No.

3
, WEH
ILLUSTRATED
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f)an?tt=

German Infantry
:'1nd its,equipment
""9'945
ALMARK
PUBLICATIONS;'
I. "
The classic panzer-grenadier role; grenadiers dismount from their Sd Kfz
251 half-track carrier and cautiously approach a burning farmhouse,
grenades at the ready. This picture dates from July 1941 during the
advance into Russia (Chamberlain Collection).
l3an?tr= r t n b i t r
GERMAN INFANTRY, 1939-45
Peter Chamberlain
and
Chris Ellis
Drawings by Kenneth M. Jones
ALMARK PUBLISHING CO. LTD., LONDON
1972, Almark Publishing Co. Ltd.
Text Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis
Artwork Kenneth M. Jones
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted by any means,
electronic. mechanical. or by photo
copying without prior permission
from the publishers.
First Published - January 1972
ISBN 0 85524 056 3
Printed in Great Britain by
Vale Press Ltd., Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4HR
for the publishers, Almark Publishing Co, Ltd.,
270 Burlington Road, New Malden,
Surrey, KT3 4NL,
England,
2
-- ------.-------------------,
The key vehicle in the armoured battalions of panzer-grenadier regiments
was the Hanomag Sd Kfz 251 half-track. one of the best known of all
German military vehicles. The early model had a MG 34 mounted with
a small protective shield. Here a complete platoon of four vehicles (one is
obscured extreme right) passes General List during the victory parade
in Athens after the conquest of Greece. May 1941. The German censor
has painted out the vehicle registration numbers and over-painted the
rectangular tactical signs denoting a motorised infantry company (Cham-
berlain Collection).
1: Organisation
and Tactics
STRICTLY speaking Panzer-Grenadiers were the armoured infantry
element of Panzer (tank) Division or Panzer-Grenadier Divisions and were
administered by the Inspectorate of Mobile Troops rather than by the
Inspectorate of Infantry who administered all other infantry units, In
practice, however, the distinction becomes blurred for the infantry units
of most Motorised Infantry Divisions (Panzer-Grenadier Divisions) and
some Light Divisions were similarly equipped and organised, even though
overall divisional organisation was different. In November 1942 all infantry
units were re-designated as Grenadiers at Hitler's personal command in
recognition of the infantry's important status in the war. Hence even
the conventional Infantry Division was re-titled as a Grenadier Division
from this period onwards. This book is concerned with the mechanised
infantry, however, the Panzer-Grenadiers and Motorised Infantry.
The German Army had a very flexible attitude to divisional organisation
3
Grenadiers of a Panzer-Grenadier Division are here seen moving into the
suburbs of Stalingrad, following and riding upon the StuG Ills of the
division's assault gun battalion. Date is October 12, 1942. Close co-
operation between the assault guns and the infantry were a feature of
the tactics in a panzer-grenadier division (Chamberlain Collection).
and there were considerable changes in the composition of divisions
during World War 2. Partly these changes resulted from operational
experience and partly they were made to conserve or stretch available
manpower as losses mounted and operational commitments increased.
Thus the examples given here should only be regarded as typical for
any given period. There was often some variation, even from the theore-
tical establishment at any given time. As the war progressed many divisions
became well under strength and some nominal divisions by 1945 had
only a few hundred men.
German infantry units were built up on the basis of the platoon
which was the smallest self-contained fighting element. The platoon
consisted of four ten-man rifle sections, each with a light machine gun,
plus a light mortar section with a 5cm mortar and three men, and a
HQ section with the platoon commander, platoon sergeant, and four men.
A rifle section (or squad) was commanded by a NCO and had six riflemen
plus a machine gun crew of three with the MG 34 (later the MG 42)
used in the 'light' role only. The machine gun commander was also
sometimes a NCO. In panzer-grenadier battalions later in the war the
light mortar section was dropped from the platoon but overall fire-power
was theoretically much greater for the section light machine gun was
augmented by two others which formed the demountable armament of the
section's armoured troop carrier.
