List of German brigades in World War II
This is a list of German brigades in World War II. The list aims to include all brigade-level military formations of the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS during World War II.
Brigades, in German army parlance prior to 1944, generally designated formations of two regiments from the same branch of arms.[1]: 84 For instance, 2. Panzer-Brigade contained the Panzer Regiments 3 and 4.[2]: 107 The usage of the term shifted in the army after 30 May 1944, when it was redefined to apply to singular strengthened regiments.[1]: 84
Heer
Infantry brigades
The number of infantry brigades increased notably after 30 May 1944, when the previously-accepted meaning of brigade, group of two regiments of the same branch, was changed to instead designate a singular strengthened regiment. In such a fashion, the Grenadier Regiments 193, 308 and 503 in Finland became Grenadier Brigades. Grenadier Brigade 761 was an emergency formation formed from Finland veterans in Danzig in July 1944, and the Grenadier Brigades 1131 through 1136 were rapidly raised in various military districts in late July 1944, to be used as autonomous military formations.[1]: 84
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Afrika-Brigade 999 | Afrika-Brigade 999 |
Formed on 6 October 1942 on Heuberg Training Area as a penal unit.[3]: 200 It consisted of convicted political prisoners and violent criminals pressed into military service.[4]: 331 Initially consisted of Afrika Riflemen Regiments 691 and 962 as well as the Signals Company 999. Upgraded to divisional status on 2 February 1943 (999th Division).[3]: 200 |
| Brigade 1005 | Brigade 1005 | Active in the Upper Rhine area between 7 January and 8 April 1945. Staffed at times by customs officers and Volkssturm units as well as by the staff of Grenadier Regiment 726 of 716th Infantry Division. Dissolved on 8 April 1945, along with Brigade Baur, and used in the redeployment of 89th Infantry Division.[3]: 211 Known initially as Brigade Hübner (see below).[5]: 113 |
| Brigade Baur | Brigade Baur | Formed in February 1945 in the Upper Rhine area with two grenadier regiments. Dissolved on 8 April 1945, along with Brigade 1005, and used in the redeployment of 89th Infantry Division.[5]: 32 |
| Brigade Hübner | Brigade Hübner | Formed in January 1945 from the staff of Reserve Grenadier Regiment 28 in German-occupied southwestern France; became Brigade 1005 (see above) almost immediately.[5]: 113 |
| Brigade Lötzen | Brigade Lötzen |
Formed on 16 August 1939 from Landwehr formations in the Lötzen area in East Prussia for defensive purposes. Under command of 3rd Army during the Invasion of Poland,[5]: 148 as part of Corps Brand.[6]: 193 Participated in the Battle of Lomza by contributing the Landwehr Infantry Regiment 162 to the German attack on 10 September.[7]: 249 Dissolved on 1 November 1939 and subsequently integrated into the 311th Infantry Division,[5]: 148 along with the other elements of its ad-hoc formation.[5]: 31 |
| Brigade z.b.V. 100 | Brigade z.b.V. 100 | Formed in February 1945 in Lusatia from parts of Group Berger. Likely contained elements of Volksgrenadier Regiments 94 and 97 as well as Anti-Tank Company 100.[8]: 163 |
| Grenadier-Brigade (mot.) 92 | Grenadier Brigade (motorized) 92 | After 11 January 1945: Panzergrenadier Brigade 92 (Panzer-Grenadier-Brigade 92), formed on 5 June 1944 from Grenadier Regiment (mot.) 92, which in turn had been formed on 2 May 1943 from forces of Sonderverband 287 (Free Arabian Legion). Spent most of the war under Army Group F in German-occupied Yugoslavia.[8]: 123 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 193 | Grenadier Brigade 193 | Formed by decree of 30 May 1944 from Grenadier Regiment 193, which as Infantry Regiment 193 had previously served with 16th Infantry Division. Later used as part of 69th Infantry Division in German-occupied Norway.[9]: 266 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 388 | Grenadier Brigade 388 | Formed on 30 May 1944 from the Reinforced Grenadier Regiment 388 (15 October 1942 redesignation of Grenadier Regiment 388 of 214th Infantry Division). Part of 20th Mountain Army.[10]: 50 Participated in the German defense against the Sovet Petsamo–Kirkenes offensive as part of the 6th Mountain Division.[11]: 6 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 503 | Grenadier Brigade 503 | Formed in June 1944 from Luftwaffe Field Regiment 503. Part of 20th Mountain Army.[12]: 10 |
| Grenadier-Brigade (bo) 761 | Grenadier Brigade (static) 761 | Sent to the Eastern Front in response to Operation Bagration; arrival on 7 July 1944 in Vilnius without heavy weapons or proper brigade-level equipment.[13]: 429 Failed to keep Vilnius air port secure long enough to enable 16th Parachute Regiment to fully land in Vilnius.[14]: 57 Part of Korps-Abteilung D. Dissolved on 10 September 1944 and remnant parts integrated into 56th Division as Grenadier Regiment 234.[15]: 277 |
| Grenadier-Brigade (mot.) 1027 | Grenadier Brigade (motorized) 1027 | Redesignation of Grenadier Regiment (mot.) 1027 on 30 May 1944. Dissolved on 1 July 1944 and integrated in Panzergrenadier Regiments 9 and 67 of 26th Panzer Division.[3]: 232 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 1131 | Grenadier Brigade 1131 | Formed on 27 July 1944 as a valkyrie unit, eventually integrated into the 542nd Grenadier Division around November 1944.[3]: 300 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 1132 | Grenadier Brigade 1132 | Formed on 28 July 1944 as a valkyrie unit, integrated on 22 September 1944 into Grenadier Regiment 130 as staff and 1st Battalion.[3]: 300 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 1133 | Grenadier Brigade 1133 | Formed on 24 July 1944 as a valkyrie unit, integrated on 18 August 1944 into the 88th Infantry Division.[3]: 300 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 1134 | Grenadier Brigade 1134 | Formed on 26 July 1944 as a valkyrie unit. Reduced on 1 September 1944 into Combat Battalion 1134 (Kampf-Bataillon 1134) as a result of casualties; grouped under 359th Infantry Division. Dissolved on 18 September 1944.[3]: 301 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 1135 | Grenadier Brigade 1135 | Formed on 27 July 1944 as a valkyrie unit. Dissolved on 28 August 1944 and integrated into 291st Infantry Division.[3]: 302 |
| Grenadier-Brigade 1136 | Grenadier Brigade 1136 | Initially designated Gebirgsjäger Regiment 36.[1]: 85 Formed on 27 July 1944 as a valkyrie unit. Dissolved on 14 September 1944. Remnants initially intended for 544th Volksgrenadier Division, but then used to form Division Fusilier Battalion 545 instead.[3]: 302 |
| Grenadier-Lehr-Brigade | Grenadier Training Brigade | Formed on 4 June 1944 from Infantry Training Regiment (Infanterie-Lehr-Regiment) of Army Group C, intended first to become part of 98th Infantry Division as Grenadier Training Brigade 290 on 19 September and then to become part of 44th Infantry Division as Grenadier Regiment 131 on 17 October, but was instead integrated into 98th Infantry Division as Grenadier Training Regiment 117 (organizationally absorbing the previous 117th Regiment, which did not carry the "Lehr" designation[4]: 113 ) on 18 October 1944.[5]: 270 |
| Infanterie-Brigade 599 (russ.) | Infantry Brigade 599 (Russian) | Formed in German-occupied Denmark. Part of the RLA ("Vlasov Army"). Spent the end of the war as parts of Division z.b.V. 614 and Regiment 1604.[12]: 259 |
| Kroatische Ausbildungs-Brigade | Croatian Training Brigade | Formed on 20 April 1943 in Stockerau (Wehrkreis XVII) from the Croatian Training Regiment 369 (see also: 369th (Croatian) Infantry Division) with a total of 21 companies, including an officer training company, an infantry signals company, a German wounded soldiers recovery company, and two bicycle training companies. Also included an artillery training detachment and a mixed training detachment. Still in Stockerau in 1944, when it also included the Croatian-French-Arab Special Company Döllersheim.[5]: 136 |
| Lehr-Brigade (mot.) 900 | Training Brigade (motorized) 900 |
Formed on 17 June 1941 by Döberitz Infantry School, staffed with a motorized infantry regiment (no. 900), as well as a Panzerjäger detachment, an artillery detachment, a pioneer battalion, a signals detachment and supply units, each designated with the ordinal number 900. Dissolved on 7 April 1942; staff reintegrated into Döberitz Infantry School.[3]: 103 |
| MG-Ski-Brigade Finnland | Machine Gun Ski Brigade Finland | Formed in July 1944 in Finland to serve as joint command for the Machine Gun Battalions 4, 13, and 14, all deployed in Finland.[5]: 79 |
| Skijäger-Brigade 1 | Ski Jäger Brigade 1 | Formed in September 1943 under Army Group Centre from six separate Jäger battalions under command of the army group. Consisted of two Ski Jäger Regiments (no. 1&2) and a heavy ski battalion (no. 1). Fought between February and May 1944 as part of 2nd Army, first under XXIII Corps and then under LVI Corps. Expanded on 2 June 1944 into 1st Ski Division.[2]: 25 |
Assault brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sturm-Brigade XI | Assault Brigade XI | Staff formed on 2 March 1943 in Wehrkreis XI; later used on 12 May 1943 to form the Division Sardinia on Sardinia (used on 6 July 1943 to form 90th Panzergrenadier Division).[5]: 223 |
| Sturm-Brigade Rhodos | Assault Brigade Rhodes | Formed in March 1943 from those elements of 22nd Infantry Division that had been previously transferred from Crete to Rhodes. Initially contained four companies that were initially from Infantry Regiments 16 and 65 (2./16, 3./16, 8./65, 11./65), as well as an anti-tank company. Subsequently formed Grenadier Regiment Rhodes (Grenadier-Regiment Rhodos) in June 1943 as part of Assault Division Rhodes (formed 31 May 1943); the regiment was eventually destroyed near Belgrade in October 1944 and its remnants absorbed into Panzergrenadier Division Brandenburg.[5]: 207f. |
Gebirgsjäger brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gebirgsjäger-Brigade 139 | Mountain Brigade 139 | Redesignation (5 June 1944) of Mountain Regiment 139 (Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 139), which had been formed in August 1938 from Austrian formations.[9]: 35 Placed under supervision of Division z.b.V. 140 in late 1944.[4]: 128 Carried the designation "Generaloberst Dietl" in 1945.[9]: 35 |
Fortress brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Festungsbrigade 135 | Fortress Brigade 135 | Staff formed in April 1944 and placed in command of the three fortress battalions on occupied Corsica (no. 905, 906, 907) and the two fortress battalions on occupied Elba (no. 902, 908). Placed under command of Army Liguria in 1945.[9]: 21 Commanded by Kurt Almers.[16] Alternatively known as Festungsbrigade Almers.[17]: 14&83 |
| Festungsbrigade 963 | Fortress Brigade 963 | 4 July 1944 redesignation of Fortress Infantry Regiment 963 (formerly Afrika Riflemen Regiment 963), deployed to occupied Lemnos. Placed in charge of III through V fortress infantry battalions of the 999th.[3]: 165f. |
| Festungsbrigade 964 | Fortress Brigade 964 | 4 July 1944 redesignation of Fortress Infantry Regiment 964. Placed under XXII Corps in Army Group E. Deployed first to Lefkos island, then from Sept. 1944 in Albania, 1945 in Croatia.[3]: 166 |
| Festungsbrigade 966 | Fortress Brigade 966 | 4 July 1944 redesignation of Fortress Infantry Regiment 966 (leadership unit for fortress infantry battalions VII through XI of 999th Division). Placed under XXII Corps and deployed to Cephalonia, later in Serbia. 1945 in Croatia.[3]: 168 |
| Festungsbrigade 967 | Fortress Brigade 967 | 4 July 1944 redesignation of Fortress Infantry Regiment 967 (leadership unit for fortress infantry battalions X through XIII of 999th Division). Initially deployed to Kos island, then to Athens and eventually to Salonika. 1945 in Brod, Croatia.[3]: 168 |
| Festungsbrigade 968 | Fortress Brigade 968 | 4 July 1944 redesignation of Fortress Infantry Regiment 968 (leadership unit for fortress infantry battalions XIV through XVII of 999th Division). Initially deployed to Leros island.[3]: 169 |
| Festungsbrigade 969[3]: 169 | Fortress Brigade 969 | 4 July 1944 redesignation of Fortress Infantry Regiment 969 (subordinate unit of Replacement Brigade 999 (see replacement brigades)) Initially deployed at Larissa.[3]: 169 |
| Festungsbrigade 1017 | Fortress Brigade 1017 | 4 July 1944 redesignation of Fortress Brigade Corfu (see below). Redeployed from Corfu in September 1944 to Albania, 1945 to Croatia.[3]: 223 |
| Festungsbrigade Almers | Fortress Brigade Almers | Alternative name for Fortress Brigade 135 (see above).[17]: 14&83 |
| 1. Festungsbrigade Kreta | 1st Fortress Brigade Crete | Formed on 15 January 1942 from staff personnel of 713th Infantry Division with elements of Infantry Regiment 746 and Landesschützen Battalions 832 through 834. Redesignated "German Railway Security Staff Croatia" (Deutscher Eisenbahn-Sicherungsstab Kroatien) on 23 November 1942.[5]: 135 |
| 2. Festungsbrigade Kreta | 2nd Fortress Brigade Crete | Formed on 10 February 1942 in Dresden. Redesignated "Fortress Brigade Crete" (Festungsbrigade Kreta; without ordinal number) on 20 July 1942.[5]: 136 Equipped with Panzer Detachment Crete (from 5th Detachment, Panzer Regiment 31; later became Panzer Detachment 212), as well as Fortress Infantry Regiment 746 and Fortress Battalions 621, 622, and 623. Strengthened on 9 September 1942 by elements of Fortress Division Crete (164th Infantry Division). Redesignated 133rd Fortress Division on 2 February 1944.[5]: 134&136 |
| Festungsbrigade Korfu | Fortress Brigade Corfu | 13 June 1944 redesignation of Fortress Infantry Regiment 1017. Placed under command of XXII Corps. Redesignated Fortress Brigade 1017 on 4 July 1944.[5]: 136 |
| Festungsbrigade Lofoten | Fortress Brigade Lofoten | Formed in November 1944 to guard the Lofoten archipelago in occupied Norway. At times under LXXI Army Corps and Army Detachment Narvik, both under 20th Mountain Army.[5]: 148 |
Replacement brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ersatz-Brigade 201[18]: 1 | Replacement Brigade 201 | Formed on 15 June 1941 in Fulda (Wehrkreis IX), simply known as Brigade 201 until 24 June 1941. Assembled as part of the 16th Aufstellungswelle. Deployed to the General Government on 11 July 1941 with Infantry Replacement Regiments 601, 609 and 611. Transferred three battalions to Army Group North on 6 December 1941. Redeployed from Krakow to the Army Group Rear Area of Army Group Centre on 19 January 1942. Became Security Brigade 201 (see: Security brigades) on 5 February 1942 (eventually: 201st Security Division).[18]: 1 |
