top of page

Military Organization > Nazi Germany > ​​Schwere Kompanie (May 1944)

Schwere Kompanie eines Infanteriebataillons (n.A.) (May 1944) 

Top

The following was the organization of the Schwere Kompanie eines Infanteriebataillons (n.A.), or Heavy Company of the Infantry Battalion (New Type), the German Army's heavy weapons companies, from May 1944 to the end of World War II. The Heavy Company supplanted the Machine Gun Companies as the Infantry Battalions' integral fire support formation. This is based upon the organization laid out in KStN 151n published 1 May 1944.

​

The primary changes from late-1943 to this organization was the movement of the 81mm mortars from the rifle companies to this battalion-level formation and the reduction in machine guns from 3 machine gun platoons (total of 12 guns) to 1 machine gun platoon (total of 6 guns). The machine guns were redistributed to the rifle companies in the light role. 

In total, the Heavy Company served 6 MG-42 or MG-34 machine guns in the heavy role (i.e. from a special tripod), 6 Granatwerfer 34 8cm mortars and 4 Granatwerfer 42 12cm mortars. The 12cm mortar was the infantry battalion's longest range weapon system at 6,000 meters. The 8cm had a more modest range of 2,700 meters. If 12cm mortars were not available, 8cm mortars would be issued. 

 

The company also had the highest concentration of horses in the infantry battalion, with 51 of the 1944 infantry battalion's 165 horses. For comparison, each rifle company had 27 horses and the battalion headquarters had 33. 

​

Contents:

  1. Organization

  2. Sources​

Organzation

Organization (May 1944 to May 1945)

  • Type: Weapons Company

  • Origin: German Army (Nazi Germany)

  • Time Frame: May 1944 to May 1945

  • Personnel: 3 Officers and 202 Enlisted

​​

  • 1× Company Commander (Kompanieführer), Hauptmann (OF-2), mounted on a saddle horse, armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun and 1 pistol

 

Company Troop (19 Enlisted)

  • 1× Company Troop Leader (Kompanietruppführer), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

  • 1× Medical NCO (​Sanitätsunteroffizier), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), mounted on a bicycle, armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× Radio Operator NCO (Funker), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 3× Radio Operators (Funker), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 2× Messengers, Horse-Mounted (Melder), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), mounted on saddle horses, armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each (1 also acts as a Horse Leader)

  • 1× Messenger, Motorcycle-Mounted (Melder), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), mounted on a Sd Kfz 2 "Kettenkrad", armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each (1 also acts as a Horse Leader)

​

→ 2× Field Cable Troops (Feldkabeltruppen)

  • 1× Field Cable Troop Leader (Feldkabeltruppenführer), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6) for 1 troop and Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3) for the other troop, armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

  • 3× Telephone Operators/Wiremen (Fernsprecher Mannschaften), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 1× Telephone Operator/Horse Leader (Fernsprecher Mann/Pferdeführer), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

​

​→ Additional Equipment: Each Company Troop was allotted 5 light draft horses. One light draft horse and 2 infantry carts were allotted to each of the Company Troop's 2 Field Cable Troops. The remaining 3 horses were riding horses for the Company Commander and 2 Messengers. The Medical NCO was authorized a bicycle. Additionally, the Company Troop had 1 Sd Kfz 2 "Kettenkrad" light half track tractor which one of the Messengers was mounted on.

​

Baggage Train (17 Enlisted)

  • 1× â€‹Administrative First Sergeant (Hauptfeldwebel), Oberfeldwebel (OR-8) mounted on a horse, armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× â€‹Company Train Leader, Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6) mounted on horse, armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

  • 1× Armorer (Waffenmeister), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× Pay Clerk (Rechnungsführer), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 1× â€‹Ordnance NCO (Gerätunteroffizier), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

  • 1× â€‹Horseshoesmith NCO (Beschlagschmied), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× Field Cook NCO (Feldkochunteroffizier), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle
     

  • 3× Horse Drivers (Fahrer vom Bock), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 1× â€‹Horseshoesmith (Beschlagschmied), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 1× Field Cook/Horse Driver (Feldkoch/Fahrer vom Bock), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 1× Writer/Machine Gunner (Schreiber/M.G.Schütze), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× Saddler (Sattler), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

​

→ Commissary Unit (Verpflegungsstaffel)

  • 1× Food Supply NCO (Verpflegungsunteroffizier), an Unteroffizier (OR-4), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 1× Horse Drivers (Fahrer vom Bock), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

​

→ Additional Equipment: Each Baggage Train had 5 Pleskau 2 wagons and 1 field kitchen as well as 2 heavy draft horses, 12 light draft horses, 2 riding horses, and 1 bicycle. One wagon was for clerical supplies, 1 for armorer and horseshoesmith equipment, 1 for kitchen rations, and 2 for the commissary unit (rations). The field kitchen was drawn by the heavy draft horses. The baggage train also held 1 MG-42 or MG-34 machine gun in the light role in reserve to be manned by the writer/assistant clerk when needed.

