Armies Overview TOE

Part III The Armies

This section tells you all you need to know to start gaming with the four most important armies of the European Theater of World War II: The United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union (Red Army), and Germany. It doesn’t have everything about those armies, but it has enough to get you started.

Each nationality has a brief overview and then a listing of the late war organization for an infantry division and an armored division for that country. (In the Red Army, a division-sized armored unit was called a Tank Corps). These are all pretty self-explanatory. As much as possible, the vehicle that trans- ports a particular stand is listed immediately below it. Note, that we show all supply vehicles in italics. You don’t need to (and shouldn’t) add these to the unit unless you are playing with the advanced Ammo Depletion rules.

The United States Army

Despite some bad press over the Kasserine Pass fighting, the U.S. Army was a solid and professional force, from top to bottom, throughout the war. With the right leadership, it could “blitz” with the best of the German panzer divisions, as U.S. 3rd Army demonstrated in France. The Normandy bocage fighting, as well as the Gustav Line, Siegfried Line and Vosges campaigns demonstrated the ability of the infantry divisions to attack, keep attacking, and eventually win, even in very difficult conditions and where the defender held most of the cards.

The U.S. Army is sometimes criticized for relying on firepower instead of being willing to take heavier infantry casualties – as if that’s a bad thing. In fact, the basis of U.S. Army tactical doctrine was maneuver rather than simple firepower. U.S. fire was used to suppress enemy fire, to enable the engaged U.S. unit to maneuver to a flanking position, and then deliver the assault from there – simple but highly effective tactics

Company Designations

All companies are lettered consecutively within their battalion or regiment, skipping the letter J. Specialized companies at regimental level, such as the cannon and antitank companies of an infantry regiment, were known simply by their regimental number, such as “147th Regimental Cannon Company.” By the same token, light tank and assault gun companies of a cavalry-reconnaissance squadron were not lettered.

Unit Terminology

In the cavalry branch, battalions were called squadrons, and companies were called troops. In the artillery branch, companies were called batteries.

Integral AT Weapons

Most personnel stands (as noted below) have integral bazookas in the European theater from about February of 1943 on. In the Pacific they are not commonly available until mid or late1 943.

Reconnaissance Companies

The crews of the six recon jeeps and armored cars of each of the reconnaissance companies (reconnaissance troops in cavalry units) may dismount as patrols and combine to form three recon infantry stands.

Vehicle Abbreviations

A number of abbreviations were commonly used to describe certain types of U.S. vehicles, the most important of which were:

• GMC Gun Motor Carriage • HMC Howitzer Motor Carriage • HTMC Half-Track Mortar Carrier • MGMC Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The backbone of the United States Army in World War II was the infantry division. Unlike the German Army, where infantry divisions came to play a decidedly secondary role to the Panzer and Panzergrenadier units, in the US Army, the infantry continued to shoulder a majority of the burden in both offensive and defensive operations.

U.S. infantry training was thorough, realistic, and effective. Most divisions, when first committed to combat in Europe, had been working and training together for over two years, and showed it. A few divisions faltered when first coming under fire, but the vast majority made the transition from “green” units to combat veterans without missing a step.

One problem which the US ground forces suffered from was that the rear services managed to lay claim to very high proportion of the best manpower, but that paid some unexpected dividends in France. When US infantry casualties exceeded the ability of the normal replacement system to make good the losses, service units already in the theater were “combed” for additional infantry replacement, and the quality of men received was so good that many infantry commander rated their unit as more efficient and capable in early 1945 than they had been in the fall of 1944.

Chain of Command Troop Quality: Experienced. Div HQ Troops Morale: 8 Selected divisions Veteran, particularly in 1945. 3 Inf Regts TD Bn A few divisions Regular in 1944. Engineer Bn Div Arty AA Arty Tank Bn with Bn each with Towed or SP

3 Inf Bn 3 FA Bn Med How Bn

DIVISION TROOPS Headquarters 1 command stand DIVISION ARTILLERY 1 car Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters 1 staff radio truck 1 jeep Company 1 recon jeep with HMG Headquarters 1 staff radio medium truck 1 57L52 AT gun and crew Battery 1 medium supply truck with HMG 1 light truck Cavalry 1 command stand 33 LightLight DirectDirect SupportSupport Reconnaissance 1 jeep 3 Light Direct Support Troop, Mechanized Field FieldField Artillery ArtilleryArtillery Battalions, Battalions,Battalions, each eacheach with withwith 3 recon jeeps with MG HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command observation observation observation stand stand stand 3 recon M8 armored cars 11 1jeep jeep jeep 1 weapons stand HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters and andand 11 1staff staff staff radio radio radio light light light truck truck truck 1 half-track with HMG Service Battery ServiceService BatteryBattery 11 1medium medium medium supply supply supply truck truck truck with with with HMG HMG HMG 333 Firing FiringFiring Batteries, Batteries,Batteries, each eacheach 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand Engineer Battalion (integral(integral(integral bazooka) bazooka) bazooka) Headquarters 1 command stand 11 1105L23 105L23 105L23 howitzer howitzer howitzer and and and crew crew crew (ds) (ds) (ds) 1 medium truck with HMG 1 jeep 11 medium medium truck truck with with HMG HMG Headquarters 2 engineer stands (integral bazooka) Company 1 medium truck with class III bridge Medium Howitzer Battalion trailer Headquarters 1 command observation stand 1 light truck with assault boat trailer 1 jeep 1 bulldozer Headquarters and 1 staff radio light truck 3 Engineer 1 command engineer stand Service Battery 1 medium supply truck with HMG Companies, each (integral bazooka) 3 Firing Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand 2 engineer stands (integral bazooka) (integral bazooka) 2 medium dump trucks 1 155L20 howitzer and crew (ds) 1 medium truck with HMG

Antiaircraft Artillery Auto Weapons Tank Battalion (attached) Battalion, Mobile (attached) Headquarters 1 command M4 Sherman tank Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters and 1 staff radio half-track with MG 1 jeep Service Company 1 M8 HMC (M4 Sherman 105 4 Auto Weapons 1 command infantry stand in 1944-45) Batteries, each (integral bazooka) 1 recon jeep with HMG 2 40L56 AA guns and crews 1 M4 HTMC 3 light trucks 1 medium supply truck with HMG 2 M16 MGMC 3 Medium Tank 1 command M4 Sherman tank Companies, each 2 M4 Sherman tanks 333 INFANTRY INFANTRYINFANTRY REGIMENTS, REGIMENTS,REGIMENTS, each eacheach with withwith Light Tank Company 1 command M3A1 Stuart light tank 2 M3A1 Stuart light tanks RegimentalRegimentalRegimental Troops Troops Troops 1 command stand HeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command stand stand Headquarters Tank Destroyer Battalion SP (attached) 1 jeep 11 jeep jeep 1 command M20 armored car 1 staff radio truck Headquarters HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters and andand 11 staff staff radio radio truck truck 1 medium supply truck with ServiceService CompanyCompany 2 recon jeeps with MG HQ and Service Battery Service Company 22 recon recon jeeps jeeps with with MG MG HMG 1 medium supply truck 11 medium medium supply supply truck truck Reconnaissance 1 command M20 armored car Cannon 1 command infantry CannonCannon 11 command command infantry infantry Company 1 recon M8 armored car stand (integral bazooka) CompanyCompany standstand (integral (integral bazooka) bazooka) Company 3 recon jeeps with MG 1 105L16 howitzer and 11 105L16 105L16 howitzer howitzer and and crew (ds) 1 recon jeep with HMG crewcrew (ds) (ds) 1 medium truck with 1 bazooka stand 11 medium medium truck truck with with HMG HMGHMG 1 light truck 1 command infantry AntitankAntitankAntitank 11 command command infantry infantry 3 Tank Destroyer 1 command M20 armored car Company standstand (integral (integral bazooka) bazooka) CompanyCompany stand (integral bazooka) Batteries, each 1 recon M8 armored car 2 57L52 AT guns and 22 57L52 57L52 AT AT guns guns and and crews 3 M10, M18, or M36 GMC crewscrews 3 light trucks 33 light light trucks trucks OR Tank Destroyer Battalion Towed (attached) each battalion as listed 333 Infantry InfantryInfantry eacheach battalion battalion as as listed listed below Headquarters 1 command M20 armored car BattalionsBattalionsBattalions belowbelow HQ and Service Battery 1 medium supply truck with HMG 3 Tank Destroyer 1 command infantry stand 33 Regt.Regt. InfantryInfantry Battalions,Battalions, eacheach withwith Batteries, each (integral bazooka) 333 Regt. Regt.Regt. Infantry InfantryInfantry Battalions, Battalions,Battalions, each eacheach with withwith 33 Regt.Regt. InfantryInfantry1 command Battalions,Battalions, stand eacheach withwith HeadquartersHeadquarters33 Regt.Regt. InfantryInfantry11 command command Battalions,Battalions, stand stand eacheach withwith 1 light truck HeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command stand stand HeadquartersHeadquarters1 jeep11 command command stand stand HeadquartersHeadquarters11 jeep jeep11 command command stand stand 2 recon jeeps with MG Headquarters11 jeep jeep 1 57L5211 jeep jeep AT gun and crew WeaponsWeapons 11 57L52 57L5211 jeep jeep AT AT gun gun and and crew crew 3 3-inch AT guns and crews (ds) WeaponsWeaponsWeapons 11 57L52 57L52 AT AT gun gun and and crew crew CompanyCompanyWeaponsWeapons1 light11 57L52 57L52 truck AT AT gun gun and and crew crew 3 half-tracks with HMG CompanyCompanyWeaponsWeapons11 light light11 57L52 57L52truck truck AT AT gun gun and and crew crew CompanyCompany 11 light light truck truck CompanyCompany1 81mm11 light light mortar truck truck stand Company11 81mm 81mm11 light light mortar mortar truck truck stand stand (ds)11 81mm 81mm mortar mortar stand stand Notes (ds)(ds)11 81mm 81mm mortar mortar stand stand (ds)(ds)11 81mm 81mm mortar mortar stand stand 1. M3A1 Tanks: By 1944 there were replaced by M5 tanks. 2 MMG(ds)(ds) stands 22 MMG MMG(ds)(ds) stands stands 2. M4 76mm tanks: Medium tanks were all M4(75) tanks until mid- 22 MMG MMG stands stands 1 bazooka22 MMG MMG stands standstands June of 1944. At that time, 76mm-armed tanks began arriving, and by 11 bazooka bazooka22 MMG MMG standstands standstands 11 bazooka bazooka stand stand autumn of 1944 most separate tank battalions in Europe had one platoon 1 command11 bazooka bazooka stand stand stand 33 RifleRifle 11 command command11 bazooka bazooka stand stand stand stand per company. Most separate battalions shipped to Europe from the late 333 Rifle RifleRifle 11 command command stand stand Companies,Companies,33 RifleRifle 3 infantry11 command command stands stand stand Companies,Companies,33 RifleRifle 33 infantry infantry11 command command stands stands stand stand autumn of 1944 on were entirely equipped with 76mm-armed tanks. Companies,Companies,each (integral 33 infantry infantry bazooka) stands stands Companies,Companies,eacheach (integral(integral 33 infantry infantry bazooka) bazooka) stands stands 3. Infantry Regimental Recon Jeeps: The two recon jeeps in the Companies,eacheach (integral(integral 33 infantry infantry bazooka) bazooka) stands stands eacheach1 weapons(integral(integral stand bazooka) bazooka) infantry regiment represent the regimental I&R (Intelligence and Recon- eacheach11 weapons weapons(integral(integral stand stand bazooka) bazooka) (integral11 weapons weapons bazooka) stand stand naissance) platoon. If the crews are dismounted as patrol stands, the (integral(integral11 weapons weapons bazooka) bazooka) stand stand (integral(integral11 weapons weapons bazooka) bazooka) stand stand two stands may be combined to form a single recon infantry stand. (integral(integral bazooka) bazooka) (integral(integral bazooka) bazooka) 4. Flamethrowers: No fixed number of flamethrowers were authorized for an engineer company, but instead were issued as needed.