From the tactical point of view the most important feature of the
infantry battalion was that the fourth company was the machine gun
company with three (later two) heavy machine gun platoons (each with
two gun sections) and a heavy (Scm) mortar platoon with three (later two)
mortars. Within the infantry regiment was an infantry gun company with
three platoons of 7.5cm howitzers and one platoon of 15cm howitzers
(two guns to each platoon). Later in the war the fourth company of a
panzer-grenadier battalion became a heavy company with three anti-tank
gun platoons and an infantry gun platoon (see Table 3). These were
additional to the weapons of the battalion's gun company which by this
time had become a heavy gun company with 15cm pieces. Thus it can
4
Two Hanomag half-tracks of a panzer-grenadier armoured battalion
following up tanks during the Stalingrad offensive, 17, 1942.
visible on the rioht mudguard of the nearest vehicle IS the motonsed
infantry tactical tign. Note the section commander standing behind the
gunshield in each vehicle. Overtaking on the left is one of the Sd Kfz
250/3 radio/command vehicles, probably that of the battalion commander
(Chamberlain Collection).
be seen that infantry regiments and their battalions were virtually self-
contained as far as immediate artillery support was concerned.
Table I shows the basic organisation and composition of an ordinary
infantry regiment in the 1943 period. The three battalions of infantry
were frequently reduced to two later in the war. The ordinary infantry
division throughout the war relied extensively on horse-drawn transport,
supplemented to a small extent by trucks and other wheeled vehicles
when available.
A motorised infantry regiment (Grenadier-Regiment [mot.]) was
organised as in Table I except that the mounted infantry platoon (horses
or bicycles) was replaced by a motor-cycle platoon and this was amal-
gamated with the engineer and signal platoons to form a single regimental
HQ company. In a motorised regiment all transport was by truck.
(continued on page 8)
5
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[-Ieavy Infantry
Howitzer Platoon
150-llIffi Howitzer
Section
Ligh t i lIe-C: 1I11
Sectioll
I I1Ifullt,'y I
I Battalioll I-
I Battalion I-
I Battalioll I
37-mlll Antitank
Section
Light Infan trj'
Howitzer Platoon
150-mlll Howitzer
Section
Infantry Howitzer
COlllpallY
il7-11I1ll Antitank
Section
7U-LUIII Howitzer
Section
Light Illlantr;-
Howitzer Platoon
I INFANTRY REGIMEN'.r I
I
I Services I
il7-mlll Alltitank
Sectioll
7U-ffilll Howitzer
Section
Light Infantry
Howitzer Platoon
Antitank Platoon
! I-I Antitank Platoon I-I Antitank Platoon I-I Alltitank Platoon 1--'
--I I I
I I I I
I I 1 I I
i I Iiiii'
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Engineer Platoon
MOllnt"d Inlalltry
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Four 12 em mort:tts
Three 8,8 cm A lk guns
1
HyPI
I
,--- I I
Sec Sec Med Morlar
'-------.,..----' Src
Each 2 MMGs 1
Two Rcm
mortars
I I
RiBe Coy RiBe Coy
RiBle PI
I
pz Gron Regt
3 4
H'o
1
Hb
d 1 1
I
Al pz ren pz Gren Hv Inl Eng
Coy Bn Bn Gun Coy Coy Coy
(mech) (mech)
H1Q
1
1
Rifle PI
r
RiAe Coy
HQ
1
I
pz Gren Regt
I
HQ
I
I
RiM" Coy'
(Armd)
2
1
pz Gren
Bn
(mech)
1 1 I
Hy Inl EngCoy AA Coy
Coy 1 I
, 12 DIG. Twelve 2-cm
I
18 M..me- AA A tk
,__",__T-_... guns
I 1 I 1 I 4 LMGs
HQ PI PI PI
Sec ,----------,,...----J
Each t WQ 15 em in.! guIlS
Table 2: Panzer-Grenadier Brigade, 1943
1
pz
Bn
(Armd)
I
A Tk PI
I
Three 88 em
A (I-.
