Panzer-Divisionen theoretical tank strength, May 10th 1940

[CNE503]

Hello,

Does anyone know what were the authorized tank strength for each type of German armored divisions on May 10th, 1940?
I don't need the effective tank strength, I've already found it thanks to Jentz's books, but the theoretical numbers for each kind of Panzer-Brigade/-Regiment.

Thanks for your help,
Cheers,

CNE503

[Ypenburg]

http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/de/n ... ect/zoom/4

[Leo Niehorster]

There is some doubt that this booklet is a 1940 organization. In any event, in May 1940 the other panzer divisions had a different organization.

To figure out the authorized tank strengths, you should probably open a spread sheet and start filling it out, using the organization diagrams depicted in Jentz as a guide.

The 1st, 10th, and 11th Panzer Regiments as well as the 65th and 67th Battalions were authorized the Sonder KStN of 01.09.1939.

The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 8th Panzer Regiments were also authorized the Sonder KStN dated 01.09.1939, modified, however, as per order dated 21.02.40. This order had been issued because there were not enough Pz-III and Pz-IV to fill all tank companies up to the level authorized by the 1.09.1939 Sonder KStN, (which had authorized 17 Pz-III in each light company and 14 Pz-IV in each medium company). The tank companies modified by the 21.02.40 order had 7 Pz-III in each light company and 8 Pz-IV in each medium company.

So there were six different organizations for 10 Panzer divisions on 10.05.1940, counting those with the Czech tanks.

Furthermore, the 6. Panzer-Division had Pz-35(t) instead of Pz-III. Its light tank companies were organized in accordance with KStN 1171(Sd) dated 1.09.1939, but equipped with 17 Pz-35(t) each. The medium tank companies had KStN 1175(Sd) dated 10.09.1939, as modified by the 21.02.1940 order.

The 7. Panzer-Division had its light tank companies organized in accordance with KStN 1171(Sd) dated 1.09.1939. The medium tank companies had KStN 1175(Sd) dated 1.09.1939, modified by the 21.02.1940 order. The division’s three battalions had begun converting to the Panzer-38(t) in February 1940 (with 17 Pz-38(t) in each light company). However, this conversion had not been completed in time for the start of the 1940 French Campaign, and the division still had Pz-I instead of the missing Pz-38(t).

The 8. Panzer-Division had Pz-38(t) instead of Pz-III. Its light tank companies were organized in accordance with KStN 1171(Sd) dated 1.09.1939, but equipped with 17 Pz-38(t) each. The medium tank companies also had the 1.09.1939 organization (KStN 1175(Sd)), modified by the 21.02.1940 order.

The 33rd Panzer Regiment (9. Panzer Division) had only two battalions, of which the I. Battalion had been created from the Panzer-Lehr Battalion (with the original Sonder KStN of 01.09.1939), with a full complement of Pz-III and Pz-IV. The II. Battalion still had the old KStN.

Have fun.

Leo

[CNE503]

Thanks Leo, you made my day (but probably ruined my wife's next ones! )!

Very best regards,

CNE503

[CNE503]

Mmmmh, a great and valuable piece of information, but which adds more questions!

1) What do you mean concerning the II./Panzer Regiment 33 (9. Panzer Division) when you said "The II. Battalion still had the old KStN"? I guess it hadn't 48 tanks (34 PzKpfw III and 14 PzKpfW IV like the I.), but how was is organized?
2) except for the 7. Panzer Division's three armored battalions, you didn't evoke PzKpfW I and II, even if there were still a lot of these light tanks in use on May 10th, 1940 (554 PzKpfW I and 920 PzKpfW II if I don't count the Pz-Abt. zbV 40). Where were they assigned in the batallion, regimental or divisional organization?
3) what about Panzer Regimenter 5 and 6 (3. Panzer Division), 35 and 36 (4. Panzer Division), 15 and 31 (5. Panzer Division)?

Thanks for your help,
Cheers,

CNE503

[Brevity]

Hello CNE503

In the 1. Pz Div. files, there is an interesting document regarding the number of tanks assigned in Feb 1940, and it does seem to include the diagrams of the new organisation:




As a bonus, they also have a tank strength for a few regiments. It's not clear whether they are authorized, or actual




Many thanks to Jeff Leach from Archives section for making this stuff available!

Jerry

[Brevity]

My understanding of authorized strength for May 1940 is something like:

light company:
- HQ - 1/III 2/II 1/kl.Bef.
- 1. platoon - 3/II 2/I
- 2. platoon - 3/II 2/I
- 3. platoon - 3/III
- 4. platoon - 3/III

medium company:
- HQ - 1/IV 1/II 1/kl.Bef.
- 1. platoon - 5/II
- 2. platoon - 4/IV
- 3. platoon - 3/IV


Tank battalion:
2 light companies (each with 7/III 8/II 4/I 1/kl.Bef.)
1 medium company (8/IV 6/II 1/kl.Bef)
signal platoon - 1/II 1/gr.Bef. 1/kl.Bef
recce platoon - 2/II 2/I 1/kl.Bef.


Tank Regiment had 2 battalions and Headquarters group with own signal and recce platoons (same as above)

Battalion Total - 10/I 25/II 14/III 8/IV 5/kl.Bef 1/gr.Bef.
Regiment Total - 22/I 53/II 28/III 16/IV 12/kl.Bef. 3/gr.Bef

Hope it helps, Jerry

[CNE503]

Excellent Jerry, it helps a lot!
Cheers,

CNE503