© 2006 Test of Battle Games United States Armored Division 1943-45 The U.S. Armored division was a balanced, mobile force of all arms. It habitually fought in three combat commands, each with one battalion of tanks, half-track infantry, and self-propelled artillery, as well as a company of half-track engineers, armored recon, self-propelled AA, and tank destroyers. It was a very advanced conceptual organization, and is the recognizable precursor of modern “heavy” divisions world-wide.

Troop Quality: Regular until first combat, Chain of Command Div HQ Troops then Experienced (1st, 2nd, and 4th Armored Divisions Veteran) Morale: 8 Cav Recon AA Arty Armored TD Bn SP 3 Cmbt Cmd Div Arty (1st and 4th Armored Divisions 9) Sqdn, Mech Bn Eng Bn each with

Tank Bn

DIVISION TROOPS Inf Bn Headquarters 1 command stand

1 car FA Bn Headquarters 1 staff radio half-track with HMG Company 1 recon jeep with MG 1 M3A1 Stuart light tank Antiaircraft Artillery Auto Weapons Battalion, SP 1 infantry stand (division band) Headquarters 1 command stand (integral bazooka) 1 jeep 1 57L52 AT gun and crew 4 Auto Weapons 1 command infantry stand 2 half-tracks with HMG Batteries, each (integral bazooka) Cavalry 1 command stand 1 half-track with HMG Reconnaissance 1 jeep 2 M15 MGMC Troop, Mechanized 3 recon jeeps with MG 2 M16 MGMC 3 recon M8 armored cars Three batteries assigned to Combat Commands 1 weapons stand 1 half-track with HMG Armored Engineer Battalion Headquarters 1 command stand Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 jeep Mechanized Headquarters 1 engineer stand (integral bazooka) Headquarters 1 command stand and service 1 half-track with HMG 1 car Company 1 medium truck with class IV bridge trailer Recon Troop 1 command stand 1 light truck with assault boat trailer 1 jeep 1 recon jeep with MG 3 recon M8 armored cars Three companies assigned to Combat Commands 2 recon jeeps with MG 1 recon jeep with HMG 1 weapons stand Tank Destroyer Battalion SP (attached) 1 half-track with HMG Headquarters 1 command M20 armored car Light Tank 1 command M3A1 Stuart light tank HQ and Service Bat- 1 medium supply truck with HMG Company 3 M3A1 Stuart light tank tery Assault Gun Troop 1 command infantry stand (integral Reconnaissance 1 command M20 armored car bazooka) Company 1 recon M8 armored car 1 half-track with HMG 3 recon jeeps with MG 2 M8 HMC 1 recon jeep with HMG Three troops assigned to combat commands 1 bazooka stand 1 light truck Three companes assigned to Combat Commands © 2006 Test of Battle Games United States Armored Division 1943-45

3 COMBAT COMMANDS, each with

Combat Command troops Tank Battalion Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters 1 command M4 Sherman tank 1 jeep Headquarters and 1 staff radio half-track with MG Headquarters and 1 staff radio half-track with HMG Service Company 1 M8 HMC (M4 Sherman 105 Service Company 1 recon jeep with MG in 1944-45) 1 M3A1 Stuart light tank 1 recon jeep with HMG 1 medium supply truck 1 M4 HTMC 1 medium supply truck with HMG Recon Troop (from 1 command stand 3 Medium Tank 1 command M4 Sherman tank divisional squadron) 1 jeep Companies, each 2 M4 Sherman tanks 3 recon M8 armored cars Light Tank Company 1 command M3A1 Stuart light tank 2 recon jeeps with MG 2 M3A1 Stuart light tanks 1 recon jeep with HMG 1 weapons stand 1 half-track with HMG Armored Infantry Battalion Auto Weapons Battery 1 command infantry stand (integral Headquarters 1 command stand Troop (from divisional bazooka) 1 jeep battalion) 1 half-track with HMG Headquarters and 1 recon jeep with HMG 2 M15 MGMC Service Company 1 M8 HMC 2 M16 MGMC 1 M4 HTMC Armored Engineer 1 command engineer stand (integral Company (from bazooka) 1 bazooka stand divisional battalion) 1 half-track with HMG 1 57L52 AT gun and crew 2 engineer stands (integral bazooka) 1 half-track with HMG 1 medium dump truck 1 half-track with MG Tank Destroyer Battery 1 command M20 armored car 3 Rifle Companies, 1 command stand each (from divisional 1 recon M8 armored car 3 armored infantry/bazooka battalion) stands 3 M10, M18, or M36 GMC 1 weapons stand Tank Battalion - top right (integral bazooka) Armored Infantry - middle right 2 half-tracks with HMG Battalion 2 half-tracks with MG Armored (DS) Field - bottom right Artillery Battalion Armored (Direct Support) Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters 1 command observation M4 Sherman tank Headquarters and 1 staff radio half-track with HMG Service Battery Medium supply truck with HMG 3 Firing Batteries, 1 command infantry stand (integral bazooka) each 1 half-track with HMG 1 M7 HMC

4. Bazookas: Armored infantry battalions were lavishly supplied with DIVISION ARTILLERY bazookas (74 in the battalion, as opposed to 29 in an infantry battal- Headquarters 1 command stand ion). As a result, all infantry stands of the armored infantry battalion 1 jeep may function in each fire phase either in their normal role or as a pure bazooka stand. Headquarters 1 staff radio medium truck 5. M4 76mm tanks: Medium tanks were all M4(75) tanks until mid- Battery 1 medium supply truck with HMG June of 1944. At that time, 76mm-armed tanks began arriving, and by autumn of 1944 most low-numbered armored division in Europe had All Firing Battalions Assigned to Combat Commands one platoon per company. Divisions numbered 8 and higher were sup- posedly all shipped to the ETO completely equipped with M4(76) Sher- Notes mans, although there is considerable evidence that, in practice, these 1. Combat Commands: Combat commands were flexibly organized, divisions had a mix of tank types as well. and the above is only a typical “balanced” force. Division assets could 6. Sherman Jumbos: In July of 1944, a small quantity of M4A3E2 be shuffled any way the tactical situation required. The division was Jumbos arrived, and most of these were assigned to armored divisions, only provided with two combat command headquarters companies, but giving each enough for about one platoon per tank battalion. In several most divisions received a third headquarters in Europe by assigning re- cases, one of the tank battalions in the division had a pure Jumbo com- dundant Tank Destroyer Group headquarters to them. pany. All Jumbos were 75mm armed, as they arrived from the factory, 2. Armored Infantry Battalions: The actual organization of the bat- but a number were refitted in-theater with 76mm guns. Ordnance units talion calls for each company to have an antitank platoon with three also modified a number of tanks to Jumbo standards in theater, prob- 57L52 antitank guns, or a total of nine guns in the battalion. This could ably more than the original production run of the vehicle. This involved either be represented as two guns at the battalion level or one gun per cannibalizing the armor of a disabled Sherman (or, in some cases, a company. However, it appears that most armored infantry dispensed German Panther) and welding it to the turret and hull front of a regular with their antitank guns and organized the gunners as an additional rifle Sherman. There were also a number of armor upgrade kits manufac- platoon in the company, for two reasons. First, the battalion was almost tured in the United States and sent to the ETO for fitting to standard always deployed with tanks, which could provide better long-range fire- tanks. These field modifications appear mostly to have become avail- power than the battalion’s own 57s. Second, in a close fight with tanks able in early 1945. the lavish provision of bazookas in the battalion rendered the 57s su- 7. Division Artillery: The artillery battalions assigned to the three com- perfluous. bat commands are also subordinate to he Division Artillery. 3. Organization: The organization shown above is a rough meld of 8. Flamethrowers: No fixed number of flamethrowers was authorized several field expedient organizations that were adopted and probably for an engineer company, but instead were issued as needed. comes very close to an actual average unit.

The British Army was, in some respects, not an army at all, but rather a collection of armies. Each regiment had it own traditions and, more importantly, its own approach to training and tactics. As a result, there was no army-wide doctrine. In fact, the British Army has viewed the entire concept of “doctrine” with a very jaundiced eye until fairly recently. The argument against doctrine is that it squashes the initiative of junior officers, by concentrating on memorization of a few “school” solutions which, given the infinite complexity of the real battlefield, are unlikely to be the correct approach to the actual situation encountered. A less charitable view of British resistance to doctrine is that doctrine was considered rules written by some fellow from a different regiment.

Whatever the basis of the independence of British regiments, there is little question that it produced cohesive battalion-level units, and equally little question that battalions spent very little time training with other battalions of their own arm, let along other combat arms, and so the British spent much of the war “behind the curve” of combine arms warfare.

