Division "HG" at Salerno

[GF84]

Here's a photo of elements engaged near Salerno.Some on left wear cammo,some on right in tropical uniform.

Hi Peter,
have you got info about this photo? (Source, location, etc...).
I'm very interested in Division "HG" at Salerno.

Thanks.

[Peter H]

Hi

Photos held at US National Archives,reproduced by Time-lIfe.

All photos--"Vietri Hills above Salerno".

[Peter H]

More..

[GF84]

Wonderful!
Thank you very much, Peter.

So, if you know, was III./FJ Regiment 1 ("KG Becker") attached to Division "HG" at Salerno?
I saw some photos of German prisoners in the same zone of photos ("Vietri hills above Salerno") but I didn't understand if they are HG soldiers or paratroopers, even if nobody wears M38 helmet.

This is a photo from "Salerno 1943 - The Allied invasion of Italy" by Angust Konstam

[Peter H]

Hi

Yes III/FJR1 was with the Division "HG".

According to Bruce Quarrie's German Airborne Divisions: Mediterranean Theatre 1942-45:

..In the first days of September,1 Fallschirmjager Division was split into three groups: I and II/FJR1(plus 8/II,two platoons each from 5. and 7./II and 14/FJR4)along with other divisional units were at Taranto in Apulia:III/FJR1 was at Naples:and other divisional units,plus remnants of FJR3 and FJR4,were in Calabria....After... the landing at Salerno..III/FJR1 went to Salerno with the Hermann Göring Division and was soon followed by I/FJR3,II/FJR3 and the bulk of FJR4...

A map from Time-Life's Third Reich The Southern Front showing Division "HG" deployment in the hills above Salerno.

[Fallschirmjäger]

Peter do you have any other maps of the HG units in italy or even tunisia,poland,france,russia etc...or maybe make a thread if the need for maps on them and of course the FJ and LWFD etc..

[Peter H]

I'll see what I can dig up.

[Fallschirmjäger]

Thanks,you can post them here or pm them to me,thanks,i still need to get a book on the HG units,not shure if ones out there have many maps?.But have found a couple of the net,still need to check some sites i have saved too for more.

[Peter H]

From: http://www.kgk.org.uk/

Organizational Table
Division "Hermann Göring"
Defense of Salerno, September 1943
Panzer-Division "Hermann Göring" (Gen.Lt. Schmalz)

Panzer Regiment HG (Oberst Roth)
HQ Company
II. Battalion
III. Battalion (StuG)

Tank Strength :
Pz IV(Lang) : 31
Pz IIIL : 25
Pz IIIN : 3
StuG IIIG : 16
StuH 42 : 6
PzBefehlswagen : 3

Panzergrenadier Regiment HG 1 (Oberst Kluge)
I. Battalion (Mechanised)
II. Battalion (Motorised)
III. Battalion (Motorised)
13. Company (6 x 150mm sIG, mechanised)
14. Company (Engineers, motorised)

Panzergrenadier Regiment HG 2 (Oberst von Necker)
I. Battalion (Motorised)
II. Battalion (Motorised)
III. Battalion (Motorised)
13. Company (6 x 150mm sIG, motorised)
15. Company (9 x SdKfz 10/4)

Panzer-Artillery Regiment HG
I. Battalion (12 x Wespe + 6 x Hummel)
II. Battalion (12 x 105mm leFH, motorised)
III. Battalion (12 x 150mm sFH, mechanised)
IV. Battalion (12 x 150mm NbW41 + 4 x 150mm sFH, motorised)

Flak Regiment HG
I. Battalion
1. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
2. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
3. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
4. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
5. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
II. Battalion
6. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
7. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
8. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
9. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
10. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
Führer Flak Abteilung
1. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)
2. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)
3. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)

Armored Recon Abteilung HG
1. Company (8 x SdKfz.234/1, 6 x SdKfz.222, 4 x SdKfz.231/3)
2. Company (Infantry, motorised)
3. Company (Infantry, mechanised)
4. Company (2 x 75mm leIG, 3 x 50mmPaK38, 4 x HMG)

Panzer Pioneer Abteilung HG (Hauptman Bittig)
1. Company (Motorised)
2. Company (Motorised)
3. Company (Motorised)

[Fallschirmjäger]

Thanks Peter,i remember seeing these pictures or it was footage on a dvd i have on italian front,and did not think they where Division "HG" soldiers.As hard to see Luftwaffe insignia and it was moving,that other group of HGD prisoners i had seen and wanted a copy too. The quality though was better,no chance on that for it?.