2 UIG.
I
Rt"pair
Del
I -
HyCoy 1
I
Rifle PI
1
HQ HQ
1 I
'1-----;1--'1--!-I +-1-'1---'1
A lk PI A lk PI A tk PI lnl l<un PI Sec Sec Sec
1 I '---"-.r------J
Each three 7-S-em Tbrf'C 8'S-em Two Each 2 LMGs
A tk gUllS A tk g'uns inf guns
2 I. Yf(;, 2 UIGs
1 1 I I
Rifle PI RiAe PI Rille PI Hy PI
1 I
HQ J-
1
--"--'dr---------
I
One 3'7-c01 A lk gun HQ Sec Sec Med MorIaI' Sec
1 armd tp carrier 1 annrl tp '----..,---' I
I carrie'f Eacb I "lfmd tp carrier I I
11'-----;''----, 1 LillG 1 LMG, 2 ilDIGs Sub-sec Sub-sec
Sec Sf'C Sec "----..r-----'
"-----...----' Eat'!) 1 arll1cl tp carrier
Each 1 annd lp carrier
j
3 L:VIGs. 1 LMG,one I:i-cmmortar
H'Q
1
MC DR Sec
I
HQ Coy
1
I
MC Rifle
PI
I
SigPI
I
HQ 1
I RiM" Coy 1
MCr-l
DR
(Arrnd)
S Sig n.nd)
ec Sec

2 firma sig: cars
2UIGs
Table 3: Elements of a Panzer Division
numbered consecutively, ie, companies 1-4 were in the first battalion,
companies 5-8 were in the second, and companies 9-12 were in the third
battalion. Company 13 was the infantry gun company, 14 was the engineer
company, and company 15 was the AA(Flak) company. In two-battalion
regiments the support companies still retained their 13, 14 and 15 numbering.
Table 2 shows the composition of a typica11943 period Panzer-Grenadier
Brigade where it can be seen at once that only Battalion 1 is armoured
and Battalions 2, 3 and 4 are motorised.
Table 3 shows the relationship of the Panzer-Grenadier Brigade to the
other arms within a Panzer Division. In this book only the panzer-grenadiers
are shown in detail (ie, Table 2) though it will be appreciated that all
the other arms in the division had their own battalion and company
organisation.
Table 4 shows the relationship of the Motorised Infantry Regiments to
the other arms within a Panzer-Grenadier Division. This type of division
was essentially similar to a Panzer Division except that a single assault gun
battalion replaced the tank regiment. The infantry regiments in a Panzer-
Grenadier Division were normally motorised only (ie, carried in trucks)
though sometimes one battalion was carried in armoured hal(tracks as in
a Panzer Division.
Table 5 shows the composition in 1943 of a Motorised Infantry
Regiment from a Panzer-Grenadier Division. Comparison with the relevant
part of Table 2 shows that essentially the motorised regiments were the
same whether in Panzer or Panzer-Grenadier Divisions and the only real
changes were differing modes of transport and fewer light machine guns.
1
Div HQ
Coy
HQ
I
Armd ~ I Div tgnalS I pz.bren I Div IAnti .
Unit Brigade Tank Bn
Div Engineer F. Tank Regt 1 Div Artly
Bn ~ Regt
~ .!,
See Table 2 (page 7)
I.
Services
Grenadier in full marching order, 1940. He is wearing full equipment
except for the large hide pack. The rifle is the Mauser Kar 98 792mm.
Table 4: Elements of a Panzer-Grenadier Division
I
Artillery
Reg!
(continued from page 5)
An armoured infantry regiment (Panzer-Grenadier Regiment) was similar
again but had only two instead of three infantry battalions at all times.
Within the battalion were the changes in composition mentioned above.
The heavy gun companies usually had self-propelled weapons rather
than towed guns.
