Historical Background

By 1942 the smallest organisational structure within a German Infantry (or Grenadier) regiment was the ‘Gruppe’ (or squad). A ‘Gruppe’ consisted of 9 men (previously 10 prior to 1942) and was lead by a Squad leader (Gruppenführer), one Deputy Squad leader (Stellvertretende Gruppenführer) and 7 men. 

The usual weapons distribution within this squad was one SMG, 1 assault rifle, 1 LMG and 5 rifles – translated this would have been an MP40, a G43 or StG44, an MG34 or MG42 and the remaining weapons being Kar98’s. Towards the end of the war as manpower resources started to dwindle, the Germans tried to alleviate this problem by increasing the firepower of the squad by including an additional LMG and more assault rifles amongst the ‘Gruppe’. The group was also sub-divided into 2 sections – the machine gun section and the rifle section. The squad leader was directly in charge of the machine gun section (grenadiers 1 – 3 in the squad) with the assistant squad leader in direct charge of the remaining members of the squad (grenadiers 5 – 7). The rank of the squad leader was normally an Unteroffizier, but depending on circumstances and casualties even a grenadier could be found in charge of a squad! 

A pistol was also carried by the grenadiers designated as machine gunner and the gunner’s assistant as their personal weapons, the squad leader may have also carried a similar sidearm. Being enlisted men this would have more likely have been a P38. All riflemen would carry bayonets for their rifles. Other hand to hand weapons may have been carried such as trench knives or more commonly a sharpened entrenching tool. 

Alongside the usual hand grenades, of the stick and egg variety, it would have been common during the latter war years to have seen grenadiers carrying various anti-tank weapons such as the Panzerfaust (Tank Devil), a one-shot rocket propelled weapon and also the Raketenpanzerbϋsche more popularly known by its nickname the Panzerschreck (Tank Terror) which was an improved version of the American Bazooka. 

According to the handbook – ‘The German Infantry – The Section in Battle’ (an American wartime translation of a German similarly titled handbook), the structure & responsibilities of the squad was as follows: 

Squad Member	Equipment	Function
Gruppenführer	MP with 6 magazines in pouches Magazine-loader Binoculars Wire-cutters Pocket Compass Signal-whistle Sunglasses Searchlight	The Gruppenführer is commander and combat leader of the ‘Gruppe’.   He is responsible for: 1)   Commanding the whole squad 2)   Accomplishing his combat mission 3)   Directing the fire of the light machine gun and if possible also the rifle section 4)   Maintenance and combat readiness of equipment and men. 5)   Availability of ammunition within his squad.
Stellvertretende Gruppenführer	Assault rifle with relevant ammo pouches Short spade Hand grenades Flag for marking the forward line. Additional equipment (a per Grenadiers 5 to 7 below).	The Stellvertretende Gruppenführer is responsible for:  1)   Commands the squad in the absence of the leader 2)   Keeping the group together (no men stay back in combat) 3)   Making sure that orders are fulfilled 4)   The rifle section in combat 5)   Connection to the Platoon leader and neighbouring squads 6)   Marking the forward line.
Grenadier 1 (Machine Gunner)	LMG with attached belt Magazine (Drum type with 50 rounds) Pistol Tool-pouch Torch Short spade Sunglasses Searchlight	Grenadier 1 is a member of the machine gun section and is responsible for:   1)   Operating the machine gun in combat 2)   Checking the machine gun for firing 3) Maintenance of the machine gun
Grenadier 2 (Assistant Machine Gunner)	Barrel protector with one spare barrel 4 ammo belts drums (each of 50 rounds) 1 ammo belt with armour piercing rounds 1 ammo box (300 rounds) Type 34 carrying belt Pistol Short spade Sunglasses	Grenadier 2 is a member of the machine gun section and is the assistant of Grenadier 1 in combat.   1)   He ensures the supply of ammunition. 2)   He assists the machine gunner in the preparation for firing and going into position. 3)   After the MG is in position he takes position to the left or left back of Grenadier 1 if possible in full cover. 4)   He is always ready to aid the machine gunner (e.g. help clear jams, change barrels, righting the gun on the bipod) or to replace him if necessary. 5)   If there is sufficient cover present he lies down near the machine gunner and aids in serving the machine gun. 6)   He also aids the machine gunner in the care of the weapon.
Grenadier 3 (Ammunition carrier for the Machine Gunner).	Barrel protector with a spare barrel. 2 ammunition boxes (300 rounds in each). 1 ammo belt Pistol Short spade	Grenadier 3 is a member of the machine gun section and carries the extra ammunition for the machine gun.  1)   If possible the ammunition carrier takes a position to the rear, under cover. 2)   He inspects the ammunition belts and ammunition. 3)   If the situation makes it necessary he is responsible for close defence if attacked.
Grenadiers 5 to 7	Each grenadier will have a:  Rifle 2 ammunition pouches (60 rounds of rifle ammunition)  Short spade Bayonet And when ordered: Hand grenades Smoke grenades Explosive charges Ammunition Machine gun tripod	Grenadiers 5 to 7 are members of the rifle section.  They are responsible for:  1)   Supporting the machine gun section 2) Executing close-combat fighting with rifle fire and bayonet.

