Volksturm

razin · Apr 25, 2009

Slipdigit
He looks like he could be missing his left arm from the elbow down.
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No he is two limbs, his left hand is partially visible pushing the tube into his right armpit, the standard method of holding the PzFt was under the right arm pit which allows the weapon the upward angle for aiming.

He does really look like he should be home with a nice cup of tea, guys of this age would be so vulnerable they could hardly move fast, duck or throw themselves down, they could I suppose use a rifle or man a MG from cover but a short range RPG is a young mans weapon.

Steve

Hufflepuff · Apr 25, 2009

I have an osprey book on the Volkssturm, and it says that while there WERE machine guns, there were not very many MG-42s/34s. In many photos, there is the MG-08 and most of the men are armed with Italian Carcano or Manicchiler rifles. Many of the men even were wearing Luftwaffe equipment like helmets, etc.

They were well-armed with the panzerfaust, as always, but they were badly organized/trained and their weaponry was far inferior to the allies.

razin · Apr 25, 2009

I've seen a wide number of rifles on various video documentaries, when you say Carcano do you mean Mannlicher Carcano ie the various 6.5mm M91.

Practically any none standard calibre rifle could be used by the Volkssturm those used by Netherlands and Norway did not make there way into the V.S. inventry, most models of french rifle in 8mm were used (the 7.5mm rifles had been used by regular 2nd line troops in France).

Belgian 7.65mm because of the Mauser action were used by training units as they were mechanially similar to regular K98s.

British .303 lee Enfield were also issued in numbers.

Surprisingly Mannlicher M95s were not used by the V.S. but were used by German Police units included MP.s and garrison units.

Of the Machine guns in the various Volkssturm films the units seem to form up with a dedicated heavy MG unit with numbers of MG08, captured Vickers and Rusian Maxims and according to references the Scharlose -although I have not seen any but it would popular because most were 7.92mm and it was very efficient with a low rate of fire and a few 8mm Hotchkiss.

Various LMGs are apparent in videos etc Lewis guns of every model and configuration, British .303 Brens and Berniter LMG, I have yet to see weapons like Madsens and Stange M30s.

The thing that does not show up is evidence of SMGs in any numbers I would have thought MAS 38 and M1928 would be apparent but only a few "German" types such a Erma MPE have been spotted. the Volkssturm MP3008 seem to have been used only by Security Police SD units the Erma 44 (the pumbing tube gun) seems to be mythlogical only 100 made. the Potsdam Sten guns 749(e) of which there may be as many as 30,000 could have been made or refurbished from captured weapons, but again so far no photo of a Volkssturmer with a Mk2 Sten has yet been seen.

~Steve

BWilson · Apr 26, 2009

Wolfy, look at HyperWar: Handbook on German Military Forces (Chapter 2), page II-97, tables 165 through 167. Note that "rocket pistols" are an odd term for Panzerfaust. Volkssturm tables of organization were issued in November 1944.

These tables illustrate the theoretical organization for VS units; no doubt it varied very widely in the field.

There is also a good work by David Yelton - Hitler's Volkssturm The Nazi Militia and the Fall of Germany 1944 1945.

Cheers

BW

Wolfy said:

While these were haphazard formations, but what was the general battalion level organization like? What were their squads like? Most period photographs show them armed with Panzerfausts and bolt action rifles of various sorts.

I'm sure that they were organized around a light machinegun, but how many men generally supported each gun?
Click to expand...

razin · Apr 26, 2009

Bwilson

Really useful post BW just a shame it's not possible to give 2 salutes for 1 post this level of information sorts out many questions.

Again this is the type of information that should have a permenant place on the forum. really need to get this book.

~Steve

Wolfy · Apr 26, 2009

I agree, an outstanding and informative source.

BWilson · Apr 26, 2009

Steve,

Concur, the forum should have a dedicated area for reference information. Glad you and Wolfy found the link useful.

Cheers

BW

razin said:

Bwilson

Really useful post BW just a shame it's not possible to give 2 salutes for 1 post this level of information sorts out many questions.

Again this is the type of information that should have a permenant place on the forum. really need to get this book.

~Steve
Click to expand...

Triple C · Apr 28, 2009

I know I am sounding greedy, but anyone has a US division website like this? Hyper War's US Army Ground Combat units page isn't completed at least from where I can see it.

