Strengths of Panzergrenadier-Divisionen, 1944-45

[Nicodemus]

Hello everyone,

How strong were the eight numbered Panzergrenadier Divisions (3, 10, 15, 18, 20, 25, 29, & 90) around December 1944, both in men and materiel? I'm quite sure that Dugdale or Jentz has some numbers regarding the vehicles and Panzers, and I guess there are some manpower reports out there as well.

Kinds regards,

Nick

[Ron Klages]

Nick,

Here is what Dugdale as for three of the units you were seeking.

Best regards,

Ron Klages



3. Panzergrenadier-Division on 1 December 1944
Manpower:
Authorized = 14,748
Actual = 11,476 [includes 984 sick and wounded and 725 replacements undergoing training]

Vehicles are authorized-operational-in maintenance
StuG III = 42-1-24
Jagdpanzer IV(L48) = 31-3-5
Pz III = 3-1-0
Pz IV = 0-0-2
Berge Pz III = 4-1-1
SdKfz 250s = 85-49-32
SdKfz 251s = 38-12-9
Armored Cars = 30-6-8 [5 SdKfz 222, 2 SdKfz 223, 4 SdKfz 232, 3 SdKfz 233]
Grille(15cmSIG33) = 0-4-2
Kettenkrads = 325-1-0
MC with sidecar = 0-11-7
MC = 170-285-80
Cars [civilian] = 56-449-92
Cars [cross country] = 698-156-38
Trucks [civilian] = 641-930-128
Trucks [cross country] = 963-178-25
Maultiers = 130-4-2
Prime Movers [1 ton to 5 ton] = 74-34-10
Prime movers [8ton to 18 ton] = 53-27-7
RSOs = 0-10-6
10.5cm lFH (towed) = 36 available
15cm sFH (towed) = 9 available
10cm K (towed) = 4 available
15cm sIG33 (towed) = 11 available
7.5cm lIG (towed) = 1 available
12cm Mortar (towed) = 23 available
7.5cm PaK 40 (towed) = 10 available
8.8cm (towed) = 8 available
2cm Flak (towed) = 4 available
3.7cm [quad] Flak (towed) = 6 available


They were to receive 17 Jagdpanzer IV L70 and 16 StuG IIIs by 10 December 1944.


15. Panzergrenadier-Division on 1 December 1944
Manpower:
Authorized = 14,792
Actual = 12,344

Vehicles are authorized-operational-in maintenance
StuG III = 42-3-2
Jagdpanzer IV(L48) = 31-16-5
Pz III = 5-0-1
Pz IV = 0-14-0
Mobelwagen = 0-2-0
Berge Pz = 4-1-0
SdKfz 250s = 0-3-1
SdKfz 251s = 8-7-3
Armored Cars = 16-11-7 [4 SdKfz 222, 1 SdKfz 223, 5 SdKfz 231, 3 SdKfz 232, 3 SdKfz 261, 1 SdKfz 263]
Kettenkrads = 57-2-0
MC with sidecar = 325-51-16
MC = 113-238-66
Cars [civilian] = 51-555-112
Cars [cross country] = 858-149-27
Trucks [civilian] = 581-821-90
Trucks [cross country] = 981-258-19
Maultiers = 149-10-1
Prime Movers [1 ton to 5 ton] = 63-36-10
Prime movers [8ton to 18 ton] = 54-20-3
RSOs = 0-28-8 plus 26 RSO prime movers
10.5cm lFH (towed) = 35 available
15cm sFH (towed) = 8 available
10cmK (towed) = 4 available
15cm sIG33 (towed) = 8 available
7.5cm lIG (towed) = 7 available
12cm Mortar (towed) = 8 available
7.5cm PaK 40 (towed) = 13 available
5cm PaK (towed) = 1 available
8.8cm (towed) = 12 available
8cm Russian Flak gun (towed) = 8 available
2cm Flak (towed) = 9 available
3.7cm [quad] Flak (towed) = 3 available
SdKfz 7/1 = 6

They were to receive 32 StuG IIIs by 10 December 1944 and 1 BergePz. III by 16 December 1944


25. Panzergrenadier-Division on 1 December 1944
Manpower:
Authorized = 6,456
Actual = 5,206

Vehicles are authorized-operational-in maintenance
StuG III = 31-7-5
Jagdpanzer IV(L48) = 15-2-7
Panthers = 37-5-12
Pz III = 3-1-1
Mobelwagen = 4-1-3
Berge Pz = 4-3-1 [2 Bergepanthers and 2 BergePz IIIs]
SdKfz 250s = 0-0-1
SdKfz 251s = 160-108-27
Armored Cars = 6-2-1 [had 2 SdKfz 222 and 1 SdKfz 223]
Kettenkrads = 177-47-20
MC with sidecar = 0-0-0
MC = 73-61-31
Cars [civilian] = 120-233-89
Cars [cross country] = 276-185-37
Trucks [civilian] = 249-274-56
Trucks [cross country] = 422-130-17
Maultiers = 58-59-21
Prime Movers [1 ton to 5 ton] = 32-18-8
Prime movers [8ton to 18 ton] = 21-17-3
RSOs = 12-0-0
10.5cmlFH (towed) = 9 avaiable


They were to receive 5 StuG IIIs by 8 December 1944

[Nicodemus]

Hello Ron,

Thank you very much for this detailed information, it will be of great help to some of my research.

