Lone Sentry: TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces: Antitank Units (Panzerjäger): Combat Troops (Fechtende Truppen): Organization of the Field Forces

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CHAPTER II. ORGANIZATION OF THE FIELD FORCES

Section VI. COMBAT TROOPS (FECHTENDE TRUPPEN)

8. Antitank Units (Panzerjäger)

Most of the antitank units are considered by the Germans as part of the armored (Panzer) arm. It should be noted, however, that the personnel of the antitank companies in infantry regiments and the personnel in the antiaircraft companies in the antitank battalions belong to the infantry arm.

Almost all German divisions include antitank battalions in their organic components. These battalions usually consist of three companies, of which two are always antitank companies, while the third is either an antitank or an antiaircraft company. (See Figures 123 to 125.)

It should be noted that the majority of all heavy antiaircraft guns are dual-purpose guns, and units equipped with them therefore may be employed for the support of the antitank units.

Similarly, artillery units, particularly those equipped with artillery antitank guns or light cannons, at any time may be employed as antitank units. In addition, there is a clear trend to equip almost every unit in the German Armed Forces with a generous allotment of bazookas and rocket antitank pistols. The allotment of these small antitank weapons, however, has been so irregular that they had to be omitted in many of the tables of organization listed herein.

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