Triple C · Apr 28, 2009

I did find this:

Armor

US armored units underwent a considerable number of changes - most of them forced by operational requirements -- during the war. The most significant of these were the reorganization of the armored divisions in 1943 and the modified Tables of Equipment (TE) that were utilized by most tank battalions in Europe during late 1944 and early 1945. The modified TE was put in effect when losses of medium tanks in Europe outpaced the Army's ability to replace them and reduced the number of medium tanks in the battalion from fifty-three to forty-one. All of the light armored divisions and separate tank battalions in Europe in the fall of 1944 were placed on the modified establishment. It is probable that those divisions (8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th) and battalions that arrived in late 1944 retained the original TE, although some separate battalions were temporarily stripped of equipment to provide replacement stocks for the battalions that were already in combat. One battalion, the 740th, was stripped when it arrived in Europe in December 1944. Then it was hastily refitted from a British tank repair depot on 18 December and was flung into the path of KG Pieper during the Ardennes Offensive. The 740th's odd lot of equipment included M4s, Fireflies, M10 and M36 tank destroyers, and M8 armored cars, all of which were equipped with British radios -- which the Americans didn't know how to use! Despite this handicap the battalion (actually a reinforced company) materially assisted in halting Pieper's advance west of Stoumont Station by a combination of good luck and excellent gunnery.

As first organized, the armored regiments medium tank was the M3A1 or M3A4 Grant, the light tank was the M3 or M3A1 Stuart, and the assault gun was the T30 Howitzer Motor Carriage (a 105mm howitzer mounted on an armored halftrack). In early 1943 the M4 Sherman the M3 series. Later in 1943 the M5 Stuart replaced the M3 and a purpose designed assault gun, the M8 HMC 75mm, replaced the T30. The M4 105mm assault gun in turn replaced the M8 in early 1944, except in the light tank battalions.

A total of 16 armored divisions were eventually organized (1st-14th, 16th, and 20th). Of these, only two, the 2nd and the 3rd retained the "heavy" organization throughout the war. All of the other divisions were reorganized as light divisions prior to leaving the US (except the 1st, which converted to the light organization while in Italy during July 1944). All of the armored divisions served in the ETO or in Italy.

The light armor division organization (TO&E 17-2, dated 15 September 1943) included a Division Headquarters and Headquarters (H&H) Company, two Combat Command Headquarters (CCA and CCB), a Reserve Combat Command Headquarters (CCR), three tank battalions (of three medium and one light tank companies), three armored infantry battalions, three eighteen-gun artillery battalions, a cavalry reconnaissance squadron (battalion), an engineer battalion, and division services. The division was commanded by a major general, the combat commands by a brigadier general (who was also assistant division commander) and two colonels. The division included 77 light tanks, 168 medium tanks, 18 M4 105mm assault guns, 54 M7 105mm SP artillery pieces, 54 M8 armored cars, 450 halftracks, 1,031 motor vehicles, and 8 light observation aircraft. Total personnel strength was 10,754.

Two problems with the light armored division as it was organized were quickly found after the divisions first entered combat in Normandy in June 1944. First, was that the division had insufficient truck transport space to haul the basic load of supplies authorized. To correct this, two Quartermaster Truck companies were permanently attached to each of the light armored divisions. Second, was that the CCR Headquarters as organized was only capable of administrative functions and consisted of only eight officers and men. It quickly became obvious that the ability to field a third, tactical headquarters was highly desirable. As a result, many of the light divisions had an Armor Group Headquarters attached to augment CCR (the armor group had proven redundant as a tactical headquarters commanding separate tank battalions and were usually assigned to corps).

The heavy armored division organization (TO&E 17-1, dated 1 March 1942, with Changes 1 & 2, dated to 29 October 1942) included two three-battalion tank regiments (the 1st battalion was light, with three light tank companies, the 2nd and 3rd battalions were medium, each with three medium tank companies), a three-battalion armored infantry regiment, and only two combat commands, the rest of the divisional units were nearly identical to those in the light division. The heavy division included 158 light tanks, 232 medium tanks, 24 M4 105mm assault guns, 17 M8 assault guns, 54 M7 105mm SP artillery pieces, 54 M8 armored cars, 640 halftracks, 1,242 motor vehicles, and 8 light observation aircraft. The total personnel strength of the division was 14,664.

