Panzergrenadier Squad Tactics '44

I'm not at the German Panzermuseum today, but I was invited in 2019 and 2020, and I'm legally obliged to mention that since I want to use some of the images, I took them there for this video about Panzergrenadier Squad Tactics. To do this we will use a semi-official training manual from January 1944, written by a commander of a training battalion. The book was written specifically for recruit trainers and as a complement to existing official regulations. This manual is special in that it deals with the

squad

, which at the time had 10 men, while most other publications focus on the platoon, company or even larger units.

First, let's look at the organization. The Panzergrenadier armored

squad

ron according to the organization of November 1943 consisted of 10 men. There were the squad leader, the deputy squad leader, 2 machine gunners, 2 assistant machine gunners, 2 regular riflemen, 1 driver and 1 co-pilot, who was also the machine gunner of the on-board machine gun. The squad leader was equipped with a submachine gun like the MP40, which I covered in a previous video. The deputy squad leader with a semi-automatic rifle like the Gewehr 41, the machine gunners with a machine gun like the MG42 and a pistol, his assistants were also armed with pistols, the 2 riflemen used bolt-action rifles like the Kar98k, the same thing happened with the driver and the co-pilot.

It is important to note here that this was the authorized force, in the field the numbers could be different. The Panzergrenadier squadron changed throughout the war, for example, in the organization of November 1941 it had a size of 12 men, that is, two more riflemen, but also 2 machine guns. By contrast, the regular German rifle squad had 10 men from October 1939 until October 1943, when it was reduced to 9 men; Furthermore, in both cases it was only equipped with 1 machine gun, so the Panzergrenadiers had much more firepower. Finally, it is important to mention that most Panzergrenadiers were actually not equipped with half-tracks but with trucks, as described in my video about the Panzergrenadier division.

German industry could not keep up with the production of enough armored half-tracks. As such, a clear distinction was made in manuals and organization. There were the "Panzergrenadier (gepanzert)" - armored and the "Panzergrenadier (ungepanzert)" - unarmored, note that the unarmored version was often omitted. This is why I said “armored Panzergrenadier squadron”, which may sound a little strange, but it is simply accurate. Now, let's look at the examples where the squadron is used as a “Spitzengruppe”, literally “Senior/Leading Squadron”, but translated as point squad or advance element by the US Army in 1944. The manual explains the role of the leading squad. as follows: "The armored spear squad has the task of protecting the following elements (platoon, company) from surprise attacks, eliminating obstacles, breaking weak resistance and ensuring unhindered advance.

When encountering the enemy, it provides the platoon or company with a basis for your employment with security and recognition." In the first example, the terrain is a light mixed forest, the road goes from west to northeast, the corner is near two small hills that are located on the right side of the road. Our halftrack is approaching from the west. As the half-track marches down the road, we encounter an enemy armored vehicle slowly advancing towards the half-track. The platoon leader orders the driver to move the halftrack behind the hill and the platoon to dismount. A machine gunner is instructed to load armor-piercing ammunition with a pointed steel core.

Note that this ammunition wore out the barrel quite quickly, but allowed penetration of thin armor plates. The machine gunner is ordered to take cover in a nearby bush to engage the approaching enemy. The squad leader orders a rifleman to fire a flare to warn the platoon about the tanks. Two other riflemen are instructed to obtain geballte Ladungen (portfolio charges/grenade packs). These two riflemen with the second machine gunner follow the squad leader and take up position along the road under cover. Meanwhile, two riflemen cover the right flank and the driver camouflages the half-track. Once the armored vehicle reaches the ambush position, the squad leader gives the signal to fire to the first machine gun, which opens fire.

Once the armored vehicle stops, the machine gun stops firing and the riflemen with the grenade bundles assault the armored vehicle. The manual notes that the instructor must pay close attention to the proper use of grenade packs. That is, they are used against weak points such as cooling inlets, the engine hood or protruding turrets. Now, those of you who know what grenade packs look like might be wondering how you kept them from falling out. Unfortunately this is not specialized in the manual, but in an earlier video covering infantry anti-tank

tactics

in the winter of 1941/42, an example was given where such a bundle was placed in a bag filled with sand.

I assume this or a similar method was used to keep the package in place. Anyway, after destroying the armored vehicle, the riflemen climb back into the half-track and continue their march. On the way there is a more dangerous situation. The half-track is now moving along a swampy road. The road goes from west to east. Suddenly, about 400 m away, fire from an enemy anti-tank gun is detected and the shot passes by. Note that this anti-tank gun can fire, but is not in a fortified position, this is clear from the tactical symbols, as German tactical symbols used additional signs to indicate whether a gun was in position or not.

