Which WW2 units from the following categories would you choose to fill your all star dream team? I know it can depend on conditions, but feel free to choose them according to whichever environment they were most effective in. I'll kick things off: 1. Armoured: Take your pick of Das Reich/Wiking/LSSAH - they were all terrifyingly effective. 2. Infantry: 9th Australian Division (One of the Finnish infantry divisions would have to be my close second) 3. Airborne: 1st FallschirmJäger Division 4. Special forces: SAS (Mainly for their incredible Italian campaign) 5. Artillery: I have no idea! Not my area of interest or expertise. Maybe a Nebelwerfer unit? And please feel free to add another category if you like.
An elite team of caterers, distillers & brewers working out of 'The Combined Arms' (a pleasant leafy pub with a good sized garden) would be an essential part of my operation. Any idiot can be uncomfortable/sober. (Sorry, Aussiegoat. Been a long day. I'll get my coat now.)
Are you talking paper strength, average strength, with attachments? If it's average strength with attachments I'd pick one of the better US infantry divisions over the German ones you mention. More armor, more infantry, better supported. My guess is more and better arty as well. I have a feeling the Commonwealth Divisions might be similar after 41 or 42. US and Commonwealth arty was head and shoulders above everyone elses if you are talking mobile. If not the Finn's are in the running as well.
Good point - divisions had different complements depending on the country and year (the 9th Australian Division, for example, looked very different at El Alamein to New Guinea). Maybe just imagine each unit with the same number of men, artillery (albeit of different types), supply etc, and place them at a specific moment in time.
I'll take on the LAHSS and all comers with The artillery of a British Armoured division reinforced with the corps Anti tank regiment and an FOB with a couple of AGRA and an AOP squadron in support somewhere near a coastline. 3 x batteries Sexton 25 Pdr Ram 9 x batteries towed 25 pounder 10 x Batteries 5.5" 2 x Batteries 4.5" 4 x batteries 7.2" 4 x Batteries 155mm Long tom 4 x batteries 3.7" HAA dual purpose 54 x Bofors SP LAA 12 x 20mm SP LAA 48 x 17 pounder towed 48 x 17 Pounder SP Survey to ensure common grid and meteor and HMS Rodney. Roberts, Ajax, Belfast, Cossack, Zulu, HMCS Algonquin Come and have a go if you think your hard enough.....
OK. 1st Marine Division 2d US Armored Division US Army Heavy Artillery Battalion 1st Marine Airwing (unparalleled close air support) USS Washington, USS Massachusetts, a couple of Essex class CV's to carry the airwing, any Brooklyn or Cleveland class light cruisers would be superior vs Ajax and Belfast), I'd go with Fletcher class DD's over Tribals or V-Class.