact with a moving enemy, to offensive the elites grew in relative combat power and suffering heavy casualties. It was trapped again units were attached to panzer units in Army operations before the surprised enemy could organize his response. battlefield significance. While a regular army at Minsk with nearly a total loss of personnel. Group South during 1941, until they were The doctrine further dictated that, in fluid tactical environments, battalion panzer division might be reduced to two-dozen It was reconstituted and sent back to Russia, withdrawn to transition into a brigade. Goering commanders must be prepared to attack even when their units weren’t at optimal tanks and assault guns, an elite unit would where it barely escaped destruction during then decided he rated an entire division named strength or properly concentrated. German armor units therefore conducted be kept much nearer to full strength. Because the follow-on Soviet offensive. The remnants after him. So various miscellaneous units were extensive training in transition from march columns to hasty attack formations. of Hitler’s confidence in their abilities, they into two new panzer divisions and upgraded of the division continued fighting until 8 May collected and supplemented by experienced Deliberate attack was used when facing an enemy in a prepared defense. Different were routinely sent to emergencies that again to a panzer corps. In May 1945 the 1945, when they surrendered to the Soviets. armored crew from the army. Thus the Hermann parts of the overall attacking formation would then be assigned individual Schwerpunkt, developed on every front. That practice in corps surrendered in Czechoslovakia. Goering Parachute Panzer Division was born. based on the exact type of defensive position each one would be facing. turn often resulted in heavy losses to the In early 1943 components of the division That general approach in turn led to the development of the Kampfgruppe (KG or battle- units, which would then restart the cycle of Hoch und Deutschmeister were sent to North Africa, where they were group) concept. In theory it involved carefully selecting units, equipment and personnel from rebuilding and emergency recommitment. Division captured when Axis forces surrendered in as wide an overall spectrum as possible in order to optimally customize a force for the mission The Hoch and Deutschmeister (Infantry) Tunisia. The division was then sent with new at hand. By 1944, however, KG had generally deteriorated in practice into hastily collecting Feldherrnhalle Division Division traced its roots to elite units of the Tiger I tanks to Sicily, where it fought stubbornly any survivors and vehicles and throwing them back into battle as ad hoc reinforcements. ★ The Feldherrnhalle (Commanders’ Hall) was Austrian Army formed in the 18th century to com- against the Allied invasion. The division suc- originally a ceremonial pavilion on the main bat the Turks, and which were fully incorporated cessfully retreated to mainland Italy, where it plaza in Munich, Bavaria. The location became into the German Army at the time of the 1938 fought at Salerno and Anzio. It was withdrawn the flashpoint of a bloody confrontation during Anschluss. (The name is probably best translated from Italy and rebuilt in time to defend the failed 1923 Munich “Beer Hall” Putsch. as the “Supreme and German Master Infantry Warsaw against the Soviet offensive there. Later, Hitler made it into a Nazi shrine commem- Division.”) The division participated in the inva- Hermann Goering Parachute In late 1944 the division was divided orating the storm troopers killed in the incident. sion of Poland and France, and was eventually Panzer Division into separate panzer and panzer grenadier Hitler had earlier planted the seed of transferred to the eastern front where it was In 1933 Hermann Goering became the head divisions and was redesignated Panzerkorps this division when he established a special assigned to 6th Army for the drive on Stalingrad. of all police in Prussia, which included Berlin. Hermann Goering. During the final weeks of Sturm Abteilung (SA or Assault Detachment) There it was cited for bravery while attempting He raised a battalion for special assignments the war it fought a delaying action back to guard unit to protect the offices of the Nazi to prevent the encirclement of 6th Army. That and to serve as his personal guard unit. In 1934 Dresden, where it was finally surrounded by Party. They were soon unofficially called sacrifice was favorably noted by Hitler. that unit was enlarged and given full military the Soviets. The survivors were shipped to the “Brownshirts,” due to their distinctive The division was therefore reconstituted training. It was then called Landespolizeigruppe Siberia, where most perished in the gulags. ★ uniforms. With the start of the war the SA after Stalingrad and reorganized under the General Goering (National Police Group was folded into the regular German Army. title Reich Grenadier Division Hoch and General Goering). When Goring took over the Many of the members of the original guard Deutschmeister, and was awarded a black cuff Luftwaffe, the unit went with him. It became unit were then formed into the 271st Infantry band bearing that name. A blue Maltese cross a full regiment that included paratroops and Regiment, which was in turn attached to the 60th Infantry Division. That regiment was given the honorary title of the Feldherrnhalle Regiment. After the 1940 fighting in France, the regi- ment was bounced from division to division and served on the Russian front. In 1943 it returned to the 60th Division, which was then being reorganized as a panzer grenadier unit. That entire reorganized formation received the title Feldherrnhalle, along with a unique brown cuff band with the name inscribed in silver thread. In 1944 the division was absorbed into the 13th Panzer Division, which then took on the honorific title. Additional panzer units were added, and the division was broken Men of Infantry Regiment List. Final preparations for an attack.

