World War II Armed Forces — Orders of Battle and Organizations

Last Updated 12.07.2011

Platoon with Light Howitzers in Armored Turrets
15 August 1943

LEICHTER HAUBITZENZUG TURM KStN 436 (provisional) dated 15.08.1943
1 Officer (Z) as Platoon Leader (Pistol)(motorcyle with side car)
Forward Observer Post [1]     1 NCO as Observer/Post Commander (Pistol)     1 Assistant Observer (Rifle)(bicycle)     1 Telephone Operator (Rifle)(bicycle)     1 Radio Operator (Rifle)     2 bicycles Main Observation Post     1 Senior NCO as Chief Observer (SMG)     1 NCO as Map Plotter/Assistant Chief Observer (Rifle)     2 Telephone and Radio Operators (Rifles)     2 Map Plotters/Calculators (Rifles)     2 Fire-Control System Operators (Rifles) Service Section     2 Senior NCO as Armorers (Pistols)     1 NCO as First Sergeant/Section Leader (Pistol)(bicycle)     1 NCO as Chief Cook (Rifle)     1 Medic NCO (Pistol)     1 Cook (Rifle)     2 Assistant Armorers/Ventilation System Technicians (Pistols)     1 bicycle     1 light truck, (1.5 ton), for ammuntion	Turret No. 1     1 Senior NCO as Turret Commander (SMG)     3 Gunners (Rifles)     3 Ammo Handlers (Rifles)     1 Ammo Handler/MG Gunner (Pistol)     1 light machine gun     1 light howitzer (10,5cm le.H.T. L/14) [2] Turret No. 2     1 Senior NCO as Turret Commander (SMG)     3 Gunners (Rifles)     3 Ammo Handlers (Rifles)     1 Ammo Handler/MG Gunner (Pistol)     1 light machine gun     1 light howitzer (10,5cm le.H.T. L/14) [2]
Totals: [1] 1 Officer, 10 NCO, 26 Other Ranks; 10 Pistols, 24 Rifles, 3 SMG, 2 LMG, 2 Light Howitzers [2]; 1 motorcycle with sidecar; 3 bicycles; 1 light truck.
Notes: [1] [2] The number of Forward Observation Posts is determined from case to case, influencing the totals. The 10,5cm le.H.T. (leichte Haubitze Turm) L/14 was a 105mm howitzer with maximum range of 6000 meters and a rate of fire of 8–10 rounds per minute. It was fixed in armored turrets (Panzerturm), either type 73P9 (420mm thick, weighing 102 tons) or 81P9 (250 mm thick, weighing 45 tons) which could swivel 360°. It was mounted on top of a standarized bunker (Regelbau 664: Stand für leichtem Haubitzturm in A).