The one notable exception to this general rule was the Royal Artillery, which was a very professional and forward-thinking force throughout the war. Even when things were at their absolute worst, the gunners always kept the British in the fight.

Company Designations

All infantry, armor, and cavalry companies are lettered consecutively within their battalion or regiment, usually starting with the letter A. Companies in some machine gun battalions are lettered W, X, Y, and Z. Royal Horse Artillery batteries are independently lettered. Royal Artillery batteries and Royal Engineer companies and squadrons are independently numbered.

Unit Terminology

In the armor and cavalry branch, companies were called squadrons, and platoons were called troops. In the artillery branch, companies were called batteries, and platoons were called troops. In the engineers, companies in armored or cavalry divisions were called squadrons, but elsewhere are called companies.

In general, the terms battalion and regiment are used interchangeably in the British Army to mean a battalion-sized unit. Actually, infantry regiments have multiple battalions, but the infantry regiment itself is a purely administrative organization, and the equivalent of the tactical regiment in the field is the brigade. Likewise, early in the war, the Royal Tank Regiment consisted of multiple battalions, and so reference to the 5th Royal Tank Regiment actually meant the 5th Battalion of the Royal Tank Regiment. Later in the war, however, each battalion of the RTR became a regiment in its own right, and so the common usage became correct.

Some British regimental names can be confusing. The 1st Rifle Brigade is not a brigade at all; it is the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (which is actually a light infantry regiment). Similarly, the th5 KRRC is the 5th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (another light infantry regiment). The Honorable Artillery Company is a regiment, not a company, Bull’s Troop, RHA, is a battery, not a troop, and the Rocket Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery has not had rockets since the mid-nineteenth century.

© 2006 Test of Battle Games British Infantry Division, 1943-45 This was the shape of the British and Commonwealth divisions which fought in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, and Northwest Europe. It is notable for the very large number of tanks normally available to the division commander – almost as many as in an armored division.

Chain of Command Division HQ Troop Quality: Regular, Morale: 8 selected divisions Experienced. Field Artillery Veteran Royal Machine Div Recon 3 Inf Brigades Armoured Royal Engineers Gun BN Regt each with Brigade Artillery

3 Infantry 3 Armoured 3 FA (DS) DIVISION TROOPS Battalions Regiments Regiments Headquarters 1 command stand 1 car Motor Antitank Battalion Regiment Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck

Light AA Commander, Division Royal Engineers Regiment Headquarters 1 command stand 1 jeep 3 Engineer 1 command engineer stand (integral PIAT) 333 INFANTRY INFANTRYINFANTRY BRIGADES, BRIGADES,BRIGADES, each eacheach with withwith Field Companies, 3 engineer stands (integral PIAT) BrigadeBrigadeBrigade Troops TroopsTroops each with 2 medium trucks HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command stand stand stand 11 1car car car or or or jeep jeep jeep Machine Gun Battalion HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Company CompanyCompany 11 1staff staff staff radio radio radio truck truck truck Headquarters 1 command stand 11 1medium medium medium supply supply supply truck truck truck 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 3 Machine Gun 3 MMG stands 333 Infantry InfantryInfantry Battalions, Battalions,Battalions, each eacheach with withwith Companies, each with 4 Universal carriers 33 InfantryInfantry Battalions,Battalions, eacheach withwith Headquarters333 Infantry InfantryInfantry Battalions, Battalions,1Battalions, command stand each eacheach with withwith HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters3 Infantry 1Battalions,1 1command command command stand stand stand each with 1 4.2” mortar and crew (ds) HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command stand stand stand HeadquartersHeadquarters11 1car car car1 1or or commandorcommand jeep jeep jeep stand stand 1 mortar carrier 11 1car car car or or or jeep jeep jeep HeadquartersHeadquarters CompanyCompany 11 recon recon11 1car car car LMG LMG or or or jeep jeepstand jeepstand (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Company CompanyCompany 11 1recon recon recon LMG LMG LMG stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Company CompanyCompany1 Universal11 1recon recon recon LMGcarrierLMG LMG stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) Headquarters Company11 1Universal Universal Universal1 recon carrier carrier LMGcarrier stand (integral PIAT) Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment 11 1Universal Universal Universal carrier carrier carrier 11 13” 3” 3” 1mortar 1mortar mortarUniversal Universal stand stand stand carrier carrier (ds) (ds) (ds) 1 command Humber scout car 11 3” 3” mortar mortar stand stand (ds) (ds) Headquarters 1 mortar11 13” 3” 3” mortar mortar mortarcarrier stand stand stand (ds) (ds) (ds) 11 1mortar mortar mortar1 3” mortarcarrier carrier carrier stand (ds) Headquarters 1 3”mortar stand (ds) 11 mortar mortar carrier carrier 11 engineer engineer11 1mortar mortar mortar stand stand carrier carrier carrier (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) Squadron 11 1engineer engineer engineer stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 1 mortar carrier 1 light11 1engineer engineer engineertruck stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 11 1light light light1 engineertruck truck truck stand (integral PIAT) 2 2-pounder AT gun and crew (6-pounder 11 light light truck truck 22 2-pounder 2-pounder11 light light truck truck AT AT gun gun and and crews crews (6- (6- in 1944-45) 22 2-pounder 2-pounder1 light truck AT AT gun gun and and crews crews (6- (6- pounderpounder22 2-pounder 2-pounder guns guns from fromAT AT gun gun1944 1944 and and on) on) crews crews (6- (6- pounderpounder22 22-pounder 2-pounder 2-pounder guns guns from fromAT AT AT gun gun1944 gun1944 and and and on) on) crews crews crews (6- (6- (6- 2 Lloyd carriers (Windsor carriers in pounderpounderpounder guns guns guns from from from 1944 1944 1944 on) on) on) 22 2Lloyd Lloyd Lloydpounderpounder carrier carrier carrier guns guns (Windsor (Windsor (Windsor from from 1944carriers 1944carriers carriers on) on) in in in 1945) 1945)22 2Lloyd Lloyd Lloyd carrier carrier carrier (Windsor (Windsor (Windsor carriers carriers carriers in in in 1945)1945)1945)22 Lloyd Lloyd carrier carrier (Windsor (Windsor carriers carriers in in 3 Squadrons, 1 command Humber scout car 1945)1945)2 Lloyd carrier (Windsor carriers in 11 Wasp Wasp1945)1945)1945) flamethrower flamethrower carriercarrier each with 11 1Wasp Wasp Wasp flamethrower flamethrower flamethrower carrier carriercarrier 3 recon scout/recce carriers 4 Rifle Companies, 1 command11 1Wasp Wasp Wasp flamethrower flamethrowerinfantryflamethrower stand carrier carrier(integralcarrier 444 Rifle RifleRifle Companies, Companies,Companies, 11 1command command command1 Wasp infantry flamethrowerinfantry infantry stand stand stand (integral carrier(integral (integral 1 infantry stand (integral PIAT) 444 Rifle RifleRifle each Companies, Companies,Companies, with PIAT) PIAT) 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral 44 RifleRifleeacheach each Companies,Companies, with withwith PIAT) PIAT) 11 command command infantry infantry stand stand (integral (integral eacheach withwith PIAT)PIAT)PIAT) 1 light truck eacheacheach with withwith22 2infantry infantry infantryPIAT)PIAT) stands stands stands (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 1 recon Humber scout car (Humber Mk IV 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) armored car in 1944-45) 1 Humber Mk III armored car (Mk IV in 1944-45)

© 2006 Test of Battle Games 10 British Infantry Division, 1943-45 SEPARATE ARMOURED BRIGADE COMMANDER, DIVISION ROYAL ARTILLERY (ATTACHED FROM CORPS) Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters 1 command Sherman IV/V 1 car Headquarters Squadron 1 staff radio truck Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio medium truck 1 Sherman IV/V 1 medium supply truck 2 recon Humber scout cars 1 medium supply truck 333 Field FieldField Artillery ArtilleryArtillery (Direct (Direct(Direct Support) Support)Support) Regiments, Regiments,Regiments, eacheacheach with withwith 3 Armoured Regiments, each with 33 ArmouredArmoured Regiments,Regiments, eacheach withwith HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command observation observation observation stand stand stand Headquarters 1 command Sherman IV/V HeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command Sherman Sherman IV/V IV/V 11 1car car car or or or jeep jeep jeep Headquarters Squadron 1 M4 Sherman 105 close support tank HeadquartersHeadquarters SquadronSquadron 11 M4 M4 Sherman Sherman 105 105 close close support support tank tank HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Battery BatteryBattery 11 1staff staff staff radio radio radio light light light truck truck truck (in(in(in Italy Italy Italy only) only) only) 11 1medium medium medium supply supply supply truck truck truck 11 1recon recon recon M3/M5 M3/M5 M3/M5 Stuart Stuart Stuart 333 Firing FiringFiring Batteries, Batteries,Batteries, 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 11 1recon recon recon M3/M5 M3/M5 M3/M5 recce recce recce Stuart Stuart Stuart each with eacheach withwith 11 1light light light truck truck truck or or or Universal Universal Universal carrier carrier carrier 22 2recon recon recon Humber Humber Humber scout scout scout cars cars cars 22 225-pounder 25-pounder 25-pounder field field field guns gunsguns and andand crew crewcrew (ds) (ds) (ds) 11 1medium medium medium supply supply supply truck truck truck 22 2Quad Quad Quad prime prime prime movers movers movers 333 Squadrons, Squadrons,Squadrons, each eacheach with withwith 11 1command command command Sherman Sherman Sherman IV/V IV/V IV/V 2 Sherman IV/V (1 in late 1944-45) 22 Sherman Sherman IV/V IV/V (1 (1 in in late late 1944-45) 1944-45) Antitank Regiment 11 Sherman Sherman V V Firefly Firefly (2(2 in in late late 1944-45)1944-45) 1 Sherman V Firefly (2 in late 1944-45) Headquarters 1 command observation stand 1 car or jeep Motor Battalion Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck 1 command stand Headquarters 1 Heavy Towed Battery 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 1 car or jeep (2 Heavy Towed 3 17-pounder AT guns and crews (ds) 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) Batteries from 1944 on) 3 Motor Companies, 4 half-tracks with MG each with 2 infantry stands (integral PIAT) 2 Light Towed Batteries, 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 3 half-tracks with MG each (replaced by SP 1 Universal carrier 1 recon LMG stand (integral PIAT) batteries in 1944) 4 6-pounder AT guns and crews 1 universal carrier 4 Lloyd carriers (Windsor carriers in Antitank Company 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 1945) 1 Universal carrier 2 Self-Propelled Batter- 1 command Archer or Achilles 4 6-pounder AT guns and crews ies, each (1944 on) 2 Archer or Achilles 4 Lloyd carriers (Windsor carriers in 1945) Light Antiaircraft Regiment Headquarters 1 command stand Notes: 1. Integral Antitank Weapons: In early 1943, all integral anti- 1 car or jeep tank weapon were Boys AT rifles. By mid-1943, these were mostly Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck replaced by PIATS, as shown above. 2. Battalion Mortar Carrier: The mortar carrier was a modified 3 Batteries, each with 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) Universal Carrier, fitted to carry the 3-inch mortar, its ammunition, 3 40L56 AA guns and crews and crew. Despite its normal load capacity of 1, it may carry the dou- 4 light trucks ble-sized 3-inch mortar stand. 3. Some divisions had US M10 tank destroyers instead of Archers, although all divisions in Northwest Europe had reequipped with Archers 6. One company of the divisional machine gun battalion was routinely or Achilles by the fall of 1944. attached to each infantry brigade. In independent infantry brigades this 4. 6-pounders began replacing 2-pounders in Italy in 1943 in the infantry was present and designated the Brigade Support Company. battalions, but the 2-pounder was still in use throughout much of 1943. 7. For all practical purposes, there was always a separate armoured bri- 5. Each battalion could be made completely motorized by the attachment gade attached to the division, although the specific brigade attached of four model heavy trucks, each of which would carry a rifle company. might change over time.