14 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 15 the soldiers. The better they understood the The second type of encirclement defense and the use of the panzerfaust man-carried situation, the more they were likely to hang on. involved conducting active operations to anti-tank weapon. The panzerfaust was a 13 If the encircled force was relying on break the enemy line and thus regain freedom lb. disposable steel tube with an explosive outside forces for their rescue, an airfield of movement. Initially all disabled vehicles shaped-charge on its end. When fired, a rocket generally had to be maintained. Resupply were cannibalized to provide maximum fuel charge propelled the explosive head up to 200 was prioritized as ammunition then food. Any and spare parts for the others. The point feet and, when well handled, it was capable planes that landed always left with whatever of greatest weakness in the enemy line of defeating any tank armor of the day. wounded could be carried. Aerial resupply was determined, and the breakout was The problem with German defensive proved successful in smaller pockets, but was coordinated with the nearest friendly force. techniques was they required time to effectively unsuccessful for large pockets like Stalingrad. The third strategy was the mobile pocket. prepare. As the pace of Soviet offensives accel- The Germans developed three defensive That approach was selected when the nearest erated in late 1943, there was less and less time strategies for breaking encirclements. The friendly forces weren’t strong enough to attack to do that. In practice, then, when attacked, the first was a hedgehog defense, where troops toward the pocket, or if the distance that had strongest surviving units were hastily collected dug in to await relief from outside forces That to be covered in order to escape was too great in groups and rushed to locations where break- was used when holding a position deemed for a single thrust from inside the pocket. As throughs were occurring. That usually meant a critical or when trapped units were too the pocket moved, battlegroups were sent out handful of tanks or assault guns were rapidly weak to conduct their own breakout. to shield it from the direct impact of an attack shifted from crisis to crisis as the defenders If the position was critical, the problem and conceal the intent of the movement. tried to slow the enemy offensive. Defensive became determining when the defenders As the war progressed, training and operations based on strategy and training had become too weak to assist in, or conduct equipment were developed to deal with were thus replaced by hasty improvisation. The on their own, a break out. Indecision the realities of defensive operations. Gross strength of the Soviet offensives, combined in that regard ultimately determined Deutschland recruit training included extensive with the diminishing resources of the defenders, the fate of 6th Army at Stalingrad. practice in preparing hasty defensive positions resulted in the defeat of the German Army. ★