| Ersatz-Brigade 202[18]: 5 | Replacement Brigade 202 | Formed on 15 June 1941 in Mannheim (Wehrkreis XII), simply known as Brigade 202 until 17 June 1941. Assembled as part of the 16th Aufstellungswelle. Deployed to the General Government in July 1941 with Infantry Replacement Regiments 602, 610 and 612. Transferred one battalion to Army Group North on 10 October 1941. Redeployed to German-occupied Belarus; redesignated Security Brigade 202 on 24 December 1941; subsequently became Oberfeldkommandantur 392.[18]: 5 |
| Ersatz-Brigade 203[18]: 9f. | Replacement Brigade 203 | Formed on 14 June 1941 in Potsdam (Wehrkreis III), simply known as Brigade 203 until 25 June 1941. Assembled a part of the 16th Aufstellungswelle. Deployed to the General Government in July 1941 with the Infantry Replacement Regiments 603, 608 and 613. Redesignated Security Brigade 203 on 24 December 1941 and sent to Kielce in the Rear Area of Army Group Centre; subsequently upgraded into the 203rd Security Division.[18]: 9f. |
| Ersatz-Brigade 204[18]: 15 | Replacement Brigade 204 | Formed on 15 June 1941 in Wehrkreis XVII, simply known as Brigade 204 until 25 June 1941. Assembled as part of the 16th Aufstellungswelle. Deployed to the General Government and subsequently to the German-occupied Baltic States in July 1941. Contained the Infantry Replacement Regiments 605, 606, and 607. Transferred four battalions to Army Group North between 10 and 15 December 1941 and subsequently became Oberfeldkommandantur 394 (Riga) on 27 April 1942.[18]: 15 |
| Ersatz-Brigade 999[3]: 204 | Replacement Brigade 999 | Alternative designation for Replacement Battalion 999, which had been formed on 14 February 1943 on Heuberg Training Area as a replacement provision unit for 999th Division. Alternate designation as "Replacement Brigade 999" in use between 10 December 1943 and September 1944, when the battalion/brigade was present at Baumholder Military Base. Dissolved in September 1944 and split into four separate formations, each titled Action Battalion (Einsatz-Bataillon), numbered 1./999, 2./999, 3./999 and 4./999.[3]: 204 |
| Ersatz-Brigade Feldherrnhalle | Replacement Brigade Feldherrnhalle | Formed on 1 September 1944 in Danzig as replacement brigade for Panzergrenadier Division Feldherrnhalle. Destroyed in West Prussia, partially reassembled in Magdeburg and Parchim. Those reassembled elements were integrated into Panzer Division Clausewitz on 6 April 1945.[5]: 79f. |
| Ersatz-Brigade Großdeutschland | Replacement Brigade Großdeutschland | Staff formed on 1 June 1942 to oversee the replacement units of Großdeutschland division. Temporarily equipped with a training detachment for mobile forces between 10 February 1943 and 1 January 1944. Staffed with a dedicated officer cadet training school after 1 August 1944. Deployed to the Lusatia region in February 1945 and absorbed into Panzergrenadier Division Brandenburg on 10 March 1945. Redeployed in Schleswig-Holstein on 4 April 1945 as Panzer Training Unit Großdeutschland. Ultimately taken prisoner by British forces as part of 15th Panzer Division.[5]: 95f. |
Rifle/Panzergrenadier brigades
The Rifle Regiments and Cavalry Rifle Regiments of the Wehrmacht mobile troops, as well as the brigades overseeing them, had their own numbering, separate from the more conventional infantry forces.[1]: 160
In the 1939 basic layout of a Panzer Division, each division was equipped with a Rifle Brigade (German: Schützen-Brigade), which in turn was the superior unit of one Rifle Regiment (German: Schützen-Regiment) of three battalions and of a separate motorcycle battalion (German: Kradschützen-Bataillon).[19]: 19 This basic layout was overhauled in 1940; from then on, Rifle Brigades generally oversaw two Rifle Regiments instead of one, and each Rifle Regiment had two battalions each instead of three, thus bringing the number of total rifle battalions in a Rifle Brigade from three to four, but dropping the motorcycle battalion.[19]: 20
On 15 October 1942, the motorized infantry formations, including all previous Rifle Brigades, were given the new designation "Panzergrenadier", becoming Panzergrenadier Brigades.[1]: 170
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Führer-Begleit-Brigade | Führer Escort Brigade |
Formed in November 1944 by upgrading the Führer Escort Battalion. Originally assembled in Rastenburg. Consisted of two Panzergrenadier Battalions, the Sturmgeschütz Brigade 200, a reconnaissance company, an artillery detachment and a field replacement battalion as well as a bicycle battalion. Upgraded on 26 January 1945 to divisional status to become the Führer Escort Division (Führer-Begleit-Division), assigned to the Eastern Front and destroyed in the Spremberg cauldron towards the end of April 1945.[5]: 77f. |
| Führer-Grenadier-Brigade | Führer Grenadier Brigade |
Formed in July 1944 in East Prussia by upgrading the strengthened Führer Grenadier Battalion. Included a panzer detachment of Panther tanks. Upgraded on 26 January 1945 to divisional status to become the Führer-Grenadier-Division. Surrendered to American forces in Zwettl, later handed over to the Red Army.[5]: 77 |
| 1. Schützen-Brigade | 1st Rifle Brigade | Formed on 12 September 1935, renamed 1. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Part of 1st Panzer Division. Dissolved in summer of 1943.[2]: 33 |
| 2. Schützen-Brigade | 2nd Rifle Brigade | Formed on 15 October 1935 to provide staff support to the rifle units of 2nd Panzer Division. Redesignated 2. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1943. Dissolved in summer 1943.[2]: 108 |
| 3. Schützen-Brigade | 3rd Rifle Brigade | Formed on 15 October 1935 to provide staff support to the rifle units of 3rd Panzer Division. Redesignated 3. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in November 1942.[2]: 176 |
| 4. Schützen-Brigade | 4th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 1 November 1939 in Bamberg to provide staff support to the rifle units of 4th Panzer Division. Redesignated 4. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Became Brigade z.b.V. 4 (Brigade z.b.V. 4) on 7 November 1942.[2]: 246 |
| 5. Schützen-Brigade | 5th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 1 November 1939 to provide staff support to the rifle units of 5th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 13 and 14). Redesignated 5. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in November 1942.[2]: 246 |
| 6. Schützen-Brigade | 6th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 1 April 1939 to provide staff support for the rifle units of 1st Light Division. Redesignated 6. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved on 10 November 1942.[20]: 22 |
| 7. Schützen-Brigade | 7th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 27 October 1939 to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of the 7th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 6 and 7). Redesignated 7. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Likely effectively dissolved in November 1942, but present in German postal records until December 1943.[20]: 63 |
| 8. Schützen-Brigade | 8th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 4 November 1939 from the staff of Cavalry Rifle Regiment 9 to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 8th Panzer Division (Cavalry Rifle Regiments 8 and 9). Redesignated 8. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in November 1942.[20]: 101 |
| 9. Schützen-Brigade | 9th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 16 February 1940 in Wehrkreis XVII to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 9th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 10 and 11).[20]: 139 Commanded by Wilhelm von Apell between 1941 and 1942.[21]: 165f. Redesignated 9. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved on 15 December 1942.[20]: 139 |
| 10. Schützen-Brigade | 10th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 27 October 1939 in Wehrkreis IX to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 10th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 69 and 86). Redesignated 10. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in 1943.[20]: 173 |
| 11. Schützen-Brigade | 11th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 8 December 1939 as an autonomous Rifle Brigade for the Rifle Regiments 110 and 111.[20]: 204 Participated in Operation Weserübung as part of XXXI Army Corps.[22]: 13 Used to form the 11th Panzer Division on 1 August 1940; a formation by the previous designation is subsequently formed anew in the 11th Panzer Division. Redesignated 11. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in 1943.[20]: 204 Plagued by mobility problems while preparing offensive operations in 1943.[23] |
| 12. Schützen-Brigade | 12th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 9 December 1940 in Wehrkreis II to provide staff support to the rifle regiments of 12th Panzer Division. Redesignated 12. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 11 July 1942. Dissolved on 22 November 1942.[20]: 204 |
| 13. Schützen-Brigade | 13th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 18 October 1940 in Wehrkreis XI to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 13th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 66 and 93). Staff sent to Romania on 8 November 1940 as "Training Infantry Staff R" (Lehr Infanterie Stab R). Recalled to Germany on 20 May 1941 and redesignated 13th Rifle Brigade. Renamed to 13. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved on 1 November 1942.[20]: 268 |
| 14. Schützen-Brigade | 14th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 19 August 1940 to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 14th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 103 and 108). Redesignated 14. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 18 July 1942. Dissolved on 15 November 1942.[20]: 300 |
| 15. Schützen-Brigade | 15th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 15 October 1940 in Wehrkreis XII from elements of Rifle Regiments 104 and 115 to serve as a brigade staff for both. Redesignated 15. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in 1943.[24]: 12 |
| 16. Schützen-Brigade | 16th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 3 August 1940 in Wehrkreis VI from parts of the dissolved staff of 3rd Battalion, Rifle Regiment 4. Provided staff support to Rifle Regiments 64 and 79. Redesignated 16. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in November 1942.[24]: 38 |
| 17. Schützen-Brigade | 17th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 1 November 1940 in Wehrkreis VII for the rifle regiments of 17th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 40 and 63). Redesignated 17. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942.[24]: 64 Personnel used on 10 October 1944 to form part of the staff of the IV Panzer Corps.[2]: 232 |
| 18. Schützen-Brigade | 18th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 26 October 1940 in Wehrkreis IV to provide staff support to the rifle regiments of 18th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 52 and 101). Redesignated 18. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942.[24]: 95 Later becomes Bicycle Infantry Brigade 10 in January 1945.[20]: 168f. |
| 19. Schützen-Brigade | 19th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 1 November 1940 in Wehrkreis XI to lead Rifle Regiments 73 and 74. Redesignated 19. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Used in June 1944 to form the staff of the 1st Ski Division.[24]: 119 |
| 20. Schützen-Brigade | 20th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 1 November 1940 in Wehrkreis IX to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 20th Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 59 and 112). Redesignated 20. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in 1943.[24]: 140 |
| 22. Schützen-Brigade | 22nd Rifle Brigade | Formed on 24 October 1941 in northern France under the supervision of 7th Army to provide staff support for the Rifle Regiments 129 and 140. Redesignated 22. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in November 1942.[24]: 180 |
| 23. Schützen-Brigade | 23rd Rifle Brigade | Formed on 15 October 1941 in Stuttgart (Wehrkreis V) to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 23rd Panzer Division (Rifle Regiments 126 and 128). Redesignated 23. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Dissolved in November 1942.[24]: 197 |
| 24. Schützen-Brigade | 24th Rifle Brigade | Formed on 2 December 1941 in Stablack in East Prussia from personnel of Horse Brigade 1. Redesignated 24. Panzergrenadier-Brigade on 5 July 1942. Destroyed in the Battle of Stalingrad.[24]: 213 |
| 26. Panzergrenadier-Brigade | 26th Panzergrenadier Brigade | Formed on 27 July 1942 using personnel of 23rd Division in German-occupied France staff to provide staff support for the rifle regiments of 26th Panzer Division. (Rifle Regiments 9 and 67). Dissolved on 10 November 1942.[24]: 241 |
| 92. Panzergrenadier-Brigade | 92nd Panzergrenadier Brigade | 11 January 1945 redesignation of 92nd (motorized) Grenadier Brigade. Reinforced on 31 January 1945 and strengthened by Artillery Detachment 192, Pioneer Battalion 192, and Panzerjäger Detachment 192. Placed under command of Army Group South (2nd Panzer Army in March, 8th Army in April/May).[8]: 123 |
| 190. Panzergrenadier-Brigade | 190th Panzergrenadier Brigade | Staff marked up for deployment on German-occupied Sardinia with 90th Panzergrenadier Division in July 1943. Never actually saw deployment.[9]: 253 |
Panzer brigades
1939 planned Panzer Division layout, Panzer Brigade on the far left.
In the initial formation and conception of the German Panzerwaffe, the Panzer Brigade played an administrative role in the concept of its respective superior unit, the Panzer Division.[19]: 15f. In the prewar discussions, advocates of the establishment of Panzer Division (such as Heinz Guderian) faced opposition by a set of officers (such as Ludwig Beck) that favored independent Panzer Brigades and opposed division-level armored units.[25]: 26
To each Panzer Division was assigned a Panzer Brigade, which in turn contained two Panzer Regiments (each with two Panzer Detachments, for a total of four detachments in the Panzer Brigade). Additionally, a 1939 Panzer Division was supposed to be equipped with a Rifle Brigade (see above), a motorcycle battalion, a reconnaissance detachment, an engineer battalion, a panzer signals detachment, and a divisional services unit.[19]: 15f.
Only the original three Panzer Divisions (1st, 2nd, 3rd) actually contained all necessary parts in September 1939 (and even they did not receive the complete number of vehicles planned), and the divergences between the different divisions only increased as the war progressed. For instance, the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Panzer Divisions (formed from the four Light Divisions after the Invasion of Poland) did not contain Panzer Brigades at all, instead opting for a single Panzer Regiment with three instead of two Panzer Detachments.[19]: 15f.