[RichTO90]

Hi Peter,

Comments drawn from the Meldung and Gliederung of 1 September 1943.

From: http://www.kgk.org.uk/

Organizational Table
Herman Goring Division
Defense of Salerno, September 1943
Panzer-Division "Hermann Göring" (Lt-Gen. Schmalz)

Divisional Strength Soll/Fehl:

Offiziere 611/131
Uffiz. 3,772/1,566
Mann. 14,032/4,429
Beamt. 51/13

Panzer-Regiment HG (Oberst Roth)
HQ Company
II. Battalion
III. Battalion (StuG)

The I. Abteilung was also active, but only with 2.-4. Kp. Ditto in the III. Abteilung 12. Kp. was not active.

Tank Strength :
PzIV(Lang) : 31
PzIIIL : 25
PzIIIN : 3
StuGIIIG : 16
StuH42 : 6
PzBefehlwagen : 3

Ist/Instands./einsatzbereit

Pz-III (l) 26/13/13
Pz-III (k) 3/3/0
Pz-IV (l) 42/29/13
Pz.Befehl. 4/2/2
StuH 6/1/5
StuG 16/3/13

Panzergrenadier-Regiment HG 1 (Oberst Kluge)
I. Battalion (Mechanised)
II. Battalion (Motorised)
III. Battalion (Motorised)
13. Company (6 x 150mm sIG, mechanised)
14. Company (Engineers, motorised)

The "regiment" only was present as the Regiments-Stab and Regiments-Einheiten and the II. Batallion, which was formerly the Feldersatz Batallion and was motorized. Ist (O/B/U/M) was 41/4/258/985. III. Batallion and 13. and 14. Kp. did not exist, 9. Kp had six towed 15cm sIG (mot), 10. Kp. had four 15cm sIG (Sfl), 11. Kp. was supposed to be sPak (Sfl) but evidently had no guns? The battalion had three sPak (mot).

Panzergrenadier-Regiment HG 2 (Oberst von Necker)
I. Battalion (Motorised)
II. Battalion (Motorised)
III. Battalion (Motorised)
13. Company (6 x 150mm sIG, motorised)
15. Company (9 x SdKfz 10/4)

The "regiment" only was present as the Regiments-Stab and Regiments-Einheiten and the I. Batallion, which was at least partly equipped with SPW. Ist was 26/5/173/705. Neither the II. Batallion (which was planned to be reformed) or III. Batallion existed, nor did a 13. or 15. Kp. 9. Kp. had six towed 15cm sIG (mot), 10. Kp. had four 15cm sIG (Sfl), 11. Kp. had four sPak (Sfl), of which three were operational. The battalion had three sPak (mot) and three 7.5cm KwK auf SPW.

Panzer-Artillery Regiment HG
I. Battalion (12 x Wespe + 6 x Hummel)
II. Battalion (12 x 105mm leFH, motorised)
III. Battalion (12 x 150mm sFH, mechanised)
IV. Battalion (12 x 150mm NbW41 + 4 x 150mm sFH, motorised)

Actual organization was:

I. (1.-3. Bttr) nine 10.5cm leFH (mot)
II. (4.-6. Bttr.) eight 15cm sFH (mot)
III. (7.-9. Bttr.) six 15cm sFH (mot)
IV. (10.-12. Bttr.) 12 10cm sFK (mot)
13. Bttr. 12 15cm NbW41

Flak-Regiment HG
I. Battalion
1. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
2. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
3. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
4. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
5. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
II. Battalion
6. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
7. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
8. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
9. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
10. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
Führer Flak-Abteilung
1. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)
2. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)
3. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)

I. Abteilung
1.-3. Bttr. (each) four 8.8cm Flak, three 2cm Flak Einling
4.-5. Bttr. (each) 12 2cm Flak
II. Abteilung
6.-8. Bttr. (each) four 8.8cm Flak, three 2cm Flak Einling
9.-10. Bttr. (each) 12 2cm Flak Einling
11. Bttr. 15 2cm Flak Vierling, six 2cm Flak Einling