​

1× Heavy Machine Gun Platoon (1 Officer and 54 Enlisted)

  • 1× Platoon Leader (Zugführer), a Leutnant to Oberleutnant (OF-1), mounted on a horse, armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun and 1 pistol

 

→ Platoon Troop

  • 1× Armorer Assistant (Waffenmeistergehilfe), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 2× Horse Drivers (Fahrer vom Bock), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 1× Horse Leader (Pferdeführer), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 3× Messengers (Melder), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 1× Stretcher Bearer (Krankenträger), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× Rangefinder (Entfernungsmesser), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

​

→ 3× Machine Gun Squads

  • 1× Squad Leader (Gruppenführer), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun
     

  • 2× Machine Gun Teams

    • 1× Machine Gun Leader (M.G.Führer), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

    • 1× Gunner (Richtschützen 1), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 MG42/MG34 machine gun (heavy role) and 1 pistol

    • 1× Assistant Gunner (Richtschützen 2), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

    • 3× Machine Gun Crew (MG-Schützen), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

    • 1× Horse Driver (Fahrer vom Bock), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

​

→ Additional Equipment: Each Platoon Troop was allotted 2 Pleskau 2 wagons (each drawn by 2 light draft horses) and 1 riding horse for the Platoon Commander. Each of the Machine Gun Teams was allotted 1 light draft horse that pulled 2 infantry carts. This made for a platoon total of 12 infantry carts, 2 wagons, 10 light draft horses, and 1 riding horse.

​

1× 8cm Mortar Platoon (66 Enlisted)

  • 1× Platoon Leader (Zugführer), Feldwebel (OR-7), mounted on a horse, armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun and 1 pistol

​

→ Platoon Troop

  • 1× Armorer Assistant (Waffenmeistergehilfe), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 3× Messengers (Melder), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 1× Stretcher Bearer (Krankenträger), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

  • 6× Radio Operators (Funker), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

​

→ 3× Mortar Squads

  • 1× Squad Leader (Gruppenführer), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

  • 1× Gun Layer NCO (Richtkreisunteroffiziere), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

  • 1× Positioning NCO (Stellungsunteroffiziere), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 pistol

  • 4× Horse Leader (Pferdeführer), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 1× Horse Driver (Fahrer vom Bock), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

​

  • 2× Mortar Teams​

    • 1× Gunner (Richtschützen), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Gr.W.34 mortar and 1 pistol

    • 2× Mortar Crew (Granatwerferschützen), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

    • 2× Mortar Crew (Granatwerferschützen), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

​

→ Additional Equipment: Each Platoon Troop was allotted 1 riding horse for the Platoon Commander. Each Mortar Squad was allotted 8 infantry carts (1 light draft horse for every 2 carts) and 1 Pleskau 2 wagon drawn by 2 light draft horses.

​

1× 12cm Mortar Platoon (1 Officer and 46 Enlisted)

  • 1× Platoon Leader (Zugführer), a Leutnant to Oberleutnant (OF-1), mounted on a horse, armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun and 1 pistol

​

→ Platoon Troop

  • 1× Gun Layer NCO (Richtkreisunteroffiziere), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× Gun Layer (Richtkreis Mann), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

  • 1× Armorer Assistant (Waffenmeistergehilfe), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 2× Motor Vehicle Drivers (Kraftwagenfahrer), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle

  • 2× Messengers (Melder), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3) mounted on 350cc motorcycles, armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 1× Messenger/Scissor Telescope Carrier (Melder/Scherenfernrohrtrager), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol

  • 3× Radio Operators (Funker), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

  • 1× Rangefinder (Entfernungsmesser), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 pistol
     

  • 1× Field Cable Troop (Feldkabeltrupp)​​

    • 1× Field Cable Troop Leader (Feldkabeltruppenführer), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

    • 3× Telephone Operators/Wiremen (Fernsprecher Mannschaften), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each

​

→ Mortar Squad

  • 1× Positioning NCO (Stellungsunteroffiziere), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 MP40 submachine gun

  • 5× Motor Vehicle Drivers (Kraftwagenfahrer), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle
     

  • 4× Mortar Teams

    • 1× Gunner (Richtschützen), Unteroffizier (OR-4) to Unterfeldwebel (OR-6), armed with 1 Gr.W.42 mortar and 1 MP40 submachine gun

    • 5× Mortar Crew (Granatwerferschützen), Grenadier (OR-1) to Obergefreiter (OR-3), armed with 1 Kar98k rifle each (2 Mortar Crew per squad could man light machine guns and were armed with 1 pistol and 1 machine gun each rather than rifles)

​

→ Additional Equipment: Each Platoon Troop was allotted 2 light 350cc motorcycles (for the messengers), 1 4-seat personnel carrier, and 1 Raupenschlepper Ost tracked prime mover. The mortar squad was allotted 1 3-ton truck and 4 Raupenschlepper Ost tracked prime movers. Two of the mortar crewman from the mortar squad were armed with pistols and could man one MG-42 or MG-34 machine gun (light role) each.

12cm mortar
8cm motar
Heavy MG
Train
Company Troop
Sources

Sources

​​

Ë„ Return to Top Ë„

bottom of page