Within a Panzer Division there were two Panzer-Grenadier Regiments
forming a Panzer-Grenadier Brigade. While panzer-grenadiers are popularly
associated with armoured half-tracks, in reality this type of vehicle was
restricted in supply and of the four battalions in the Panzer-Grenadier
Brigade (ie, 2 x 2) only one, or at most two, would be fully armoured
battalions; the remaining battalions were motorised with truck transport
instead of half-tracks. Within a regiment the infantry companies were
8
I
Signals
Bn
I
Armd
Reccd
Unit
HQ
I
I
Motorised
Infantry
Regt 1
Assault 1Motorised
Gun Infantry
Bn Regt 2
See Table 5 (page 12)
9
Anti
Tank
Bn
I
Engineer
Bn
I.
Services
LEFT:. Taking a well de-
fended river crossing.
The tanks engage the
main defence positions in
a frontal assault while
panzer-grenadiers rush
the flank and concentrate
on seizing the bl'idge in-
tact. BELOW: A river
crossing. Tanks and the
infantry gun company
give strong covering fire
while the assault engi-
neers of the regimental
engineer company (who
were organised as spe-
cialist infantry) make the
crossing in their rubber
assault boats.
isolated i n fan try
pockets and attack any
positions which h a v e
been by-passed by the
tanks.
LEFT: An attack on a major
target. Heavy bombing or bom-
bardment is concentrated on
the target area. Tanks and
panzer-grenadiers encircle the
target, half making an attack
from behind on area concerned
while half the force gives cover
against counter-attacks.
LEFT: Taking a
lightly held village.
Artillery support fire
precedes a direct
frontal assault by
panzer - grenadiers.
Meanwhile the tank
companies go round
the flanks to cut-ofJ
and destroy the fleeing
enemy. RIGHT: The
second wave of a
major tank assault.
The tanks push for-
ward to attack anti-
tank positions and
strong points while
the panzer-grenadiers
de-bus to take on
..
-
Panzer-Grenadier Tactics
Within the Panzer Division the task of the armoured battalion of panzer-
grenadiers was to follow closely on the heels of the attacking tanks,
co-operating with them as required by the situation in hand. The German
method of tank attack was to concentrate first on any enemy artillery with
the first wave of tanks. The second wave of tanks was usually accompanied
by the panzer-grenadiers in their half-tracks and the task of this wave was
to engage enemy infantry and anti-tank guns. SP weapons were also
employed at this stage. A third wave of tanks and panzer-grenadiers would
concentrate on 'mopping up' or engaging any remaining pockets of resistance.
The motorised infantry battalions at this stage relieved the armoured
battalion. In defence the Panzer Division was most often used to make
counter-attacks. One tactic here was for the panzer-grenadiers to engage
the enemy frontally while tanks attempted a flanking movement. These
illiistrations from the wartime German magazine 'Signal' show typical
panzer-grenadier tactics.
..-
Table 5: Composition of a Motorised Infantry Regiment, 1943
I I I
13 In! Gun Coy 14 Eng Coy 15 AA Coy
I I I
Six IS-em 18 f1ame- Tweive 2-em
hy in! guns throwers AA A Tk guns
SP 12 LMGs 4 LMGs
2: Weapons and
Equipment
OPPOSITE: Typical panzer-grenadier tactics as detailed in the upper
diagram on page 10. Grenadiers de-bus to rush the burning farm buildings.
The platoon commander's Sd Kfz 251/10 vehicle is in the middle distance
covering the building, with a Sd Kfz 251 nearest. Date is July 24, 1941,
during the invasion of Russia.
ABOVE: Nearly 15,000 Sd Kfz 251 series vehicles were built and this type,
a Hanomag design, was the standard troop carrier for panzer-grenadier
armoured battalions. The Ausf A and B models had multi-faceted hull
armour plates and separate external side storage bins. In most battalions
platoon commanders were issued with the Sd Kfz 251/10 variant which
mounted a Pak 36/37 3'7 em gun as shown here. This grey-painted vehicle
sports white corners to its mudguards, a common 'blackout' precaution.
N ate the rear pintle mounting for an AA machine gun (Chamberlain
Collection).
