Wehrmacht Gebirgs Division strength & equipment - 1941

[Golf33]

Hi everyone, yet another question from me: does anyone have a summary of the strength and equipment of the Geb-Div in about 1941?

I have seen a figure for manpower of just over 17000 posted on these forums, but sadly nothing to indicate how many or what types of motor and horse-drawn vehicles were present. The most detailed information I have is Madej's German Army Order of Battle 1939-1945 (vol 1) but this is based on a 1944 US Army int report and since it gives the manpower strength of the Geb-Div as 13000 I think there must have been a certain amount of 'slimming-down' of these units during the war.

Currently I have some information for the GJ battalions and the HQ of the Geb-Aufkl. battalion, from the KStNs on Christoph Awender's excellent http://www.wwiidaybyday.com. What I hope to do is work out the strength and equipment of the other elements of the division, if necessary by deduction based on the total strength and equipment. I am principally concerned with:

1. Manpower
2. Motorcycles / motorcycles with sidecars / Kettenkrafträder
3. Cars / Pkw / Kubelwagen / Schwimmwagen
4. Trucks / Lkw / half-tracks
5. Horse-drawn wagons

Regards
Steve

[Christoph Awender]

Hello!

As in all Wehrmacht formations much happened between 1941 and 1944.
According to MobPlan 39/40 the Sollstärke of Geb.Div.2 and 3 was:

Officers: 459
Officials: 85
NCO´s: 2128
Men: 14516
Total: 17168

The 1.Geb.Div. had a Soll of 24956 men.

Pistols: 4012
Rifles: 11835
l.M.G.: 275
s.M.G.: 72
Pak (3,7): 48
l.GrWf.(5cm): 66
m.Gr.Wf.: 36
l.Geb.Gesch.: 12
Geb.Gesch. (7,5 oder 10,5): 16
s.F.H.18: 8

Motorcycles: 298
M/C w.SC: 231
PKW: 253
LKW: 618
Anh.(1achs): 31
Anh.(mehrachs): 6
horse drawn: 659
other: 48

Riding horses: 973
Beasts of burden: 2638
light tow horses: 1222
heavy tow horses: 12

These numbers didn´t change significantly until 1941.

Hope this helps,
Christoph

[Golf33]

You bet it helps! Thanks a million!

Regards
Steve

[Nebfer]

25,000 men!?!? man thats a Big Division.

[Golf33]

I think because a lot of the transport is by pack, and heavy weapons elements have to be able to break down their guns and manpack them through terrain that may be impassable to heavy horse teams and motor vehicles, the Geb-Div has a very high ratio of manpower to firepower. An ordinary Inf-Div has more 'fighting men' but only about the same total number of personnel because its supply and transport elements can use large horse teams and the odd motor vehicle as the Div won't be going anywhere these forms of transport can't reach.

Regards
33

[Christoph Awender]

The 1.Geb.Div. had three Gebirgsjägerregimenter and the other divisions just two.

\Christoph

[Ivan Ž.]

Motorcycles / motorcycles with sidecars / Kettenkrafträder

According to MobPlan 39/40

1.Geb.Div.

Motorcycles: 298
M/C w.SC: 231

Is it known whether the 1. Geb.-Div. was eventually supplied with Kettenkrafträder as well?

Ivan