According to the mobilization plan adopted on 1939-01-03, Germany entered World War II with an active army, which consisted of 103 field formations of troops. This number included four light and motorized infantry, as well as five tank divisions. In fact, only they had armored vehicles. They did not need to be hastily formed (as was the case with most infantry divisions), since they required only minor resupply.
At the same time, these divisions were schnelle Trurren (mobile troops). For more flexible control, they were merged into two army Armeekorps (mot) (motorized corps). With the headquarters of the XVI Motorized Corps (which included the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Panzer Divisions), in the spring of the 39th command post exercise was conducted by the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Halder. In the practice of the Wehrmacht, for the first time, the question of the massive use of tanks during the battle was studied. Major field maneuvers were planned for the fall, but they had to "exercise" on Polish soil in battles.
The structure of tank divisions (the first three were formed in 1935: the first - in Weimar; the second - in Würzburg, later redeployed to Vienna; the third - in Berlin. Two more were formed in 1938: the fourth - in Würzburg, the fifth - in Oppeln) was approximately the same: the Panzerbrigade (tank brigade) consisted of two regiments consisting of two battalions, each with three Panzerkompanie (companies): two - leichte (light tanks); one - gemischte (mixed); Schutzenbrigade (mot) (motorized rifle brigade), part of a motorized rifle regiment of two Kradschutzenbataillon (motorcycle rifle) and motorized rifle battalions. The division consisted of: Aufklarungbataillon (reconnaissance battalion); Panzerabwehrabteilung (anti-tank battalion); Artillerieregiment (mot) (motorized artillery regiment), included a couple of light battalions; Pionierbataillon (sapper battalion), as well as rear units. In the state division, there were 11,792 servicemen, of which 394 were officers, 324 tanks, forty-eight 37-mm anti-tank guns, thirty-six field art. guns with mechanical traction, ten armored vehicles.
Germany's Panzerkampfwagen I, SdKfz 101 light tank
German tank PzKpfw II overcomes reinforced concrete fortifications
Infanteriedivision (mot) (motorized infantry divisions) created in 1937 should be considered as the first result of the motorization of the armed forces that began. The motorized infantry division consisted of three infantry regiments (three battalions each), an artillery regiment, a reconnaissance battalion, an anti-tank battalion, a Nachrichtenabteilung (communications battalion) and a sapper battalion. There were no tanks in the state.
But in the leichte Division (light division) there were 86 of them, 10662 personnel, 54 37-mm anti-tank guns, 36 howitzers. The light division consisted of two kav. Schützenregiment (cavalry rifle), tank battalion, artillery and reconnaissance regiments, communications and support units. In addition, there were the Fourth and Sixth separate tank brigades, which have the same structure as the tank divisions. The reserve army envisaged the deployment of eight reserve tank battalions.
In the tank units and formations of the Wehrmacht, a fairly large number of tanks were listed. But checkmate.some were clearly weak: mainly the light Pz Kpfw I and Pz Kpfw II, fewer medium Pz Kpfw III and Pz Kpfw IV.
Here you need to compare the Panzerwaffe with similar military structures in the countries of the future anti-Hitler coalition. The mechanized corps of the USSR army according to the 1940 state included 2 tank divisions and one motorized rifle division, a motorcycle regiment as well as other units. The tank division had two tank regiments (four battalions each), an artillery and motorized rifle regiment. According to the staff, there were 10,940 people, 375 tanks (four types, including KB and T-34), 95 BA, 20 field artillery systems. The motorized rifle division had one-third fewer tanks (275 light combat vehicles, mainly BT) and consisted of a tank and two motorized rifle regiments. The staff consisted of 11,650 personnel, 48 field artillery systems, 49 armored vehicles, 30 anti-tank guns of 45 mm caliber.
There were no tank divisions in the USA, France and other countries before the war. Only in England in the 38th was formed a mechanized mobile division, which was more a training than a combat formation.
The organization of tank formations and units of Germany was constantly changing, which was determined by the presence of mat. parts and conditions of the situation. So, in Prague in April 1939, on the basis of the Fourth Separate Tank Brigade (Seventh and Eighth Tank Regiments), the Germans formed the Tenth Panzer Division, which managed to take part in the defeat in Poland with the other five divisions. This unit consisted of four tank battalions. In Wuppertal in October 39, the Sixth Panzer Division was created on the basis of the First Light Division, and two more (Third and Fourth) were reorganized into the Seventh and Eighth Panzer Divisions. The fourth light division in January 40th became the Ninth Panzer. The first three received a tank battalion and a regiment, and the last - only two battalions, which were reduced to a tank regiment.