© 2006 Test of Battle Games 11 British Armoured Division, 1943-45 This was the final version of the armored division, and it was used in this form throughout the last two years of the war. An armored car regiment was often attached from corps to enable the division to use its own armored reconnaissance regiment as a fourth tank battalion. The division would then reorganize as four tank-infantry teams, each one similar to a U.S. combat command, with two teams serving under each brigade headquarter. This field expedient organization was widely used from the time of the Normandy breakout on, and represented a genuine step forward in combined arms practice. Chain of Command Division HQ Troop Quality: Experienced, Morale: 9 Field Artillery (including self-propelled) Veteran Armoured Car Armoured Recn Lorried Inf Armoured Royal (7th Armoured Division Morale: 7) Regiment Regiment Brigade Brigade Artillery

3 Infantry 3 Armoured FA (DS) Arty Battalions Regiments Regiment

Motor Antitank DIVISION TROOPS Battalion Regiment

Headquarters 1 command stand Light AA 1 car Regiment Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck LORRIED INFANTRY BRIGADE Brigade Troops Commander, Division Royal Engineers Headquarters 1 command stand 1 command stand Headquarters 1 car or jeep 1 jeep Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck 1 command engineer stand (integral PIAT) 2 Engineer 1 medium supply truck Field Squadrons, each 3 engineer stands (integral PIAT) Brigade Machine Gun 1 command infantry stand (PIAT) 2 medium trucks Company 3 MMG stands 4 Universal carriers Armoured Car Regiment (attached from Corps) 1 4.2” mortar and crew (ds) Headquarters 1 command armored car 1 mortar carrier Headquarters Company 2 recon Humber scout cars 3 Infantry Battalions, each 3 Squadrons, each 1 command armored car 33 InfantryInfantry Battalions,Battalions, eacheach 1 command stand 2 recon armored cars HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command stand stand 1 car or jeep 1 recon Humber scout car 11 car car or or jeep jeep HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Company CompanyCompany 11 1recon recon recon LMG LMG LMG stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 11 1universal universal universal carrier carrier carrier Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment 11 13” 3” 3” mortar mortar mortar stand stand stand (ds) (ds) (ds) Headquarters 1 command Cromwell 75 11 1mortar mortar mortar carrier carrier carrier 1 recon M3A3 Stuart 11 1engineer engineer engineer stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 1 recon recce Stuart 11 1light light light truck truck truck 2 recon Humber scout cars 22 26-pounder 6-pounder 6-pounder AT AT AT gun gun gun and and and crews crews crews 1 medium supply truck 22 2Lloyd Lloyd Lloyd carrier carrier carrier (Windsor (Windsor (Windsor carriers carriers carriers in in in 3 Squadrons, each 1 command Cromwell CS 1945)1945)1945) 2 Cromwell 75 11 1Wasp Wasp Wasp flamethrower flamethrower flamethrower carrier carriercarrier 1 Challenger 444 Rifle RifleRifle Companies, Companies,Companies, each eacheach 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral PIAT)PIAT)PIAT) 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands (integral (integral (integral PIAT) PIAT) PIAT) 11 1heavy heavy heavy truck truck truck

ARMOURED BRIGADE COMMANDER, DIVISION ROYAL ARTILLERY Headquarters 1 command tank Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters Squadron 1 staff radio truck 1 car 1 tank Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio medium truck 1 recon Humber scout car 1 medium supply truck 1 medium supply truck Field Artillery (Direct Support) Regiment 333 Armoured ArmouredArmoured Regiments, Regiments,Regiments, each eacheach Headquarters 1 command observation Sherman IV tank HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command tank tank tank Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio light truck 11 1recon recon recon M3A3 M3A3 M3A3 Stuart Stuart Stuart 1 medium supply truck 11 1recon recon recon recce recce recce Stuart Stuart Stuart 3 Firing Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 11 1medium medium medium supply supply supply truck truck truck 2 25-pounder field guns and crew (ds) 333 squadrons, squadrons,squadrons, each eacheach 11 1command command command tank tank tank 2 Quad prime movers 22 2tanks tanks tanks 11 Sherman Sherman Firefly Firefly 1 Sherman Firefly Self-Propelled Field Artillery (Direct Support) Regiment Headquarters 1 command observation Sherman IV tank Motor Battalion Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio half-track with HMG Headquarters 1 command stand 1 medium supply truck 1 car or jeep 3 Firing Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 3 Motor Companies, each 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 1 half-track with HMG 2 infantry stands (integral PIAT) 2 Sextons 3 half-tracks with MG 1 recon LMG stand (integral PIAT) Antitank Regiment 1 universal carrier Headquarters 1 command observation stand Support Company 1 command infantry stand (integral 1 car or jeep PIAT) Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck 2 MMG stands 2 Towed Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) 3 Universal carriers 3 17-pounder AT guns and crews (ds) 2 6-pounder AT guns and crews 4 half-tracks with MG 2 Lloyd carriers (Windsor carriers in 2 Self-Propelled Batter- 1 command Achilles 1945) ies, each 2 Achilles 1. Notes 2. 1. Usage: This organization was used in Italy and Northwest Europe. Light Antiaircraft Regiment 3. 2. Integral Antitank Weapons: All infantry, recon, and command Headquarters 1 command stand stands have PIATs. 4. 3. Tanks: 7th Armoured Division was equipped with Cromwells 1 car or jeep while Guards and 11th Armoured Divisions, 4th Canadian Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck Armoured Division, and the Polish Armoured Division (all of 3 Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand (integral PIAT) which were organized as above) had Shermans. In Cromwell- equipped armored regiments, 75mm-armed tanks are Cromwell 3 40L56 AA guns and crews IV or VII, and close support tanks (in armored recon regiments) 4 light trucks are Cromwell VI CS or Cromwell VIII CS. In Sherman-equipped regiments all 75mm-armed tanks are Sher¬man III or IV. All 17- pounder tanks in armored regiments are Sherman V Fireflies in Northwest Europe. In Italy, these are replaced with M4 Sherman (76) tanks until early 1945, when Sherman V Fireflies became available. Challengers were used only in the armored recon regiments. © 2006 Test of Battle Games 13 The Red Army

1943 was the genuine point of balance on the Eastern Front, not only in terms of the actual balance of forces between the combatants, but also with respect to the maturing of the Red Army. Gone were the days when divisions were nothing more than hastily assembled reservists or conscripts, poorly armed and scarcely trained, thrown into the path of the German panzers. There was a growing sense of professionalism and confidence in Red Army units, but they had yet to stop a major prepared German offensive in its tracks, and had yet to launch a successful offensive of their own without the spearhead elements being badly mauled by a German counterattack.

All of that would come in 1943.

After 1943, the Red Army experienced an uninterrupted string of victories. In part this was due to their own growing combat expertise, particularly at the higher command levels. It was also due in part to the widening gap between German and Soviet front line strength, although this was itself due largely to the opening of additional fronts in Italy in 1943 and France in 1944, and the resulting diversion of German combat resources west. The truth was, Soviet wartime strength actually peaked in 1943, and all the talk of “inexhaustible Soviet manpower” notwith- standing, Soviet armed forces strength steadily declined throughout 1944 and 1945.

Weapons

Submachine Guns

The Soviets used submachine guns as a cheap way to increase the close-range combat power of their infantry. When submachine guns first became available in quantity, in late1 941 and early 1942, the quickest and easiest way to integrate them into the force structure was to form companies of submachine gunners and attach them directly to rifle regiments. The regimental commander would then attach them to an assaulting rifle battalion, as needed. These are represented in the game by the pure SMG stands in the Soviet force mix.

Starting in 1943, large numbers of submachine guns found their way into conventional rifle units, and a third of all infantry was to equipped with them, with the exact distribution left up to the local commanders. These were straight substitutions for rifles, with the heavier weapons – particularly light machine guns, remaining with the unit. Unlike the pure submachine gun stands, these unit suffered little or no reduction in their long-range firepower. To show this in the game, from 1943 on, Soviet conventional rifle stands receive an extra ROF die in close assaults.

Antitank Rifles

Soviet antitank rifle stands have both a small arms fire value and an armor piercing value, and can fire both each turn. Although actual Soviet antitank rifle platoons had nothing more than the antitank rifle teams in them, it was Soviet practice to add conventional infantry to them to make a more balance unit, and most photographic evidence of antitank riflemen, particularly in the mid and late war period, shows them with submachine gunners and even light machine guns as part of the combat team. So the game antitank rifle stands represent a platoon- sized unit of infantry with eight or nine antitank rifles as additional weapons.

Company Designation

Most companies are numbered consecutively within their battalion or regiment. The companies of each battalion of a brigade are numbered separately.