I
Lt In!
CoIn
I
Med Mortar Sec
I 1\
I I
Sub-sec Sub-sec
\ ~ ~ J
Each one 8-em Mortar
I
4 HyCoy
I
Four 12cm mortars
Three 7 S-cm A Tk guns
2 LMGs
I
Hy PI
I
I
3 Rifle
Coy
I I
MMG Sec MMG Sec
'------v----'
Each 2 MMGs
I
2 Rifle
Coy
I
HQ
I
1 Rifle
T
I
III Bn
I
Sec Sec Sec
'---------y------'
Each 2 LMGs
I I I
Lt PI Lt PI Lt PI
I
(Imperial War Museum)
I I I
MC Rifle PI IBn II Bn
I
3 LMGs
I I
MCDR A Tk PI
PI I
Three 7'S-em
A Tk guns I I
2 LMGs HQ Sigs PI
I
Sigs
PI
I
HQ Coy
I
I
[,
12
13
i'
ABOVE: There were four basic production models of the Sd Kfz 251. The
last, the Ausf D, had a very much simplified body shape with the number
of separate plates reduced to facilitate production. The side storage lockers
were now integral with the hull side. Detachable hoops provided a support
for a wet weather canvas cover. Instead of the earlier type of gun mount,
a skate rail was provided for the vehicle's machine gun. This example was
captured by the British in 1944. BELOW: The Flak (anti-aircraft) company
of panzer-grenadier battalions was equipped with the Sd Kfz 10/4 or 10/5
(armoured cab) 2cm AA vehicle. Based on the standard 1 ton half-track
chassis, this vehicle could keep pace with the battalion's armoured half-
tracks. The gun was used when necessary to give ground support fire as well
as for air defence. This example is at Sebastopol on December 3, 1941, the
the crew wearing winter clothing (IWM-MH1171O).
14
TOP: An armoured car and motor-cycle combination of the divisional
reconnaissance unit overtake a panzer-grenadier company advancing in
their half-tracks. From the direction of travel and the movement of the
distant tank (far right) the unit is engaged in outflanking and encircling the
village in the background as shown in diagram form on page 11. Nearest
vehicle, radio-equipped, appears to be .
from the company or battalion staff
platoon according to the 'flag' and 'SI'
symbols just discernible on its tactical
sign. These vehicles are actually from
SS-pz-Div. 'Das Reich' whose divisional
sign may also be seen (IWM-MH12183).
ABOVE: Sd Kfz 251 half-tracks move
up in line through the vehicles of a tank
battalion during the Ore! offensive July
28, 1943. The nearest tanks are captured
Russian T-34s with large German crosses
on their turrets. RIGHT: The mortar
section of the heavy platoon had two
Sd Kfz 251/2 vehicles, each carrying an
8cm mortar which could be fired from
the vehicle (Chamberlain Collection).
15
Infantry Small Arms
Action:
Maschinengewehr 42 (MG 42)
Calibre: 7'92mm ('312 inches).
Feed: Left side; (1) 50 round interconnecting non-
disintergrating metallic-link belts. (2) 50
round belts in drums. (3) 100 round
canvas containers for tank use.
Fully automatic only. Combination short
recoil blowback action. Air cooled, with
barrel changing facility. Fitted with a
recoil booster as in the MG 34.
25 pounds 8 ounces.
Approximately as for MG 34.
Rear tangent graduated from 200 to 2,000
metres. Anti-aircraft peep sight fitted to
rear sight, which was used in conjunction
with the standard AA ring sight as used
on the MG 34.
Dependent on ammunition used . .. as for
MG 34.
1,300 rpm cyclic (decrease in accuracy
compared with the MG 34).
Weight:
Range:
Sights:
Muzzle
velocity:
Rate of fire:
o
7'92mm ('312 inches).
Left side; (1) 50 round interconnecting non-
disintergrating metallic-link belts. (2) 75
round saddleJrum feed. (3) 50 round
belts in drumf. (4) 100 round canvas
containers for tank use.
