Saturday 10 September 2011

German Squad Structure and Weapons.

Grenadier Squad.

Squad Leader (NCO or junior officer) – Pistol and MP40 SMG
SMG Team (2 men, gunner / loader) – MG34/MG42, Pistol, Kar98k Rifle

2nd in Command (NCO) – Pistol and MP40 SMG/Kar98k Rifle
Rifle Team (6/5 men) – Kar98k Rifles

Panzergrenadier Squad.

Squad Leader (NCO or junior officer) – Pistol and MP40 SMG
SMG Team (2 men, gunner / loader) – MG34/MG42, Pistol, Kar98k Rifle
Rifleman (2) – Kar98k Rifle

2nd in Command (NCO) – Pistol and MP40 SMG/Kar98k Rifle
SMG Team (2 men, gunner / loader) – MG34/MG42, Pistol, Kar98k Rifle
Rifleman (2) – Kar98k Rifle

The first section/team was the ‘fire’ team who would lay down the main suppressing (and killing) fire of the squad. Either the squad leader or the 2nd would lead this. The second section/team was the ‘manoeuvre’ element of the squad. They would close range / flank the enemy using small arms fire and grenades.

The squad may sometimes be supported by and extra anti-tank team of 2 men carrying Panzerfausts or Panzerschrecks and Kar98k rifles.

Of course there are always variations to this, especially as the war progressed. Many units were often undermanned even after re-supply.

These are the most common weapons of the Germans soldier:

Pistols -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luger_P08_pistol (early war but most kept hold of them)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walther_P38 (newer issue pistols)

Rifle -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kar98 (standard issue rifle)

LMG -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_34 (the standard squad LMG)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_42 (a new heavier version of the above with devastating firepower!)

SMG -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP_40 (the classic SMG used by Clint in "Where Eagles Dare")

Individual anti-tank -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzerfaust (one shot)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzerschreck (reusable)

For an extensive look at many of the weapons the Germans used http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:World_War_II_German_infantry_weapons

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