I have one question, however. How come 25. Panzergrenadier Division has an authorized strength of 6,456 men instead of the usual 14,000+? Seems like a very weak order of battle for the division. Had the division already been reinforced by incorperating Panzer-Brigade 107 into its ranks by this date?

Cheers,

Nick

[Ron Klages]

Nick,

As you know the division was decimated in July 1944 fighting in AG Center in Operation Bagration and was sent back to Germany to be rebuilt. However, do to equipment and personnell shortages it was decided to create initially a Battle Group until it could be built back to full strength and that did not occur until March 1945. In fact over 1000 men had transferred to Panzer Brigade 107 in August.

On 1 September 1944 they had estimated around 5000 personnel and only the following equipment:

motorcycle with sidecar = 5
motorcycle = 30
civilian car = 88
cross country car = 15
civilian truck = 127
cross country truck = 221
1 ton to 5 ton prime mover = 4
8 ton to 18 ton prime mover = 11


In September the unit began to receive replacement men and equipment and by 20 October 1944 they had the following:

Manpower:
Authorized = 9,556
Actual = 6,900

Vehicles are authorized-operational-in maintenance
StuG III = 31-29-2
Jagdpanzer IV(L48) = 0-0-0
Panthers = 0-0-0
Pz III = 3-2-0
Mobelwagen = 0-0-0
Berge Pz = 2-2-0 [2 Bergepanthers and 2 BergePz IIIs]
SdKfz 250s = 0-0-0
SdKfz 251s = 11-1-0
Armored Cars = 0-0-0
Kettenkrads = 114-24-0
MC with sidecar = 146-17-0
MC = 80-31-11
Cars [civilian] = 84-207-15
Cars [cross country] = 412-62-32
Trucks [civilian] = 458-104-81
Trucks [cross country] = 916-97-8
Maultiers = 98-31-17
Prime Movers [1 ton to 5 ton] = 55-6-0
Prime movers [8ton to 18 ton] =36-16-2
RSOs = 12-0-0
10.5cm lFH (towed) = 0 available
7.5cm Pak 40 (towed) = 6 available
2cm Flak (towed) = 2

ORGANIZATION was:
Panzer Regiment 5 = not available
PGRgt 35 = 2 battalions with trucks and bnicycles plus 1 Flak company
PGRgt. 119 = 2 companies with bicycles
PAA 125 = not available
PJA 25 = 2 companies with 14 StuG IIIs, 1 company with 6 towed 7.5cm PaK40s and Stab with 3 StuG IIIs and 1 SdKfz 251/8
ArtRgt. 25 = not available
Nach.Abt. 25 = 2 companies
Pionier Battalion 25 = 1 company with trucks andbicycles
Heerers Flak Abt 292 = not available


In early November Panzer Brigade 107 was disbanded and the assets were transferred to the division. By 23 November 1944 the division looked as follows:

Manpower:
Authorized =6,473
Actual = 5,087

Vehicles are authorized-operational-in maintenance
StuG III = 31-2-15
Jagdpanzer IV(L48) = 11-0-0
Panthers = 36-4-10
Pz III = 0-0-0
Mobelwagen = 0-0-0
Berge Pz = 4-4-0 [2 Bergepanthers and 2 BergePz IIIs]
SdKfz 250s = 0-0-0
SdKfz 251s = 169-103-34
Armored Cars = 6-2-1 [3 SdKfz 222]
Kettenkrads = 126-38-25
MC with sidecar = 0-0-0
MC = 64-80-17
Cars [civilian] = 118-248-73
Cars [cross country] = 245-73-18
Trucks [civilian] = 387-308-64
Trucks [cross country] = 141-68-14
Maultiers = 64-59-14
Prime Movers [1 ton to 5 ton] = 27-21-3
Prime movers [8ton to 18 ton] =21-16-1
RSOs = 12-0-0
10.5cm lFH (towed) = 9 available
7.5cm Pak 40 (towed) = 6 available
2cm Flak (towed) = 11 available
15cm sIG 33 (towed) = 3 available

ORGANIZATION was:
Panzer Regiment 5 = 1 company with 14 panthers and 1 SdKfz 251/8
PGRgt 35 = 2 battalions with trucks, cars and bicycles plus 1 Flak company, 1 Pionier company and 1 Infantry Gun company
PGRgt. 119 = 1 battalion with 111 SdKfz 251s
PAA 125 = 1 company with 3 SdKfz 222s
PJA 25 = 2 companies with 16 StuG IIIs, 1 company with 4 towed 7.5cm PaK40s and Stab with 1 StuG III
ArtRgt. 25 = 2 batteries with 9 105cm lFHs (towed)
Nach.Abt. 25 = 1 companie
Pionier Battalion 25 = 1 company with trucks and 1 company with 18 SdKfz 251s
Heerers Flak Abt 292 = not available