The collapse of Army Group Centre in 1944 (Operation Bagration), soon followed by the collapse of Army Group South Ukraine (Second Jassy–Kishinev offensive), resulted in the emergency formation of several new Panzer Brigades, numbered 101 through 113.[1]: 166
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Panzer-Brigade | 1st Armored Brigade | Deployment begun in secret in February 1935 by absorbing three former cavalry regiments.[19]: 7 Assembled officially on 1 October 1935 during the formation process of 1st Panzer Division. Dissolved by decree on 1 November 1942.[2]: 31 |
| 2. Panzer-Brigade | 2nd Armored Brigade | Assembled on 15 October 1935 in Vienna to provide staff support for Panzer Regiments 3 and 4 during the formation process of 2nd Panzer Division. Dissolved by decree on 1 November 1942.[2]: 107 |
| 3. Panzer-Brigade | 3rd Armored Brigade | Assembled on 15 October 1935 in Berlin to provide staff support for Panzer Regiments 5 and 6 during the formation process of 3rd Panzer Division.[2]: 175 Commanded for some time by Georg Kühn.[19]: 10 Contained the Panzer Training Detachment (Panzer-Lehr-Abteilung) during the Invasion of Poland.[19]: 19 Restructured on 15 January 1941 into the staff of the 5th Light Division (later: 21st Panzer Division).[2]: 175 Commanded by Hans von Funck.[26]: 12 |
| 4. Panzer-Brigade | 4th Armored Brigade | Assembled on 10 November 1938 in Stuttgart. Formed the staff of Panzer Division Kempf on 1 September 1939, the beginning of the Invasion of Poland. Panzer Division Kempf dissolved on 15 October 1939 and the staff was once again designated as 4. Panzer-Brigade, now part of 10th Panzer Division. Dissolved in winter 1941/42.[2]: 244 |
| 5. Panzer-Brigade | 5th Armored Brigade | Assembled on 10 November 1938 in Bamberg to provide staff support for the Panzer Regiments 35 and 36 of 4th Panzer Division. Placed under command of 3rd Panzer Division on 27 January 1941. Dissolved on 21 February 1942.[2]: 295 |
| 6. Panzer-Brigade | 6th Armored Brigade | Assembled on 10 November 1938 in Würzburg to provide staff support for the Panzer Regiments 11 and 25. Assigned to 2nd Light Division on 1 April 1939. Dissolved later in 1939.[20]: 20 |
| 8. Panzer-Brigade | 8th Armored Brigade | Formed on 10 November 1938 in Sagan (Wehrkreis VIII) for the Panzer Regiments 15 and 31 of 5th Panzer Division. Staff became the staff of 100th Armored Brigade in 1942.[20]: 101 |
| 10. Panzer-Brigade | 10th Armored Brigade | Formed on 27 June 1943 from the staff of Panzer Regiment 10 after previously having been listed in OKH reserves since 16 September 1942. Deployed to Reims in May 1945. Later becomes the staff of Panzer Division Döberitz.[20]: 171 |
| 18. Panzer-Brigade | 18th Armored Brigade | Staff-only; staff formed on 15 February 1942 from the staff of Panzer Regiment 18. Subordinate to 18th Panzer Division. Dissolved on 4 January 1943.[24]: 94 |
| 21. Panzer-Brigade | 21st Armored Brigade | Staff formed on 25 June 1943 near Orel on the Eastern Front from personnel of Panzer Regiment 21. Used in October 1943 to build the divisional staff of Panzer Division Norway.[24]: 161 |
| 100. Panzer-Brigade | 100th Armored Brigade | Formed on 1 March 1941 from the staff of 8th Armored Brigade (see above), to be used in German-occupied France. Contained the Beute Panzer Regiments 201 and 202, as well as the Panzer Detachment 301. Staff used in 1943 to become the staff of the General of Panzer Troops under OB West. Became Panzer Group Command West in winter 1943/44.[8]: 164 |
| 101. Panzer-Brigade | 101st Armored Brigade |
Formed twice, once in 1941 and once in 1944.
|
| 102. Panzer-Brigade | 102nd Armored Brigade |
Formed on 20 July 1944 in Wehrkreis XI with Panzer Detachment 2102 (four companies, formed from Panzer Replacement Detachment 5) and Panzergrenadier Battalion 2102 (three companies). Placed under XXIII Army Corps in October 1944. Dissolved on 27 November 1944 and integrated into the 7th Panzer Division in Arys. Staff and Panzer Detachment sent to Neuruppin after transferring all tanks to Panzer Regiment 25.[8]: 179 |
| 103. Panzer-Brigade | 103rd Armored Brigade | Formed on 26 July 1944 in Wehrkreis XIII from the remnants of 25th Panzer Division, which had been largely destroyed during heavy fighting in northern Ukraine. Staff elements were provided by Panzergrenadier Regiment 146. The brigade initially contained Panzer Detachment 1203 (four companies from Panzer Detachment Norway) and Panzergrenadier Battalion 2103 (three companies). Placed in the army reserves of 3rd Panzer Army, then 4th Army and 3rd Panzer Army again in 1944, then placed under LVII Corps (17th Army) in Silesia in early 1945.[8]: 187 |
| 104. Panzer-Brigade | 104th Armored Brigade | Formed on 18 July 1944 in Wehrkreis XI with Panzer Detachment 2104 (four companies) and Panzergrenadier Battalion 2104 (three companies), as well as Brigade Units 2104. Placed under the Cavalry Corps in August 1944, under XX Corps in September 1944, and under XXIII Corps in October to November 1944. Dissolved on 6 November 1944 and integrated into 25th Panzer Division.[8]: 194 |
| 105. Panzer-Brigade | 105th Armored Brigade | Formed on 28 July 1944 in Wehrkreis I at Mielau Training Area, partially drawn from the remnants of 18th Panzergrenadier Division, which had previously been destroyed near Bobruisk. Initially contained Panzer Detachment 2105 (four companies, drawn from Wehrkreis XIII), Panzergrenadier Battalion 2105 (5 companies, drawn from the remnants of 18th Panzergrenadier Division), as well as the Brigade Units 2105. Redeployed from Mielau to Belgium on 31 August 1944. Under command of LXXXI Corps in September 1944.[8]: 200 Moved into position forward of the Meuse river between 1 and 5 September, then fought forward of the river on 6 and 7 September. Withdrew across the Meuse and fought between it and the Westwall ("Siegfried Line") between 8 and 12 September, then defended the Westwall itself between 13 and 15 September. Defended Westwall fortifications at Stolberg between 15 and 23 September.[27] Dissolved near the Lower Rhine on 23 September 1944 and used to reinforce the 9th Panzer Division, which had suffered heavy casualties during Operation Overlord. The Panzer Detachment was later used to form part of Panzer Regiment 10 under 8th Panzer Division.[8]: 200 |
| 106. Panzer-Brigade "Feldherrnhalle" | 106th Armored Brigade "Feldherrnhalle" | Formed on 28 July 1944 in Wehrkreis I at Mielau Training Area from the remnants of Panzer-Grenadier-Division Feldherrnhalle as well as Feldherrnhalle's replacement units. Initially contained Panzer Detachment 2106 (4 companies), Panzergrenadier Battalion 2106 (5 companies), and Brigade Units 2106. Deployed from Mielau into the Trier sector on 31 August 1944. Under XIII SS Corps in September 1944, LXXXV Corps in October 1944, LXIV Corps between November 1944 and January 1945, army reserves of 15th Army in February 1945, army reserves of 1st Parachute Army in March 1945, and LXXXI Corps (15th Army) in April 1945.[8]: 206f. |
| 107. Panzer-Brigade | 107th Armored Brigade |
Formed on 28 July 1944 in Wehrkreis I at Mielau Training Area from the remnants of 25th Panzergrenadier Division. Initially equipped with Panzer Detachment 2107 (4 companies), Panzergrenadier Battalion 2107 (five companeis), and Brigade Units 2107. Placed under LXXXVI Corps (under 1st Parachute Army and eventually 5th Panzer Army, both Army Group B) between September and November 1944.[8]: 212 In mid-September, the brigade was sent to assist the German response against the Allied paradrops of Operation Market Garden,[28]: 46 being the most important German panzer unit sent against American paratroopers.[28]: 19 Dissolved on 7 November 1944 and used to strengthen the Kampfgruppe-strength 25th Panzergrenadier Division to full divisional strength. Staff and Panzergrenadier Battalion 2107 joined the Panzergrenadier Regiment 119; Panzer Detachment 2107 became Panzer Detachment 5.[8]: 212 |
| 108. Panzer-Brigade | 108th Armored Brigade | Formed in July 1944 at Grafenwoehr Training Area. Parts of the personnel intended for the brigade staff were rerouted to SS Panzer Brigade Gross instead, then substituted by the staff of Panzer Regiment 39 instead. The brigade initially contained Panzer Detachment 2108 (four companies), Panzergrenadier Battalion 2108 (5 companies), and Brigade Units 2108. The 108th Panzer Brigade was ordered vom Grafenwoehr to Gerolstein on 16 September 1944. Under command of II Parachute Corps (1st Parachute Army) in September 1944 and under I SS Panzer Corps (7th Army) in October 1944 (both corps under Army Group B). Dissolved in November 1944.[8]: 217 |
| 109. Panzer-Brigade | 109th Armored Brigade | Formed on 19 July 1944 (deployment completion: 25 September 1944) on Estergom Training Area in Hungary from remnants of 25th Panzer Division and elements of 233rd Reserve Division. Initially contained Panzer Detachment 2109 (4 companies, deployed in Wehrkreis XVII), Panzergrenadier Battalion 2109 (5 companies), and Brigade Units 2107. Dissolved in October 1944 and used for the formation of Panzer Division Feldherrnhalle.[8]: 220f. |
| 110. Panzer-Brigade "Feldherrnhalle" | 110th Armored Brigade "Feldherrnhalle" | Formed on 19 July 1944 (deployment completion: 25 September 1944) on Oerkeny Training Area in Hungary from personnel of Replacement Brigade Feldherrnhalle, as well as donations to the panzer detachment from Wehrkreis IV, V, VIII and XI. Initially contained Panzer Detachment 2110 (4 companies) and Panzergrenadier Battalion 2110 (5 companies). Dissolved in September 1944 and used to redeploy the 13th Panzer Division which had been destroyed in Romania (later became Panzer Division Feldherrnhalle 2).[8]: 220f. |
| 111. Panzer-Brigade | 111th Armored Brigade | Formed on 4 September 1944 as a valkyrie unit in Wehrkreis VI with Panzer Detachment 2111, Panzergrenadier Regiment 2111, and Brigade Units 2111. Strengthened by a Panther-equipped Panzer Detachment from 116th Panzer Division. Sent from Wehrkreis VI to Remiremont on 6 September 1944. Placed under command of XXXXVII Corps in September 1944. Decreed on 25 September 1944 to be dissolved and integrated into 15th Panzergrenadier Division, but instead integrated into 11th Panzer Division on 1 October 1944 (swapped with 113th Panzer Brigade (see below)). Panzergrenadier Regiment 2111 was later used in December 1944 to form part of Panzer Regiment 9 of 25th Panzer Division.[8]: 234 |
| 112. Panzer-Brigade | 112th Armored Brigade | Formed on 4 September 1944 in Wehrkreis V; initially equipped with Panzer Detachment 2112, Panzergrenadier Regiment 2112 and Brigade Units 2112. Redeployed from Wehrkreis V to Epinal on 6 September 1944 and placed under command of XXXXVII Corps of 5th Panzer Army. Dissolved as per a decree of 23 September 1944 and integrated into 21st Panzer Division.[8]: 241 |
| 113. Panzer-Brigade | 113th Armored Brigade |
Formed on 4 September 1944 as a valkyrie unit in Wehrkreis XII; initially equipped with Panzer Detachment 2113, Panzergrenadier Regiment 2113 and Brigade Units 2113. Strengthened by a Panther-equipped Panzer Detachment (I./130) of Panzer Lehr Division. Redeployed from Wehrkreis XII to Kolmar on 6 September and from there to Saarburg on 16 September. Decreed on 23 September to be dissolved and integrated into 11th Panzer Division. Used instead on 1 October 1944 to reinforce the 15th Panzergrenadier Division (swapped with 111th Panzer Brigade (see above)).[8]: 249 |
| Panzer-Brigade 150 | Armored Brigade 150 |
Combined unit of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS; see SS panzer brigades |
| Panzer-Ausbildungs-Verband Ostsee | Panzer Training Unit Baltic Sea | Formed on 28 March 1945 as part of Aktion Leuthen and gathered in Prenzlau. Although the formation was not nominally called "brigade", it would have reached brigade strength if all of its assigned subordinate units (staff, two Panzer training detachments, two Panzergrenadier training regiments, four Panzergrenadier training battalions, two Panzer reconnaissance detachments, one Panzer engineer battalions and one Panzer signal training detachment, as well as several miscellaneous training units and military schools) had properly gathered in full strength. Several of the assigned subordinate formations never joined the unit, and the Panzer Training Unit Baltic Sea consequently never reached proper brigade-level strength. The formation was assigned to Army Group Vistula.[5]: 192f. |
| Panzer-Brigade Norwegen | Armored Brigade Norway | Formed on 13 July 1944 from the downgraded Panzer Division Norway (active October 1943 – July 1944). Equipped with Panzer Detachment Norway and Panzergrenadier Battalion Norway (previously Assault Battalion Norway). Placed under XXXVI Corps of 20th Mountain Army between January and April 1945.[5]: 176f. |
Panzerjäger brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heeres-Panzerjagd-Brigade 1 | Army Anti-Tank Brigade 1 | Received a military postal code in March 1945. Staff units placed under command of 4th Panzer Army. Staff-only unit.[2]: 32 |
| Heeres-Panzerjagd-Brigade 2[2]: 331 | Army Anti-Tank Brigade 2 | First appears in German records in April 1945. Limited combat in Upper Silesia.[2]: 331 |
| Panzerjagd-Brigade 104 | Anti-Tank Brigade 104 | Formed on 26 January 1945 near Berlin as brigade-level staff unit for 6th Anti-Tank Detachment and 1st Panzer Reconnaissance Detachment using elements of the staff of Panzer Detachment 2102. Contained Anti-Tank Detachments 1 through 6. Used on 15 February 1945 as staff for Kampfgruppe General Müntzel.[8]: 194 |
| Panzerjagd-Brigade Feldherrnhalle | Anti-Tank Brigade Feldherrnhalle | Formed in April 1945 using personnel of Replacement Brigade Feldherrnhalle, intended to field three anti-tank units. Did not see action before the end of the war.[5]: 84 |
| Panzerjagd-Brigade Freie Ukraine | Anti-Tank Brigade Free Ukraine | Appears in German records in April 1945, intended to field three subordinate anti-tank units. Unlikely to have seen action before the end of the war.[5]: 84 |
| Panzerjagd-Brigade West | Anti-Tank Brigade West | Planned for deployment as per an April 1945 listing. Intended to be equipped four Anti-Tank regiments (Blücher I, Blücher II, Nürnberg, Stuttgart) with two battalions each, for a total of eight anti-tank battalions, each with three companies, each with 6 commands (16 men each). Likely never deployed in reality.[5]: 255 |
| Panzerjäger-Brigade Oberschlesien | Anti-Tank Brigade Upper Silesia | First appears in German records in April 1945.[29] Formed in Wehrkreis VIII with three subordinate anti-tank units.[5]: 193 |
| Panzer-Nahkampf-Brigade Hitlerjugend | Armored Melee Brigade Hitlerjugend | Formed in March 1945 in Wehrkreis III. Deployed in April 1945 in the Nauen, Berlin, and Potsdam sectors.[5]: 114 |
| Schnelle Brigade West | Fast Brigade West | Formed in summer 1943 in German-occupied France. Equipped with a Panzergrenadier Regiment (two battalions), a Sturmgeschütz detachment, two motorcycle companies, a pioneer company, a signals company, supply units, and a field replacement company. The brigade briefly carried the ordinal number 931, and the Panzergrenadier Regiment was numbered 433. Used on 15 July 1943 near Rennes to redeploy the 21st Panzer Division, which had been destroyed in the North African theater. Panzergrenadier Regiment 433 became Panzergrenadier Regiment 125. The two motorcycle companies combined into Panzer Reconnaissance Detachment 21, Artillery Regiment 931 became Panzer Artillery Regiment 155. Dissolved after redeployment of 21st Panzer Division.[5]: 255 |
Reconnaissance brigades
Wehrmacht reconnaissance forces were usually organized well below the brigade level, for instance in the form of Kradschützen Battalions or Panzer Reconnaissance Detachments. The sole exceptions were four formations that were largely based around the idea of bicycle infantry. Two such brigades, the Fast Brigades 20 and 30, were first deployed in the German occupation zones in Belgium and the Netherlands in May 1943.[1]: 181–187
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Radfahr-Aufklärungs-Brigade Norwegen | Bicycle Reconnaissance Brigade Norway | Formed in July 1944 from the Bicycle Reconnaissance Regiment Norway (which had been assembled in April 1944). Placed under command of 20th Mountain Army (initially under XIX Corps). Underwent a major restructuring in February 1945.[5]: 177 |
| Radfahr-Jäger-Brigade 10 | Bicycle Infantry Brigade 10 | Formed in January 1945, staff taken from staff personnel of Panzergrenadier Brigade 18. Consisted of three battalions with five companies each. Attached to VI Corps in February and March 1945 and used in the Braunsberg area in East Prussia.[20]: 168f. Attached to 131st Infantry Division in March 1945.[4]: 124 Under Army East Prussia in April 1945.[20]: 168f. |
| Schnelle Brigade 20 | Fast Brigade 20 | Formed from Reserve Bicycle Regiment 20 (Reserve-Radfahr-Regiment 20; formed 22 February 1943) in May 1943. Staff became Brigade Staff z.b.V. 20 after the bicycle detachments were reassigned to 245th Volksgrenadier Division and 246th Volksgrenadier Division.[24]: 139 |
| Schnelle Brigade 30 | Fast Brigade 30 | Formed from Reserve Bicycle Regiment 30 (Reserve-Radfahr-Regiment 30; formed 22 February 1943) on 7 March 1943. Dissolved on 5 September 1944 after suffering severe casualties during Operation Overlord.[24]: 286 |
Cavalry brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kavallerie-Brigade | 1st Cavalry Brigade | Formed on 1 October 1934 as 5th Horse Brigade (5. Reiterbrigade), initially disguised as Cavalry Command Insterburg.[30]: 14 On 1 April 1936, it remained as the sole cavalry brigade of the Wehrmacht (the others were motorized and merged into the armored force) and was redesignated 1st Cavalry Brigade.[2]: 35 It contained the Horse Regiments 1 and 2.[31]: 247 Participated in the Invasion of Poland; fought against the Polish 7th Uhlans on 3 September, then assigned to 12th Infantry Division. Participated in the Battle of Krasnobród against the 25th Uhlans on 23 September 1939.[32]: 8f. The 1st Cavalry Brigade was upgraded on 25 October 1939 to become the 1st Cavalry Division (24 November 1941: 24th Panzer Division).[2]: 35 |
| 3. Kavallerie-Brigade | 3rd Cavalry Brigade | Formed in March 1944 under command of Army Group Centre from the Reinforced Cavalry Regiment Centre (Verstärktes Kavallerie-Regiment Mitte). It initially consisted of 105th Cavalry Regiment, Light Artillery Detachment Cavalry Regiment Centre, Sturmgeschütz Detachment 177, Heavy Cavalry Detachment 3rd Cavalry Brigade, and Cossack Detachment 3rd Cavalry Brigade, but was restructured in September 1944. Afterwards, it consisted of two Horse Regiments (numbered 31 and 32), as well as Artillery Regiment 869 and Panzer Reconnaissance Detachment 69 as well as Cossack Detachment 69. On 10 June 1944, Sturmgeschütz Detachment 177 had itself been upgraded to brigade status. Became 3rd Cavalry Division in September 1944.[2]: 179 |
| 4. Kavallerie-Brigade | 4th Cavalry Brigade | Formed on 29 May 1944 under command of Army Group Centre using personnel of Cavalry Regiments North and South. It consisted of two Horse Regiments (numbered 5 "Field Marshal Mackensen" and 41) as well as Artillery Regiment 870. Became 4th Cavalry Division in February 1945 and was taken prisoner by British forces in Mauterndorf in May.[2]: 247 |
| I. Kosaken-Reiter-Brigade | 1st Cossack Horse Brigade | Formed on 5 August 1943. Redesignated "Cossack Brigade (Don)" (Kosaken-Brigade (Don)) on 11 January 1944. Placed under command of the Waffen-SS in December 1944 as part of the 1st Cossack Division.[2]: 37 |