Tank Pzkpfw III forcing the river
German infantrymen at the PzKpfw IV tank. Vyazma area. October 1941
The Panzerwaffe had one interesting characteristic feature: with the increase in the number of tank formations, the combat power decreased significantly. The main reason was that the German industry did not manage to organize the production of the required amount of armored vehicles. During the war, things got better. With a steady increase in the irrecoverable losses of tanks, the German General Staff gave orders to form new units. According to Müller-Hillebrand, the Wehrmacht in September 1939 had 33 tank battalions, 20 of which were in five divisions; before the attack on France (May 1940) - 35 battalions included in 10 tank divisions; June 1941 - 57 battalions, 43 of which were part of 17 tank divisions, which were intended to attack the Soviet Union, 4 - the reserve of the Supreme High Command (as part of the Second and Fifth Panzer Divisions); 4 - in North Africa (as part of the Fifteenth and Twenty-first Panzer Divisions), 6 - in the reserve army. If in the 39th year the staff of each tank division was supposed to have 324 tanks, then already in the 40th year - 258 units, and in the 41st year - 196 units.
In August-October 1940, after the French campaign, the formation of ten more tank divisions began - from the Eleventh to the Twenty-first. And again with a new structure. The tank brigade in most of them had a two-battalion regiment, each of which had a company of Pz Kpfw IV vehicles and two companies of Pz Kpfw III. The motorized rifle brigade consisted of two regiments of three battalions (including a motorcycle battalion) and a company of Infanteriegeschutzkompanie (a company of infantry guns). The division also included a reconnaissance battalion, an artillery regiment (mixed and two light battalions) with 24 105-mm howitzers, 8 150-mm howitzers and 4 105-mm guns, an anti-tank division with 24 37- mm and 10 50-mm anti-tank guns, 10 20-mm automatic anti-aircraft guns, a sapper battalion and others. However, the 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th divisions had only three tank battalions.
In various formations, the number of tanks could be from 147 to 229 units. At the same time, the 7th, 8th, 12th, 19th and 20th Panzer Divisions were equipped only with Pz Kpfw 38 (t) tanks, built at enterprises in the occupied regions of the Czech Republic. As for the tank divisions in Africa, their composition was very peculiar. For example, the motorized rifle regiment of the Fifteenth Division had only machine-gun and motorcycle battalions, and the Twenty-first had three battalions, of which one was machine-gun. There were no anti-aircraft guns in the anti-tank divisions. Both divisions included two tank battalions.
On the German-Soviet front, along with the army divisions, the Waffen SS (SS troops) motorized infantry divisions fought: Reich (SS-R, "Reich"), Totenkopf '(SS-T, "Death's Head"), Wiking (SS-W, " Viking "), as well as Hitler's personal guard brigade, which soon became a division (Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler LSS-AH). At the initial stage, they all did not have tanks and in their structure were more like infantry and included only two motorized regiments.
German armored vehicles in the steppe in the USSR. In the foreground is the Sd. Kfz. 250, then Pz. Kpfw. III and Pz. Kpfw. II tanks, Sd. Kfz. 251
An accumulation of German armored vehicles in Belarus. The beginning of the war, June 1941. In the foreground is a light tank of Czech production LT vz. 38 (in the Wehrmacht - Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t))
Hitler, over time, trusted the army men less and less, sympathizing with the SS troops. The number of their parts increased continuously. Motorized infantry divisions in the winter of 1942-1943 received a Pz Kpfw VI "Tiger" company. Motorized divisions SS (except "Viking") and Grossdeutschland (army exemplary "Great Germany") at the beginning of the battles on the Kursk Bulge had more tanks in their composition than any other tank division.
The SS divisions at that time were in the process of being reorganized into the First, Second, Third and Fifth SS Panzer Divisions. They were fully staffed in October. From that time on, the armament organization of the SS Panzer Divisions and the Wehrmacht became different. SS divisions always received the latest and greatest equipment, had more motorized infantry.
In May 1943, probably trying to raise the morale of the active army, as well as to show the superiority of the German army in equipping the infantry troops with armored personnel carriers, Hitler ordered to call the infantry motorized formations and units Panzergrenadierdivision (panzergrenadier).
Panzer divisions and Panzergrenadierdivision moved to the new state. The tank division consisted of two panzergrenadier regiments consisting of two battalions. At the same time, trucks continued to be the main means of transport for the infantry. Only one battalion per division was fully equipped with armored personnel carriers for transporting heavy weapons and personnel.
In terms of firepower, the battalion looked impressive: 10 37-75-mm anti-tank guns, 2 75-mm light infantry guns, 6 81-mm mortars and about 150 machine guns.
The tank regiment included a battalion of four companies with 17 or 22 Pz. Kpfw IV medium tanks. True, according to the state, it should have included a second battalion equipped with a Pz. Kpfw V "Panther", but not all formations had vehicles of this type. Thus, the tank division now had 88 or 68 line tanks. However, the drop in combat capabilities was largely offset by the inclusion in the Panzerjagerabteilung (anti-tank battalion), which consisted of 42 self-propelled anti-tank guns (14 Pz Jag "Marder II" and "Marder III" in three companies) and an artillery regiment, in which one howitzer battalion (there were three in total) had two batteries of 6 leFH 18/2 (Sf) "Wespe" and a battery (later there were two) of 6 PzH "Hummel". The division also included Panzeraufklarungabteilung (tank reconnaissance battalion), Flakabteiluiig (anti-aircraft artillery battalion), and other units.