On 28 December 1944 the TOE was as follows:

Panzer Abteilung 5
6 Panthers and 30 in transit
5 Jagdpanzer IVs and 5 in transit
3 Möbelwagens
2 Bergpanthers
1 SdKfz 251/8 and 1 in transit

Panzerjäger Abteilung 25
14 StuG IIIs and 17 in transit
0 Jagdpanzer IVs and 12 in transit
2 Bergepanzer IIIs
3 7.5cm Pak40s (towed) and 9 in trnsit
o SdKfz 251s and 1 in transit

other armored vehicles were
149 SdKfz 251s and 11 in transit
2 SdKfz 222s
1 SdKfz 223


From September 1944 through January 1945 the unit was authorized only as a Battle Group. It would take till February for assets to arrive to allow organization back to a division and until March 1945 when this would happen. Of course they were sent to fight on the Oder and it was not long before they were decimated again.

Here are some figures on losses by month:

August 1944 = none

September 1944 = none

October 1944 =
killed = 107
wounded = 291
missing = 607
other causes = 97
Total = 1,102

November 1944 =
killed = 74
wounded = 226
missing = 267
other causes = 158
Total = 725

Data source again is Dugdale


Hope this answers your questions.

Best regards,

Ron Klages

[Nicodemus]

Ron,

Thank you very much. Dugdale keeps amazing me with his accurate and detailed data and you keep amazing me with your highly informative and neat looking posts. Thanks a lot.

Kinds regards,

Nick

[Ron Klages]

Nick,

Thank you for the positive comments.

Dugdale has come under much criticism since he has been unwilling to give data out regarding his sources.

I take another approach in that in several dicscussions with him he has noted that he was 'ripped off' in the past and now has chosen not to divulge his data source. He claims to have a huge data base and I, until proof becomes available, am willing to believe him.

Best regards,

Ron Klages


PS:

His latest book is available and it covers the !.SS Panzer Korps [1. SS PD and 12.SSPD] at Normandy. I have already ordered it.

[donwhite]

Hello Ron,
Out of curiosity, do you know if Dugdale plans to give the Eastern front similiar treatment to what he has done with the western front? I believe he does have something on HG Pz Korps in the works (from a publisher website.

Cheers

[Ron Klages]

donwhite,

Not that I am aware of but I suspect he may have the data.

Ron

[Reb]

Ron

Do you have the name of the book Dugdale is writing about I SS pz k in Normandy? The Normandy campaign is always of interest to me!

thanks
Reb

[Ron Klages]

Reb,

It is published by Military Press in England. Go to their site listed below and you will find it.

Best regards,

Ron Klages

http://www.militarypress.co.uk/

[Reb]

Thanks Ron.

cheers
Reb

[5RANGLIAN]

Ron, this is fascinating stuff. Do you (or anyone else) have any idea what they were supposed to use all those cars for? To have over 500 cars authorised on strength seems bizarre to me, regardless of whether they're civilian or not.

Thanks.

[Ron Klages]

5RANGLIAN,

Remember they were mobile and no one walked. I also suspect that they horded vehicles since they were so hard to come. Also they would have to use civilian cars since cross country types were hard to come by.

If you look at the TOE for the US 12. Armored Division you find 490 Jeeps authhorized.

Ron Klages

[Rich]

5RANGLIAN,

Remember they were mobile and no one walked. I also suspect that they horded vehicles since they were so hard to come. Also they would have to use civilian cars since cross country types were hard to come by.

If you look at the TOE for the US 12. Armored Division you find 490 Jeeps authhorized.

Ron Klages

Hi Ron,

"Cars" and "Trucks" I'm afraid is poor translation. The first is actually PKW, that is vehicles dedicated to personnel transport. The second is LKW, that is vehicles dedicated to cargo transport. The "cross-country" models were typically military-pattern vehicles, while the others could be civilian-pattern vehicles produced for the military, foreign military vehicles pressed into service, or impressed civilian vehicles (foreign and domestic).

Don't get me started on Dugdale's "hocus-pocus" act.

Rich

[mdx]

Nick,

Thank you for the positive comments.

Dugdale has come under much criticism since he has been unwilling to give data out regarding his sources.

I take another approach in that in several dicscussions with him he has noted that he was 'ripped off' in the past and now has chosen not to divulge his data source. He claims to have a huge data base and I, until proof becomes available, am willing to believe him.

Best regards,

Ron Klages


PS:

His latest book is available and it covers the !.SS Panzer Korps [1. SS PD and 12.SSPD] at Normandy. I have already ordered it.

I don't understand why Dugdale could not release the original organization tables in the Ardennes and Nordwind Series. He did it very well in his another title "Orders of Battle, Waffen SS Panzer Units in Normandy 1944 (ISBN0952886707) pusblished by Books International with very fine original organization tables. I also don't know whether this title is the same to the new title "I.SS Panzer Korps [1. SS PD and 12.SSPD] at Normandy". So I dare not order it yet!