Another problem was associated with both the light and the heavy armor divisions. Theoretically the armor division was intended to act as the maneuver reserve for the corps and to break through enemy fronts ruptured by infantry assaults supported by the separate battalions. The armor division was to conduct deep pursuit of the enemy once the front was broken through. In practice, the width of the front in Europe meant that armored divisions were often used in static defensive roles, for which they were not designed. A critical weakness was the fact that the infantry component of the division was to small to withstand the attrition of long-term defensive or offensive missions. Although they were each over 1,000 men strong, many of the personnel in the armored infantry battalions were drivers, mechanics, or manned heavy weapons. As a result, the actual "rifle" strength of the battalion was somewhat less than one-half that, 450 men.

The armor regiment was organized with nine companies (lettered A-I), a Headquarters and Headquarters (H&H) Company, an Assault Gun Company, a Reconnaissance Company, a Service Company, and a Maintenance Company. The battalions in the regiment each had a small H&H Company (with a Mortar Platoon) and a Service Company.

The tank battalions of the light armor division and the separate medium tank battalions were all organized identically. They had four lettered companies (A-C and D, which was a light tank company), a Service Company, and an H&H Company with a HQ, a Mortar Platoon, a Reconnaissance Platoon, and an Assault Gun Platoon.

The MX battalions were similarly organized, but had three MX Tank companies, lettered A-C, and a medium company, D, which provided gunfire support.

The separate light tank battalions had only three companies (A-C), and were equipped with three M8 HMC in an Assault Gun Section in the H&H Company, rather than with a six-gun M4 105mm platoon as in the medium tank battalions.

One-hundred-and-eighteen tank battalions were eventually formed. One was the sole pre-war Regular Army separate battalion (70th). Ten additional Regular Army battalions were formed in 1941, prior to the outbreak of war (originally the 71st-80th, they were later redesignated the 751st-760th). Four were organized from prewar National Guard tank companies (191st-194th). Seventy-one were created by the reorganization of the armored divisions (1st-6th, 8th-11th, 13th-27th, 31st, 34th-48th, 68th, 69th, 80th, 81st, 706th-718th, 771st-780th, and 786th-788th). Thirty were formed as separate battalions (28th, 701st, 702nd, 735th-750th, 761th-764th, 766th, 767th, 781st-785th). Two were created by converting existing tank destroyer battalions (the 662nd and 812th). Two were destroyed in the Philippines on 9 April 1942, the 192nd and 194th Light (except B/194th which remained behind and was reorganized as the 602nd Medium Tank Company). In addition to the 602nd at least two other separate companies (the 601st Light and 603rd) were formed and served in the Pacific. The 758th Light, 761st, and 784th battalions were all Colored units.

The separate battalions were utilized to form a number of specialized units. Nine were converted to amphibian battalions (the 708th Tank, 715th Tractor, 718th Tractor, 742nd Tank, 764th Tractor, 773rd Tractor, 776th Tank, 780th Tank, and 788th Tractor), of which two were reorganized as amphibian tractor battalions (708th and 773rd). All except the 742nd and 764th saw service in the Pacific. Five were organized as mine exploder (Special, MX) battalions. Three were reconverted to standard medium battalions in the field, but the 738th and 739th were used operationally for mine clearing in Europe. One was equipped as a flamethrower tank battalion, the 713th, and two others, the 743rd and 747th, were partially equipped as flamethrowers. The 28th Tank Battalion was activated as an airborne tank battalion, but was reorganized as a medium battalion in October 1944.

Of the sixty-one separate tank battalions on 1 January 1945:

Thirty-one were in the ETO: the 70th (also served in Tunisia and Sicily as a light tank battalion), 191st (also served in Tunisia and Italy), 701st, 702nd, 707th, 709th, 712th, 735th, 736th, 737th, 738th MX, 739th MX, 740th, 741st, 743rd, 744th Light, 745th, 746th, 747th, 748th, 749th, 750th, 753rd (also served in Sicily and Italy), 756th (also served in Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy as a light tank battalion, reorganized as a medium battalion 15 Dec 43), 759th Light, 761st, 771st, 774th, 778th, 781st, and 784th.

Six were in the MTO: the 751st, 752nd, 755th, 757th, 758th Light, and 760th.

Thirteen were in the PTO: the 44th, 193rd, 706th, 710th, 711th, 713th Armored Flamethrower, 716th, 754th, 762nd, 763rd, 766th, 767th, and 775th.

Six were in route to the ETO: the 717th, 772nd, 777th, 782nd, 786th, and 787th.