German technicians carry out scheduled repairs to the Pz. Kpfw. VI "Tiger" of the 502nd battalion of heavy tanks. Eastern front
Tanks PzKpfw V "Panther" of the 130th regiment of the Wehrmacht's tank training division in Normandy. In the foreground is the muzzle brake of the gun of one of the "Panthers"
In 1944, a tank division, as a rule, already had a second battalion in a tank regiment (88 or 68 Panthers); the panzergrenadier regiments in the lower ranks have changed. Panzerkampfbekampfungabteillung (anti-tank division, this name of anti-tank units existed until December 1944) now had two companies of Sturmgeschiitzkompanie assault guns (31 or 23 installations) and one company of self-propelled anti-tank guns remained - Pakkompanie (Sfl) (12 vehicles) The staff is 14013 people. The number of armored personnel carriers - 288, tanks - 176 or 136 (the number depended on the organization of the company).
In 1945, the tank and panzergrenadier divisions consisted of two panzergrenadier regiments, two battalions each and a gemischte Panzerregiment (mixed tank regiment). The latter consisted of a tank battalion (Pz Kpfw V company and two Pz Kpfw IV companies) and a Panzergrenadier battalion on armored personnel carriers. The structure of the anti-tank battalion was preserved, but the company now has 19 assault guns, only 9 anti-tank self-propelled guns. The division's personnel - 11,422 people, 42 tanks (of which 20 are Panther tanks), 90 armored personnel carriers, the number of small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery has increased markedly.
In 1944, the SS Panzer Division included a Panzer Regiment with a conventional organization and two Panzergrenadier Regiments, which consisted of three battalions (only one of them was equipped with armored personnel carriers). The anti-tank defense division consisted of two companies of assault guns (31 installations) and a company of 12 self-propelled anti-tank guns. In 1943-1944, the SS Panzergrenadier Division was the same as a similar army formation. Tanks were not part of it, there were 42 assault and 34 (or 26) anti-tank self-propelled guns. The artillery consisted of 30 howitzers and 4 100-mm cannons with mechanical traction. This number was assumed by the state, but they did not reach full staffing.
In 1945, the SS Panzergrenadier Division, in addition to the main regiments, included a battalion of assault guns (45 units) and an anti-tank battalion of 29 self-propelled guns. She had no tanks on equipment. In it, in comparison with the artillery regiment of the army panzergrenadir division, there were twice as many barrels: 48 105-mm howitzers (of which some are self-propelled) against 24.
With the tank divisions defeated on the fronts, they acted differently: some served as a base for the formation of new ones, some were restored with the same numbers, and some were transferred to other types of troops or ceased to exist. So, for example, the Fourth, Sixteenth and Twenty-fourth and also the Twenty-first tank divisions destroyed in Africa, destroyed in Stalingrad, were restored. But those defeated in the Sahara in May 1943, the Tenth and Fifteenth, simply ceased to exist. In November 1943, after the battles near Kiev, the Eighteenth Panzer Division was transformed into the Eighteenth Artillery Division. In December 44, it was reorganized into the Eighteenth Panzer Corps, which additionally included the Brandenburg motorized division.
German self-propelled guns Marder III on the outskirts of Stalingrad
German self-propelled guns and self-propelled howitzer Wespe. An overturned M4 Sherman tank is visible in the background. Eastern front
In the fall of 1943, new "panzergrenadier" SS divisions were formed: the Ninth Hohenstaufen ("Hohenstaufen"), the Tenth Frundsberg ("Frundsberg") and the Twelfth Hitlerjugend ("Hitler Youth"). From April 1944, the Ninth and Tenth became tanks.
In February - March 1945, a number of named tank divisions were created in the Wehrmacht: Feldhernhalle 1 und 2 (Feldhernhalle 1 and 2), Holstein (Holstein), Schlesien (Silesia), Juterbog (Uterbog)), Miincheberg ("Müncheberg"). Some of these divisions were disbanded (they never took part in the battles). They had a very indefinite composition, being essentially improvised formations with little combat value.
And, finally, about the Fallschirmpanzerkorps "Hermann Goring" (special parachute tank corps "Hermann Goering"). In the summer of 1942, due to heavy losses in the Wehrmacht, Hitler gave the order to redistribute the air force personnel into ground forces. G. Goering, the commander of the Air Force, insisted that his people continue to be under the authority of the Luftwaffe, subordinate to the army command.
Luftwaffenfelddivisionen (airfield divisions), their personnel did not have the appropriate training and combat experience, suffered huge losses. In the end, the remnants of the defeated units were transferred to the infantry divisions. However, the beloved brainchild - the division that bore his name, remained with the Reichsmarshal.