Semi- and fullYjJlltomatic, short recoil
action. Air with barrel changing
facility. There is a recoil bo:oster fitted to
to the end of the barrel which aids barrel
recoil by gas pressure force upon the
barrel face.
26.pounds 8 ounces.
5,000 yards maximum, 3,825 yards tripod
mounted, 2,000 yards bipod mounted
(effective ranges).
Vertical rear leaf, graduated 200 to 2,000
metres, foresight fixed, inverted vee blade.
Telescopic sights for use in the heavy role
(when mounted on a tripod) sighted up
to 3,500 metres. AA ring sight fitting.
Dependent on ammunition used: up to
3,000 fps. Ammunition used: Ball, AP
and AP tracer.
Approximately 900 rpm .cyclic.
Maschinengewehr 34 (MG 34)
Sights:
Action:
Calibre:
Feed:
Rate of fire:
Muzzle
velocity:
Weight:
Range:
..
N.B.: Drawings are not
to common scale
Karbine 98 Kurz (Kar 98K) Mauser
Calibre: 7'92mm ('312 inches).
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds, internal box magazine.
Weight: 8 pounds 8 ounces.
Range: 3,000 yards maximum,
800 yards effective.
Muzzle velocity: 2,800 fps.
Sights: Rear: open, vee-notch tangent
graduated from 100 to 2,000
metres.
Fore: inverted vee-blade which was
fixed and could be fitted with
a cowl (NB. No facilities for
windage adjustments on sights).
Stock shown
. folded MP 38
Magazine fitted
Pistole 1938 (P 38) Walther
Calibre: 9mm ('354 inches).
Magazine capacity: 8 rounds, removable box
magazine in butt.
2 pounds It ounces, empty.
As for Pistole 08.
As for Pistole 08.
Weight:
Range:
Muzzle velocity:
Rate of fire:
Maschinenpistole 38 & 40 (MP 38 & MP 40)
Calibre: 9mm ('354 inches).
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds, in removable
box magazine.
10 pounds 7 ounces, loaded.
1,850 yards maximum,
200 yards effective.
Practical, up to 100 rpm
burst fire.
Rear: fixed and folding
leaf open notch.
fixed, 100 metres,
folding, 200 metres.
Fore: fixed inverted
vee-blade with ring
cowl cover.
Sights:
Weight:
Range:
MP 40
Magazine omitted Outer end of
stock omitted
-detail as for MP38
Pistole 1908 (P 08) Luger
Calibre: 9mm ('354 inches).
Magazine capacity: 8 rounds, removable box
magazine in butt.
1 pound 14 ounces, empty.
1,150 yards maximum,
25 yards effective.
1,040 fps using Parabellwn
ammunition.
Muzzle velocity:
Weight:
Range:
16 17
The very efficient MG 34
was the standard machine
gun of the Wehrmacht. It
had a high cyclic rate of fire
and Was relatively simple to
operate and maintain. It
could be used with 50 round
belts or 75 round drums in
the ground fighting role. In
the medium machine gun
role (above) it. had a crew
of five and a tripod mount.
There were two of these
guns to each of the two
medium machine gun sec-
tions of the heavy platoon
in a rifle company. In the
light machine gun role the
MG 34 was used on a fold-
ing bipod mount in each
rifle section (left)
Combat engineers (Pionere) were an integral part of German infantry
formations and were trained and armed for a fighting role. A motorised
engineer battalion was included in each Panzer-Grenadier Division and
Panzer Division and units were deployed closely with the grenadier
battalions. ABOVE: For a river or water crossing (example, see page 11)
the engineer field companies used small (3-man) and large (7-man crew)
pneumatic boats. The latter seen here, could carry a machine gun section
or a rifle section of 10 men as in this picture. BELOW: Fl4me-throwers
were another combat engineer responsibility. This July 1941 picture shows
the early Kleif type of man-pack in use. This had a 25 yard range and 12
second capacity. Wafjen-SS engineers are shown. The engineer battalion
light column had six of these (or later) models and three medium (wheeled
trolley) units.
