Thread: German orbats
German document can be very interesting, even if you don’t speak German.
Their visual OOBs are prob the best example of that, if you know what the symbols mean.
Yes, you can look those up online, but how about a crash course in several threads?
German document can be very interesting, even if you don’t speak German.
Their visual OOBs are prob the best example of that, if you know what the symbols mean.
Yes, you can look those up online, but how about a crash course in several threads?
Modern publications typically use NATO symbols. Useful, but also boring.
(Examples from Zetterling’s ‘Normandy 1944’ and Zaloga’s ‘Cherbourg 1944’)
(Examples from Zetterling’s ‘Normandy 1944’ and Zaloga’s ‘Cherbourg 1944’)
German OOB charts are great, and a little confusing
Regard them as a unit assembled on an inspection ground: that they're seen from the perspective of a commander looking at his troops. So left on paper is actually right and right is left: So 4-3-2-1. Applies to all subunits!
Regard them as a unit assembled on an inspection ground: that they're seen from the perspective of a commander looking at his troops. So left on paper is actually right and right is left: So 4-3-2-1. Applies to all subunits!
As for units, different types of numbers are used:
Div., regiment and companies/batteries/columns: Arabic
Battalions: Roman (also applies to Corps)
No letters for companies!
Div., regiment and companies/batteries/columns: Arabic
Battalions: Roman (also applies to Corps)
No letters for companies!
now we’re speaking about numbers:
division and company numbers come before the unit: 319.Inf.Div.; 1st Co
Most other numbers come second: Gren.Rgt.582, Nachr.Abt.319, etc.
So while English language publications *always* say 582nd Gren. Rgt., I'd say they are wrong 🙃
division and company numbers come before the unit: 319.Inf.Div.; 1st Co
Most other numbers come second: Gren.Rgt.582, Nachr.Abt.319, etc.
So while English language publications *always* say 582nd Gren. Rgt., I'd say they are wrong 🙃
Note: the ‘.’ in ‘319.’ turns is into a ordinal number. So ‘319.’ means 319th. Also applies to subunits
II./Gren.Rgt.582 = 2nd battalion, Gren.Rgt.582. In English often written as 2/582, because they use Arabic numbers. Company A/582 is 1./582 in German
II./Gren.Rgt.582 = 2nd battalion, Gren.Rgt.582. In English often written as 2/582, because they use Arabic numbers. Company A/582 is 1./582 in German
Back to the OOBs:
Flags are important. They identify units down to battalion level
Here we have:
-division flag
-regimental flag (square)
-battalion flag
Flags are important. They identify units down to battalion level
Here we have:
-division flag
-regimental flag (square)
-battalion flag
Each of these can be modified to show a specific type of unit
Examples:
-simplest form: infantry
-add a rhomboid: Panzer-Div. (think of the first tank design)
-add two bars: Artillery-Rgt. (think of two wheels on an art. piece)
-add two arrows: engineer-bn
But more on this later
Examples:
-simplest form: infantry
-add a rhomboid: Panzer-Div. (think of the first tank design)
-add two bars: Artillery-Rgt. (think of two wheels on an art. piece)
-add two arrows: engineer-bn
But more on this later
OOBs can show different things. 3 are particularly common:
-standard organization (Grundgliederung)
-authorized strength (Soll-Gliederung)
-actual strength (most important)
All of these do not include small arms. It’s basically machine-guns and heavier stuff
-standard organization (Grundgliederung)
-authorized strength (Soll-Gliederung)
-actual strength (most important)
All of these do not include small arms. It’s basically machine-guns and heavier stuff
So a Gliederung can tell us the basic organization of a unit, incl. the subunits and heavy(ish) weaponry. Platoons can be included if they are ‘unique’ (within a larger unit or independent)
To be continued with a closer look at infantry divisions!
To be continued with a closer look at infantry divisions!
If you enjoyed this thread and would like to support me, you can get me Ko-Fi
ko-fi.com/niels_1944
ko-fi.com/niels_1944
Thread #2 is now live:
https://twitter.com/Niels_1944/status/1427970711621079049
@threadreaderapp
unroll
unroll
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