Defensive Operations Forward blocking positions were hardened In the main defensive line, tanks were used sites sometimes supported by tanks. “Hardened” in three types of positions: open, hull down and While Hitler had envisioned staying on on the eastern front, however, was a far cry from concealed. Open was never the best option the strategic offensive until final victory, by Atlantic Wall type fortifications. They were usu- because of the obvious threat to survivability. the winter of 1941-42 the issue of large-scale ally just dug in positions that made use of local Hull down offered the best protection for tanks defensive operations was current and terrain advantages. The mission of the blocking and assault guns, because full concealment contentious. Hitler generally insisted ground positions was to break up the overall momentum (which restricted mobility) was only good once taken must be held at all costs. His com- of the enemy attack and channel it into smaller until the shooting started. Tanks hull down manders preferred the ebb and flow of elastic areas that counterattacks could then destroy on the edge of towns or in tree lines were defense, which offered greater opportunities piecemeal. Blocking positions might use tanks, sometimes able to get off the first shot during for preserving personnel and equipment while assault guns or towed guns for support. enemy attacks and then get away before heavy generating chances for eventual counterattack. Once the enemy got past the forward return fire could be brought against them. For the Gross Deutschland Division, defensive blocking positions, they hit the main defensive Counterattacks came in two forms: planned tactics became the key to survival. area. That was ideally to be set up as a defense and hasty. Planned counterattacks often From the German doctrinal perspective the in depth with three lines: the forward security coincided with favorable terrain features that ultimate goal of defensive operations was the position, the main battle line and the rear area. allowed the defenders opportunities to try deployment of available forces in such a way The forward security area was usually to stop their retreat and retake the initiative. as to create the opportunity to counterattack. only lightly held. The German goal within that Decisions were made ahead of time establishing Defenders were to fight from blocking positions area was to further harass the enemy what the limits of such counterattacks would be. with the coordination of personnel, equipment forces that had already been broken up and Hasty counterattacks were based on local condi- and resources coming from “coordination points” channelized by the blocking positions. tions and opportunistic timing. Commanders (Anschlusspunkt). Those coordination points The overall depth of a properly constructed were expected to seize unanticipated opportuni- were the flipside of the offensive Schwerpunkt. German defensive position meant attackers ties to attack and thereby regain the initiative. The primary mission of the coordination were never to be sure when they would hit As the war progressed the issue of fighting point was to maintain the cohesion of the the main battle line. That initial contact was from encirclements also grew in importance. overall defense. It maintained contact with intended to be a severe shock to them. When encircled the first step was the preserva- neighboring units and shared local intelligence. The rear areas were organized to tion of morale and the prevention of “encircle- That was especially important in regard to resupply the forward defense positions and ment fever” (Kesselfieber). It was found that the observed changes that might impact neighboring provide staging areas for further counterat- knowledge among the soldiers their unit was units, such as enemy forces redeploying. tacks. The access routes were chosen to cut off could easily result in panic that greatly Whenever possible, that reporting was provide the greatest protection for troops diminished their survival potential. The key was facilitated by hardwire communication lines. and equipment moving between them. providing as much information as possible to

Oberst Karl Lorenz, commander of the Grossdeutschland Panzer Regiment, meeting with the crew of a Panther in south Russia.

16 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 WORLD at WAR 20 | OCT–NOV 2011 17 Buy Now!