In the summer of 1943, the division fought in Sicily against the Anglo-American troops, then in Italy. In Italy, it was renamed and reorganized into a Panzer Division. This unit was very strong and consisted of two reinforced panzergrenadier regiments and three tank battalions.
Only an artillery regiment and divisions of assault and anti-tank guns were absent. In October 1944, a somewhat strange, but at the same time very strong, tank formation was created - the Hermann Goering parachute-tank corps, in which the parachute-tank and parachute-panzergrenadier divisions of the same name were united. The personnel had parachutes only on their emblems.
During the war, Panzerwaffe tank brigades were most often viewed as temporary structures. For example, on the eve of Operation Citadel, two identical brigades were formed, with significantly more powerful equipment than tank divisions. In the Tenth, advancing on the southern face of the Kursk salient, there were more tanks than in the motorized division "Great Germany". Three tank battalions numbered 252 tanks, 204 of which were Pz Kpfw V.
German self-propelled howitzer "Hummel", on the right assault gun StuG III
Soldiers of the 3rd SS Division "Totenkopf" discuss a plan of defensive action with the commander of the "Tiger" from the 503rd battalion of heavy tanks. Kursk Bulge
The tank brigades created in the summer of 1944 were significantly weaker and were staffed in two states. The 101st and 102nd included a tank battalion (three companies, 33 Panther tanks), a sapper company and a Panzergrenadier battalion. Artillery was represented by 10 75-mm infantry guns mounted on armored personnel carriers, 21 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Tank brigades from 105th to 110th were organized in much the same way, but they had a reinforced panzergrenadier battalion and 55 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. They existed for only two months, after which some of them were deployed to tank divisions.
One hundred eleventh, one hundred twelfth and one hundred and thirteenth tank brigades appeared in September 1944. Each of them had three companies equipped with 14 Pz Kpfw IV tanks, a panzergrenadier regiment of two battalions, and a company equipped with 10 assault guns. They were necessarily given the Pz Kpfw V battalion. In October 1944, these units were disbanded.
With the appearance of the required number of "Tigers", and later the "Royal Tigers", ten (from Five hundred and one to Five hundred and ten) schwere Panzerabteilung (a separate SS heavy tank battalion) and several formations of the commander-in-chief's reserve with the same equipment were formed. Typical staff of these units: headquarters and headquarters company - 3 tanks, 176 people; three tank companies (each company had 2 command tanks, three platoons of 4 tanks each - a total of 14 tanks, 88 people); a supply company, consisting of 250 personnel; a repair company of 207 personnel. In total, there were 45 tanks and 897 people in the state, of which 29 were officers. Also, the "Tigers" company was part of the Panzergrenadier divisions "Great Germany" (since 44) and "Feldherrnhalle". The capabilities of such companies have already been tested in the majority of SS panzergrenadier divisions (except for the Viking division) on the Kursk Bulge in Operation Citadel.
The self-propelled artillery of the commander-in-chief's reserve was brought together in the Sturmgeschutzabteilung (a separate assault artillery division), later reorganized into brigades, Jagdpanzerabteilung (tank destroyer battalion), anti-tank battalions, and other units. The assault artillery brigade consisted of three batteries of assault guns, infantry and tank escort companies, and rear units. Initially, there were 800 people in it, 30 assault guns, of which 10 howitzers of 105 mm caliber, 12 Pz Kpfw II tanks, 4 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns of 20 mm caliber, 30 armored personnel carriers intended for the supply of ammunition. Subsequently, tank companies were removed from the brigades, and the personnel by the end of the war numbered 644 people. Other states of such brigades are also known: 525 or 566 military personnel, 24 StuG III and 10 StuH42. If in the summer of 1943 there were slightly more than 30 divisions of assault guns of the RGK, then in the spring of 1944, 45 brigades were formed. One more brigade was added to this number until the end of the war.
Four battalions (from two hundred and sixteenth to two hundred and nineteenth) assault StuPz IV "Brummbar" had a staff of 611 people and included a headquarters (3 vehicles), three line (14 vehicles) companies, an ammunition company and a repair plant.
Tank destroyers "Jagdpanthers" began to enter the troops only in the fall of 1944, but already at the beginning of next year there were 27 separate battalions of the commander-in-chief's reserve armed exclusively with these machines. In addition to them, there were 10 mixed units, the personnel of which totaled 686 people. Each consisted of a company equipped with 17 Jagdpanthers and two companies of the same type equipped with 28 tank destroyers (assault guns) based on Pz Kpfw IV (Pz IV / 70). They were equipped with such equipment since the spring of 1944.
The Pz. Kpfw. V "Panther" of the 51st tank battalion of the 10th tank brigade. Kursk Bulge. External damage to the tank is not visible, judging by the towing cable, they tried to tow it to the rear. Most likely, the tank was abandoned as a result of breakdown and inability to evacuate for repair. An unwound track from a T-34 is visible next to the Panther.
