Theoretical strength of a Grenadier-Regiment, late 1942

[CNE503]

Hello,

Has anyone this figure for late 1942 concerning a triangular (three-infantry battalions strong) Grenadier-Regiment? And also for a two-battalions strong one at this time?

I guess a Grenadier-Bataillon would have been theoretically 860-men strong at this time, but I'm not sure concerning a whole Regiment because I don't know how many men were in the infantry guns and antitank companies, nor in the Regimentsstab and Stabskompanie. I'm not sure neither whether these two regimental companies were active in a two-battalions strong Grenadier-Regiment like there were so much in the central part of the Eastern front in 1942-1943...

Thank you for your help.
Cheers,

CNE503

[Gary Kennedy]

You ask at a good time, as a couple of eagle-eyed contributors spotted the relevant info a few weeks back!

http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/ru/n ... ect/zoom/6

The summary in that doc gives 96 officers (including 8 Beamte), 526 NCOs and 2528 rank & file for a total of 3150 all ranks. That's at full establishment with three Inf Bns (849 each), so two Inf Bns would be approx. 2300 all ranks using the same KStN figures. Staff Coy has a few variations, likewise Atk Coy, so the full strength total has a bit of leeway. It also doesn't account for changes that came with the introduction of 12-cm mortars to the MG Coys and the replacement of 5-cm mortars with 8-cm ones in the Rifle Coys.

If Regts were dropping to two Inf Bns then it's doubtful of course they'd be up to strength in many areas. From figures I've seen and using the late 1943 KStN the first version of the nA model Gren Regt looks to have come in at 48 officers, 312 NCOs and 1723 rank & file, total 2083, so a good 1000 lower than two years earlier.

Gary

[CNE503]

Gary, that's excellent! Thanks for that!
I don't know that it was my lucky day, but so be it...

Cheers,

CNE503

[CNE503]

As often, this question led me to another ones... Could someone explain me what was the difference between a Schützen/Grenadier-Kompanie organized according to the KStN 131c, 131e or 131f of February 1st, 1941?
I mean of course besides the sheer numbers... Did they apply to specific units? And if affirmative, what was the repartition?

Thanks!
Cheers,

CNE503

[Gary Kennedy]

131c was the standard Rifle Coy organisation for an Inf.Rgt. (pre-war there had been 131a and 131b, which were eventually replaced by 131c). 131e was, I understand, used by rear area security type units (but not Security Regts proper). 131f was used by Rifle Coys in Inf.Rgt.s in Light Divs and only differed in horse transportation as I recall, and was subsequently retitled 131a. Dunno what 131d was!

Gary

[CNE503]

Gary, thank you for clearing this up.
Cheers,

CNE503

[KStN201]

131c was the standard Rifle Coy organisation for an Inf.Rgt. (pre-war there had been 131a and 131b, which were eventually replaced by 131c). 131e was, I understand, used by rear area security type units (but not Security Regts proper). 131f was used by Rifle Coys in Inf.Rgt.s in Light Divs and only differed in horse transportation as I recall, and was subsequently retitled 131a. Dunno what 131d was!

Gary

Gary,
The 131d could be the 6 LMG inf company for the 4 554-557 Occupation Inf.Div.s as at 10/5/40 as shown on Leo Niehorster's website.

David