Armored Recon Abteilung HG
1. Company (8 x SdKfz.234/1, 6 x SdKfz.222, 4 x SdKfz.231/3)
2. Company (Infantry, motorised)
3. Company (Infantry, mechanised)
4. Company (2 x 75mm leIG, 3 x 50mmPaK38, 4 x HMG)

Pz.-Aufkl.-Abtl.
1. Kp. (PSW) nine 2cm PSW
2. Kp. (PSW) not operational
3. Kp. (Inf. (mot))
4. Kp. (Inf. (mot)) not operational
5. Kp. (Inf. (SPW) three sPak
6. Kp. (Pak (Sfl) reforming, one Sfl in repair

Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung HG (Hauptmann Bittig)
1. Company (Motorised)
2. Company (Motorised)
3. Company (Motorised)

Helping to make up strength was Pz.-Gren.-Regt. 115 of two battalions with eight sPak (36/0/429/1,872), Battl. Reggio (24/4/133/824), and I./Flak-Regt. 49.

I./Flak-Regt. 49
1.-3. Bttr. (each) four 8.8cm Flak, three 2cm Flak Einling
4. Bttr. nine 3.7cm Flak (Sfl)
5. Bttr. nine 2cm Flak (Sfl)

Hope that helps.

[Peter H]

Rich.

Thanks.Much appreciated.

Peter

[Kelvin]

Hi Peter,

Comments drawn from the Meldung and Gliederung of 1 September 1943.

From: http://www.kgk.org.uk/

Organizational Table
Herman Goring Division
Defense of Salerno, September 1943
Panzer-Division "Hermann Göring" (Gen.Lt. Schmalz)

Divisional Strength Soll/Fehl:

Offiziere 611/131
Uffiz. 3,772/1,566
Mann. 14,032/4,429
Beamt. 51/13

Panzer-Regiment HG (Oberst Roth)
HQ Company
II. Battalion
III. Battalion (StuG)

The I. Abteilung was also active, but only with 2.-4. Kp. Ditto in the III. Abteilung 12. Kp. was not active.

Tank Strength :
PzIV(Lang) : 31
PzIIIL : 25
PzIIIN : 3
StuGIIIG : 16
StuH42 : 6
PzBefehlswagen : 3

Ist/Instands./einsatzbereit

Pz-III (l) 26/13/13
Pz-III (k) 3/3/0
Pz-IV (l) 42/29/13
Pz.Befehl. 4/2/2
StuH 6/1/5
StuG 16/3/13

Panzergrenadier-Regiment HG 1 (Oberst Kluge)
I. Battalion (Mechanised)
II. Battalion (Motorised)
III. Battalion (Motorised)
13. Company (6 x 150mm sIG, mechanised)
14. Company (Engineers, motorised)

The "regiment" only was present as the Regiments-Stab and Regiments-Einheiten and the II. Batallion, which was formerly the Feldersatz Batallion and was motorized. Ist (O/B/U/M) was 41/4/258/985. III. Batallion and 13. and 14. Kp. did not exist, 9. Kp had six towed 15cm sIG (mot), 10. Kp. had four 15cm sIG (Sfl), 11. Kp. was supposed to be sPak (Sfl) but evidently had no guns? The battalion had three sPak (mot).

Panzergrenadier-Regiment HG 2 (Oberst von Necker)
I. Battalion (Motorised)
II. Battalion (Motorised)
III. Battalion (Motorised)
13. Company (6 x 150mm sIG, motorised)
15. Company (9 x SdKfz 10/4)

The "regiment" only was present as the Regiments-Stab and Regiments-Einheiten and the I. Batallion, which was at least partly equipped with SPW. Ist was 26/5/173/705. Neither the II. Batallion (which was planned to be reformed) or III. Batallion existed, nor did a 13. or 15. Kp. 9. Kp. had six towed 15cm sIG (mot), 10. Kp. had four 15cm sIG (Sfl), 11. Kp. had four sPak (Sfl), of which three were operational. The battalion had three sPak (mot) and three 7.5cm KwK auf SPW.

