World War II Armed Forces — Orders of Battle and Organizations

Last Updated 12.12.2014

GERMAN WORLD WAR II ORGANIZATIONAL SERIES Compiled by Leo W.G. Niehorster

 

THE GERMAN WORLD WAR II ORGANIZATIONAL SERIES Available now:
	1/I	01.09.1939	Mechanized Army Formations and Waffen-SS Formations - (3rd Revised Edition)   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	1/II-1	01.09.1939	1st and 2nd Welle Army Infantry Divisions - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	1/II-2	01.09.1939	3rd and 4th Welle Army Infantry Divisions - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	1/II-3	01.09.1939	Army Landwehr and Mountain Divisions, Cavalry Brigade - In preparation   View:   Contents
	1/III	01.09.1939	Higher Headquarters – GHQ Units — Static Units - (2nd Revised Edition)   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	2/I	10.05.1940	Mechanized Army Formations and Waffen-SS Formations - (2nd Revised Edition)   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	2/II	10.05.1940	Higher Headquarters and Mechanized GHQ Units - (2nd Revised Edition)   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	3/I	22.06.1941	Mechanized Army Divisions - (2nd Revised Edition)   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	3/II	22.06.1941	Higher Headquarters and Mechanized GHQ Units - (2nd Revised Edition)   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	3/III	22.06.1941	Waffen-SS Mechanized Formations and GHQ Service Units - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2  |   Sample 3
	3/IV-1	22.06.1941	Army Infantry Divisions - In preparation   View:   Contents
	3/IV-2	22.06.1941	Army Light Infantry, Mountain, Airlanding, and Cavalry Divisions - In preparation   View:   Contents
	3/V	22.06.1941	Military Government, Security, and Provost Marshal Forces; Prisoner-of-War Administration - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2  |   Sample 3
	4/I	28.06.1942	Mechanized Army Divisions - (2nd Revised Edition)   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	4/II	28.06.1942	Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	5/I	04.07.1943	Mechanized Army Divisions - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	5/II	04.07.1943	Higher Headquarters and Mechanized GHQ Units - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2
	5/III	04.07.1943	Waffen-SS Higher Headquarters and Mechanized Formations - New   View:   Contents  |   Sample 1  |   Sample 2

 

Description Each volume is full of information packed pages, including — Authentic Organizational Diagrams — Detailed Unit Organizations — Contemporary Organizational Symbols — Complete Orders of Battle — Authorized Tables of Organization — Extensive Sources and References The series consists of a modular system of books, dealing in detail with the German Armed Forces ground combat units in World War II. It is designed so that the interested reader can select those volumes of interest to him without having to purchase an entire, very expensive book. The data presented in the books is based on the official German tables of organization (Kriegsstärkenachweisung), orders of battle (Kriegsgliederung), and Army Publications (Heeresdienstvorschrift). Material in archives in various countries has been extensively researched. The first part of each volume consists of an introduction, an explanation of the diagrams and the accompanying text to be presented, a discussion of tables of organization, a discussion of German organizational symbols, several pages depicting and explaining organizational symbols, an order of battle for the corresponding date, as well as a table explaining or translating the abbreviations used. The main part of each mechanized Army divisions book starts out with divisional diagrams, (one division per page), followed by a series of diagrams for each type of sub-unit (brigade, regiment, or battalion), with accompanying text explaining the interior structure and the composition of these units, (detachments, sections, platoons, etc.), including vehicles, main equipment and weapons. Where available, AFV strengths have been listed. In some cases, even the exact AFV composition (number and types of tanks) of individual tank companies has been found for certain dates. In volume 1/I authorized strengths in accordance with the mobilization order of 1939 have been included for each division. Other volumes also detail the AFV strengths in detail. The mechanized Waffen-SS formations are detailed in the same manner as the Army mechanized divisions. The main part of each mechanized GHQ units book starts out with GHQ unit diagrams with accompanying text explaining the interior structure and the composition of the units, including vehicles, main equipment, and arms. Orders of battle and assignments of GHQ units have been detailed. Particular equipment and its use is explained. Specifications of the antitank and artillery weapons are included on each relevant page. Where available, AFV strengths have been listed. The main part of each Army and Waffen-SS formation book covers the non-motorized brigades and divisions. Contrary to the mechanized formations, the infantry, light, and 'Jäger' formations are not depicted individually but by 'Welle' type. I.e., each 'Welle' has one typical divisional diagram. Deviations from the norm are detailed in tables. Mountain, ski, and cavalry formations are dealt with in a similar manner. The subunits are depicted in a series of diagrams using official German organizational figure symbols. (pictograms). The Higher Headquarters parts cover the Army Group, Armies, and the various Corps. Directly assigned subunits of are covered in the normal way. In all cases, the diagrams are accompanied by text explaining the interior structure and the composition of the units depicted, including vehicles, main equipment, and arms. The last part of all books have a discussion as well as a listing of vehicles and trailers used by the German Armed Forces and Waffen-SS, a bilingual listing of unnumbered motor vehicles, numbered motor vehicles (Kfz.),special motor vehicles (Sd.Kfz.) – which encompasses almost all the armored fighting vehicles – including the main weapon and authorized ammunition storage, and trailers (Sd.Ah.). Those books dealing with non-motorized units include a list of horse-drawn equipment (Hf., If., etc.), personnel job descriptions, and so on. Each book is rounded off with of a comprehensive listing of sources and references. The published material contained in this section indicates publications which were consulted, (although not necessarily used), and is basically meant to assist the reader in familiarizing himself with the subject of the German units of the period. The book dealing with the ground combat forces of the Luftwaffe will span the entire period between 1939 to 1945, as there were relatively few types (as opposed to numbers) of them. Also, the unit organization changed less frequently than those of the Army. I am also contemplating publishing a volume on the 1944 Brigades (for example, 101. - 113. Panzer-Brigade, Führer Grenadier Brigade, Führer Begleit Brigade). Owing to the limited number of brigades raised, it will be possible to include exact information about the source and fate of the brigades, as well as one page descriptions of the actions they were engaged in. The volumes of the Organization Handbook are something I have given considerable thought to, but am still unsure what it will encompass. Planned are:  discussions of how organizations were arrived at; discussions of the different combat arms and how they were organized; the Reserve Army (Ersatzheer) and the Military Districts (Wehrkreise); descriptions and use of various weapons and equipment (these will NOT be weapons books) as pertaining to internal organization and housekeeping in much more detail than space in the individual volumes allow; I am also contemplating volumes explaining organizational symbols for the war years; detailing the tables of organization (KStN); and possibly one about German military terms and abbreviations ...