19
ABOVE: The Panzerfaust (shown loaded
in its spigot discharger) was a hollow
charge anti-tank weapon with a 100 yard
range. It was introduced in 1943 and this
two man team is covering an adjacent
roadway (out of the picture) in a defensive
position on the Russian front. RIGHT:
50 round belts of MG 34 ammunition,
a P08 Luger pistol, and Stielhandgranate
24 (hand grenade) carried by MG 34
team commander. BELOW: The rifle
grenade and its launcher fitted on the
Kar 98k rifle. Both HE and AP types
were issued (Chamberlain Collection).
20
ABOVE: The anti-tank platoon of a panzer-grenadier battalion's heavy
company was equipped with the Sd Kfz 10 I-ton half-track. The gun was
the 5cm Pak 38, gradually replaced by the 7'5cm Pak 40 from late 1942.
There were three guns in the platoon. In some armoured battalions a
Sd Kfz 251 was used as the towing vehicle instead of its unarmoured
equivalent.
BELOW: An armoured infantry company on the move during the invasion
of France in May 1940. This is the early Sd Kfz 251 Ausf A model, lacking
a front machine gun shield. Modifications on these vehicles give a low
stowage rack above the cab. Very clearly shown on the mudguard is the
rectangular motorised infantry symbol with the company number alongside.
Just above this is the famous oak leaf emblem of 1st Panzer-Division.
The 'G' indicates Guderian's panzer group.
21
3: Uniforms and
Clothing
ABOVE: Though there was a regulation way of wearing personal equip-
ment (see drawing, page 8), there was considerable variation in the actual
manner of wearing it as shown in this view of grenadiers seeking out snipers
in a railway yard. Nearest man has full equipment (except large pack), the
second has his small pack, respirator case, and entrenching tool all attached
to his belt. RIGHT: Panzer-Grenadier Division 'Grossdeutschland was an
elite formation, one of the few Army units to wear a divisional cuff-title. This
unteroffizier is a rifle section commander and has a MP 40 sub-machine gun,
and the special Schmeisser pouches. He wears the Iron Cross 2nd class and
the infantry assault badge. Picture comes from a German wartime magazine
(IWM-STT2203).
22
23
t ~ ~ ~
t ~ ~
ABOVE: Feldwebel (sergeant) on left with MP 40 covers the door while a
grenadier breaks it down during a house-to-house search in a Russian
town, September 1941. Both men carry haversacks and the sergeant has a
leather map case. This was standard service dress in the early part of the
war. By late 1942 the service dress had been simplified a little. The machine
gun team on page 18 shows typical changes - anklets replaced boots (to
save leather) and a more abbreviated tunic was issued with no pleats to the
pockets and other simplifications, such as one fewer button. Note that
epaulettes have been removed by the men in the picture on page 18.
24
Oberleutnant wearing reed-green
denim summer uniform and Einheits-
miitze. He is the holder of the iron
Cross 2nd Class and the infantry
assault badge.
Grenadier with MG 34, wearing 1936
pattern tunic and anklets, 1943. Note
foliage attached to helmet.
25
ABOVE: In wet weather the camouflage shelter quarter (or poncho)
(Zeltbahn) was worn in cape fashion. This camouflaged garment could be
used as a single bivouac or could be buttoned together to make a larger
tent. BELOW: The most common pattern greatcoat in the use by 1944. It
had a distinctive large collar and reached well down the legs. Two men
wear standard camouflage smocks over their coats.
26
;/
ABOVE: The simplest item of snow camouflage clothing was a white cape
which came nearly to the ankles. It was worn over normal uniform. This
MG 34 team is firing tracer at night. BELOW: Specially designed for the
bitter conditions of the East front was the two-piece quilted winter combat
suit. This was reversible-white one side and field grey the other. The
helmet was white painted as necessary.