In rifle regiments, all companies are numbered consecutively by type. Thus, the first battalion has the 1, 2, and 3 rifle companies and1 machinegun company. The second battalion has the 4, 5, and 6 rifle companies and 2 machinegun company, etc. Regimental companies not part of a battalion, such as the regimental gun company, carry the regimental number, such as ”regimental gun company of the 1517th Rifle Regiment,” or, more concisely, “1517th Regimental Gun Company.”

© 2006 Test of Battle Games 14 Soviet Rifle Division, 1943-45 This organization was used by all Soviet rifle divisions from about February of 1943 on. Guards divisions were generally stronger, as noted below. Some non-Guards divisions might be reinforced to this strength as well, under special circumstances. From 1943 on, the manpower in Soviet rifle divisions steadily declined, and only divisions intended to lead major offensives were as strong as shown above. The majority of Soviet rifle divisions were so chronically under-strength that specially modified TO&Es were issued for them. The modified TO&E of a 5,300-man division, which was probably the typical field strength for Soviet divisions throughout the rest of the war, was similar to that shown below, except that each rifle regiment had only two battalions instead of three, and there was no regimental antitank rifle company.

Division HQ

Troop Quality: Regular or Experienced, Morale: 7 or 8, Guards 9 Ski Battalion Antitank Engineer 3 Rifle Rgt Artillery Guards Experienced or Veteran. Battalion Battalion each with Regiment All rifle regiments one level lower 2-3 Rifle 2 Artillery Battalions Battalions Chain of Command +1 Artillery Battalion (Gds Div 1943, all div 1944)

DIVISION TROOPS Headquarters 1 command stand 1 car Division Zampolit 1 command infantry stand 1 light truck Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck 1 4M Quad AAMG truck Reconnaissance 1 command infantry stand Company 1 recon infantry stand 2 light trucks

Antitank Battalion Ski Battalion (see notes) Headquarters 1 mounted command stand Headquarters 1 ski command stand Antitank Rifle Company 1 command PTRS AT rifle stand Headquarters and Weap- 1 ski command infantry stand 2 PTRS AT rifle stands ons Company 1 ski MMG stand 3 AT Gun Batteries, 1 command infantry stand 1 recon ski SMG stand each with 1 45L46 AT gun and crew 2 Ski Rifle Companies, 2 ski infantry stands 1 limber each with

Engineer Battalion Composite Company 1 command engineer stand 2 engineer stands 1 engineer flamethrower stand

333 RIFLE RIFLERIFLE REGIMENTS, REGIMENTS,REGIMENTS, each eacheach with withwith ARTILLERY REGIMENT RegimentalRegimentalRegimental Troops TroopsTroops Regimental Troops HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command stand stand stand Headquarters 1 command stand 1 car RegimentalRegimentalRegimental Zampolit ZampolitZampolit 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand Headquarters Battery 1 supply wagon HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Company CompanyCompany 11 1recon recon recon infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand 11 1engineer engineer engineer flamethrower flamethrower flamethrower stand standstand 11 1supply supply supply wagon wagon wagon 1 command infantry stand AntitankAntitankAntitank Company CompanyCompany 11 command command infantry infantry stand stand 22 ArtilleryArtillery Battalions,Battalions, eacheach withwith 1 45L46 AT gun and crew 11 45L46 45L46 AT AT gun gun and and crew crew HeadquartersHeadquarters 11 mounted mounted command command observation observation stand stand 1 limber 11 limber limber HeadquartersHeadquarters BatteryBattery 11 supply supply wagon wagon Regimental Gun 11 command command infantry infantry stand stand RegimentalRegimental GunGun 1 command infantry stand 22 GunGun Batteries,Batteries, eacheach 11 mounted mounted command command infantry infantry stand stand CompanyCompany 11 76L16 76L16 infantry infantry gun gun and and crew crew (ds) (ds) Company 1 76L16 infantry gun and crew (ds) 11 76L39 76L39 field field gungun andand crewcrew (ds)(ds) 11 limber limber 1 limber 11 limber limber Heavy Mortar Company 11 command command infantry infantry stand stand HeavyHeavy MortarMortar CompanyCompany 1 command infantry stand HowitzerHowitzer BatteryBattery 11 mounted mounted command command infantry infantry stand stand 11 120mm 120mm mortar mortar and and crew crew (ds) (ds) 1 120mm mortar and crew (ds) 11 122L22 122L22 howitzer howitzer and and crew crew (ds) (ds) 11 limber limber 1 limber 11 limber limber SubmachineSubmachineSubmachine Gun GunGun 11 1command command command SMG SMG SMG stand stand stand Company CompanyCompany 11 1SMG SMG SMG stand stand stand AntitankAntitankAntitank Rifle RifleRifle Company CompanyCompany 22 2PTRS PTRS PTRS AT AT AT rifle rifle rifle stands standsstands +1 Artillery Battalion (in Guards Divisions in 1943, and all divisions from 1944 on) Headquarters 1 mounted command observation stand 2-3 Rifle Battalions, each with 2-32-32-3 Rifle RifleRifle Battalions,Battalions,Battalions, eacheacheach withwithwith 2-32-32-3 Rifle RifleRifle Battalions,Battalions,Battalions, eacheacheach withwithwith Headquarters Battery 1 supply wagon HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters2-3 Rifle11 1command command commandBattalions, stand stand stand each with HeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command stand stand stand Gun Battery 1 mounted command infantry stand BattalionHeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Zampolit 1 command11 command command infantry stand stand stand BattalionBattalionBattalion Zampolit ZampolitZampolit 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand BattalionBattalion ZampolitZampolit 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand 1 76L39 field gun and crew (ds) HeadquarterHeadquarterBattalionBattalion ZampolitZampolit andand 22 MMG MMG1 command stands stands infantry stand HeadquarterHeadquarter andand 22 MMG MMG stands stands 1 limber WeaponsHeadquarterHeadquarterHeadquarter Company and andand 22 2MMG MMG MMG stands stands stands WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsHeadquarter Company CompanyCompany and11 1PTRS PTRS PTRS2 MMG AT AT AT rifle riflestandsrifle stand standstand WeaponsWeaponsWeapons Company CompanyCompany 11 1PTRS PTRS PTRS AT AT AT rifle rifle rifle stand standstand Howitzer Battery 1 mounted command infantry stand Weapons Company11 82mm 82mm11 PTRS PTRS mortar mortar AT AT rifle rifle stand stand standstand (ds) (ds) 11 82mm 82mm mortar mortar stand stand (ds) (ds) 1 122L22 howitzer and crew (ds) 11 182mm 82mm 82mm mortar mortar mortar stand stand stand (ds) (ds) (ds) 11 145L46 45L46 45L461 82mm AT AT AT gun gun gunmortar (battalion (battalion (battalion stand gun) gun)(ds) gun) and and and crew crew crew (in1 1Guards 45L46 45L46 AT Divisions)AT gun gun (battalion (battalion gun) gun) and and crew crew 1 limber (in(in 1Guards 1Guards 145L46 45L46 45L46 Divisions) AT Divisions)AT AT gun gun gun (battalion (battalion (battalion gun) gun) gun) and and and crew crew crew (in(in(in Guards Guards Guards Divisions) Divisions) Divisions) 11 limber limber(in(in Guards Guards (in (in Guards Guards Divisions) Divisions) Divisions) Divisions) 11 1limber limber limber (in (in (in Guards Guards Guards Divisions) Divisions) Divisions) 1 Rifle Company 1 command11 1limber limber limber (in infantry(in (in Guards Guards Guards stand Divisions) Divisions) Divisions) 111 Rifle RifleRifle Company CompanyCompany 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (Guards 1Division11 Rifle RifleRifle Company CompanyCompany only) 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (Guards(Guards(Guards Division Division1Division Rifle Company only) only)only) 11 1infantry infantry infantry1 command stand stand stand infantry stand (Guards(Guards(Guards Division DivisionDivision only) only)only) 11 1infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand 3(Guards3 RifleRifle CompaniesCompanies Division only) 22 infantry infantry11 infantry infantry stands stands stand stand 333 Rifle RifleRifle Companies CompaniesCompanies 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands (2(2 inin GuardsGuards333 Rifle RifleRifle divisions,divisions, Companies CompaniesCompanies 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands (2(2(2 in inin Guards GuardsGuards divisions, divisions,divisions, (2(2(2 in inin Guards GuardsGuards divisions, divisions,divisions,eacheach eacheacheach eacheacheach

Notes 1. Ski Battalion: In most divisions, the ski battalion was organized only standard divisions, and an additional 2-battery battalion in Guards divi- in winter, and took the place of one of the rifle regiment battalions. In the sions. In 1944, all divisions received the additional 2-battery battalion. far north, facing Finland, these battalions were active year-round. 2. Rifle Regiment Troop Quality: Specialist units received first call on replacement manpower, while rifle units suffered a disproportionate share of the combat casualties. The result was that the average experi- ence level in the rifle regiments lagged behind the rest of the division (and the army, for that matter). 3. Artillery: The artillery regiment consists of two 3-battery battalions in

© 2006 Test of Battle Games 16 Soviet Tank and Mechanized Corps The first tank corps were formed in March of 1942, and throughout that year learned a great deal. They were beaten up at Kharkov in the spring, but led the Stalingrad offensive the following winter. By 1943, they had matured, and had settled down organizationally into about the shape they would follow for the rest of the war.

The first of the new war-pattern mechanized corps were formed in September of1 942. There were always a lim- ited number of mechanized corps, in large part due to the considerable amount of motor transport necessary for them. They were highly prized as exploitation forces in breakthroughs, however, since the large infantry component of the corps meant that they could not only seize ground, but once there, could hold it.

The organization below is for a mechanized corps. The tank corps organization was essentially the same, except that the tank corps had three tanks brigades (instead of one), and had a single motorized brigade (instead of three mechanized brigades). A motorized brigade was identical to a mechanized brigade except that it did not include the tank regiment. The notes at the end apply to both types of corps.

Separate tank brigades and tank regiments were organized the same as those found in the tank and mechanized corps.