IN PREPARATION FOR PUBLICATION 2008/2009
	7/I	06.06.1944	Mechanized Army Formations
		22.06.1941	Armored Trains   Railroad Artillery   Railroad Troops   Railroad Engineers
		28.06.1942	Mechanized Waffen-SS Formations   Army Divisions   GHQ Service Units   Static Units
		04.07.1943	Army Divisions   GHQ Service Units
		01.11.1943	Mechanized Army Formations   Mechanized GHQ Units   Mechanized Waffen-SS Formations   Army Divisions   Static Units   Higher Headquarters   GHQ Service Units
		06.06.1944	Mechanized Army Formations   Mechanized GHQ Units   Mechanized Waffen-SS Formations   Army Divisions   Static Units   Higher Headquarters   GHQ Service Units
		16.12.1944	Mechanized Army Formations   Mechanized GHQ Units   Mechanized Waffen-SS Formations   Army Divisions   Static Units   Higher Headquarters   GHQ Service Units
		1939 – 45	Luftwaffen Ground Combat Forces
		1944 – 45	The 1944 Brigades
		1939 – 45	Organization Handbook
All volumes are available in hardback and softback editions

 

Key:
Mechanized Army Divisions:	Panzer; Light Mechanized; Afrika; Infantry (motorized); Panzergrenadier Divisions
Mechanized GHQ Units:	Motorized, Armored or Self-Propelled GHQ Companies, Battalions, Regiments and Brigades
Mechanized Waffen-SS Formations:	Panzer; Motorized Infantry; Infantry (motorized); Panzergrenadier Brigades and Divisions
Army and Waffen-SS Formations:	Non-motorized Infantry; Light; Jäger; Mountain; Ski; Cavalry Brigades and Divisions
Higher Headquarters:	Army and Waffen-SS Infantry, Mountain, Cavalry, Motorized, Panzer Corps; Armies and Army Groups
GHQ and Waffen-SS Units:	Non-motorized GHQ Companies, Battalions, Regiments and Brigades; including armored trains and railroad artillery
Luftwaffe Ground Combat Forces:	Anti-Aircraft Units; GG/HG Formations; Airborne Formations; Luftwaffe Infantry Formations; etc.

 

Available from:

The Military Press I have not heard from or received any royalties from Military Press for many years. They do not answer my emails. So, obviously, I have submitted no new manuscripts to them. Frankly, this is the fifth publisher that has (insert applicable verb) me. I don't think I will be doing any further material.