| II. Kosaken-Reiter-Brigade | 2nd Cossack Horse Brigade | Formed on 5 August 1943. Redesignated "Cossack Brigade (Caucasus)" (Kosaken-Brigade (Kaukasus)) on 15 January 1944. Placed under command of the Waffen-SS in December 1944 as part of the 2nd Cossack Division.[2]: 110 |
| Reiter-Brigade 1 | Horse Brigade 1 | Formed on 1 March 1940 as "Horse Brigade" (Reiterbrigade, without an ordinal number), as a redesignation of the previous Horse Brigade 2 (see below). Placed under command of 1st Cavalry Division. Repurposed into a brief period of organizational autonomy as "Mixed Mobile Brigade Senger" (Gemischte schnelle Brigade Senger), returned on 5 August 1940 to 1st Cavalry Division. Redesignated "Horse Brigade 1" on 2 April 1941. Transformed on 2 December 1941 into Rifle Brigade 24 upon the 1st Cavalry Division's transformation into 24th Panzer Division.[2]: 36 |
| Reiter-Brigade 2 | Horse Brigade 2 | Formed on 7 December 1939 in Torgau, became "Horse Brigade" on 1 March 1940 (see above).[2]: 109 |
Army artillery brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 70 | Army Artillery Brigade 70 | Staff formed on 18 June 1944 from the regiment staff of Artillery Regiment 70.[33]: 293 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 88 | Army Artillery Brigade 88 | Formed on 25 July 1944 from Mot. Artillery Regiment 88 after the dissolution of 18th Artillery Division through the addition of Artillery Detachment 854. Deployed to the Eastern Front and fought in Central Russia, Northern Ukraine and ultimately East Prussia.[8]: 102 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 140 | Army Artillery Brigade 140 | Staff formed from Artillery Regiment Staff z.b.V. (mot.) 140 on 28 February 1943 with 6th Army in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Stalingrad.[9]: 40 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 288 | Army Artillery Brigade 288 | Formed in July 1944 from Artillery Regiment 288. Under 4th Panzer Army and near Krakow towards the end of the war.[34]: 23 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 388 | Army Artillery Brigade 388 | Formed on 18 September 1944 from Artillery Regiment 388. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 388 on 30 October 1944.[10]: 51 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 401 | Army Artillery Brigade 401 | Formed in September 1944 with five detachment in Wehrkreis XIII. Deployed from the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia to the Western Front on 4 November 1944. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 401 in November 1944.[10]: 85 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 402 | Army Artillery Brigade 402 | Formed on 18 September 1944 in Wehrkreis IX with 5 detachments. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 402 in November 1944.[10]: 88 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 403 | Army Artillery Brigade 403 | Formed on 15 October 1944 in Wehrkreis XI with 6 detachments. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 403 in November 1944.[10]: 90 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 404 | Army Artillery Brigade 404 | Formed on 15 October 1944 in Wehrkreis X with 6 detachments. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 404 in November 1944.[10]: 95 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 405 | Army Artillery Brigade 405 | Formed on 15 October 1944 in Wehrkreis II, with 5 detachments, in the Rügenwalde area. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 405 in November 1944.[10]: 99 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 406 | Army Artillery Brigade 406 | Formed on 15 October 1944 in Wehrkreis III, with 5 detachments, in the Jüterbog area. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 406 in November 1944.[10]: 103 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 407 | Army Artillery Brigade 407 | Formed on 15 October 1944 in Wehrkreis IV, with 5 detachments, in the Meissen area. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 407 in November 1944.[10]: 105 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 408 | Army Artillery Brigade 408 | Formed on 15 October 1944 in Wehrkreis XVII, with 5 detachments, in the Bruck an der Leitha area. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 408 in November 1944.[10]: 108 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 409 | Army Artillery Brigade 409 | Formed on 15 October 1944 in Wehrkreis VII in the Augsburg area. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 409 in November 1944.[10]: 111 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 410 | Army Artillery Brigade 410 | Formed on 21 October 1944 in the Wuppertal area. Redesignated Volks-Artillerie-Korps 410 on 28 November 1944.[10]: 114 |
| Leichte Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 704 | Light Army Artillery Brigade 704 | Formed on 11 June 1944 (with Artillery Detachments 131, 861, 934) from the Artillery Regiment Staff z.b.V. 704. Sent to Normandy to oppose Operation Overlord, then sent to the Eastern Front. Placed under command of 2nd Army in winter 1944/45.[15]: 150 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 732 | Army Artillery Brigade 732 | Formed in January 1945 from the staff of Army Artillery Brigade 140 (see above) as well as elements of Artillery Regiment 36 and Heavy Artillery Detachment 154. Later traded one of its detachments (I./732) with Army Artillery Detachment 777 (see below), receiving III./777 in return. Placed under command of 9th Army on the Vistula and later Oder fronts.[15]: 218 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 766[15]: 286 | Army Artillery Brigade 766 | Formed on 25 July 1944 near Schwerin (Wehrkreis II) with three detachments under the staff of Artillery Regiment 766. Later joined by a fourth detachment formed from Artillery Regiment 68 (which had been redeployed after its previous destruction near Vitebsk). Became Volks-Artillerie-Korps 766 in September 1944.[15]: 286 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 777[15]: 302 | Army Artillery Brigade 777 | Formed in October 1944 in Wehrkreis XII, received a battery from Heavy Artillery Detachment 731 on 24 October 1944. Later, it traded a detachment (III./777) with Army Artillery Brigade 732, receiving the I./732 in return. Placed under 4th Panzer Army at the Vistula and later in Lusatia.[15]: 302 |
| Heeres-Artillerie-Brigade 959 | Army Artillery Brigade 959 | Formed on 25 June 1944 from the Artillery Regiment Staff z.b.V. 959. Placed under command of 8th Army and fought in Slovakia.[3]: 162 |
Sturmgeschütz brigades
The army had fielded dedicated Sturmgeschütz units starting with the Sturmgeschütz Detachments that were first deployed on 7 February 1941. In February 1944, those Sturmgeschütz Detachments with three batteries received the designation of Sturmgeschütz Brigades. Some of those brigades (those that were additionally equipped with an escort company) were later again redesignated to become Army Assault Artillery Brigades (see below).[1]: 211
A Sturmgeschütz brigade contained (at least) three batteries, each typically with 10 to 14 assault guns.[1]: 211
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 177 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 177 | Formed on 17 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 177. Used on 9 August 1944 to form Anti-Tank Detachment 69 under 3rd Cavalry Brigade.[9]: 192 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 184 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 184 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 184. Became Army Assault Brigade 184 on 10 June 1944.[9]: 225 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 185 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 185 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 185. Redesignated Heeres-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 185 on 10 July 1944. Destroyed in Russia in 1944.[9]: 229 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 189 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 189 | Formed on 10 June 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 189. Assigned to 78th Assault Division. Redesignated "Anti-Tank Detachment North" (Panzerjagd-Abteilung Nord) later in June 1944.[9]: 248 |
| Leichte Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 190 | Light Sturmgeschütz Brigade 190 | Formed on 14 January 1944 from Light Sturmgeschütz Detachment 190. Assigned to the 4th Army in the Mogilev sector. Close to Danzig at the end of the war.[9]: 255 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 191 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 191 | Formed on 28 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 191. Strengthened on 29 July 1944 by the addition of forces from the Army Assault Artillery Brigade 201 to a total of four batteries.[9]: 259 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 201 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 201 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 201. Integrated into other forces in 1945.[18]: 2 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 202 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 202 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 202. Became Army Artillery Assault Brigade 202.[18]: 6 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 203 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 203 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 203. Spent the end of the war under command of 1st Panzer Army in Silesia.[18]: 11 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 209 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 209 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 209.[18]: 41 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 210 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 210 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 210. Deleted from German military postal records in April 1945. Under command of the 1st Hungarian Army in northern Ukraine in 1944 and under 4th Panzer Army on the Vistula front towards the end of the war in 1945.[18]: 44 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 226 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 226 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 226. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 226.[18]: 123 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 228 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 228 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 228. Suffered large casualties in the Second Jassy–Kishinev offensive in August 1944. Spent the end of the war with 8th Army.[18]: 133 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 232 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 232 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 232. Placed under command of 3rd Panzer Army in East Prussia, then under 17th Army in Silesia.[18]: 148 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 236 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 236 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 236. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade on 10 June 1944.[18]: 163 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 237 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 237 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 237. Was split into the newly-found Assault Panzer Detachments 218 and 219 in September 1944.[18]: 166 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 239 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 239 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 239. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 239 on 10 June 1944.[18]: 173f. |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 243 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 243 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 243. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 243 in winter 1944/45.[18]: 187 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 244 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 244 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 244. Joined the 9th Army at Babruysk in June 1944. After receiving reinforcements, redeployed from Altengrabow Training Area to Breda in the German-occupied Netherlands. Sent to Gerolstein on 10 December 1944. Participated in the Ardennes Offensive with 5th Panzer Army. Final assignment was to 15th Army in the Cologne area.[18]: 191 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 245 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 245 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 245. Destroyed in June 1944 at Vitebsk.[18]: 194 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 249 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 249 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 249. Under command of 4th Panzer Army in northern Ukraine in June 1944. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 249 in 1945.[18]: 208 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 259 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 259 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 259. Under command of the 6th Army (Army Group South Ukraine) in June 1944. Under command of the 4th Army in East Prussia towards the end of the war.[18]: 256 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 261 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 261 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 261. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 261 in winter 1944/45.[18]: 262 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 270 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 270 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 270. Became Anti-Tank Detachment 152 under 1st Ski Division on 9 August 1944.[18]: 300 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 276 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 276 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 276. Reinforced in Wehrkreis XX on 21 June 1944. Deployed near Danzig under 2nd Army towards the end of the war.[18]: 324 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 277 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 277. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 277 in winter 1944/45.[18]: 328 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 278 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 278 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 278. Ordered on 15 November 1944 to be redeployed to the Western Front, but incapable of fulfilling the order due to high casualties taken in the Memelland. No deployments listed in the German records in 1945.[18]: 333 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 279 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 279 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 279. Reinforced on 21 June 1944. Under command of 4th Army in East Prussia towards the end of the war.[18]: 336 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 280 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 280 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 280. Reinforced in German-occupied Denmark in September 1944; subsequently deployed to the German-occupied Netherlands and placed under command of 15th Army. Sent to Colmar on 20 November 1944. Subordinate to 1st Army in the Saarpfalz region towards the end of the war.[18]: 339 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 281 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 281 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 281. Mostly annihilated at Vitebsk in September 1944; remnants used for the assembly of Artillery Anti-Tank Detachment 1052.[34]: 2 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 286 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 286 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 286. Deployed to Army Group South Ukraine in summer 1944, saw action near Chișinău in June. Recalled to Germany for reinforcement, then redeployed to the front in Slovakia in 1945 under command of 8th Army.[34]: 17 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 300 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 300 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 300. Under command of 1st Panzer Army (Army Group North Ukraine) in June 1944. Deployed to the 17th Army towards the end of the war. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 300 in April 1945.[34]: 68 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 301 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 301 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 301. Sent to the Eastern Front in February/March 1944. Placed under command of 1st Panzer Army (Army Group North Ukraine) in June 1944; positioned near Brody. Still under command of 1st Panzer Army towards the end of the war (fighting in Upper Silesia and Moravia).[34]: 71 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 303 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 303 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 303.[34]: 80 Sent in mid-1944 to assist Finnish forces in the Vyborg sector along with the German 122nd Infantry Division to assist Finland against the Soviet Union;[35]: 218 later recalled to the German lines. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 303 in autumn 1944.[34]: 80 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 311 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 311 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 311. Equipped with StuGs at Altengrabow Training Area in March 1944. Under command of 1st Panzer Army (Army Group North Ukraine) and deployed near Brody in June 1944. Subordinate to 17th Army in Silesia towards the end of the war.[34]: 113 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 322 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 322 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 322. Dissolved in winter 1944/45 and joined into the 210th. Belatedly removed from German military postal records in April 1945.[34]: 148 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 325 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 325 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 325. Sent to Altengrabow Training Area in March 1944 to be equipped with StuGs. Subordinate to 4th Romanian Corps under 8th Army in southern Ukraine in June 1944. Still under 8th Army (in Slovakia) towards the end of the war.[34]: 157 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 341 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 341 |
Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 341. Sent from Toulouse to Rennes on 25 July 1944. Participated in the Ardennes Offensive in December 1944 as part of 15th Army. Still part of 15th Army (now in the Cologne region) towards the end of the war.[34]: 223 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 393 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 393 | Formed on 10 March 1944 in Schweinfurt (Wehrkreis XIII) with three batteries. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 393 in winter 1944/45.[10]: 67 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 394 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 394 | Formed on 10 June 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 394. Assigned initially to 18th Artillery Division; subsequently part of 6th Panzer Army during the Battle of the Bulge and under command of 1st Parachute Army in 1945; deployed to Wesel towards the end of the war.[10]: 70 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 395 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 395 | Formed on 1 May 1944 (as ordered in a decree dated 6 March 1944) in Neiße (Wehrkreis VIII) with three batteries. Dissolved on 17 July 1944 and used to form the Sturmgeschütz Detachments 1550–1553, 1558, and 1559. Deleted from German military postal records in August 1944.[10]: 72 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 396 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 396 | Formed on 22 March 1944 in German-occupied Denmark with three batteries. Dissolved on 17 July 1944 and used to form the Sturmgeschütz Detachments 1550–1553, 1558, and 1559.[10]: 73 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 397 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 397 | Intended for deployment in March 1944 in Posen (Wehrkreis XXI). Deployment never completed.[10]: 75 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 398 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 398 | Intended for deployment in May 1944 in Posen (Wehrkreis XXI). Deployment never completed.[10]: 77 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 600 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 600 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 600. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade in autumn 1944.[12]: 261 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 667 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 667 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 667. Became Assault Artillery Brigade 667 on 10 June 1944.[15]: 73 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 720[3]: 121 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 720 | Intended designation for Sturmgeschütz Detachment 914, to be assigned on 14 February 1944. Designation never used; Sturmgeschütz Detachment 914 instead became Sturmgeschütz Brigade 914 (see below). Sturmgeschütz Brigade 720 never existed.[3]: 121 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 901 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 901 | Listed in German records in 1945. Unlikely to actually have been deployed in reality.[3]: 105 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 902 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 902 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 902. Trapped in Cherbourg after the Normandy landings. Captured and taken prisoner-of-war upon the surrender of Cherbourg on 26 June 1944. Subsequently redeployed in Germany; participated in the Battle of the Bulge as part of 15th Army. Part of 5th Panzer Army in the Lower Rhine region towards the end of the war.[3]: 107 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 904 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 904 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 904. Deployed near Brest-Litovsk under command of 2nd Army in June 1944; subsequently withdrawn westwards to East Prussia. No record of combat in 1945.[3]: 109 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 905 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 905 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 905. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 905 in autumn 1944.[3]: 111 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 907 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 907 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 907. Under 10th Army in 1944 and under 14th Army in 1945.[3]: 113 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 909 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 909 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 909. Initially equipped with three batteries, but received a fourth battery on 30 July 1944. Deployed to 16th Army in June 1944 in the Polotsk region, subsequently withdrawn westwards to East Prussia. No record of military engagements in 1945.[3]: 115 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 911 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 911 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 911. Deployed to 6th Army in the Chisinau area in June 1944. Temporarily withdrawn to receive reinforcements on 10 December 1944. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 911 in winter 1944/45.[3]: 117 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 912 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 912 | Formed on 14 February 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 912. Part of 16th Army and deployed to Daugavpils in June 1944. Became Army Assault Artillery Brigade 912 in winter 1944/45.[3]: 119 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 914 | Sturmgeschütz Brigade 914 | Formed in September 1944 from Sturmgeschütz Detachment 914. Subordinate to 14th Army in 1945.[3]: 121 |
| Sturmgeschütz-Lehr-Brigade 920 | Sturmgeschütz Training Brigade 920 | Formed in September 1944 with a strength of four batteries. Fourth battery eventually reassigned to Sturmgeschütz Brigade 209. Temporarily redesignated "Tank Annihilation Detachment 303" (Panzer-Vernichtungs-Abteilung 303) in February 1945, then reassigned its original designation.[3]: 126 |
Army assault artillery brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 184 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 184 | Redesignation of Sturmgeschütz Brigade 184 on 10 June 1944. Sent to the Eastern Front and placed under command of 16th Army. Eventually reassigned to 18th Army at Pskov and ultimately to Army Group Vistula.[9]: 225 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 202 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 202 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 202 after February 1944.[18]: 6 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 226 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 226 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 226 after February 1944.[18]: 123 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 236 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 236 | Redesignation of Sturmgeschütz Brigade 236 on 10 June 1944. Deployed on the Eastern Front, placed under command of the 4th Panzer Army towards the end of the war in 1945.[18]: 163 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 239 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 239 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 239 on 10 June 1944.[18]: 173f. |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 243 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 243 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 243 on 10 June 1944. Strengthened through the addition of a fourth battery.[18]: 187 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 249 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 249 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 249 in 1945.[18]: 208 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 261 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 261 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 261 in winter 1944/45. Strengthened by the addition of a fourth battery. Deployed in Hungary towards the end of the war.[18]: 262 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 277 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 277 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 277 in winter 1944/45. Deployed to Burg bei Magdeburg for restructuring towards the end of the war.[18]: 328 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 300 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 300 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 300 in April 1945. Under command of 17th Army in Silesia.[34]: 68 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 303 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 303 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 303 in autumn 1944. Equipped with four batteries. Subordinate to 6th Army in Hungary towards the end of the war.[34]: 80 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 393[10]: 67 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 393 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 393 in winter 1944/45. Subordinate to 16th Army in the Courland pocket.[10]: 67 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 600 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 600 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 600 in autumn 1944. Subordinate to 18th Army and eventually trapped in the Courland pocket.[12]: 261 |
| Sturmartillerie-Brigade 667 | Assault Artillery Brigade 667 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 667 on 10 June 1944. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge as part of 6th Panzer Army. Eventually part of the 1st Army in the Landau region towards the end of the war.[15]: 73 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 905 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 905 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 905 in autumn 1944. Reinforced in 1945 and deployed to 5th Panzer Army in the Eifel region.[3]: 111 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 911 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 911 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 911 in winter 1944/45. Integrated into the Führer Grenadier Division on 26 January 1945, (with a final strength of three companies of ten StuGs each).[3]: 117 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 912 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 912 | Formed from Sturmgeschütz Brigade 912 in winter 1944/45. Part of the 18th Army (trapped in the Courland Pocket) in 1945.[3]: 119 |
| Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 1178 | Army Assault Artillery Brigade 1178 | Staff only; deployment began in April 1945; still in assembly at the Replacement Army when the war ended; never deployed.[3]: 320 |
Army anti-aircraft artillery brigades
The army flak artillery (Heeresflakartillerie) had become its own branch of the Wehrmacht artillery on 15 June 1941,[1]: 191 after first army flak artillery detachments had started to see deployment in February 1941. In January 1945, ten army flak artillery brigades, numbered 501 through 510, were established. Each of them consisted of two battalions (or a total of ten companies), and several of them incorporated preexisting formations, the Infantry Flak Battalions.[1]: 212
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 501 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 501 | Formed on 15 January 1945 from Infantry Flak Battalions 821 and 824. Sent to the Western Front; active in the Eifel region.[12]: 2 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 502 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 502 | Formed on 15 January 1945 from Infantry Flak Battalions 822 and 823. Placed under command of 7th Army on the Western Front; active in the Eifel region.[12]: 6 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 503 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 503 | Formed on 15 January 1945 from Infantry Flak Battalions 825 and 826. Sent to the Western Front; active in the Eifel region.[12]: 11 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 504 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 504 | Formed on 15 January 1945 from Infantry Flak Battalions 832 and 833. Deployment never fully completed; staff personnel last deployed to Göttingen. Some elements in combat near Cottbus.[12]: 15 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 505 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 505 | Formed on 15 January 1945 from Infantry Flak Battalion 834 as well as an unknown battalion. Never saw action. Staff in Gotha and combat elements in Würzburg at the end of the war.[12]: 18 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 506 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 506 | Formed on 15 January 1945 from Infantry Flak Battalions 835 and 836. Never saw action. Staff and some elements in Denmark, other elements under 1st Parachute Army at the end of the war.[12]: 21 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 507 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 507 | Formed on 15 January 1945 in Wehrkreis II. Never saw action.[12]: 24 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 508 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 508 | Formed on 15 January 1945 in Jüterbog (Wehrkreis III). Still in deployment at the end of the war; tentatively assigned to 7th Army.[12]: 26 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 509 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 509 | Formed on 15 January 1945 in Wehrkreis X. Never saw action.[12]: 29 |
| Heeres-Flakartillerie-Brigade 510 | Army Flak Artillery Brigade 510 | Formed on 15 January 1945 in Ried (Wehrkreis XVII). Never saw action.[12]: 33 |
Rocket launcher brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stellungs-Werfer-Brigade 300 | Emplacement Launcher Brigade 300 | Formed in August 1944 with two Emplacement Launcher Regiments (numbered 102 and 103). Dissolved in January 1943 and remnants integrated into People's Launcher Brigade 3.[34]: 69 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 1[2]: 41 | People's Launcher Brigade 1 | November 1944 redesignation of Launcher Brigade 1 (Werfer-Brigade 1).[2]: 41 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 2[2]: 113 | People's Launcher Brigade 2 | November 1944 redesignation of Launcher Brigade 2 (Werfer-Brigade 2).[2]: 113 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 3[2]: 113 | People's Launcher Brigade 3 | November 1944 redesignation of Launcher Brigade 3 (Werfer-Brigade 3).[2]: 183 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 4[2]: 251 | People's Launcher Brigade 4 | November 1944 redesignation of Launcher Brigade 4 (Werfer-Brigade 4).[2]: 251 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 7[20]: 66 | People's Launcher Brigade 7 | Redesignation of the reassembled Launcher Brigade 7 (Werfer-Brigade 7) which had been destroyed during Operation Overlord. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge under 5th Panzer Army.[20]: 66 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 8[20]: 105 | People's Launcher Brigade 8 | 28 October 1944 redesignation of Launcher Brigade 8, which had been destroyed during Operation Overlord. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge as part of 7th Army. Withdrawn to the Eifel region (still under command of 7th Army) towards the end of the war.[20]: 105 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 9[20]: 143 | People's Launcher Brigade 9 | November 1944 redesignation of Launcher Brigade 9, which had been destroyed during Operation Overlord. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge as part of 6th Panzer Army. Withdrawn to the Eifel region in Germany and placed under command of 7th Army towards the end of the war.[20]: 143 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 15 | People's Launcher Brigade 15 | Formed on 25 September 1944 in Celle. Deployed to the Western Front on 27 October 1944 with Launcher Regiments 55 and 85. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge under 5th Panzer Army. Subordinate to the 15th Army towards the end of the war.[24]: 13 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 16 | People's Launcher Brigade 16 | Formed on 6 October 1944 in Bremen (Wehrkreis X). Sent from Hildesheim to the Western Front on 27 November 1944 with Launcher Regiments 86 and 87 as subordinate units. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge under 5th Panzer Army. Placed under command of 1st Parachute Army in 1945; in the Lower Rhine region towards the end of the war.[24]: 40 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 17 | People's Launcher Brigade 17 | Formed on 11 October 1944 in Bremen (Wehrkreis X). Sent from Seesen to the Western Front on 23 November 1944 with Launcher Regiments 88 and 89 as subordinate units. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge as part of 6th Panzer Army; subsequently sent to Hungary and made subordinate to 6th Army.[24]: 66 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 18 | People's Launcher Brigade 18 | Formed on 30 November 1944 in Bremen (Wehrkreis X). Sent from Verden to the Western Front on 7 December 1944 with Heavy Launcher Regiments 21 and 22. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge as part of 7th Army; subsequently part of 1st Army in the Saar Palatinate region.[24]: 99 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 19 | People's Launcher Brigade 19 | Formed on 10 December 1944 in Celle (Wehrkreis XI). Sent from Salzwedel to the Western Front on 17 December 1944 with Heavy Launcher Regiments 23 and 24. Subsequently redeployed to Hungary, where it was placed under 6th Army towards the end of the war.[24]: 121 |
| Volks-Werfer-Brigade 20 | People's Launcher Brigade 20 | Formed on 10 December 1944 in Celle (Wehrkreis XI). Sent from Hildesheim to the Western Front on 20 December 1944 with Heavy Launcher Regiments 25 and 26. Part of the 1st Army in the Saarpfalz towards the end of the war.[24]: 142 |
| Werfer-Brigade 1 | Launcher Brigade 1 | Formed on 1 March 1944 (as per decree of 7 January 1944) under AG South with Launcher Regiments 1 and 57. Renamed People's Launcher Brigade 1 in November 1944.[2]: 41 |
| Werfer-Brigade 2 | Launcher Brigade 2 | Formed on 1 March 1944 from the staff of Kommandeur der Nebeltruppe 2, strengthened by the addition of Heavy Launcher Regiment 3 and Launcher Regiment 70. Redesignated People's Launcher Brigade 2 in November 1944.[2]: 113 |
| Werfer-Brigade 3 | Launcher Brigade 3 | Formed on 1 March 1944 from the staff of Kommandeur der Nebeltruppe 3 with Heavy Launcher Regiment 13 and Launcher Regiment 52. Renamed People's Launcher Brigade 3 in November 1944.[2]: 183 |
| Werfer-Brigade 4 | Launcher Brigade 4 | Formed on 1 March 1944 from the staff of Kommandeur der Nebeltruppe 4 with Launcher Regiments 51 and 53. Redesignated People's Launcher Brigade 4 (Volks-Werfer-Brigade 4) in November 1944.[2]: 251 |
| Werfer-Brigade 5 | Launcher Brigade 5 | Formed on 7 January 1944 with Launcher Regiments 56 and 71.[2]: 300 |
| Werfer-Brigade 6 | Launcher Brigade 6 | Formed on 31 January 1944 in Munster Training Area with Launcher Regiments 81 and 82. Sent to the Eastern Front. Subordinate to 4th Army in East Prussia towards the end of the war.[20]: 25 |
| Werfer-Brigade 7 | Launcher Brigade 7 | Formed in March 1944 in Munster Training Area with Launcher Regiments 83 and 84. Sent to the Western Front and subsequently destroyed during Operation Overlord. Renamed People's Launcher Brigade 7 (Volks-Werfer-Brigade 7).[20]: 66 |
| Werfer-Brigade 8 | Launcher Brigade 8 | Formed in March 1944 in Munster Training Area with Launcher Training Regiment 1 and Heavy Launcher Regiment 2. Annihilated in Normandy and reassembled; subsequently renamed People's Launcher Brigade 8 on 28 October 1944.[20]: 105 |
| Werfer-Brigade 9 | Launcher Brigade 9 | Formed on 16 March 1944 in Munster Training Area with Heavy Launcher Regiment 14 and Launcher Regiment 54. Destroyed during Operation Overlord; subsequently reassembled under the name People's Launcher Brigade 9 in November 1944.[20]: 143 |
Engineer brigades
This list includes engineer brigades, Volkspionier brigades, army construction engineer brigades, blockade brigades, engineer blockade brigades and railroad engineer brigades.