Troop Quality: Regular or Experienced CORPS TROOPS Morale: 8, Guards 9 Headquarters 1 command T-34/42 tank Guards Experienced Corps Zampolit 1 command infantry stand 1 light truck Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck Chain of Command Corps HQ Troops Guards Mortar Battalion Guards Mortar Headquarters 1 command observation stand Battalion Motorcycle 1 car Battalion Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck Medium SU Heavy Antitank 1 command infantry stand Battalion Regiment 2 Firing Batteries, each (replaced by (added 1 light truck Medium SU mid-1943) regiment 1 BM-13 multiple rocket launcher mid-1943) Engineer Motorcycle Battalion Battalion Armored Car 1 command BA-64 armored car Battalion Headquarters Light SU Battalion Zampolit 1 command infantry stand Regiment Heavy SU 1 light truck Regiment (added Headquarters Company 1 82mm mortar stand (ds) mid-1943) Antitank 1 medium truck Regiment (removed 1944) Antiaircraft 1 engineer flamethrower stand Regiment 1 light truck

MORTAR 2 Motorcycle Companies, 1 command motorcycle SMG stand REGIMENT each Regiment 3 Mortar 1 motorcycle LMG stand Troops Battalions Motorized Rifle 1 command SMG stand TANK Reconnaissance 1 recon SMG stand BRIGADE Company Brigade 1 Medium Tank Light Tank Motorized 2 light trucks or armored carriers Troops Battalion Battalion Rifle Battalion (2 in late 1943, (removed in Tank Company 1 command T-34/41 tank (joint 3 in 1944) late 1943) (added 1944) command) 3 MECHANIZED 1 T-34/41 tank BRIGADES, Each With Brigade Tank 3 Motorized Mortar Light Artillery Artillery Battery 1 command infantry stand Troops Regiment Rifle Battalions Battalion Battalion (added 1944) 1 light truck 1 76L39 field gun and crew (ds) 1 medium truck or tractor © 2006 Test of Battle Games 17 Soviet Tank and Mechanized Corps

Heavy Antitank Battalion (replaced by Medium SU Regiment (added mid-1943) Medium SU regiment mid-1943) Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters 1 command stand 1 car or armored carrier 1 car Regiment Zampolit 1 command infantry stand Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck 1 light truck or armored carrier 3 AT Gun Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand Headquarters Battery 1 engineer stand 1 light truck 1 light truck or armored carrier 1 85L53 gun and crew (ds) 1 recon BA-64 armored car 1 heavy tractor 1 medium supply truck 4 Firing Batteries, each 1 SU-85 (SU-100 in 1945) Antitank Rile Company 2 PTRS antitank rifle stands Engineer Battalion (added in 1944) 1 medium truck Headquarters 1 command stand SMG Company 1 command SMG stand 1 car (added in 1944) 1 SMG stand 2 Line Companies 1 command engineer stand 1 medium truck (3 in 1944-45), each engineer stand 1 medium truck Heavy SU Regiment (added mid-1943) Headquarters 1 command stand Armored Car Battalion 1 car or armored carrier Headquarters Company 1 command BA-64 armored car Regiment Zampolit 1 command infantry stand 2 Armored Car 2 recon BA-10 armored cars 1 light truck or armored carrier Companies, each (1943) Headquarters Battery 1 engineer stand 2 Armored Car 1 recon BA-64 armored car 1 light truck or armored carrier Companies, each 1 recon motorcycle SMG stand (1944-45) 1 recon BA-64 armored car 1 recon SMG stand 1 medium supply truck 1 armored carrier 4 Firing Batteries, each 1 SU-152 or ISU-152 (1SU-122 in late 1944) Light SU Regiment Antitank Rile Company 2 PTRS antitank rifle stands (added in 1944) Headquarters 1 command stand 1 medium truck 1 car or armored carrier SMG Company 1 command SMG stand (added in 1944) Regiment Zampolit 1 command infantry stand 1 SMG stand 1 light truck or armored carrier 1 medium truck Headquarters Battery 1 engineer stand 1 light truck or armored carrier Antitank Regiment (removed 1944) 1 recon BA-64 armored car Headquarters 1 command stand 1 medium supply truck 1 car 1 SU-122 2 Medium Batteries, each Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck (removed in 1944) 5 Firing Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand 4 Light Batteries, each 1 SU-76 (5 batteries in 1944-45) 1 light truck 1 45L46 AT gun and crew Antitank Rile Company 2 PTRS antitank rifle stands 1 Komsomolets tractor (added in 1944) 1 medium truck 1 command infantry stand SMG Company 1 command SMG stand Antiaircraft Machine Gun Company 3 AA HMG stands (added in 1944) 1 SMG stand 4 light trucks 1 medium truck

Antiaircraft Regiment MORTAR REGIMENT Headquarters 1 command stand Regiment Troops 1 car Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck 1 car 4 Antiaircraft Gun 1 command infantry stand Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck Batteries, each 1 37L70 AA gun and crew 2 light trucks 333 Mortar MortarMortar Battalions, Battalions,Battalions, each eacheach Antiaircraft Machine 1 command infantry stand HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command observation observation observation stand stand stand Gun Company 3 AA HMG stands 11 1car car car 4 light trucks HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Battery BatteryBattery 11 1medium medium medium supply supply supply truck truck truck 333 Firing FiringFiring Batteries, Batteries,Batteries, each eacheach 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand 11 1light light light truck truck truck 11 1120mm 120mm 120mm mortar mortar mortar and and and crew crew crew (ds) (ds) (ds) 11 1medium medium medium truck truck truck

TANK BRIGADE

Brigade Troops Light Tank Battalion (removed in late 1943) Headquarters 1 command BA-10 armored car Headquarters 1 command light tank Brigade Zampolit 1 command infantry stand Composite Light 1 command light tank (joint 1 light truck or armored carrier Company command) Headquarters Company 1 recon BA-64 armored car 2 light tanks 1 engineer stand Medium Company 1 command medium tank (joint command) 1 light truck or armored carrier 1 medium tank 1 medium supply truck Antitank Battery 1 command infantry stand 1 light truck Motorized Rifle Battalion 1 76L39 field gun and crew (ds) Headquarters 1 command stand 1 medium truck or tractor 1 car Antitank Rifle Company 2 PTRS AT rifle stand Battalion Zampolit 1 command infantry stand 1 medium truck 1 light truck Antiaircraft Battery 1 command infantry stand Headquarters and 1 recon BA-10 armored car 1 light truck Weapons Company 1 PTRS AT rifle stand 1 AAHMG stand (replace with M16 1 light truck MGMC in 1944) 1 82mm mortar stand 1 light truck (delete when equipped 1 medium truck with M16 MGMC) 2 Rifle Companies, each 2 infantry stands 1 medium truck 11 MediumMedium TankTank BattalionBattalion 1 Medium Tank Battalion Tank Desant Company 1 command SMG stand (2(2 inin latelate 1943,1943, 33 inin 1944)1944) (2 in late 1943, 3 in 1944) 1 SMG stand HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command medium medium medium tank tank tank CompositeCompositeComposite Medium MediumMedium 11 1command command command medium medium medium tank tank tank (joint (joint (joint command) CompanyCompanyCompany command)command) 22 2medium medium medium tanks tanks tanks

Brigade Troops 333 Motorized MotorizedMotorized Rifle RifleRifle Battalions,Battalions,Battalions, eacheacheach Headquarters 1 command stand 1 command stand HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command stand stand 1 car 11 1jeep jeep jeep Regimental Zampolit 1 command infantry stand 1 command infantry stand BattalionBattalionBattalion Zampolit ZampolitZampolit 11 command command infantry infantry stand stand 1 light truck 11 1light light light truck truck truck Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck 2 MMG stands WeaponsWeaponsWeapons Company CompanyCompany 22 MMG MMG stands stands 1 medium supply truck 11 182mm 82mm 82mm mortar mortar mortar stand stand stand (ds) (ds) (ds) 1 command infantry stand Reconnaissance 22 2medium medium medium trucks trucks trucks Company 1 infantry stand SubmachineSubmachineSubmachine Gun GunGun 22 2SMG SMG SMG stands stands stands 2 light trucks or armored carriers Company CompanyCompany 11 1medium medium medium truck truck truck 1 recon motorcycle infantry stand RifleRifleRifle Company CompanyCompany 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand 1 recon BA-64 armored car 11 1infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand 1 command infantry stand Antiaircraft Battery 11 1medium medium medium truck truck truck 2 AA HMG stands 222 Rifle RifleRifle Companies, Companies,Companies, 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands 3 light truck each eacheach 11 1medium medium medium truck truck truck Submachine Gun 1 command SMG stand 1 command infantry stand AntitankAntitankAntitank Company CompanyCompany 11 command command infantry infantry stand stand Company 1 SMG stand 22 2PTRS PTRS PTRS AT AT AT rifle rifle rifle stands standsstands 1 medium truck 33 3light light light trucks trucks trucks 2 PTRS AT rifle stands Antitank Rifle Com- 11 145L46 45L46 45L46 AT AT AT gun gun gun and and and crew crew crew pany 1 medium truck 11 1Komsomolets Komsomolets Komsomolets tractor tractor tractor Engineer Company 1 command engineer stand 1 engineer stand 1 medium truck Mortar Battalion Headquarters 1 command observation stand 1 jeep Tank Regiment Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck Headquarters 1 command medium tank Heavy Battery 1 command infantry stand Headquarters Company 1 recon BA-64 armored car 1 light truck 1 medium supply truck 1 120mm mortar and crew (ds) 3 Medium Tank 1 command medium tank (joint 1 medium truck Companies (4 in 1944), command) 2 Medium Batteries, 1 command infantry stand each 1 medium tank each 1 light truck Light Tank Company 1 command light tank (joint command) 1 82mm mortar stand (ds) (removed in 1944) 1 light tank 1 medium truck Antitank Rifle Compa- 2 PTRS AT rifle stand ny (removed in 1944) 1 medium truck Light Artillery Battalion Tank Desant Company 2 SMG stands (added in 1944) Headquarters 1 command observation stand 1 jeep Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck 3 Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand 1 light truck 1 76L39 field gun and crew (ds) 1 medium truck or tractor