German self-propelled gun Sturmpanzer IV, built on the basis of the medium tank PzKpfw IV, also known as "Brummbär" (grizzly). In the Soviet troops it was called "Bear". Armed with a 150mm StuH 43 howitzer
Tank destroyers "Jagdtigry" were part of the Six hundred and fifty-third tank destroyer battalion, which was previously armed with the Elephants, and the Five hundred and twelfth SS heavy tank battalion. In December of the 44th, the First took part in the Ardennes operation, causing significant damage to the American 106th Infantry Division, then participated in the battles in Belgium, until he completely lost his mat in defensive battles. part. In March 45, the second defended the Ruhr region, having distinguished himself in battles across the Rhine at the Remagen bridge.
Self-propelled artillery mounts "Sturmtiger" were used to complete only three companies (from Thousand-first to Thousand-third) Sturmmorserkompanie (assault mortars), which operated without much success in Germany and on the Western Front.
By 1945, there were 3 battalions and 102 companies, which were equipped with self-propelled remote-controlled carriers of explosive charges. The six hundredth motorized sapper battalion of special purpose "Typhoon", which took part in the Battle of Kursk, consisted of 5 explosive tracked vehicles "Goliath" controlled by wires. Later, the staff of the assault engineering battalion was approved - 60 units of special equipment, 900 personnel.
Initially, 2 battalions and 4 companies of radio tanks were armed with B-IV minitanks. Later, special heavy tank battalions were created, in which there were 823 personnel, 66 "land torpedoes" and 32 "Tigers" (or assault guns). Each of the five platoons had a command tank and three control tanks, to which were attached three B-IV minitanks as well as an armored personnel carrier for transporting explosive charges.
According to the plan of the command, all the linear divisions of the "Tigers" were to be used in this way. But as General Guderian lamented, "… heavy losses and limited production did not allow constantly giving the tank battalions radio-controlled minitanks."
On July 1, 44, in the Wehrmacht reserve army, there were 95 units, formations and subunits armed with tanks and self-propelled guns, designed to strengthen the army and tank corps. On January 1, 1945, there were already 106 of them - almost twice as many as on June 22. 1941 But with an overall small size, these units were never able to fulfill the tasks assigned to them.
Let us dwell briefly on the higher organizational forms of the panzerwaffe. Panzerkorps (tank corps) appeared after the beginning of the war. In composition and essence, they should have been called army, since the ratio of infantry and tank divisions was three to two. In the fall of 1943, the formation of SS tank corps began, which had approximately the same scheme as that of the Wehrmacht. For example, a typical XXIV Panzer Corps had two Panzer Divisions (Twelfth and Sixteenth), a Tigers heavy tank regiment, a Fusilierregiment (mot) (motorized fusilier regiment) consisting of two battalions, an artillery division with 12 150mm howitzers, reserve regiment, rear and support units.
The number of tank corps and divisions was constantly increasing, but the combat effectiveness of many units was falling. In the summer of 44, there were 18 on the fronts, of which 5 were SS troops, and already in January of 45 - 22 and 4.
The highest operational formation was the Panzergruppe (tank group). Before the attack on the Soviet Union, their disposition from south to north was as follows: First - Commander Colonel-General E. von Kleist, Army Group South; The second and the third are commanders General G. Guderian and Colonel General G. Goth, Army Group Center, Fourth - Commander Colonel General E. Geppner, Army Group North.
Heavy tank destroyer "Jagdtiger"
The newest German heavy tanks "Tiger" (PzKpfw VI "Tiger I") were delivered for combat trials at the Mga railway station near Leningrad, but the vehicles immediately needed repairs.
The most powerful Second Panzer Group included the Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth Panzer and Twelfth Army Corps, the 255th Infantry Division, support and reinforcement units. In total, it consisted of approximately 830 tanks and 200 thousand people.
In October 1941, the tank groups were renamed Panzerarmee (Panzer Army). In the East and West, there were several non-permanent associations. Until the end of the war, the Red Army was opposed by the First, Second, Third and Fourth Tank Armies. For example, the Fourth Panzer Army in 1943 in Operation Citadel participated in two army and tank corps. The Fifth Panzer Army was defeated in Tunis in May 1943. In North Africa, Panzer Army "Africa" previously operated, which was later reformed.
In the West, in September 1944, the Sixth SS Panzer Army began to form, consisting exclusively of panzergrenadier and tank divisions. In addition to it, the Fifth Panzer Army of the new formation was stationed on the Western Front.
Let's summarize some of the results. In different periods of the war, the state of the Panzerwaffe can be judged by the data on their mat. parts. They are most fully represented in the works of B. Müller-Hillebrand on tank destroyers, tanks, artillery and assault self-propelled guns.