To provide immediate cover, a smoke grenade is thrown; these were kept ready by the squad leader, something that was specified in the official regulations and manual. The manual notes that it is important to take into account the direction of the wind. Furthermore, the half-track immediately passes to the other side of the road. The squad dismounts. Note that if the halftrack is attacked by anti-tank fire, the manual points out two main scenarios and how to act in these circumstances: “While under fire with armor-piercing weapons, the squad leader must decide whether to reach the closest cover with the squad mounted, possibly deploying smoke on the half-track, and dismounted into action, or will quickly separate the squad from the half-track by ordering it to dismount immediately.

The latter is usually the case if the halftrack is directly under fire from enemy anti-tank guns and returning to the next cover takes longer than dismounting. The dismounted squadron immediately carries out enemy observation.” However, let's go back to our example. Similarly, in the example above, one machine gun is placed in position in the front and suppresses the anti-tank gun, while the second machine gun is used to flank the enemy. In this case, the squad leader leads a machine gunner and three riflemen around the small hill and then attacks the anti-tank gun from behind. Note that depending on the situation, the halftrack's machine gun can also be used against the anti-tank gun, although this requires proper communication to be established.

Once the anti-tank gun is disabled, the squad remounts. This leads us to a very similar situation. Although this time the terrain is uneven and full of potholes, as is the road, which goes in an east-northeast direction. The surrounding terrain is tall forest, so there is more cover and concealment than before. After passing a small curve, our half-track is attacked by an anti-tank at about 500 m. According to the tactical symbols it is in the appropriate position. A bit of trivia here, the original figure actually uses a symbol for an anti-tank weapon that is outdated by 1943 tactical symbol standards, unlike the previous figure.

Anyway, in this situation, since the terrain and road are quite rough, the half-track takes cover, while the co-pilot attacks the enemy anti-tank gun with the onboard machine gun while the half-track is still moving. , note that under normal circumstances shooting on the move should be avoided: "Firing is carried out with the onboard machine gun from the stationary half-track, since effective and accurate hits can only be obtained by firing during a stop of fire. , short bursts of fire while advancing towards detected enemy targets at moderate speed and at close range force the enemy to take cover and make it difficult for them to operate their weapons.

This effect must be taken advantage of through successive stops of fire to destroy the paralyzed enemy. -directed fire." As such, firing on the move should be conducted solely to provide suppressive fire. Note that the original figure uses smoke as in the previous example, but the text does not mention it. Taking into account the different terrain situations and general guidelines, I assume that the smoke in the figure is probably an error or shown to indicate an alternative solution. As in the previous example, our squad dismounts and one machine gun using the uneven terrain approaches the anti-tank gun and then attacks from the front, while the squad leader with the other machine gun and additional riflemen flanks the enemy position using the trees. for concealment to attack from behind.

A big difference here is that the half-track regularly changes position and is positioned in such a way that only the onboard machine gun is exposed, which is used by the co-pilot to attack the enemy gun. In this case, the instructor must pay special attention to correct driving. The Army Regulations for Panzergrenadiers of 1943 note about firing: "Generally, a stop-fire should not be interrupted without apparent success in hitting the target. However, it will generally not exceed 15-25 seconds in duration on ground. open, close to the enemy, and under enemy fire." Finally, we have an example where the halftrack is attacked by a machine gun position along the road.

The road runs from west to east, both sides are swampy areas. As the half-track calmly moves down the road, an enemy machine gun opens fire. The halftrack stops and the onboard machine gun opens fire. The squad does not dismount, as it is protected from enemy machine gun fire. The half-track moves quickly towards the enemy, that is, after stopping fire, it moves about 150 to 200 m, then stops again and fires, and then moves again. Meanwhile the riflemen prepare grenades and their weapons. Once the distance to the machine gun position is about 150 m, the half-track moves at full speed towards the enemy, while the onboard machine gun fires bursts.

Once close enough, the riflemen throw hand grenades at the machine gun position. Once the halftrack has passed the position, the rear onboard machine gun opens fire on the enemy position. In short, as you saw in the previous examples, the squad's two machine guns are always used to support each other, while one attacks the enemy in front and the other is taken to the flank. So, we have a fire and maneuver element in place. Likewise, if the situation allows, the halftrack's onboard machine gun is also used. Many thanks to Panzermuseum Munster for inviting me in 2019 and 2020. Many thanks to Paul and Hellmut for giving me access to the Sd.

Kfz. 251 in Stahl auf der Heide! Thanks to Andrew for reviewing the script. As always, the sources are in the description, thanks for watching and until next time!