© 2006 Test of Battle Games 20 Soviet Tank and Mechanized Corps Notes 6. Motorcycle Battalion: Every historical motorcycle battalion that 1. Units added in mid-1943 were, for the most part, not we have been able to find the actual organization for (about a half- available in time to fight at Kursk, but were available for dozen) has been unique, and it appears that considerable latitude the offensives that autumn. Some SU-85 regiments were was given in the organization of these units. All of them, however, available for Kursk. included usually one (occasionally two) motorcycle company, and 2. Light Tanks: Light tanks were all T-60 or T-70, unless the unit either 2 or 3 other companies, all different. The following historical was equipped with lend-lease tanks, in which case M3 Stuarts, organizations from this period serve to illustrate the diversity possible. Valentines, or Matildas might be found as light tanks. It is odd to 2nd Guards Motorcycle Battalion (5th Guards think of Valentines and Matildas as “light” tanks, but the Soviets Mechanized Corps), mod-late 1944: 1 armored car copany, 1 classified tanks as light or medium based on their gun size, not motorcycle company, 1 half-track company speed. 76th Motorcycle Battalion (4th Guards Tank Corps), 3. Medium Tanks: Medium tanks were T-34s, unless the unit was August 1944: 1 motorcycle company, 1 armored car company, 1 equipped with lend-lease tanks, in which case in might have M3 half-track company, 1 tank company, 1 antitank battery, 1 field gun Lees (in 1943) or M4 Sherman 75s (in 1943/44) or M4 Sherman 76s battery. (in 1944/45). T-34s would be any 76mm version at first, with T- 94th Motorcycle Battalion (7th Mechanized Corps), 34/85s becoming available in 1944. October 1944: 1 half-track company, 1 motorcycle company 4. Heavy Tank Regiment: A Heavy SU regiment was often replaced 7. Antitank Regiment: By mid-1943 these were trading in their by a heavy tank regiment, organized the same as the SU regiment, 45mm AT guns for either 57L53 AT guns or 76L39 field guns. but having heavy tanks instead. These would be KV-1 tanks until 8. Tank Brigade Antiaircraft Battery: Replace the 37mm AA gun 1944, and then IS-2 tanks. Lend-lease Churchills were also some- with a AAHMG stand in 1943, and with an M-16 MGMC in 1944. times used in heavy tank regiments.. 9. Armored Carriers: Armored carriers could be lend lease 5. Tank Desant Company: These troops rode on the tanks of the Universal carriers, White scout cars, or half-tracks. brigade.

The first part of World War II in Europe consisted of spectacularly successful German offensives which changed – for a while – the map of Europe. The second part consisted of allied offensives which undid those changes. As a result, the German Army set the standard against which all other armies were mea- sured during the war. That doesn’t mean that it was necessarily the best army, particularly later in the war. But it was always the army to beat.

German doctrine was based heavily on the successful World War I “Storm Trooper” tactics, which called for pushing as much responsibility for tactics down to the lowest possible command level. This also meant pushing control of the fire assets necessary to accomplish the mission don to the local level as well. The Germans were pioneers in dedicating artillery batteries to specific maneuver battalions, and the German practice of well-equipped regimental infantry gun and antitank companies were widely copied.

The organization, and actual employment, of the regimental infantry gun company illustrates this aspect of German tactical use of supporting weapons. The company consisted of a 2-gun heavy section and three 2-gun light sections. One light section was routinely attached to each infantry battalion, while the heavy section stayed at regiment. (In the rifle regiments of panzer divisions, the light infantry gun section was permanently part of the battalion’s “heavy” company.) By the same token, the three machine gun platoons and the three two-mortar sections of the mortar platoon of he infantry battalion’s machine gun company were always pushed down to the infantry companies in the form of a heavy weapons platoon (four hvy machine guns and two mortars).

This desire to fight the battle at the lowest level possible paid considerable dividends early in the war, but became a problem later on. Artillery control was decentralized, and so it was difficult to mass fires. Faced with British and American artillery which could both provide excellent close support of maneuver units and mass fire on a moment’s notice, the Germans began paying more attention to this problem from 1944 on, but never really caught up. Declining troop quality also made it harder to be “good every- where,’ and so more and more reliance was placed on the mobile units – panzers and panzergrenadiers – to rush from one danger spot to another. As the mobile divisions became key element in the defense, it became harder and harder to concentrate them for offensive action.

Unit Designations

All German companies are numbered consecutively within their regiment or separate battalion.

In infantry regiments, the first battalion consists of the1 st, 2nd, and 3rd (infantry) companies and the 4th (machine gun) company, for a total of twelve numbered companies in the three battalions. The machine gun company does not appear in the game, as it is broken up to support the three infantry companies. The regimental antitank company is numbered 13 and the infantry gun company 14.

In rifle and panzergrenadier regiments, the “heavy” companies are not numbered, but are simply called the schwere (heavy) company. The AA company was the 9th, infantry gun company 10th, and engineer company 11th.

This was the final organizational version of the infantry division during the war. It was increasingly superseded, particularly in the West, in late 1944 by the Volksgrenadier Division. The normal pattern was to refit division on the 1944 pattern in the field, but divisions so badly shattered that they had to be withdrawn to be reformed were usually reformed as Volksgrenadier Divisions (and then usually committed in the west).

Troop Quality: Trained, Regular or Experienced Fusiliers one higher Chain of Command Morale: 7 or 8 Div HQ Fusiliers 9

Fusilier Antitank Engineer 3 Inf Regts Artillery DIVISION TROOPS Battalion Battalion Battalion each with Regiment Headquarters 1 command stand 2 Inf Bn 1 car Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck 3 Light (DS) Medium Battalions Battalion 1 infantry stand (integral Panzerfaust) 1 light truck

Fusilier Battalion Antitank Battalion Headquarters 1 motorcycle command stand Headquarters 1 command stand Weapons Company 1 12cm mortar and crew (ds) 1 kubelwagen 1 limber Headquarters Company 1 supply maultier Bicycle Fusilier 1 bicycle command infantry stand Towed AT Battery 1 command infanty stand (integral (integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) Company 2 bicycle infantry stands (integral 3 75L46 AT guns and crews Panzerfaust) 4 maultiers 1 bicycle weapons stand Self-Propelled 1 command StuG IIIG 1 command infantry stand (integral 2 Fusilier AT Battery 2 StuG IIIG Panzerfaust) Self-Propelled 1 command infantry stand (integral Companies, each 2 infantry stands (integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) 1 weapons stand AA Battery 1 light truck 3 SdLfz 10/4

Engineer Battalion Headquarters 1 bicycle command stand Bicycle Engineer 1 bicycle command engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) Company 1 bicycle engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) 1 bicycle engineer flamethrower stand (integral Panzerfaust) 1 bicycle weapons stand 2 Engineer 1 command engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) Companies, each 1 engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) 1 engineer flamethrower stand (integral Panzerfaust) 1 weapons stand

333 INFANTRY INFANTRYINFANTRY REGIMENTS, REGIMENTS,REGIMENTS, EACH EACHEACH ARTILLERY REGIMENT RegimentalRegimentalRegimental Troops TroopsTroops Regimental Troops HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command stand stand stand Headquarters 1 command stand 11 1car car car 1 car HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Company CompanyCompany 11 1staff staff staff radio radio radio wagon wagon wagon Headquarters Battery 1 supply wagon 11 1recon recon recon cavalry cavalry cavalry (or (or (or bicycle) bicycle) bicycle) stand stand stand (inte (inte (inte--- gralgral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) gral Panzerfaust) 333 Light LightLight (Direct (Direct(Direct Support) Support)Support) Battalions, Battalions,Battalions, each eacheach 11 1engineer engineer engineer stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1mounted mounted mounted command command command observation observation observation 1 supply wagon 11 supply supply wagon wagon standstandstand Infantry Gun Battery 1 mounted command infantry stand 1 staff telephone wagon InfantryInfantry GunGun BatteryBattery 11 mounted mounted command command infantry infantry stand stand HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters Battery BatteryBattery 11 staff staff telephone telephone wagon wagon (integral(integral(integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) 11 1supply supply supply wagon wagon wagon 11 1150L11 150L11 150L11 infantry infantry infantry gun gun gun (battalion (battalion (battalion gun) gun) gun) 333 Firing FiringFiring Batteries, Batteries,Batteries, each eacheach 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral andandand crew crew crew Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust) 11 1medium medium medium truck truck truck 11 1105L28 105L28 105L28 howitzer howitzer howitzer and and and crew crew crew (ds) (ds) (ds) AntitankAntitank GunGun BatteryBattery 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral Antitank Gun Battery 11 1limber limber limber Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust) 11 1light light light truck truck truck 11 175L46 75L46 75L46 AT AT AT gun gun gun and and and crew crew crew (ds) (ds) (ds) Medium Battalion 11 1medium medium medium truck truck truck Headquarters 1 mounted command observation stand 44 4RkPzB RkPzB RkPzB stands stands stands Headquarters Battery 1 staff telephone wagon 1 supply wagon 3 Firing Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand (integral 22 InfantryInfantry Battalions,Battalions, eacheach 222 Infantry InfantryInfantry Battalions, Battalions,Battalions, each eacheach Panzerfaust) 2 Infantry1 command Battalions, stand each HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command stand stand 1 150L30 howitzer and crew (ds) HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters 11 1command command command stand stand stand WeaponsWeapons CompanyCompany 11 75L12 75L12 infantry infantry gun gun (battalion (battalion gun) gun) 1 limber WeaponsWeaponsWeapons Company CompanyCompany 11 175L12 75L12 75L12 infantry infantry infantry gun gun gun (battalion (battalion (battalion gun) gun) gun) Weapons Companyandandand1 crew crew 75L12crew infantry gun (battalion gun) andandand crew crew crew 11 limber limber 11 1limber limber limber 1 8cm1 limber mortar (ds) or 12cm mortar and 11 18cm 8cm 8cm mortar mortar mortar (ds) (ds) (ds) or or or 12cm 12cm 12cm mortar mortar mortar and and and crewcrew11 8cm 8cm(ds) (ds) mortar mortar (ds) (ds) or or 12cm 12cm mortar mortar and and crewcrewcrew (ds) (ds) (ds) 1 mediumcrew (ds) truck (if 12cm mortar pres- 11 1medium medium medium truck truck truck (if (if (if 12cm 12cm 12cm mortar mortar mortar pres pres pres--- ent)ent)11 medium medium truck truck (if (if 12cm 12cm mortar mortar pres pres-- ent)ent)ent) 3 Infantry Companies, 1 commandent) infantry stand (integral 333 Infantry InfantryInfantry Companies, Companies,Companies, 11 1command command command infantry infantry infantry stand stand stand (integral (integral (integral 33 InfantryInfantry Companies,Companies,each Panzerfaust) 11 command command infantry infantry stand stand (integral (integral eacheach Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust) eacheacheach Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust) 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands (integral (integral (integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) 22 2infantry infantry infantry stands stands stands (integral (integral (integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) 11 1weapons weapons weapons stand stand stand 11 1weapons weapons weapons stand stand stand

© 2006 Test of Battle Games 24 German Panzer Division, 1944-45 This was almost the final form of the panzer divisions, and was the version encountered by the Western Allies in France and Northwest Europe from D-Day to the end of the war. It was an exceptionally well-equipped division, at least on paper. In the field there were often major equipment shortages, especially in the panzer regiment, and so it was not unusual to find additional armor added, in the form of army-level assault gun or tank destroyer battalions. The growing number of antiaircraft guns reflected the new reality of allied air superiority over the front.