So, at the beginning of World War II (September 1, 1939), the Wehrmacht had 3190 tanks at its disposal, including: PzKpfw l - 1145 units; PzKpfw ll - 1223 units; Pz Kpfw 35 (t) - 219 units; Pz Kpfw 38 (t) - 76 units; Pz Kpfw III - 98 units; Pz Kpfw IV - 211 units; command - 215, flamethrower - 3 and assault guns - 5. In the Polish campaign, irrecoverable losses amounted to 198 different machines.
On the eve of the invasion of France (May 1, 1940), there were 3381 tanks, of which: Pz Kpfw I - 523; Pz Kpfw II - 955; Pz Kpfw 35 (t) - 106; Pz Kpfw 38 (t) - 228; Pz Kpfw III - 349; Pz Kpfw IV - 278; command - 135 and assault guns - 6. In the West by May 10, 1940 there were 2,574 vehicles.
As of June 1, 1941: combat vehicles - 5639, of which assault guns - 377. Of these, combat-ready - 4575. 3582 vehicles were intended for the war with the Soviet Union.
As of March 1, 1942: combat vehicles - 5087, of which combat-ready - 3093. During the entire war, this was the lowest figure.
As of May 1, 1942 (before the offensive on the Soviet-German front): machines - 5847, of which combat-ready - 3711.
As of July 1, 1943 (before the Battle of Kursk): vehicles - 7517, of which combat-ready -6291.
As of July 1, 1944: vehicles - 12990 including 7447 tanks. Combat ready - 11143 (5087 tanks).
As of February 1, 1945 (maximum number of armored vehicles): vehicles - 13620 including 6191 tanks. Combat worth 12524 (5177 tanks). And finally, it should be noted that 65-80% of the German armored forces were on the Soviet-German front.
It is most logical to end this part with data on the tank forces of the German allies, which, together with the forces of the Wehrmacht, took part in hostilities on the Eastern Front. In fact or officially, the following entered the war with the USSR: Italy, the Independent Croatian State and Romania - June 22, 1941; Slovakia - June 23, 1941; Finland - June 26, 1941, Hungary - June 27, 1941
Of these, only Hungary and Italy had their own tank building. The rest used armored vehicles of German production, or purchased before the war in Czechoslovakia, France and England, as well as trophies that were captured during the battles with the Red Army (mainly in Finland), or received from Germany - usually French. The Romanians and Finns, on the basis of Soviet-made vehicles, manufactured self-propelled guns, using captured artillery systems on them.
Italy
The first Reggimento Carri Armati (tank regiment) was formed in October 1927. 5 Grupro squadroni carri di rottura (light tank battalion), equipped with FIAT-3000 tanks, were assigned to this regiment. In 1935-1943, 24 light tank battalions were formed, armed with CV3 / 35 tankettes. 4 such battalions were part of a light tank regiment. The battalion consisted of three tank companies (13 tankettes), which consisted of three platoons of 4 vehicles each. Thus, the battalion had 40, and the regiment had 164 tankettes (including 4 vehicles of the headquarters platoon). Soon after Italy entered World War II, the number of platoons in the regiments was reduced to three.
Fiat 3000 (L5 / 21)
The tank regiment of medium tanks consisted of three battalions (49 vehicles), each with three companies (16 tanks), consisting of three platoons (5 tanks each). In total, there were 147 vehicles in the regiment, of which 10 were command tanks. In 1941-1943, 25 battalions of medium tanks were formed. The basis was the tanks M11 / 39, M13 / 40, M14 / 41, M15 / 42. Two battalions were armed with French R35s, another - S35, which in the summer of 1940 were captured by the Germans and transferred to the Italian ally.
In February-September 1943, the formation of two heavy tank battalions began. They were to receive the P40 tanks.
According to the state, there were 189 tanks in the tank divisions. They consisted of a tank, Bersaglier (in fact, motorized infantry) and artillery regiments, a service unit and a reconnaissance group. Divisions - One hundred and thirty-first Centauro ("Centauro"), One-hundred-thirty-second Ariete ("Ariete"), One-hundred and thirty-third Littorio ("Littorio") - were formed in the 39th year.
The combat fate of these divisions was short-lived: Littorio in November 42, the defeat of Don, Centauro and Ariete (or rather, the 135th division, which became its successor) on September 12, 43 were disbanded after Italy surrendered.
The same fate befell the Brigada Corazzato Speciale (a special tank brigade) formed in December 1940 from two regiments in Libya. In the spring of 1943, in the sands of the Sahara, it was defeated.