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eisenbahn-Pionier-Brigade-Stab 1 | Railroad Engineer Brigade Staff 1 | Formed on 10 December 1942 through redesignation of Railway Engineer Regiment 3 (Eisenbahn-Pionier-Regiment 3). Placed under command of Army Group A in 1944.[2]: 47 |
| Eisenbahn-Pionier-Brigade-Stab 2 | Railroad Engineer Brigade Staff 2 | Formed on 1 January 1944 under command of Army Group Centre as a result of a decree dated 9 July 1943.[2]: 118 |
| Eisenbahn-Pionier-Brigade-Stab 3 | Railroad Engineer Brigade Staff 3 | Formed on 1 October 1944 under command of Army Group North as a result of a decree dated 9 July 1943. Served with Army Group (later Army Group Courland) in 1944. Ended the war with Army Group Vistula in 1945.[2]: 187 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 8 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 8 | Formed in December 1944 under command of Army Group A from Engineer Regiment Staff 8 and the Construction Engineer Battalions 81, 305, and 407. Placed under command of 4th Panzer Army.[20]: 107 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 18 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 18 | Formed in December 1944 under Army Group A; staff formed from personnel of Emplacement Construction Engineer Staff 2 (Stellungsbau-Pionier-Stab 2), other elements from Construction Engineer Battalions 18, 523 and 538.[24]: 100 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 106 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 106 | Does not appear in German military postal records, but is listed in the documents of 16th Army (then trapped in the Courland Pocket) as a subordinate unit.[8]: 208 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 107 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 107 | Formed in November 1944 under command of Army Group South; three battalions formed from the former Construction Engineer Battalions 109, 24, and 63 (became 1st, 2nd and 3rd battalions). Deployed to the Eastern Front. Subordinate of 8th Army in Slovakia towards the end of the war.[8]: 213 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 153 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 153 | Formed in November 1944 under Army Group A; staff formed from Emplacement Construction Engineer Staff 5, battalions formed from the Construction Engineer Battalions 153, 214, and 414 (became 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions). Sent to Galicia and later Upper Silesia on the Eastern Front; subordinate to 17th Army towards the end of the war.[8]: 88 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 155 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 155 | Formed in November 1944 from Army Group A; staff formed from the staff of Engineer Regiment 522; battalions formed from the Construction Eingeer Battalions 155, 410, and 723 (became 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions). Sent to the Vistula and later to Silesia; placed in the Oder region under command of 9th Army towards the end of the war.[8]: 95 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 549 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 549 | Formed on 10 August 1944 under command of Army Group A from elements of Engineer Regiment Staff z.b.V. 549 as well as Construction Engineer Battalions 679, 724, and 733 (became 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions). Sent to Bohemia-Moravia for reinforcements in 1945.[12]: 135 |
| Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 686 | Army Construction Engineer Brigade 686 | Formed in July 1944 under command of Army Group A from elements of Engineer Regiment Staff z.b.V. 686 as well as Construction Engineer Battalions 402, 722, and 726. Fought on the Eastern Front, in German-occupied Poland and later in Silesia.[15]: 112 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 42 | Army Engineer Brigade 42 | Formed in November 1944; staff formed from the staff of Engineer Regiment 677, the two battalions formed from Engineer Battalion 42 and Engineer Training Battalion 1. Staff and 1st Battalion deployed to the 17th Army, whereas the 2nd Battalion was detached and separately subordinate to the 9th Army.[33]: 105 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 44 | Army Engineer Brigade 44 | Not listed in German military postal records, but appears in reports related to Engineer Battalion 44 under Army Group Courland and the Courland Pocket. Actual deployment questionable.[33]: 121 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 47 | Army Engineer Brigade 47 | Formed in November 1944; staff formed from the staff of Engineer Regiment 512, the two battalions formed from Engineer Battalion 47 and from Engineer Training Battalion 2. Became Volks-Pionier-Brigade 47 later in 1944.[33]: 145 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 52 | Army Engineer Brigade 52 | Formed in November 1944 under command of Army Group South from the staff of Engineer Regiment 520 as well as the Engineer Battalions 52 and 666. Deployed in Hungary as part of the 6th Army.[33]: 181 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 62 | Army Engineer Brigade 62 | Staff listed in German records as formed in July 1944 from the staff of Engineer Regiment 517. Full conversion from regiment to brigade probably never conducted.[33]: 250 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 70 | Army Engineer Brigade 70 | Staff formed from 18 June 1944 from the regimental staff of Artillery Regiment 70. Sent to the Eastern Front; deployed to East Prussia towards the end of the war.[33]: 293 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 127 | Army Engineer Brigade 127 | Formed in November 1944 in Wehrkreis V; staff formed from the staff of Engineer Regiment 511, two battalions formed from the Engineer Battalions 127 and 651.[8]: 319 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 655 (Radf.) | Army Engineer Brigade 655 (bicycle) | Formed in November 1944 from Engineer Battalions 655 and 676. Placed under command of 4th Panzer Army; finished the war near Görlitz.[15]: 49 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 687 | Army Engineer Brigade 687 | Formed in January 1945 in Wehrkreis III with two bicycle-based battalions. Sent on 16 February 1945 from Rathenow to SS Brigade Dirlewanger (see SS infantry brigades) to strengthen the Dirlewanger Brigade into the 36th SS Division; became part of 36th SS Division on 1 March 1945.[15]: 114 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Brigade 688 | Army Engineer Brigade 688 | Formed in January 1945 in Wehrkeis IV with staff and one battalion. Never saw action; last present in Weißenfels.[15]: 116 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Sturm-Brigade 46 | Army Engineer Assault Brigade 46 | Formed in November 1944; deleted from German military records soon after. Appears in records regarding Army Group B.[33]: 137 |
| Heeres-Pionier-Sturmbrigade 627 | Army Engineer Assault Brigade 627 | Formed in October 1944; staff taken from Engineer Regiment Staff 669, battalions integrated by absorbing Engineer Assault Battalion 627, 501, and 500 (became 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions).[12]: 338 |
| Pionier-Sperrbrigade 1100 | Engineer Blockade Brigade 1100 | Started to undergo deployment at the Ersatzheer in April 1945. Never finished deployment.[3]: 284 |
| Sperrbrigade 1 | Blockade Brigade 1 | Formed in German-occupied Poland in 1944. Placed under command of XXXXVI Corps (2nd Army) in West Prussia in January 1945.[2]: 43 |
Supply brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brigade-Nachschubführer 40 | Brigade Resupply Leader 40 | Formed on 1 August 1939 in Wehrkreis I. Becomes Division Resupply Leader 40 (Divisions-Nachschubführer 40) on 1 December 1939.[33]: 91 |
| Kommandeur Brigade-Nachschubtruppen 152 | Commander Brigade Supply Troops 152 | Formed on 18 October 1943 from Commander of Infantry Division Resupply Troops 152 (Kommandeur der Infanterie-Divisions-Nachschubtruppen 152) as a result of the dissolution of the 52nd Infantry Division. Later joined 1st Ski Brigade (see infantry brigades); became Commander of Division Supply Troops 152 (Kommandeur der Divisions-Nachschubtruppen 152) on 2 June 1944.[9]: 83 |
| Kommandeur Brigade-Nachschubtruppen 999 | Commander Brigade Supply Troops 999 | Formed on 6 October 1942 in Heuberg in Wehrkreis V as a support element for Afrika-Brigade 999 (see infantry brigades). Became Commander of Division Supply Troops 999 (Kommandeur der Divisions-Nachschubtruppen 999) on 2 February 1943.[3]: 205 |
| Mineralöl-Brigade Krasnodar[1]: 243 | Mineral Oil Brigade Krasnodar | Formed before 1943 in anticipation of the success of Case Blue to prepare German oil production in the Caucasian oil fields. Also known as Mineral Oil Brigade Caucasus (Mineralöl-Brigade Kaukasus). Made superfluous by the German withdrawal from the Caucasus.[1]: 243 Assigned a dedicated signals company in 1942.[36]: 61 |
| Wirtschafts-Kraftwagen-Transport-Brigade z.b.V. 1 | Economic Motor Vehicle Transport Brigade z.b.V. 1 | 11 November 1941 redesignation of the Economic Motor Vehicle Transport Regiment z.b.V. 603 (Wirtschafts-Kraftwagen-Transport-Regiment z.b.V. 603). Redesignated "Economic Road Transport Brigade z.b.V. 1" (see below) on 1 May 1943.[2]: 52 |
| Wirtschafts-Straßen-Transport-Brigade z.b.V. 1 | Economic Road Transport Brigade z.b.V. 1 | Redesignation on 1 May 1943 of Economic Motor Vehicle Transport Brigade z.b.V. 1 (see above). Dissolved 30 April 1944.[2]: 52 |
| Wirtschafts-Straßen-Transport-Brigade z.b.V. 2 | Economic Road Transport Brigade z.b.V. 2 | Formed as result of a decree dated 12 April 1943, intended to oversee road network construction on the Eastern Front. Dissolved on 30 March 1944.[2]: 123 |
Security brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sicherungs-Brigade 74 | Security Brigade 74 | Formed in June 1944 in German-occupied France; initially deployed in Montargis. Equipped with Security Regiments 1000 and 1010 as well as Reconnaissance Detachment 100. Participated in combat on the Western Front, last near Belfort.[8]: 123 |
| Sicherungs-Brigade 201 | Security Brigade 201 | Formed on 15 June 1941 in Fulda as Replacement Brigade 201, redesignated Security Brigade 201 on 5 February 1942 and assigned to the Army Group Rear Area Command of Army Group Centre. Became 201st Security Division on 1 June 1942.[18]: 2 |
| Sicherungs-Brigade 202 | Security Brigade 202 | Formed on 24 December 1941 from Replacement Brigade 202, subsequently became Oberfeldkommandantur 392.[18]: 5 |
| Sicherungs-Brigade 203 | Security Brigade 203 | Formed on 24 December 1941 from Replacement Brigade 203; sent to Kielce in the Rear Area of Army Group Centre; subsequently upgraded into the 203rd Security Division.[18]: 9f. |
Kriegsmarine
Naval infantry brigades
As the Kriegsmarine was not initial designed to field centralized large-scale naval infantry formations, German naval infantry was usually organized below brigade level prior to 1944 (for example in the form of autonomous Naval Rifle Battalions). Two exceptions existed: Naval Brigade Weber was formed in August 1944 to enable naval infantry forces in German-occupied southwestern France to withdraw and to escape the Allied invasion forces. Subsequently, the formation of compact naval infantry formations was prepared at the division level. To that end, a short-lived brigade, the Naval Rifle Brigade North, was formed in November 1944. It was eventually integrated into the first of the newly-formed naval infantry divisions in early 1945.[1]: 322
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marine-Brigade Weber | Naval Brigade Weber | Formed in August 1944 in Bordeaux (German-occupied France) with three naval infantry regiments (named "v. Pflugk-Harttung", "Badermann", and "Kühnemann"). Formed for the purpose of withdrawing from France to Germany. Dissolved in September 1944.[5]: 258 Remnant elements integrated into 1st Marine Division in February 1945.[2]: 58 |
| Marine-Schützen-Brigade Nord | Naval Rifle Brigade North | Formed in November 1944 in Husum for the purpose of coastal defense in the North Sea coast area. Initially equipped with Naval Rifle Regiments 1, 2, 3, and 4, each with four Naval Rifle Battalions (301 to 304, 305 to 308, 309 to 312 and 313 to 316, respectively). Naval Rifle Regiment 3 was subsequently sent to the Eastern Front to fight on the Vistula front, whereas the other three regiments were used to form the 1st Marine Division in Stettin in February 1945. Naval Rifle Brigade North subsequently ceased to exist.[2]: 58 |
Naval anti-aircraft brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marine-Bordflak-Brigade Nord | Naval Board Flak Brigade North | Formed on 15 March 1942 in Hamburg. Contained four Board Flak Detachments in 1943 (each named after its headquarter city until mid-1943, then numbered sequentially). Existed until 1945. Contained seven Board Flak Detachment in January 1945.[5]: 182 |
| Marine-Flak-Brigade I | Naval Flak Brigade I | Formed on 1 May 1942.[2]: 59 |
| Marine-Flak-Brigade II | Naval Flak Brigade II | Formed from 2nd Naval Flak Regiment on 1 May 1942. Deployed to East Frisia for the purpose of coastal air defense.[2]: 130 |
| Marine-Flak-Brigade III | Naval Flak Brigade III | Formed on 3 October 1943 from Naval Board Flak Detachment Oslo with eight companies (Kristiansand, Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsö, Oslo, Narvik, Hammerfest, Kirkenes) in German-occupied Norway. Three companies later transferred to Naval Board Flak Detachment 7 on 18 December 1944.[2]: 198 |
| Marine-Flak-Brigade IV | Naval Flak Brigade IV | Formed in April 1943 in Lorient from the renamed 20th Naval Flak Regiment.[2]: 265 |
| Marine-Flak-Brigade V | Naval Flak Brigade V | Formed in April 1943 in St Nazaire from the renamed 22nd Naval Flak Regiment.[2]: 312 |
Luftwaffe
Air force infantry brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brigade General Göring | Brigade General Göring | Formed in July 1942 in German-occupied France using Flak Regiment General Göring, Flak Detachment 211 and Rifle Regiment Herrmann Göring. Later expanded in November 1942 to become Division General Göring (subsequently: 1st Fallschirm-Panzer Division Hermann Göring).[5]: 106f. Named after Hermann Göring. |
| Luftwaffen-Brigade Oberrhein | Air Force Brigade Upper Rhine | Formed in December 1944 as a subordinate unit of 19th Army in the Upper Rhine area. Never exceeded regimental strength. Also known as Regiment Heckel of Brigade Baur.[5]: 197 |
Air force Fallschirmjäger brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke" | Paratrooper Brigade "Ramcke" | Formed in August 1942 in the North African theater; equipped with elements of Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3 and Airborne Assault Regiment 1 as well as Luftwaffe Regiment Barenthin;[2]: 65 part of the 10th Italian Corps between September 1942 and February 1943.[5]: 10f. Redesignated Luftwaffen-Jäger-Brigade 1 (see below) on 2 February 1943.[2]: 65 |
| Luftwaffen-Jäger-Brigade 1 | Air Force Light Infantry Brigade 1 | 2 February 1943 redesignation of Paratrooper Brigade "Ramcke" (see above). Surrendered on 1 May 1943.[2]: 65 |
| Schützen-Brigade der Luftwaffe z.b.V. | Luftwaffe Rifle Brigade z.b.V. | Formed in the winter of 1941/42 as a unit of paratroopers.[1]: 355 |
Air force mobile brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fallschirm-Panzer-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Brigade Hermann Göring | Parachute Panzer Training and Replacement Brigade Hermann Göring | Formed on 25 January 1945 from a regimental unit of approximately the same name (Fallschirm-Panzer-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Regiment Hermann Göring). Initially deployed in Rippin (West Prussia) to be subsequently deployed on the Eastern Front. Consisted of two regiments. Destroyed by Red Army forces at Graudenz. Remnants used in March 1945 to assemble a second brigade of the same type (see below).[5]: 118 |
| Fallschirm-Panzer-Ausbildungs- und Ersatz-Brigade 2 Hermann Göring[5]: 118 | Parachute Panzer Training and Replacement Brigade 2 Hermann Göring | Formed on 14 March 1945 in Velten and Joachimsthal from the remnants of the first brigade of the same type (see above). Contained two regiments.[5]: 118 |
Air force parachute Sturmgeschütz brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 1 der Luftwaffe | Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz Brigade 1 | Formed in April 1944 from Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz Detachment 1. Became Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 11 in June 1944.[37] |
| Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 2 der Luftwaffe | Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz Brigade 2 | Formed in March 1944 from Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz Detachment 2. Became Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 12 in June 1944[37] |
| Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade Schmitz[24]: 170 | Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade Schmitz | Formed before January 1945; later became Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 21.[24]: 170 |
| Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 12 | Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade 12 | Formed in June 1944 from Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz Brigade 2. Became Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 121 on 28 March 1945.[37] |
| Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 21[24]: 170 | Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade 21 | Formed on 19 January 1945 from Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade Schmitz; equipped with 4 batteries. Eventually renamed Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 210 (see below) on 28 March 1945. Nominally placed under command of 1st Parachute Army on the Western Front, but likely saw action in the Italian theater instead.[24]: 170 |
| Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 111 | Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade 111 | Formed on 28 March 1945 from Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz Brigade 11.[37] |
| Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 121 | Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade 121 | Formed on 28 March 1945 from Luftwaffe Sturmgeschütz Brigade 12.[37] |
| Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 210[18]: 45 | Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade 210 | Formed on 28 March 1945 from Parachute Sturmgeschütz Brigade 21. Nominally placed under command of 1st Parachute Army on the Western Front, but likely saw action in Italy instead.[18]: 45 |
Flak brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flak-Brigade I | 1st Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once in 1940–1941 as Flak-Brigade I and once in 1944–1945 as Flak-Brigade 1.