At the inception of our group in late 2006 it was decided to use this structure of the basic squad as a template for our primary impression as the Panzer Grenadiers of regiment 60 with certain members portraying the roles outlined above (and which are decided each year at the AGM). More often than not we can ‘field’ nine members at an event but obviously we have to adapt it from time to time, just as they would have had to during the war, but we attempt to keep as close to the original unit structure as possible.  

On joining the group new members (or ‘recruits’) would generally fulfil the role of one of the rifleman in the squad and is advised to purchase a Kar 98k as their first weapon. All members of the existing group have started this way and all own a blank firing or deactivated Kar 98k and normally these can be lent out at events to new recruits until such time as they can acquire there own rifle. Over time members acquire other weapons and have the opportunity to add them to their impression as determined by the warning orders issued by the Group officials or as members leave and other roles within the group become available.   

German Infantry/Pioneer Assault tactics. 

The following is an extract from Ospreys ‘WW2 Infantry Assault Tactics’.

The Germans typically demonstrated a great deal of flexibility and initiative in their assault tactics. They placed much reliance on supporting weapons, especially MGs, for close- and long-range domination; but, like the British, they also trained in standardised step-by-step battle drills for small-unit tactics, a concept they pioneered.

German doctrine called for minimal exposure of troops until absolutely necessary; squad and platoon leaders were to observe from concealment while the rest of their unit remained under cover. The squads’ LMGs might be positioned to cover the front or an exposed flank, but most riflemen remained hidden. Emphasis was placed on detailed reconnaissance and selecting approach routes for assault groups through dead ground and other cover, to lend speed and surprise to the eventual attack.

Once favourable positions were occupied, one or two squads – the ‘Deckungstrupp’ (covering troop) – would place suppressive fire on the enemy position, while one or two others manoeuvred from the flanks, led by the platoon leader; this ‘Stosstrupp’ (storm/assault troop) was often kept small to minimize casualties. A ‘Nebeltrupp’ (smoke troop) might be employed to ignite ‘smoke-pots’, ‘smoke-candles’ or smoke grenades upwind of the objective. If a manoeuvring group was pinned down by enemy fire the others would continue; it was reasoned that in this way they would reduce the amount of fire directed at the pinned group. If the advancing group’s flank was endangered, their MG would shift targets. Meanwhile, the 5cm platoon mortar fired on the target or adjacent positions, displacing to follow the platoon headquarters. Regimental infantry guns and battalion heavy MGs and mortars supported the assault, firing on the adjacent positions; 2cm Flak cannons were also found especially valuable for suppressing bunkers. The group overrunning the target cleared it while the other groups took up positions beyond it, pursued any survivors with fire, and prepared for a counter-attack. Sometimes artillery was fired not only to soften up the position, but to create sheltering craters for the attackers.

For particularly heavy defences and formidable obstacles a pioneer assault squad was attached to a rifle platoon. All personnel were armed with 4 to 7 grenades and rifles, except the squad leader with an SMG, and the machine-gunner and flame gunner (who also had pistols). The squad leader additionally carried 2 smoke grenades and wire cutters; the two man smoke troop carried 4 smoke grenades and 10 ‘smoke-pots’; the 2 man wire cutting team had 2 bangalores and wire-cutters, the 3 man bunker assault troop carried 2 pole charges or other demolitions; the 2 man flame thrower team were also armed with grenades, and a few more were carried by the 3 man MG team. If the Pioneer squad’s MG was not employed, support being provided by the rifle platoon, then these men were held in reserve and carried ammunition.

The Pioneer squad would lead the assault, with the rifle platoon providing supporting fire. The MG was set up to cover the bunker embrasures while the smoke team positioned itself upwind. The squad leader indicated where the gap was to be cut, and ordered the smoke released. The wire-cutting team would begin their breach on a blind side if possible, and avoided using bangalores unless the wire was particularly dense or contained mines. The wire-cutting team would then pass through and begin clearing outlying fighting positions; the bunker assault and flamethrower teams followed them through, with the smoke troop providing covering fire. The flamethrower was turned on the embrasures (it was calculated that one fuel load would be enough); when the flame gunner announced “last burst”, the bunker assault party immediately thrust pole charges into the embrasures or used shaped charges to blast through shutters or doors. The pioneer squad would assemble on the far side of the bunker and prepare for the counter-attack, while the rifle platoon moved in to clear the bunker and surrounding positions.

Late in the war two LMGs were often assigned to rifle squads, which gave them more flexibility in the assault. The squad would divide into shock and covering troops; the ‘Stosstrupp’ had a 2 man LMG crew, a rifle-grenadier, and up to 4 riflemen including the leader, all with at least 4 grenades. The 3 or 4 man ‘Deckungstrupp’ had the task of pinning down enemy movement with its LMG plus a sharpshooter with a telescope-sighted rifle (not a qualified sniper with a 4x power telescope, but a ‘designated marksman with a 1.5x scope).

When advancing in dense forest, the 1944-45 squad would be forward in line with an LMG at both ends, able to cover the front with overlapping fires as well as firing to the flanks. The other two squads would follow in columns, or in lines echeloned to the right and left, with one LMG forward and one at the tail end able to cover a flank or the rear. If engaged, echeloned squads could move forward to come on line with the lead squad, or swing to a flank. If attacked by a superior force the echeloned squads would swing inwards to form a triangular hedgehog position. In forests the range advantage of the battalion’s tripod mounted MGs could not be put to effective use, so they were deployed forward with the rifle platoons in the LMG platoon.