Chain of Command Div HQ

Troop Quality: Experienced Antitank Engineer Panzer Panzergrenadier Panzergrenadier Artillery or Veteran Battalion Battalion Regiment Regiment Regiment Regiment (Gepanzert) (Motorized) Morale: 8 (reconnaissance 10) Recon Antiaircraft Battalion Battalion Panzer Artillery Light (DS) Medium Panzergrenadier Panzergrenadier Battalion Battalions Battalion Battalion Battalion (gepanzert) (motorized)

2 Panzer 2 Panzergrenadier Battalions Battalions

DIVISION TROOPS Reconnaissance Battalion Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters 1 command stand 1 car 1 SdKfz 250/1 Headquarters Company 1 staff radio truck Armored Car Company 1 command SdKfz 234/1 1 recon motorcycle SMG stand (inte- (wheel) 1 recon SdKfz 234/3 gral Panzerfaust) 1 recon SdKfz 234/1 Escort Company 1 command panzergrenadier stand 2 recon SdKfz 234/2 (integral Panzerfaust) Armored Car Company 1 command stand 1 weapons stand (half-track) 1 patrol stand 1 medium truck 2 SdKfz 250/1 1 75L46 AT gun and crew (ds) 2 recon SdKfz 250/9 1 maultier Light Armored Infantry 1 command stand 1 20L113 AA gun and crew Company 3 recon panzergrendier stands (inte- 1 light truck gral Panzerfaust) OR 6 patrol stands 1 SdKfz 250/7 Antitank Battalion 1 SdKfz 250/10 Headquarters 1 command stand 6 SdKfz 250/1 1 kubelwagen Armored Infantry 1 command panzergrenadier stand Company (integral Panzerfaust) Headquarters Battery 1 SdKfz 10/4 Quad 2 panzergrenadier stands (integral 1 medium supply truck Panzerfaust) 2 Self-Propelled 1 command StuG III G or Marder 1 weapons stand AT Batteries, each 2 StuG IIIG or Marders 1 SdKfz 251/10 Towed AT Battery 1 command infantry stand (integral 3 SdKfz 251/1 Panzerfust) 1 SdKfz 251/9 3 75L46 AT guns and crews (ds) Heavy Company 1 command panzer engineer flame- 4 maultiers thrower stand (integral Panzerfaust) 1 75L46 AT gun and crew (ds) 2 SdKfz 251/1 1 SdKfz 251/2 1 FAC radio truck

Engineer Battalion PANZER REGIMENT Headquarters 1 command stand Regimental Troops 1 kubelwagen Headquarters 1 command PzKw VG Armored Engineer 1 command panzer engineer stand Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio SdKfz 251/1 (integral Panzerfaust) Company 1 recon PzKw IVH 1 panzer engineer stands (integral 1 Mobelwagen or Ostwind Panzerfaust) 1 medium supply truck 1 panzer engineer flamethrower stand 1 weapons stand 4 SdKfz 250/1 22 PanzerPanzer Battalions,Battalions, eacheach 2 Motorized Engineer 1 command engineer stand (integral HeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command tank tank Companies, each Panzerfaust) HeadquartersHeadquarters CompanyCompany 11 recon recon tank tank 2 engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) 11 recon recon motorcycle motorcycle SMG SMG stand stand (inte (inte-- 1 weapons stand gralgral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) 2 medium trucks 11 panzer panzer engineer engineer stand stand (integral (integral Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust) Bridging Company 1 command engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) 11 SdKfz SdKfz 251/1 251/1 1 engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) 11 SdKfz SdKfz 10/4 10/4 Quad, Quad, Mobelwagen, Mobelwagen, or or WirbelwindWirbelwind 1 medium truck with assault boat trailer 11 medium medium supply supply truck truck 2 heavy trucks with pontoon trailers (1 44 TankTank Companies,Companies, eacheach 11 command command tank tank class V bridge) 22 tanks tanks 2 SdKfz 7 with pontoon trailers (1 class V bridge) PANZERGRENADIER REGIMENT (GEPANZERT) Regimental Troops Antiaircraft Battalion Headquarters 1 command stand Headquarters 1 command stand 1 SdKfz 251/1 1 kubelwagen Headquarters Company 1 staff radio SdKfz 251/1 Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck 1 recon motorcycle SMG stand (integral Panzerfaust) 2 Heavy AA Batteries, 1 command infantry stand (integral each Panzeraust) 1 medium supply truck 1 20L113 AA gun and crew Engineer Company 1 command panzer engineer stand (integral Panzerfaust) 2 light trucks 1 weapons stand 1 88L56 AA gun nd crew (ds) 1 medium truck 1 SdKfz 7 1 panzer engineer flamethrower stand 1 command infantry stand (integral Light AA Battery (integral Panzerfaust) Panzeraust) 1 SdKfz 251/1 1 light truck 1 SdKfz 251/16 2 37L98 or 20L113 AA guns and crews Infantry Gun Company 1 command infantry stand (integral 2 SdKfz 10 Panzerfaust) 1 SdKfz 10/4 Quad 1 SdKIfz 251/1 1 SdKfz 251 with searchlight 1 GW 38(t) Grille Antiaircraft Company 1 command infantry stand (integral Panzerfaust) 1 light truck 2 SdKfz 10/4

Panzergrenadier Battalion (gepanzert) PANZERGRENADIER REGIMENT (MOTORIZED) Headquarters 1 command stand Regimental Troops 1 SdKfz 250/1 Headquarters 1 command stand 3 Panzergrenadier com- 1 command panzergrenadier stand 1 car (integral Panzerfaust) panies, each Headquarters Company 1 staff radio wagon 2 panzergrenadier stands (integral 2 recon motorcycle SMG stands (inte- Panzerfaust) gral Panzerfaust) 1 weapons stand 1 75L46 AT gun and crew (ds) 1 SdKfz 251/10 1 SdKfz 10 3 SdKfz 251/1 1 medium supply truck 1 SdKfz 251/9 Engineer Company 1 command engineer flamethrower Heavy Company 1 command panzer engineer stand stand (integral Panzerfaust) (integral Panzerfaust) 2 engineer flamethrower stands (inte- 1 SdKfz 251/2 OR 1 12cm mortar and gral Panzerfaust) crew (ds) 1 weapons stand 1 75L46 AT gun and crew (ds) 2 medium trucks 2 SdKfz 251/1 (3 if 12cm mortar pres- Infantry Gun Battery 1 command infantry stand (integral ent) Panzerfaust) 1 recon motorcycle SMG stand (inte- 1 light truck gral Panzerfaust) 1 150L11 infantry gun (battalion gun) and crew Panzergrenadier Battalion (motorized) 1 SdKfz 10 Headquarters 1 command stand Antiaircraft Battery 1 command infantry stand 1 kubelwagen 1 light truck 3 Panzergrenadier Com- 1 command panzergrenadier stand 2 SdKfz 10/4 panies, each (integral Panzerfaust) 2 panzergrenadier stands (integral Panzerfaust) 22 Panzer-grenadierPanzer-grenadier Battalions,Battalions, eacheach 1 weapons stand HeadquartersHeadquarters 11 command command stand stand 2 medium trucks 11 kubelwagen kubelwagen Heavy Company 1 command panzergrenadier stand 33 PanzergrenadierPanzergrenadier ComCom-- 11 command command panzergrenadier panzergrenadier stand stand (integral Panzerfaust) panies,panies, eacheach (integral(integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) 1 light truck 22 panzergrenadier panzergrenadier stands stands (integral (integral Panzerfaust)Panzerfaust) 1 8cm mortar (ds) OR 12cm mortar and crew (ds) 11 weapons weapons stand stand 1 medium truck 22 medium medium trucks trucks 1 75L46 AT gun and crew (ds) HeavyHeavy CompanyCompany 11 command command panzergrenadier panzergrenadier stand stand (integral(integral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust) 1 maultier 11 light light truck truck 1 recon motorcycle SMG stand (integral Panzerfaust) 11 75L12 75L12 infantry infantry gun gun (battalion (battalion gun) gun) andand crew crew 11 SdKfz SdKfz 10 10 11 8cm 8cm or or 12cm 12cm mortar mortar and and crew crew (ds) (ds) 11 medium medium truck truck 11 75L46 75L46 AT AT gun gun and and crew crew (ds) (ds) 11 maultier maultier 11 recon recon motorcycle motorcycle SMG SMG stand stand (inte (inte-- gralgral Panzerfaust) Panzerfaust)

ARTILLERY REGIMENT Light (Direct Support) Battalion Regimental Troops Headquarters 1 command observation stand Headquarters 1 command stand kubelwagen 1 car Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio truck Headquarters Battery 1 medium supply truck 1 supply wagon 3 Firing Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand Panzer Artillery Battalion 1 light truck Headquarters 1 command observation PzBeoWg III 1 105L28 howitzer and crew (ds) 1 medium truck or SdKfz 10 Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio SdKfz 251/1 1 medium supply truck 2 Light (Direct Support) 1 command infantry stand (integral Medium Battalion Batteries Panzerfaust) Headquarters 1 command observation stand 1 light truck 1 kubelwagen 1 Wespe Headquarters Battery 1 staff radio truck (added in 1944) Medium (General Sup- 1 command infantry stand (integral 1 supply wagon port) Battery Panzerfaust) 3 Firing Batteries, each 1 command infantry stand 1 light truck 1 light truck 1 Hummel 1 150L30 howitzer and crew (ds) 1 medium truck or SdKfz 6

Notes 1. Panzer Regiment: One tank battalion was equipped with PzKw VG, the other with PzKw IVH. 2. SdKfz 251/9s: Although the half-track battalion was authorized twelve of these, many battalions did not receive this many. As an alternative, remove the SdLfz 251/9s from the companies and replace them with a single vehicle in the heavy company. 3. Kettenkrads: In the east, Kettenkrads can be substituted for motor- cycles