Panzer-Artillery Regiment HG
I. Battalion (12 x Wespe + 6 x Hummel)
II. Battalion (12 x 105mm leFH, motorised)
III. Battalion (12 x 150mm sFH, mechanised)
IV. Battalion (12 x 150mm NbW41 + 4 x 150mm sFH, motorised)

Actual organization was:

I. (1.-3. Bttr) nine 10.5cm leFH (mot)
II. (4.-6. Bttr.) eight 15cm sFH (mot)
III. (7.-9. Bttr.) six 15cm sFH (mot)
IV. (10.-12. Bttr.) 12 10cm sFK (mot)
13. Bttr. 12 15cm NbW41

Flak-Regiment HG
I. Battalion
1. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
2. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
3. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
4. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
5. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
II. Battalion
6. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
7. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
8. Company (4 x 88mm FlaK18 + 3 37mm FlaK43)
9. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
10. Company (12 x SdKfz 10/4, 4 x SdKfz 7/1)
Führer Flak-Abteilung
1. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)
2. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)
3. Company (12 x SdKfz 6/2)

I. Abteilung
1.-3. Bttr. (each) four 8.8cm Flak, three 2cm Flak-Einling
4.-5. Bttr. (each) 12 2cm Flak
II. Abteilung
6.-8. Bttr. (each) four 8.8cm Flak, three 2cm Flak-Einling
9.-10. Bttr. (each) 12 2cm Flak-Einling
11. Bttr. 15 2cm Flak Vierling, six 2cm Flak-Einling

Armored Recon Abteilung HG
1. Company (8 x SdKfz.234/1, 6 x SdKfz.222, 4 x SdKfz.231/3)
2. Company (Infantry, motorised)
3. Company (Infantry, mechanised)
4. Company (2 x 75mm leIG, 3 x 50mmPaK38, 4 x HMG)

Pz.-Aufkl.-Abtl.
1. Kp. (PSW) nine 2cm PSW
2. Kp. (PSW) not operational
3. Kp. (Inf. (mot))
4. Kp. (Inf. (mot)) not operational
5. Kp. (Inf. (SPW) three sPak
6. Kp. (Pak (Sfl) reforming, one Sfl in repair

Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung HG (Hauptman Bittig)
1. Company (Motorised)
2. Company (Motorised)
3. Company (Motorised)

Helping to make up strength was Pz.-Gren.-Rgt. 115 of two battalions with eight sPak (36/0/429/1,872), Battl. Reggio (24/4/133/824), and I./Flak-Rgt. 49.

I./Flak-Regt. 49
1.-3. Bttr. (each) four 8.8cm Flak, three 2cm Flak-Einling
4. Bttr. nine 3.7cm Flak (Sfl)
5. Bttr. nine 2cm Flak (Sfl)

Hope that helps.

Hi, Richard, do you know the actual organization of Flak-Regiment Hermann Göring in March 1944 ( how they organized and how many gun they had ) after reorganization of this Flak-Regiment in Februrary 1944 ( addition of III. Abteilung and addition of 12. batterie in II. Abteilung) ?

And, BTW, was is existence of Führer-Flak-Abteilung in 1943 ?

[Kingfish]

Pardon the (hopefully) temporary hijack, but a search didn't turn up anything and being just one question I didn't think it rates its own thread.

Does anyone know what armor assets the Division "HG" had under its command during the battles around the Anzio perimeter?
What I am specifically interested in is commandeered Italian armor, if any.

Thanks in advance.

[Kelvin]

Pardon the (hopefully) temporary hijack, but a search didn't turn up anything and being just one question I didn't think it rates its own thread.

Does anyone know what armor assets the HG division had under its command during the battles around the Anzio perimeter?
What I am specifically interested in is commandeered Italian armor, if any.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, the Anzio battle occured in late Jan 1944, but I only can provide data on Jan 1 1944 quoted from their reports :

On Jan 1 1944, 26. Panzer-Division had 32 x Pz IV operational for action.

On Jan 1 1944, Panzer-Division "Hermann Göring" had 28 x Pz III, 20 x Pz IV and 15 x StuG III combat ready for war.