Home Page World War II Armed Forces — Orders of Battle and Organizations Last Updated 04.02.2015
German Army
1937 Machine Gun Company, Type a
MASCHINENGEWEHRKOMPANIE a
KStN 151a dated 01.10.1937
1 Company Commander (K)(Pistol)(Pistol)(on horseback)
Company Headquarters
    Headquarters Section
        1 NCO as Headquarters Section Leader (Rifle)(on horseback)
        1 NCO as Wagon Train Leader (Rifle)(on horseback)
        1 Messenger / Bugler (Rifle)(on horseback)
        1 Messenger / Scissors Periscope (Pistol)(on horseback)
        2 Messengers (Rifles)(on horseback)
        2 Messengers (Rifles)(on bicycles)
        1 Groom for officer's horses (Rifle)(riding company commander's 2nd horse)
    Signal Detachment
        1 NCO as Detachment Leader (Pistol)(on bicycle)
        1 Wagon Driver (Rifle)
        1 signal wagon (Hf.1/1) drawn by 2 heavy draught horses
        3 Telephone Sections a, each with
            3 Telephone Operators (Rifles)
    Combat Trains
        1 Senior NCO as First Sergeant / Trains Leader (Pistol)(on horseback)
        1 NCO for Equipment & Gas Protection (Rifle)(on bicycle)
        1 NCO as Armorer (Rifle)(on bicycle)
        1 NCO as Farrier (Rifle)(on horseback)
        1 NCO as Medic on bicycle (Pistol)
        1 Wagon Driver (Rifle)
        1 Assistant Armorer (Pistol)
        1 Smith (Pistol)
        1 Cook & wagon escort (Rifle)
        1 Field Kitchen (Hf.11 or Hf. 13) drawn by 2 heavy draught horses
    Ration Trains
        1 Rations Clerk / Rations Trains Leader & wagon escort (Rifle)
        1 Pay Clerk (Rifle)
        1 Wagon Driver (Rifle)
        1 rations wagon (Hf. 1) drawn by 2 light draught horses 		    2 Heavy Machine Gun Platoons, each with
        1 Officer (Z) as Platoon (and Half-Platoon) Leader (Pistol)(on horseback)
    Platoon Headquarters
        1 Messenger / Groom for officer's horse (Rifle)(on horseback)
        1 Messenger / Bugler (Rifle)(on horseback)
        2 Messengers (Rifles)
    2 Heavy Machine Gun Half-Platoons, each with
        1 NCO as Half-Platoon Leader (Pistol)(on horseback)
        1 Distance Finder (Pistol)(on horseback)
        2 NCO as Gun Team Leaders (Pistols)
        2 MG Gunners (Pistols)
        2 Assistant MG Gunners (Pistols)
        6 Assistant MG Gunners (Rifles)
        2 Wagon Drivers (Rifles)
        2 heavy machine guns
        1 machine gun wagon (Jf. 5 or If. 3) drawn by 2 light draught horses
        1 ammunition wagon (Hf.1) drawn by 2 light draught horses
1 Heavy Machine Gun Platoon
        1 Officer (Z) as Platoon Leader (Pistol)(on horseback)
    Platoon Headquarters
        1 Messenger / Groom for officer's horse (Rifle)(on horseback)
        1 Messenger / Bugler (Rifle)(on horseback)
        2 Messengers (Rifles)
    2 Heavy Machine Gun Half-Platoons, each with
        1 NCO as Half-Platoon Leader (Pistol)(on horseback)
        1 Distance Finder (Pistol)(on horseback)
        2 NCO as Gun Team Leaders (Pistols)
        2 MG Gunners (Pistols)
        2 Assistant MG Gunners (Pistols)
        6 Assistant MG Gunners (Rifles)
        4 Wagon Drivers (Rifles)(on horseback)
        2 heavy machine guns
        2 machine gun wagons (Jf. 4) each drawn by 2 light draught horses
Totals:
4 Officers, 26 NCO, 117 Enlisted Men;
86 Rifles, 61 Pistols, 12 HMG;
33 riding horses; 38 draught horses; 15 wagons; 6 bicycles.