F
B
E
J
A
o
G
28
Badges and Insignia (opposite page)
(A) National emblem worn on right breast of tunic and on caps. (B) Other
ranks' belt plate. (C) Obergefreiter (corporal) rank chevrons, worn on left
arm of service tunic. (D) Grenadier's epaulette with panzer-grenadier
Waffenfarbe (arm of service colour piping-apple green). (E) Oberleutnaut's
epaulette. (F) Grenadier's collar patch with Waffenfarbe. (G) Panzerkampf-
abzeichen (tank assault badge), bronze class, awarded for taking part
in three tank assaults on three different days. Worn on left breast pocket
of service tunic. (H) Das Infanteriesturnabzeichen (infantry assault badge).
Silver class-infantry; bronze class-panzer-grenadiers or motorised in-
fantry. Awarded for three first-wave assaults on three different days. Worn
on left breast pocket of service tunic. (1) Sonderabzeichen Fur Das
Niederkampfen von Panzerkampfwagen Durch einzelkiimpfer (tank
destruction badge). Silver class. Awarded for the single handed destruction
of an armoured vehicle using infantry weapons only. Introduced early
1942. Maximum award of five, after which a 'gold' class badge was
awarded. Worn on the right sleeve below the shoulder.
Panzer-Grenadier Headwear
(A) 1916 pattern steel helmet with national insignia as still worn by some
units in 1939. (B) 1935 pattern steel helmet worn with standard camouflage
helmet cover. The stitched in loops were for affixing foliage for camouflaRe
purposes. (C) Feldmiitze (field cap) with panzer-grenadier Waffenfarbe
(arm of service colour). (D) Officers' 1943 pattern Einheitsmiitze (silver
piping). (E) Other ranks' 1943 pattern Einheitsmiitze.
A
This pic/lire shows the
s pee i a I two-piece
winter suit in lise, this
time with its hood lip
over the helmet. This
item of clothing was
worn almost exclll-
sively on the Russian
front. The nearest
man has the MP 38
machine pistol.
BELOW: Grenadiers move cautiously through a courtyard behind a burning
building while searching for snipers in a Russian town in the summer of
1941. The two men on the right are Gefreiters (lance corporals) and the
centre man appears to be section commander. Rolled up tunic sleeves and
open collar were normal practice in warm weather.
ABOVE: General-Leutnant von ManteufJel (left)
with Major Kriegk, commander of the Panzer.
Grenadier Regiment 'Grossdeutschland' (right).
Kriegk held the Knight's Cross and wears a tank
destruction badge on his arm. RIGHT: A battalion
commander of Pz-Gren.-Regt. 'Grossdeutschland'.
in June 1944.
31
-.
, .
".
ALMARK
PUBLICATIONS
ABOVE: Sd Kfz 251 half-tracks of
the panzer-grenadier armoured bat-
talion of 4th Panzer Division move
through a Russian village in late
July 1941. The first two vehicles are
fitted with racks to fire 28cm rockets.
On the left a panzer-grenadier platoon
is apparently about to search adjacent
buildings and a complete ten-man
rifle section is moving away up the
sidewalk (Chamberlain Collection).
Front Cover
A gefreiter (lance corporal) of panzer-
grenadiers in 1940 with MP 40
machine pistol, and wearing goggles
for riding in his half-track. The small
illustration shows the widely-awarded
. 1ron Cross 2nd Class. Only the ribbon
was worn on active service, in a coat
button hole.
German
infantry
WEHRMACHT
ILLUSTRATED
UK price:
50p net
ISBN 0855240563
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES:
,. Afrika Korps. 1941-42
2. Panzer-jiiger
4. Halbkettenfahrzeuge (half-tracks)
by
Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis
A pictorial guide to the
motorised and armoured
units and their equipment
Unterfeldwebel (sergeant) wearing
1936 pattern helmet and camouflage
shelter quarter (poncho).
32
Panzer-grenadier Obergefreiter (cor-
poral) wearing the 1943 pattern tunic,
camouflage helmet cover, and anklets,
1944. He is armed with the standard
Mauser Kar 98 7'92mm rifle.