|
| Flak-Brigade II | 2nd Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once in 1940–1941 as Flak-Brigade II and once in 1944–1945 as Flak-Brigade 2.
|
| Flak-Brigade III | 3rd Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once in 1940–1942 as Flak-Brigade III and once beginning in 1943 as Flak-Brigade 3.
|
| Flak-Brigade IV | 4th Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once as Flak-Brigade IV (after 1943: Flak-Brigade 4) in 1940–1944 and once as Flak-Brigade 4 in 1944–1945.
|
| Flak-Brigade V | 5th Flak Brigade | Formed as Flak-Brigade V in August 1940 in Rennes in German-occupied France from the staff of Flak Regiment 20 (Flak Brigade Veith) to oversee air defense in the Orleans-Nantes-Brest area. Became Flak-Brigade 5 in 1943 and was redeployed to Nîmes in southern France in May 1944. Afterwards, it retreated to Belfort/Strasbourg after the Allied invasion. Reassigned in October 1944 to take command of all railroad Flak units. Upgraded to divisional level in March 1945 to become 30th Flak Division.[2]: 317 |
| Flak-Brigade VI | 6th Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once as Flak-Brigade VI in 1939–1943 and once as Flak-Brigade 6 in 1944–1945.
|
| Flak-Brigade VII | 7th Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once as Flak-Brigade VII (1940–1942) and once as Flak-Brigade 7 (1944–1945).
|
| Flak-Brigade VIII | 8th Flak Brigade | Formed as Flak-Brigade VIII on 7 February 1941 in Oldenburg from the staff of Flak Regiment 26. Deployed to Hannover on 5 June 1941 and to Wismar in January 1943. Redesignated Flak-Brigade 8 in 1943. Deployed to Oldenburg in February 1944 and to Hannover on 5 May 1944.[20]: 116 |
| Flak-Brigade IX | 9th Flak Brigade | Formed three times, once as Flak-Brigade IX and twice as Flak-Brigade 9.
|
| Flak-Brigade X | 10th Flak Brigade | Formed on 1 April 1941 in Dortmund as Flak Brigade z.b.V. (Flak-Brigade z.b.V.) for the purpose of aerial defensive operations in the eastern Ruhr region and the Münsterland. Redesignated Flak-Brigade X in summer 1941. Sent to the Eastern Front to serve in the Bakhmach sector in the Army Group Rear Area Command of Army Group Centre. Redesignated Flak-Brigade 10 in summer 1943. Saw frontline combat in the Vitebsk area between November 1943 and February 1944, then sent to Brest-Litovsk and Baranivichy in the rear area. Deployed to East Prussia in September 1944. Dissolved on 1 October 1944 to form the staff of Flak Regiment 116.[20]: 186 |
| Flak-Brigade XI | 11th Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once as Flak-Brigade XI (later: Flak-Brigade 11) and once as Flak-Brigade 11.
|
| Flak-Brigade XII | 12th Flak Brigade | Formed in December 1941 in the German-occupied Channel Islands. Traded positions with Flak Brigade XI (see above) on 1 April 1943 and redeploys to southwestern France. Redesignated Flak-Brigade 12 in 1943. Dissolved after the post-Overlord withdrawal from southern France; used to form Regiment Staff 145. Continues to appear in German military records until 1945.[20]: 253 |
| Flak-Brigade XIII | 13th Flak Brigade | Formed in June 1942; deployed to northern Finland. Became Flak-Brigade 13 in 1943. Deployed to German-occupied northern Norway in July 1944. Probably dissolved on 27 January 1945, but continues to appear (first at the Rhine and then at Berlin) in German military postal records.[20]: 280 |
| Flak-Brigade XIV | 14th Flak Brigade | Formed on 1 June 1942 in Oslo (German-occupied Norway) to oversee air space defense in occupied Norway. Became Flak-Brigade 14 in 1943. Upgraded on 27 February 1945 to become 29th Flak Division; subsequently dissolved.[20]: 311 |
| Flak-Brigade XV | 15th Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once as Flak-Brigade XV (later: Flak-Brigade 15) and once as Flak-Brigade 15.
|
| Flak-Brigade XVI | 16th Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once as Flak-Brigade XVI in 1942–1943 and once as Flak-Brigade 16 in 1944–1945
|
| Flak-Brigade XVII | 17th Flak Brigade | Formed twice, once active in 1942–1943 and once in 1944–45,
|
| Flak-Brigade XVIII | 18th Flak Brigade | Formed as Flak-Brigade XVIII on 27 January 1943 in Nîmes in southern German-occupied France. Redesignated Flak-Brigade 18 in 1943. Sent to Cambrai (German-occupied Belgium/northern France) in November 1943, with Flak Regiments 87, 85 and 656.[24]: 107 Under III Flak Corps after September 1944,[2]: 161 with headquarters at Sonsbeck and in charge of Flak Regiments 95, 100, and 124 (positioned at Xanten, Mönchengladbach and Kempen, respectively).[24]: 107 Under VI Flak Corps after 10 February 1945. Deployed with the 1st Parachute Army.[20]: 10 Deployed to Münster, Oldenburg and Cuxhaven towards the end of the war.[24]: 107 |
| Flak-Brigade XIX | 19th Flak Brigade | Formed in early 1943 in Amsterdam (Luftgau Holland) in the German-occupied Netherlands. Became Flak-Brigade 19. Equipped (among others) with Flak Regiment 111. In Hertogenbosch in May 1944. Under III Flak Corps after September 1944. Active in the Eifel region in November 1944 near Waxweiler, Kyllburg, and Hives. Finished the war in Luftgau XIV near Frankfurt/Main.[24]: 126 |
| Flak-Brigade XX | 20th Flak Brigade | Formed in June 1943 in Stuttgart from the staff of Flak Regiment 75. Became Flak-Brigade 20 in 1943; sent to Doullens (German-occupied Belgium/northern France). Attached in September 1944 as z.b.V. formation of Luftwaffe Command West.[24]: 149 Under III Flak Corps after September 1944.[2]: 161 Became Flak-Brigade 9 (see above), resulting in subsequent dissolution,[24]: 149 in January 1945.[20]: 154 |
| Flak-Brigade XXI | 21st Flak Brigade | Formed on 19 April 1943 in Nuremberg from the staff of Flak Regiment 93 (Flak Group Nuremberg). Became Flak-Brigade 21 in 1943; sent to Halle-Merseburg in October 1944. Remnant elements attached to Flak Brigade z.b.V. Roessner in 1945.[24]: 171 |
| Flak-Brigade 22 (mot.) | Motorized Flak Brigade 22 | Formed in January 1943 on Sicily to secure the airspace of the Strait of Messina; subsequently under 10th Army during the Italian campaign.[24]: 187 |
| Flak-Scheinwerfer-Brigade I | Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Brigade I | Formed in July 1940 near Arnhem in the German-occupied Netherlands to assist nighttime air defense. Upgraded to Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Division 1 (Flak-Scheinwerfer-Division 1) on 1 August 1941. Dissolved on 31 July 1942.[2]: 67 |
| Flak-Scheinwerfer-Brigade II | Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Brigade II | Formed in September 1940 in northern Germany to assist nighttime air defense. Upgraded to Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Division 2 (Flak-Scheinwerfer-Division 2) on 1 August 1941. Rearranged into Nachtjagddivision 2 on 31 July 1942 and subsequently dissolved.[2]: 138 |
Air force air space protection brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Luftschutz-Brigade der Luftwaffe 1 | Luftwaffe Air Space Protection Brigade 1 | Formed in 1942/43, dissolved in 1944.[2]: 68 |
Air force construction brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Luftwaffen-Bau-Brigade I | Luftwaffe Construction Brigade I | Staff formed in 1942, dissolved in winter 1942/43.[2]: 69 |
| Luftwaffen-Bau-Brigade II | Luftwaffe Construction Brigade II | Staff formed in 1942, dissolved in winter 1942/43.[2]: 140 |
| Luftwaffen-Bau-Brigade III | Luftwaffe Construction Brigade III | Staff formed in 1942, dissolved in winter 1942/43.[2]: 206 |
| Luftwaffen-Bau-Brigade IV | Luftwaffe Construction Brigade IV | Staff formed in summer 1941, dissolved in winter 1942/43.[2]: 271 |
| Luftwaffen-Bau-Brigade V[2]: 318 | Luftwaffe Construction Brigade V | Staff formed in summer 1941, dissolved in winter 1942/43.[2]: 318 |
| Luftwaffen-Bau-Brigade VI[20]: 41 | Luftwaffe Construction Brigade VI | Staff formed in 1941. Deployed to western France in October 1941. Dissolved in Winter 1942/43.[20]: 41 |
Air force NSKK brigades
Two brigades of the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK) were formed under the supervision of the Luftwaffe.
