TO&E 864th Artillery Battalion

[David W]

Can any one supply deatails for the above for 6/41 onwards?

[Jason Long]

This unit was redesignated as I./AR 155 in 21st Panzer Division on 5 Jun 41. Do you want the structure of it after it's incorporation into the division?

Jason

[David W]

Thank you for your post.

In answer to your question, either or both would be very much appreciated.

[Jason Long]

At least initially it was an ordinary light artillery battalion with a dozen leFH 18 guns organized into three gun batteries and a stab. I'm not really an Afrika Corps expert so I'm not sure if somer references to ex-Soviet 122 mm howitzers and self-propelled Wespe and Hummel guns are accurate. Any of the decent histories of 21st Panzer Division should be able to give you what you want.

Jason

[David W]

Thank you.
With reference to your content. I think the motorised to&e sounds right.
Never heard of Soviet 12.2 in Africa, or Hummells.
Wespes in 21st Panzer Div I have heard of, but in 1943, so outside my area of interest.

[Ron Klages]

David,
schwere Artillerie-Abteilung 864 was established on 13 May 1941 in Wehrkreis IX but on 5 June 1941 it was renamed as I./ Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 155 assigned to the 21. Panzer-Division fighting in North Africa.

In Africa it operated with [12] 10.5cm leFH 18 in three batteries.

After its loss in May 1943 it was reconstituted in France and had [8] 12.2cm FH(r) in two batteries and 1 battery of [4] 10cm K18 guns. I should note that the II. and III. Battalions each had [12] 10.5cm leFH 18 auf the Lorraine chassis and [6] 15cm sFH 13 auf the Lorraine chassis. There was also a 10. Batterie with 2 Reihenwerfers auf the Somua.

After fighting in Normandy the Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 155 had the following compositions on the date shown:

1 September 1944
I. Battalion with [8] s15cm FHs towed
II. Battalion with [1] 10.5cm leFH towed
III. Battalion with [1] 10.5cm leFH auf Lorraine chassis

1 October 1944
I. Battalion with [10] 10.5cm leFHs towed
II. Battalion with [7] 10.5cm leFH towed
III. Battalion with [5] 10.5cm leFH towed and [4] 15cm sFH towed
IV. Battalion with [2] 15cm werfer towed and [1] 8cm werfer towed

1 November 1944
I. Battalion with [8] s15cm FHs towed and [4] 10.5cm leFH towed
II. Battalion with [15] 10.5cm leFH towed
III. Battalion with [8] 15cm sFHs towed

1 December 1944
I. Battalion with [4] 15cm sFHs towed and [4] 10.5cm leFH towed
II. Battalion with [8] 10.5cm leFH towed and 4 10cm K18 towed
III. Battalion with [8] 15cm sFHs towed

Hope this data helps.
Best regards

Ron

[David W]

Thank you Ron for a very detailed reply.