Semovente M41M da 90/53
Self-propelled units were reduced to divisions, which initially consisted of two artillery (four combat vehicles in each) and a headquarters battery. There were 24 divisions, 10 of which were armed with self-propelled guns of 47 mm caliber based on the L6 / 40 tank, 5 - Semowente M41M da 90/53 installations. The latter were released only 30 and therefore they were not enough. Perhaps some of the divisions were armed with a mixed mat. part, probably even M24L da 105/25. 10 divisions were equipped with installations of the da 75/18, da 75/32 and da 75/34 types. The 135th Panzer Division had a 235th Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment equipped with an M42L da 105/25.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Salo had two Gruppo Corazzato (separate tank battalion) and a tank company in three cavalry brigades. They also included the M42L da 75/34.
Hungary
The Hungarian government in 1938 adopted a plan for the development and modernization of its own armed forces - Honvedseg ("Honvedshega"). Much attention in this plan was paid to the creation of armored forces. Before the start of the war with the Soviet Union, the Hungarian army had only three units equipped with armored vehicles. In the Ninth and Eleventh Tank Battalions (one in the First and Second Motorized Brigades), there were three companies (18 vehicles in each), and the First Company was considered training. The 11th Armored Cavalry Battalion (First Cavalry Brigade) consisted of two mixed companies with Toldi tanks ("Toldi") and CV3 / 35 tankettes. In total, the Gyorshadtest (mobile corps), which united these brigades organizationally, consisted of 81 combat vehicles in the first line.
Hungarian tank column. Ahead is the 38M Toldi Hungarian light tank, followed by the Italian-made L3 / 35 tankette (FIAT-Ansaldo CV 35
Tank battalions over time not only changed the numbering (Thirty-first and Thirty-second, respectively), but also the states. Now they consisted of one company of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns Nimrod ("Nimrod") and two - tanks "Toldi".
The First Panzer Division arrived on the Soviet-German front in July 1942, which was completely destroyed during the battles on the Don. Despite this, in 1943 it was restored, and the Second Tank Brigade was created on the basis of the Second Motorized Brigade. Both divisions, in addition to the motorized infantry brigade, reconnaissance battalion, artillery regiment, support and support units, included a tank regiment consisting of three battalions. Each battalion in the state had 39 medium tanks. At the same time, the armored cavalry battalion of the First Cavalry Division (the elite unit "Honvedshega") included 4 companies - 3 Pz Kpfw 38 (t) and 56 Turan ("Turan") tanks.
Hungarian tank Turan ("Turan")
In the autumn of the same year, three-company battalions of assault (self-propelled) guns, numbering 30 combat vehicles, were formed. They fought together with tank divisions in Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
Hungarian military combat vehicles of their own design were considered "yesterday's day", in connection with which they sought to get new equipment from the main ally, that is, from Germany. And they were given more Hungary than any other ally - more than a third of the Hungarian armored fleet were German samples. Deliveries began back in the 42nd year, when, in addition to the outdated PzKpfw I, the Hungarian army received 32 Pz Kpfw IV Ausf F2, G and H, 11 PzKpfw 38 (t) and 10 PzKpfw III Ausf M.
1944 became especially "fruitful" in terms of deliveries of German equipment. Then 74 Pz Kpfw IV of the latest modifications, 50 StuG III, Jgd Pz "Hetzer", 13 "Tigers" and 5 "Panthers" were received. In the 45th year, the total number of tank destroyers was brought to 100 units. In total, the Hungarian army received about 400 vehicles from Germany. In the Hungarian army, Soviet captured T-27 and T-28 were used in small numbers.
Romania
In 1941, the Romanian Royal Army had two separate tank regiments and a tank battalion that was part of the First Cavalry Division. Mat. part consisted of 126 light tanks R-2 (LT-35) and 35 tankettes R-1 of Czechoslovak production, 75 R35 of French production (former Polish, interned in September-October 1939 in Romania) and 60 old "Peno" FT -17.
Romanian R-2 (LT-35)
The first tank regiment was equipped with R-2 vehicles, the Second - R35, tankettes were concentrated in the tank battalion of the cavalry division.
Soon after the outbreak of hostilities against the USSR, the First Panzer Division was formed for R-2 tanks. In September of the 42nd year, the division was strengthened by the mat acquired in Germany. part: 26 Pz. Kpfw 35 (t) tanks, 11 Pz. Kpfw III, and 11 Pz. Kpfw IV. The division was defeated at Stalingrad, then it was reorganized, and it existed until August 1944, when Romania stopped fighting with the USSR.
In 1943, the tank units of Romania received from Germany 50 light LT-38 made in Czechoslovakia, 31 Pz Kpfw IV and 4 assault guns. The following year, 100 more LT-38s and 114 Pz Kpfw IVs were added.
Subsequently, when Romania went over to the side of the countries that fought with Germany, German weapons "turned" against their creators. The Second Romanian Tank Regiment, armed with 66 Pz Kpfw IV and R35, as well as 80 armored vehicles and assault guns, interacted with the Soviet army.
An engineering plant in Brasov in 1942 converted several dozen R-2s into open SPGs, equipping them with a captured Soviet ZIS-3 76 mm cannon. On the basis of four dozen Soviet light T-60s received from the Germans, the Romanians manufactured TASAM anti-tank self-propelled guns equipped with captured Soviet F-22 76 mm cannons. Later they were rearmed with ZIS-3, which were adapted for 75-mm German ammunition.