Home GROSS DEUTSCHLAND PANZER

The Famous Divisions Series, featuring Gross Deutschland FDGDP is a “special edition” game that includes two counter-sheets Panzer (FDGDP) in its first installment, is a new evolution in design (560 counters) and four maps (on two 34x22” sheets) of the various that brings tactics to operational simulations. Recreating four battlefields where the highlighted battles were fought. Combat units battles from the eastern front in 1943-44, it includes: Lutchessa (iconic) are individual companies featuring distinct vehicles and weapons. Valley, Kursk, Akhtyrka and Mischurin Rog. Each is played on its Play is tactical: units have individual ranges, different movement own detailed and historically accurate map. It was designed by John capabilities depending on type (wheeled, tracked or leg), and rules Schettler and has been developed by Eric Harvey and Ty Bomba. cover such things as demolishing bridges, pontoon bridges, weather, Combat is governed by 140 Event Chits. They introduce the overrun, supply, infantry riding tanks, direct and ranged fire, artillery element of chaos. Certain chits may be nullified by the play other barrage, opportunity fire, night, bunkers, trenches, mines, dragons teeth, chits; so you never know how an attack will be resolved based on engineers, armor recovery vehicles, airpower and anti-aircraft artillery. odds and terrain. The number of chits a given side may hold and draw also serves as a measure of its elite or non-elite status. $50 US Customers Each hex represents 550 yards from side to opposite side. Each $56 Canadian Customers turn represents six hours, but they’re not divided into friendly and $58 Overseas Customers enemy player turns. Rather, each is made up of numerous head- quarters activations. All HQ activation chits are placed in a cup, and All prices include postage for first class or airmail shipping. they’re drawn one at a time to activate (movement and combat) a CA residents add $3.19 sales tax. particular headquarters and its associated units. When that activation is finished, a new HQ is drawn and its activation takes place. Send to: Decision Games ATTN: WaW Game Offer Command & Control secondary unit was placed midway to relay mes- When advancing, the company com- PO Box 21598 sages. That became more and more important manders would lead in their vehicles. If Bakersfield, CA 93390 Elite units like the Gross Deutschland on the eastern front, where subordinate units reconnaissance platoons located the enemy, were prized by the high command for their were often spread over large frontages. the company command vehicles would move ability to move rapidly while engaging in a One problem with the battalion to the location providing the greatest visual variety of operational and tactical situations. radio net came from the fact over access. The rest of the company would move Efficient command and control was critical a dozen sub-units and their personnel had forward and past them to the attack. to those high-tempo operations. When the access to it. That included everyone from Good reconnaissance was an important Germans used mission-oriented tactics, company commanders to forward air controllers. part of command and control. Armor and battalion commanders had great latitude in Combat situations demanded strict radio panzer grenadier units conducted two types of how their operations were conducted. To discipline, and radio silence while on the reconnaissance. Combat reconnaissance was accomplish that, a standard headquarters move often also needed to be maintained. always focused on providing the commander organization for the battalion was developed. Units might be ordered to set their sets only knowledge of the whereabouts and strength Each battalion had its headquarters to receive; however, that stricture could of the enemy. Terrain reconnaissance company. The headquarters company had four be broken if a unit discovered the enemy identified the roads and paths the follow-on platoons: signals, armored reconnaissance, was moving forward to make contact. units should take. That included the location engineer, and air defense. Later in the war Besides radios, command and control was of river fords, the quality of the roads, and the signals platoon was sometimes placed also conducted using hand signals, flags and terrain suitable for blocking positions if the directly within the command group. lights. Hand signals were common among advance turned into a defensive operation. In an armored unit the battalion commander smaller units. Flag signaling was eventually When transitioning to hasty attack, the bat- had three tanks: the command tank in which he discarded due to the difficulty of manipulating talion commander had to rely on the platoon and rode, the secondary tank with the battalion adju- them while vehicles were moving and during company commanders who were closest to the tant, and a third reserve tank commanded by a combat. Lights (red, green and white) were action. A main objective was quickly identified, senior non-commissioned officer. While leading most often used at night. Individual units often and follow-on units were given instructions the battalion from a tank seemed initially attrac- developed their own light shields from discarded on their line of approach to it. A decision was tive, many commanders came to find halftracks cans and boxes to try to ensure their signals necessary whether to eliminate or bypass allowed them more space and the ability to wouldn’t be easily spotted by the enemy. any enemy position that was encountered. better access radios and maps during a battle. When a battalion from the Gross If bypassed, the battalion commander had When a command post was established, Deutschland was on the move, the platoon to identify it as an enemy strongpoint and the senior officer of the headquarters company or company commanders had the authority select the follow on force to destroy it. was in charge there and reported directly to the to open fire and attack. They were expected In the end the German troops on the battalion commander. Radio communication was to immediately report the following by radio: eastern front were defeated by a less maintained in the command tank or halftrack enemy strength and location, the current posi- sophisticated enemy. The Soviets who faced with the aid of a radio truck. There were two fre- tion and course of action of their own units, and the Gross Deutschland Division had few of the quencies: the battalion frequency allowed com- any recommendations of the reporting officer. advantages of flexible command and control pany commanders to communicate with battal- At battalion headquarters a signals supported by modern communication technology. ion headquarters; the other frequency connected officer would filter the incoming data to Their overwhelming numbers, constant resupply the battalion commander to higher authority. provide the commander a summary of from an ever-larger Soviet and Allied economic The range of German battlefield wireless vital information. That prevented the com- base, and their willingness to accept frightful communications varied with conditions. If a unit mander from becoming overwhelmed with levels of casualties proved decisive. ★ was unable to maintain radio communications, a confusing and overlapping reports.

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