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSKK-Brigade der Luftwaffe 1 | Air Force NSKK Brigade 1 | Staff formed in summer 1941 to serve as leadership institution for NSKK Regiments. After 1943: NSKK Brigade z.b.V. (NSKK-Brigade z.b.V.), without an ordinal number.[2]: 71 |
| NSKK-Brigade der Luftwaffe 2 | Air Force NSKK Brigade 2 | Staff formed in summer 1941, dissolved in winter 1943/44.[2]: 141 |
Schutzstaffel (SS)
SS infantry brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Französische SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade | French SS Volunteer Assault Brigade | Collection of French volunteers for German military service (see also LVF), recruited after an order of 3 March 1943 and designated French SS Volunteer Regiment 57 on 12 November 1943. Later upgraded to the French Volunteer SS Assault Brigade in July 1944. Integrated (as 1st Regiment) into the Charlemagne Brigade on 28 August 1944.[5]: 90 |
| Schutzmannschaft-Brigade Siegling[38]: 367 | Protective Forces Brigade Siegling | Formed in late July 1944 from several Schutzmannschaft battalions located northeast of Warsaw in German-occupied Poland, under the leadership of Hans Siegling. Consisted of four rifle regiments, one artillery unit and one cavalry unit. Ordered by a decree dated 31 July 1944 to be upgraded to 30th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Russian).[38]: 367 |
| SS-Brigade 1 Reichsführer-SS | SS Brigade 1 Reichsführer-SS | Formed in 1941 under the supervision of Southeastern Command, with SS Infantry Regiments 8 and 10. Redesignated "1st SS Infantry Brigade (motorized)" (1. SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot.)) in 1943.[2]: 75 |
| SS-Brigade 2 Reichsführer-SS | SS Brigade 2 Reichsführer-SS | Formed in 1941 under the supervision of Northwestern Command, with SS Infantry Regiments 4, 5, and 14. 14th Regiment dissolved already in summer of 1941. 5th Regiment dissolved in winter 1941/42. 4th Regiment reassigned to 2nd SS Panzer Division in December 1941 (where it became SS Regiment Langemark on 20 April 1942), leaving SS Brigade 2 with only a collection of smaller units (Volunteer Legion Netherlands, Flemish Legion, Escort Battalion RFSS). Redesignated 2nd SS Infantry Brigade (motorized) in 1942, which became the 2nd Latvian SS Brigade (see below) on 18 May 1943.[2]: 145 |
| SS-Feldersatz-Brigade 102 | SS Field Replacement Brigade 102 | Formed in January 1945 in Altenkirchen under command of II SS Panzer Corps.[8]: 184 |
| 1. SS-Polizei-Jäger-Brigade | 1st SS Police Light Brigade | Not strictly part of the Waffen-SS but rather the Ordnungspolizei. Paramilitary police unit active in early 1945.[2]: 77 Formed in the Angermünde area, listed in the German military postal service as Polizei-Jäger-Brigade and in the documents of Army Group Vistula as SS-Polizei-Brigade 1. Both unit designations likely refer to the same force. Probably designated Polizei-Jäger-Brigade 8 between 19 March and 28 March 1945, before appearing in the documents at regimental strength, as Regiment Polizei-Jäger-Brigade 1 under 1st Naval Infantry Division.[39]: 549 |
| 1. SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot.) | 1st SS Infantry Brigade (motorized) |
1943 redesignation of SS Brigade 1 Reichsführer-SS (see above). Equipped with SS Grenadier Regiments 39 and 40, as well as several support detachments, companies and battalions. Integrated into 18th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Horst Wessel in the Zagreb-Cilli area in January 1944.[2]: 75 |
| 2. Lettische SS-Freiwilligen-Brigade | 2nd Latvian SS Volunteer Brigade |
22 October 1943 redesignation of SS Brigade 2 Reichsführer-SS (see above). The brigade consisted of SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiments 42 and 43 (previously Latvian SS Volunteer Regiments 1 and 2). Expanded by an additional two SS Training Regiments (no. 1 and 2 2nd SS Brigade) in winter 1943/44. Upgraded to divisional status on 7 January 1944; became 19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian).[2]: 146 |
| 3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen-Brigade | 3rd Estonian SS Volunteer Brigade |
22 October 1943 redesignation of the Estonian SS Volunteer Brigade, whose assembly had begun under the designation "Estonian SS Legion" in winter 1942/43. The 3rd SS Volunteer Brigade consisted of two SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiments (numbered 45 and 46), as well as several smaller formations. As per a decree issued in January 1944, the brigade was upgraded to divisional status and became the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian).[2]: 213 |
| 5. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade "Wallonien" | 5th SS Volunteer Assault Brigade "Wallonia" |
Formed on 1 June 1943 at Wildflecken Training Area as a result of the inclusion of the Walloon Legion (formerly Walloon Infantry Battalion 373) from the Heer into the Waffen-SS, as had been the request of Walloon fascist leader Léon Degrelle. Given the ordinal number 5 as part of the 22 October 1943 sequential numbering of SS formations. After severe casualties in the Cherkassy cauldron, the brigade was refreshed in accordance with an order of 28 April 1944. It received a second battalion on 28 June 1944. On 18 October 1944, the brigade was ordered to be upgraded to divisional status, becoming the 28th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division "Wallonien".[2]: 322 |
| 6. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade Langemarck | 6th SS Volunteer Sturmbrigade Langemarck |
Formed on 31 May 1943 at Heidelager Training Area to integrate the Flemish Legion. Given the ordinal number 6 as part of the 22 October 1943 sequential numbering of SS formations. After severe casualties, the brigade was refreshed in accordance with an order of 28 June 1944 and received a second Panzergrenadier Battalion. On 18 October 1944, the brigade was ordered to be upgraded to divisional status, becoming the 27th SS Volunteer Division "Langemarck".[20]: 46 |
| SS-Sturm-Brigade Dirlewanger | SS Assault Brigade Dirlewanger |
Formed with the strength two regiments on 19 December 1944 from the SS Regiment Dirlewanger, which had been assembled as a penal unit in September 1943 using convicted criminals,[5]: 60 and which had conducted anti-partisan operations in German-occupied Belarus and Poland, notably including the Wola massacre, the mass murder of tens of thousands of Polish civilians following the failed Warsaw Uprising.[40]: 26f.&51ff. Named after its commander, Oskar Dirlewanger.[14]: 99 Strengthened in February through the addition of Army Engineer Brigade 687.[15]: 114 Following a decree of 14 February 1945, it became the 36th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS,[5]: 60 after which it was later placed under supervision of the V Army Corps.[41]: 97 |
| SS-Sturm-Brigade Reichsführer-SS | SS Assault Brigade Reichsführer-SS |
Formed in summer 1943 from the escort battalion Reichsführer-SS. Deployed to German-occupied Corsica, where it was expanded on 2 October 1943 to become the 16th SS Panzergrenadier Division Reichsführer-SS.[5]: 212 |
| SS-Sturm-Brigade Roma | SS Assault Brigade Roma | First appears in German records in June 1944, probably a staff-only formation. Deployed near Münsingen at the end of the war.[5]: 215 |
| Waffen-Gebirgs-Brigade der SS (tatar. Nr. 1) | SS Waffen Mountain Brigade (1st Tatar) | Formed in Hungary on 8 July 1944 using Crimean Tatars. Initially intended to receive SS ordinal number 58, the assembly of the brigade was never completed. The formation was instead dissolved in Slovakia on 1 January 1945 and its personnel integrated into the Eastern Turkic Waffenverband (Osttürkischer Waffenverband der SS).[2]: 76 |
| Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS "Charlemagne" (franz. Nr. 1) | Waffen Grenadier Brigade SS "Charlemagne" (1st French) |
Assembled between 28 August 1944 and 30 September 1944 in SS Training Area West Prussia near Konitz from elements of the French SS Volunteer Assault Brigade (see above) as well as Infantry Regiment 638, transferred from the Army into the Waffen-SS. Upgraded in February 1945 to become 33rd SS Waffen Grenadier Division Charlemagne.[2]: 76 |
| Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS (ital. Nr. 1) | Waffen Grenadier Brigade SS (1st Italian) |
Assembled on 7 September 1944 in the German-occupied part of Italy from elements of Italian army forces loyal to the Italian Social Republic. The Italian soldiers were organized in two infantry regiments (numbered 81 and 82), and the intended brigade ordinal number was 59. In February 1945, the brigade was upgraded to divisional status and became the 29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Italian).[2]: 77 |
| Weißruthenische SS-Grenadier-Brigade | White Ruthenian SS Grenadier Brigade | Formed on 15 January 1945 on Grafenwoehr Training Area from the non-Russian remnants of 30th Waffen Grenadier SS Division (2nd Russian). Contained one regiment of three battalions as well as a Panzerjäger detachment, an artillery detachment, a field replacement battalion, a horse squadron, an engineer. Once more upgraded to divisional status and reassigned the ordinal number 30 on 9 March 1945, becoming 30th SS Waffen Grenadier Division (1st White Ruthenian), with the regiment being redesignated SS Waffen Grenadier Regiment 75 (1st White Ruthenian).[5]: 261 |
SS Panzergrenadier brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade "Nederland" | 4th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Brigade "Nederland" |
Assembled on 23 October 1943 in Thuringia from the Dutch SS Volunteer Legion (announced on 10 July and founded on 12 July, 1941[42]: 220 ). When the formations of the Waffen-SS were redesignated and sequentially numbered on 12 November 1943, the formation's two grenadier regiments had initially received the ordinal numbers 45 and 46, but were ultimately numbered 48 "General Seyffardt" and 49 "De Ruiter". These designations were extended by the addition of "1st Dutch" and "2nd Dutch" (respectively) on 22 January 1944. The Brigade was restructured on 1 August 1944, leaving the two regiments with only two (rather than the previous three) battalions each. After 11 October 1944, the ordinal number 4 was no longer used. On 10 February 1945, the brigade was upgraded to divisional status and became 23rd SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division "Nederland". The brigade had served most of its time with III SS Panzer Corps, with a brief assignment to LXIX Corps in December 1943.[2]: 276 |
| SS-Panzergrenadier-Brigade 49 | SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 49 |
Formed in June 1944 from SS Combat Group 1 (SS-Kampfgruppe 1) as well as elements of SS Combat Group 2 (SS-Kampfgruppe 2). Redesignated 26th SS Panzer Division on 10 August 1944, then promptly dissolved on 8 September 1944; later integrated into SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 37 of 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen.[33]: 160 |
| SS-Panzergrenadier-Brigade 51 | SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 51 |
Formed in June 1944 from SS Combat Group 3. Briefly became 27th SS Panzer Division between 10 August 1944 and 8 September 1944; then integrated into the SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 38 of 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen.[33]: 173 |
SS cavalry brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SS-Kavallerie-Brigade | SS Cavalry Brigade |
Created in August 1941 in the opening stages of Operation Barbarossa and attached to Army Group Centre.[32]: 20 Consisted of the SS Cavalry Regiments 1 and 2.[1]: 395 Fought in the Pripyat Marshes and then around Gomel between July and September 1941. As the activity of Soviet partisans increased, the SS Cavalry Brigade was increasingly used for anti-partisan warfare duties. The brigade was affected heavily by the Soviet winter offensive of 1941/42 and was reduced to Kampfgruppe strength by late March 1942. Remnant elements were gradually withdrawn from the frontline between January and August 1942 (the last one to withdraw being Kampfgruppe Zehender).[32]: 20f. Became the 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer in 1942,[1]: 396 with the nucleus of the new division being assembled on 21 June 1942.[32]: 21 |
SS panzer brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panzer-Brigade 150[43]: 681f. | Panzer Brigade 150 |
Combined unit of SS and Wehrmacht soldiers (partially selected by English-language skills). Infiltrated Allied lines in US uniforms and with disguised tanks as part of Operation Greif in preparation of the Ardennes Offensive of December 1944. Commanded by Otto Skorzeny.[43]: 681f. |
| SS-Brigade Westfalen | SS Brigade Westphalia |
The SS Panzer Brigade "Westphalia" was formed on 29 March 1945,[44]: 74 and mainly active in early April.[45] It first engaged American forces on 30 March 1945 just outside of Paderborn.[46]: 352 After the Allied capture of Paderborn on 1 April, Brigade Westphalia withdrew eastwards in the direction of 11th Army in the Harz.[44]: 74 |
| SS-Panzer-Brigade Gross | SS Panzer Brigade Gross | Formed in August 1944 in the Courland Pocket from the replacement units of the SS armored formations at Seelager Training Area. The brigade contained two infantry battalions, a mixed panzer detachment (four companies), and a panzer reconnaissance detachment (3 companies).[5]: 109 |
SS rocket launcher brigades
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Werfer-Brigade I. SS-Korps | Launcher Brigade 1st SS Corps | Intended as a designated rocket launcher unit under I SS Corps, first appears on paper in the German records in April 1945. Unlikely to have actually existed.[2]: 80 |
SS construction brigades
The SS construction brigades were formed from forced laborers (usually male non-Jewish concentration camp inmates) starting in late 1942.[47] These brigades were frequently sent to major German cities damaged by war for clearance wars, and satellite camps of the concentration camps they were originally interned in were often formed to house them.[48]: 208
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SS-Frontarbeiter-Bau-Brigade | SS Front Workers Construction Brigade | Staff-only formation that appears in the German records in February 1944. Likely temporarily in service with Army Group Courland.[2]: 81 |
| SS-Bau-Brigade I | 1st SS Construction Brigade | Formed in Sachsenhausen concentration camp in October 1942 from around 1,000 concentration camp inmates. Initially used in Düsseldorf (600 inmates) and Duisburg (400 inmates) to remove rubble after Allied bombing attacks.[49]: 148 Sent in early 1943 to Lager Sylt on Alderney (German-occupied Channel Islands) to construct coastal fortifications against a potential Allied invasion.[50]: 347f. Arrived on Alderney on 23 February 1943, headed by Maximilian List and his deputies Kurt Klebeck and Georg Braun, with some 1060 prisoners (appr. half of them Soviet).[51]: 5 Recalled on 24 June 1944 to the European mainland, where the forced laborers had to construct infrastructure for ballistic missiles near the prewar Franco-Belgian border.[50]: 347f. |
| SS-Bau-Brigade II[52] | 2nd SS Construction Brigade | Assembled from inmates of Neuengamme concentration camp in October 1942; 750 inmates sent to Bremen and 250 to Osnabrück for rubble-clearance operations. Another unit of some 175 inmates existed in Wilhelmshaven between early 1943 and November 1943. 930 inmates sent to Hamburg for clearance operations between 7 August 1943 and April 1944. In mid-April 1944, the brigade was sent from Hamburg to Berlin. As part of this transfer, the subordination of 2nd SS Construction Brigade was transferred from KZ Neuengamme to KZ Sachsenhausen.[52] |
| SS-Bau-Brigade III[53]: xxxviii | 3rd SS Construction Brigade | Formed in September 1942, mainly from inmates of Messelager Köln (but also from Düsseldorf, Dortmund, and Bergisch Gladbach) to conduct construction and rubble clearance labor.[53]: xxxviii Parts sent to Krupp in Essen for forced labor in heavy industry.[30]: 354 Elements sent to the camp in Wieda in early May 1944 to assist railway construction as part of the Helmetalbahn project. Such labor included direct railway construction but also the cutting-down of trees. Until late October 1944, the brigade was placed under the supervision of Buchenwald concentration camp, before being transferred to the supervision of Mittelbau concentration camp. Most of the inmates of Wieda concentration camp were forced into a death march into the Harz mountains on 7 April 1945. Many were massacred by German forces in the Gardelegen massacre on 13 April 1945.[54]: 194–202 |
| SS-Bau-Brigade IV[53]: xxix | 4th SS Construction Brigade | Formed from forced laborers of Buchenwald concentration camp; used in German cities (notably Wuppertal) for rubble-clearing starting in August 1943. Participated in the construction of KZ Königshöher Weg in August 1943. Remained in Wuppertal until May 1944;[53]: xxix subsequently sent to Ellrich, where they participated in the construction of the Helmetalbahn project. The brigade's laborers were forced on a death march between 6 and 10 April 1945 in response to approaching Allied forces. While many inmates were freed in mid-August 1945 by United States forces, a group of some 350 forced laborers of 4th Brigade were massacred along with many forced laborers of 3rd SS Construction Brigade (see above) in the Gardelegen massacre.[54]: 187ff. |
| SS-Bau-Brigade V | 5th SS Construction Brigade | Staff formed in March 1944.[2]: 324 Initially assembled in Cologne and then sent to German-occupied northern France, where the brigade took headquarters at Doullens. The forced laborers were tasked with assisting the assembly of V-2 rocket ("Aggregat 4") ballistic missile sites for the Luftwaffe.[53]: 185 Last listed as deployed in Osnabrück.[2]: 324 Dissolved in late 1944; forced laborers either sent to 3rd and 4th SS Construction Brigades (see above) or used to form the 5th SS Railway Construction Brigade.[55]: 244&297 |
| SS-Bau-Brigade VI | 6th SS Construction Brigade. | First appears in the German records in February 1945.[20]: 47 |
Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD)
| German name | Translated name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RAD-Brigade Enns | RAD Brigade Enns | Appears in German records in April 1945.[56]: 24 Assembled as part of the mobilization (starting 29 March 1945) of the Reich Labour Service (RAD) into four divisions and two mountain brigades. Did not see action.[57]: 14f. |
| RAD-Brigade Steiermark | RAD Brigade Styria | Deployment ordered on 25 April 1945.[20]: 134 Assembled as part of the mobilization (starting 29 March 1945) of the Reich Labour Service (RAD) into four divisions and two mountain brigades. Did not see action.[57]: 14f. |
See also
References
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{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Wagner, Jens Christian (2007). Benz, Wolfgang; Distel, Barbara (eds.). KZ Mittelbau-Dora. Der Ort des Terrors: Geschichte der nationalsozialistischen Konzentrationslager (in German). Vol. 7. Munich: C.H. Beck. ISBN 9783406529672.
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