Finland
Before the Second World War (the Finns called it "the continuation war"), the Finnish army had approximately 120 tanks and 22 armored vehicles (as of May 31, 1941). As a rule, these were Soviet-made vehicles - trophies of the "winter" war (November 39th - March 40th): amphibious tanks T-37, T-38 - 42 units; light T-26 of various brands - 34 pcs. (among them are two-tower ones); flamethrower OT-26, OT-130 - 6 pcs.; T-28 - 2 pcs. The rest of the vehicles - purchased in the 1930s in England (27 light tanks "Vickers 6 t." 1932/1938 Soviet production This vehicle received the designation T-26E. There were also 4 light Vickers of the 1933 model and 4 Renault FTs from the First World War.
Vickers MK. E
The first tank battalion was formed by the Finns in December 1939 from two Renault FT companies and two Vickers 6 tons companies. Only the Fourth Company took part in the hostilities, which lost 7 of 13 vehicles. Also under fire was a squadron of Swedish-made armored vehicles, which was part of a cavalry brigade.
Captured Soviet tanks became part of a reinforced three-company battalion, a platoon of heavy T-28 and several platoons of armored vehicles. A separate tank brigade was created in February 1942. It consisted of the 1st (companies of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd) and the 2nd (companies of the 4th, 5th) tank battalions. Each company consisted of three platoons, one commander and five line tanks. In a freelance company of heavy tanks, trophies were collected: KB, T-28 and T-34, which made it possible in four months to create a tank division, consisting of infantry, tank brigades, and support units.
In 1943, the Finns purchased 30 German-made assault guns and 6 Swedish-made Landswerk Anti self-propelled anti-tank guns. In June 1944, 3 months before leaving the war, Germany acquired 29 assault guns and 14 Pz Kpfw IV tanks and 3 captured T-34s.
By the time the surrender was signed, the Finnish armed forces had more than 62 SPGs and 130 tanks. Among the tanks were 2 KB (Ps. 271, Ps. 272 - Finnish designation, and the latter had armor shielding), 10 T-34/76 and T-34/85 each, 8 T-28 and even 1 very rare Soviet T- 50, 19 T-26E, 80 different modifications of the T-26.
In addition to the Swedish self-propelled guns, the Finnish army had 47 assault StuG IIIG (Ps. 531), 10 BT-42 (Ps.511) - were the Finnish modification of the BT-7. On these machines, an English 114-mm howitzer from the First World War was installed in a completely enclosed and protected by thin armor turret.
The losses of the Finnish side in armored vehicles were relatively small - they did not take an active part in the hostilities.
Slovakia
After the Czech Republic and Moravia were occupied in the newly formed "independent" Slovak state, there were 79 LT-35 light tanks, which belonged to the Third Czechoslovak Motorized Division. These units became the basis for the creation of a mobile division. Apart from them, the fleet of armored vehicles was replenished with CKD tankettes of the 33rd model and 13 armored vehicles of the 30th model of the Czechoslovak production.
In 41-42, the Slovaks received from the Germans 21 light LT-40s, ordered but not received by Lithuania, as well as 32 captured LT-38s. To them in the 43rd year was added another 37 Pz Kpfw 38 (t), 16 Pz Kpfw II Ausf A, 7 PzKpfw III Ausf H and 18 Pz Jag "Marder III".
The mobile division of Slovakia acted against the USSR near Kiev and Lvov in 1941.
Croatia
The Croatian armed forces had small units armed with armored vehicles. It was mainly represented by Italian-made CV3 / 35 tankettes received from the Hungarians, Czech-made MU-6 tankettes and several Pz Kpfw IV tankettes transferred by the Germans in 1944.
Bulgaria
The Bulgarian armed forces did not act on the Soviet-German front, but the organization and structure of the tank forces is interesting because Bulgaria at that time was an ally of Germany and participated in the April 41 campaign against Yugoslavia. The Bulgarian army initially had 8 British-made Vickers 6 tons tanks, received in 1934 as technical assistance, and 14 Italian-made CV3 / 33 tankettes acquired in the same period. The Bulgarians kindly provided their captured armored vehicles from the Germans: 37 Czech LT-35 tanks in 1940, 40 French R35 tanks in 1941. This made it possible to form in July 1941 the First tank brigade, consisting of one battalion with English and Czech, the second with French equipment, as well as a reconnaissance company with Italian mat. part.
In 1943, the Germans transferred to the Bulgarians 46 - Pz Kpfw IV, 10 LT-38, 10 and Pz Kpfw III each, 20 armored vehicles and 26 assault guns. From September 1944, Bulgaria sided with the anti-Hitler coalition, the tank units of Bulgaria operated in the Balkans.
