German Armoured Infantry Btl HQ

[blitzkreig]

Hi all.

Anyone have any info on what composed a German armoured (GEP)Schutzen/PzGren Btl HQ throughout the war? I'm looking to start a long campaign 1939-1945 and would like to have a realistic kampfgruppe HQ element.

[PopskiPPA]

Great info if you understand German:

http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/kstn/kstnpanzermain.htm

Popski[PPA]

[blitzkreig]

Popski

Thanks for the link. a good source that confirms some of the info I've gathered up from various books.

I can grasp some of it, need to get a German dictionary now though to be sure!

[Shan]

Wow, excellent link! Thanks, Popski!!

[PopskiPPA]

If you need help with translations, feel free to ask me, I'll see what I can do.

Popski[PPA]

[blitzkreig]

Popski,

Thanks for the offer of translations. Don't worry if you don't have time for all these though, I don't want to be taking up to much of your time.

All from KStN 1108(gp)(1.11.1941)

Batch 1: From their kit these seem to refer to the signals units of Btl HQ

a. Nachrichtenstaffel
b. Kleiner Fernsprechtrupp
c. Tornisterfunktrupp
d. Kleiner panzerfunktrupp

Barch 2: Various support & admin attachments

e. Gefechstrab
f. Nachshubstaffel
g. Verpflegungstrab
h. Gepacktrob

Thanks for your time fella

[PopskiPPA]

Ok, I can't deliver the exact translations, but I'll do my best. If anyone can tell the exact english expression I would like to learn...

a. Nachrichtenstaffel: communication squadron
b. Kleiner Fernsprechtrupp: small troop for communication by phone (Fernsprech)
c. Tornisterfunktrupp: troop for communication via radio (Funk) carried in a/as a backpack (Tornister)
d. Kleiner Panzerfunktrupp: small troop with armored vehicle equipped with radio
(better: troop with small (4x4) armored vehicle equipped with radio as opposed to a troop equipped with an medium (mittlerer Panzerfunktrupp) (8x8) armored vehicle)
e. Gefechtsstab: staff for combat
Gefechtstross: combat support train
f. Nachschubstaffel: supply squadron
g. Verpflegungsstab: staff for provisions (food)
Verpflegungstross: food train
h. Gepäcktross: baggage train

I hope this is understandable.

Popski[PPA]

[blitzkreig]

Popski,

Many thanks. I appreciate your efforts. I'm trying to put together a realistic Kampfgruppe HQ group, this is very useful for understanding what elements of the stabs kompanie would be actually on the battlefield in game terms as opposed to being in the rear ie btl trains.

Thnaks again

Another quick question. Some of the KStNs on the web site have freie Gliederung (fg) next to them, any ideas?

Ian

[PopskiPPA]

"Freie Gliederung" means free structuring, but I can't say what it meant to the Wehrmacht, sorry, your guess is as good as mine.

Popski[PPA]

[blitzkreig]

Popski,

Thanks once more for the translation. If I had to make a guess I'd say that the (Fg) formations were maybe ones adopted my units for various reasons such as kit availiability /manpower problems or extras. They do seem to be different from the more "standard" KStns.

Any one any ideas?

Trouble with making a "realistic" German OOB is that many units varied signifcantly in the way they implemented KStN, be it for material reasons or prefences of commanders.