Panzergrenadier division
| Panzergrenadier Division | |
 | |
| Panzergrenadiers in their troop transport pass a destroyed Porantan vehicle during the 10 Days War | |
| Country | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Mechanized infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Manpower | 16,000 – 22,000 |
A Panzergrenadier division is a military formation in the military of Rotgeheim that consists of mechanized or motorized infantry. It typically has about 16,000 to 22,000 troops, and as with all divisions, is led by a Generalmajor (Brigadier General).
Contents
Background
Due to the fast pace that warfare can have, Rotgeheiman High Command sought a way to allow the infantry formations to have the ability to keep up with the armored formations. Dismounted infantry, of course, was already too slow for such a task. Mounting the infantry in fast armored vehicles allowed the infantry to maintain the same speed as the spearheading armor formations, all the while allowed for quick dismount to combat enemy infantry. Rotgeheiman High Command officially began converting infantry formations into mechanized infantry units in the early 1880s.
Equipment
Panzergrenadier formations retain the same basic firepower as infantry formations of the same size. StG-14 assault rifles, StG-12 squad assault weapons, and MG-12 machine guns are used. The troop transports used by the Panzergrenadier formations also possess their own weaponry to retaliate in the event that the vehicle comes under fire; these weapons are most often machine guns or anti-personnel cannons.
Composition
Panzergrenadier divisions are organized as combined arms formations, usually with several battalions of APC-mounted infantry organized into either two or three regiments, a battalion of tanks, and an ordinary division's complement of artillery, reconnaissance units, combat engineers, anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery, and so forth. All these support elements would also be mechanized in a Panzergrenadier division. The artillery complement would be both towed pieces as well as self-propelled guns. Assault guns, such as the StuG VI, were also organized into assault gun battalions within the Panzergrenadier divisions.
Panzergrenadier divisions in service
A number of Panzergrenadier divisions are currently actively serving in the Verteidigungsstaffel of Rotgeheim.
Typical order of battle
Division Headquarters
Divisional Staff
- Division Commander is the leader of the division. He/she normally has the rank of Generalmajor (Brigadier General).
- Division Executive Officer manages the staff affairs and keeps the division running. Normally has the rank of Obersturmführer (Colonel).
- Divisional Staff 1 (Personnel) Handles administration such as loss and casualty reports, rosters, etc., as well as replacements, promotions, decorations, leaves, punishment. Normally is a Hauptsturmführer (Captain).
- Divisional Staff 2 (Information) Responsible for interrogation of POWs, radio intercept work, and general intelligence gathering. Most often is a Hauptsturmführer.
- Divisional Staff 3 (Operations and Training) Plans and coordinates operations that are necessary for the division to complete its mission. Normally is a Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel).
- Divisional Staff 4 (Logistics) Responsible for acquiring and maintain all supplies that a division needs to operate, such as food, ammunition, spare parts, clothing, etc. Normally is a Hauptsturmführer.
- Divisional Staff 5 (Field Justice) In charge of divisional courts-martial, civilian relations, legal matters. Most often is a Sturmbannführer.
- Divisional Staff 6 (Surgery) Commands the medical services simultaneous with this position, responsible for sanitation and hygiene, movement and treatment of sick and injured soldiers, and the procurement and maintenance of medical equipment. Most often is a Sturmbannführer.
- Divisional Staff 7 (Chaplain) Two Chaplains (one Catholic, one Lutheran) are responsible for the religious matters within the division. Most often are both Sturmbannführer.
Other divisional organs
- Headquarters Company carries out the duties and tasks of the division.
- Escort Company, as its name suggests, escorts the division staff and leadership and protects them from harm.
- Military Police Company is mainly responsible for prisoner collection and traffic control, but is also tasked with dealing with crime within the division itself.
- War Correspondent Platoon is assigned in order to document the actions of the division for possible use as recruitment media, or for another use as deemed by the Rotgeheiman High Command.
Panzergrenadier Regiment
Regimental Headquarters
- Regiment Commander has the same duties as a Division Commander, but on a smaller scale. Is normally an Obersturmführer (Colonel).
- Regiment Executive Officer has the same duties as the Division Executive Officer, but on a smaller scale. Is normally an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel).
- Regimental Staff 1 (Personnel) is the same as Divisional S-1.
- Regimental Staff 2 (Information) is the same as Divisional S-2.
- Regimental Staff 3 (Operations and Training) is the same as the Divisional S-3, except the rank held is usually a Sturmbannführer (Major).
- Regimental Staff 4 (Logistics) is the same as the Divisional S-4.
- Regimental Staff 5 (Surgery) is the same as the Divisional S-6, except the rank held is usually a Hauptsturmführer (Captain).
Other Regimental organs
- Headquarters Company carries out the tasks for the regiment.
- Signals Troops act as the communications element for the regiment.
Battalion
- Panzergrenadier Company (x 4 - 8)
Heavy Battalion
- Panzergrenadier Company (x 4 - 6)
- Heavy Panzergrenadier Company (x 2 - 4)
Battalion
Same as above
Battalion
Same as above
Battalion
Same as above
Artillery Regiment
Regimental Headquarters
- Regiment Commander
- Regiment Executive Officer
- Regimental Staff 1 (Personnel)
- Regimental Staff 2 (Information)
- Regimental Staff 3 (Operations and Training)
- Regimental Staff 4 (Logistics)
- Regimental Staff 5 (Surgery)
Other Regimental organs
- Headquarters Battery
- Reconnaissance Battery
- Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Battery
Fixed Battalion
- HQ Battery and Signals (four lFH 105mm)
- Battery (x 2) (eight lFH 14 105mm)
- Battery (x 1) (eight sFH 14 150mm)
Self-Propelled Battalion
- HQ Battery and Signals (four G.W. Puma 150mm)
- Battery (x 2) (ten G.W. Puma)
- Battery (x 1) (ten G.W. Kuguar 210mm)
Self-Propelled Battalion
Same as above
Fixed and Self-Propelled Battalion
- HQ Battery and Signals (two G.W. Puma)
- Battery (ten G.W. Puma)
- Battery (ten G.W. Kuguar)
- Battery (eight lFH 14)
- Battery (eight sFH 14)
Rocket Battalion
- HQ Battery and Signals (six NbW 12 150mm)
- Rocket Battery (x 3) (twelve NbW 12)
- Heavy Rocket Battery (twelve NbW 14 300mm)
Panzer Battalion
- HQ Company (eight PzKpfw XI Panthera with 105mm cannon)
- Panzer Company (x 5) (twenty PzKpfw XI Panthera)
- Heavy Panzer Company (twenty PzKpfw XI Ausf. B Königspanthera with 128mm cannon)
- Heavy Workshop Company
- Maintenance Company
Assault Gun Battalion
- HQ Company (five StuG VI Ausf. A 75mm assault guns)
- Assault Gun Company (x 3) (ten StuG VI Ausf. A 75mm assault guns)
- Heavy Assault Gun Company (ten StuG VI Ausf. B 105mm assault guns)
Assault Pioneer Battalion
- HQ Company
- Pioneer Company (x 3)
- Bridging Platoon
Medical Battalion
- HQ Company
- Medical Company (x 3)
- Light Platoon
- Heavy Platoon
- Pharmacy
- Dental Station
- Field Hospital
- Ambulance Platoon (x 4)
