Panzer Abteilung manning numbers 1943/44

[Fish]

Hello All,
I am looking for some strenght numbers for a panzer battalion (abt) during the period late 1943 to 45.
standard numbers will do as I understand the battalions would have undergone numerous changes during that timeframe.

Looking for any positions, overall numbers for officers and men and various headquarters and support sections.

Specifically the abt was equipped with Stug IIIs and some MkIVs later on. There was a stabs company and 3 line companies.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Kevin

[Gary Kennedy]

I can give you the authorised strengths for the period you're interested in, but I'm not sure which particular type of Panzer unit you're referring to given the mention of Stugs.

Are you after details for the Panzer Assault Gun Battalion (45 guns) normally found in a Panzer Grenadier Division, or a Panzer Battalion proper (96 tanks, gradually sliding down to 42 in the final Type 45 version)?

Gary

[Fish]

Gary, sorry about that.
Its for a panzer assault gun bn, specifically Panzer Abteilung 8 assigned to the 20th Panzergrenadier Division. They had Stug IIIs from Oct 43 until Jan 45 when they lost them all in Poland. They were re-issued with a mixed bag of MkIVs and MkIV70V in March 45.

Looking for the manning numbers to bounce off the one single sources I have. Any and all.

thanks
Kevin

[Gary Kennedy]

Got you. The figures below are taken from the KStNs for said unit issued Nov43 and Nov44 -

The Panzer Assault Gun Battalion, circa 1943 to early 1944

Battalion Staff (6 Officers, 14 men)

Staff Company (5 Officers, 207 men);

Company HQ (1 Officer, 3 men)
Communication Platoon (1 Officer, 17 men) - 3 Panzer III tanks (all command vehicle variants)
Scout and Pioneer Platoon (1 Officer, 52 men)
Anti-aircraft Platoon (44 men)
Maintenance Section (17 men)
Battle Train I (29 men)
Administration and Replacement (1 Officer, 1 Official, 35 men)
Rations Train (6 men)
Baggage Train (4 men)

Three Panzer Assault Gun Companies (3 Officers, 110 men), each comprised of;

Company HQ (1 Officer, 11 men) - 2 Stug III assault guns
Maintenance Section (26 men)
Battle Train (23 men)
Baggage Train (4 men)

Three Platoons, each (1 Officer or NCO, 15 men) - 4 Stug III assault guns

Total strength of;
571 all ranks (20 Officers, 551 men)
3 Panzer III tanks (command vehicle variants)
42 Stug III assault guns

The Panzer Assault Gun Battalion, circa late 1944

Staff and Staff Company (6 Officers, 121 men); 

Battalion Staff (4 Officers, 10 men)
Company HQ (1 Officer, 22 men) - 3 Stug III assault guns (command vehicle variants)
Scout and Pioneer Platoon (1 Officer, 53 men)
Anti-aircraft Platoon (36 men)

Supply Company (7 Officers, 168 men);

Company HQ (4 Officers, 22 men)
Medical Detachment (1 Officer, 7 men)
Maintenance Detachment (1 Official, 83 men)
Fuel Detachment (10 men)
Munitions Detachment (16 men)
Supply Detachment (1 Officer, 30 men)

Three Companies (3 Officers, 60 men), each comprised of;

Company HQ (1 Officer, 14 men) - 2 Stug III assault guns

Three Platoons, each (1 Officer or NCO, 15 men) - 4 Stug III assault guns

Total strength of;
491 all ranks (22 Officers and 469 men)
45 Stug III assault guns (including three command vehicle variants)

There was an 'interim' freie gliederung version dated to May 1944, but the Stug Company KStN is missing. I'd got the above already typed up but hadn't looked at the incomplete one yet, will cast an eye over to fill in the blanks.

Hope that helps,

Gary

[Gary Kennedy]

This is the overview for the May 1944 fG version, bearing in mind that the Stug Coy is estimated -

The Panzer Assault Gun Battalion, circa mid 1944

Staff and Staff Company (7 Officers, 121 men);

Battalion Staff (5 Officers, 11 men)
Company HQ (1 Officer, 7 men)
Communication Platoon (15 men) - 3 Panzer III tanks (all command vehicle variants)
Scout and Pioneer Platoon (1 Officer, 48 men)
Anti-aircraft Platoon (40 men)

Supply Company (5 Officers, 165 men);

Company HQ (3 Officers, 18 men)
Medical Detachment (1 Officer, 7 men)
Maintenance Detachment (67 men)
Fuel Detachment (14 men)
Munitions Detachment (29 men)
Supply Detachment (1 Official, 30 men)

Three Companies (3 Officers, 61 men), each comprised of;

Company HQ (1 Officer, 15 men) - 2 Stug III assault guns

Three Platoons, each (1 Officer or NCO, 15 men) - 4 Stug III assault guns

Total strength of;
490 all ranks (22 Officers and 469 men)
3 Panzer III tanks (all command vehicle variants)
42 Stug III assault guns (including three command vehicle variants)

Note; reduce the Scout and Pioneer Platoon by five men for the Nov44 version posted above, just realised I'd included them with four Scout Dets, but they only had three authorised.

Gary

[Fish]

Gary, thanks very much, just what I was looking for. Will bounce it off what I have and take the average to get my numbers.

Thanks again
Kevin