Five were in the US: the 28th, 779th and 785th were all sent to the Philippines in 1945, but didn't see combat), the 662nd (disbanded February 1945) and the 812th never left the U.S.

Three otherwise standard medium battalions were equipped and trained in the use of Duplex-Drive (DD) tanks for the Normandy Invasion (the 70th, 741st, and 743rd). Three DD-equipped battalions also participated in the invasion of southern France (the 191st, 753rd, and 756th), while one was utilized in the crossing of the Rhine River, the 736th.

Three DD-equipped battalions also participated in the invasion of southern France (the 191st, 753rd, and 756th), while one was utilized in the crossing of the Rhine River, the 736th.

In addition to those converted from tank battalions, thirteen other amphibian tractor battalions (the 534th, 535th, 536th, 539th, 540th, 658th, 672nd, 720th, 726th, 727th, 728th, and 826th) and one amphibian tank battalion (the 795th) were formed, some by converting existing tank destroyer and armored infantry battalions. All except for the 535th, 720th and the 795th saw service in the Pacific

Tank Types Available

Medium tank types utilized included the M3 Grant, M4 Sherman 75mm, M4 Sherman 76mm, and the M26 Pershing. All tank battalions that landed in Normandy were equipped with the M4 Sherman 75. However, by late June and early July of 1944, a number of M4 Sherman 76mm tanks were available and began to replace the 75mm armed tanks. Replaced M4 Sherman 75 tanks were then refitted by Ordnance workshops (when possible) with the 76mm. By late 1944 there was usually one M4 Sherman 76mm per platoon. However, the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th Armored divisions which arrived in late 1944 were entirely equipped with the M4 Sherman 76mm. This was also true of the divisions which arrived in 1945 (the 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, and 20th). Of course, combat losses in these divisions were replaced by whatever was available -- which often meant M4 Sherman 75 mm tanks.

An important variant of the M4 was the M4A3E2 Jumbo assault tank. This modified vehicle was heavily armored (although all initial production models were equipped with the 75mm). Few (254) were factory built, however Ordnance workshops of the US First and Third Armies successfully modified many M4s in the field to Jumbos (between January and March 1945 the Third Army alone produced 108 of these "ersatz Jumbos," it appears that about 100 additional were produced in 1944). Allocation of the Jumbo varied. Usually they were found in the armored divisions, although some First Army separate tank battalions also had them. Normally there was no more than one "Jumbo" per company, although some divisions organized them as a complete company within the battalion.

The first M26 Pershing tanks were delivered in January 1945, the 3rd and 9th Armored divisions each being issued ten. In the 9th Armored Division these were used to form a temporary 4th Platoon in two tank companies. Those of the 9th Armored Division participated in the seizure of the Remagen Bridge. The M24 Chaffee light tank appeared in the ETO in December 1944, initially going to the 759th Light Tank Battalion, and then, as available, to the light tank companies of the armored divisions and cavalry mechanized squadrons.

Tank Destroyers

The tank destroyer force was created as a mobile GHQ antitank reserve in 1941. The original concept called for battalions to be concentrated in tank destroyer brigades and groups for employment en masse against an armored threat. In practice, the realities of combat and the erosion of the German Panzer force meant that the tank destroyers were usually attached individually to divisions.

Initial War Department plans called for the creation of 220 TD battalions, a figure that was never achieved. By the end of 1943, 106 battalions were in existence of which fifty-six served in Europe or Italy and six in the Pacific. Eleven of the remaining battalions were converted to armored field artillery, amphibious tractor, chemical mortar, or tank battalions. Thirty-six battalions were disbanded -- with their personnel going to the replacement pool.

The first TD battalions organized were fully self-propelled. However, combat experience in North Africa appeared to show that towed guns would be desirable. As a result, about one-half of the battalions were converted to towed in 1943. Unfortunately, further experience proved that towed guns were simply too immobile, making them highly vulnerable. As a result, in 1944 many of the towed battalions were converted back to self-propelled. On 1 January 1945, a total of 73 battalions were active.

The tank destroyer battalions were all organized with three companies, each company was equipped with twelve guns, for a total of thirty-six in the battalion. The early battalions also had an antiaircraft and an engineer platoon which were later discarded. A strong reconnaissance element was retained, equivalent to a mechanized cavalry troop.

The TD battalions first employed two stopgap ad hoc weapons, the M3 halftrack, which mounted an elderly 75mm gun and the M6 TD, a Dodge 3/4 ton Weapons Carrier with a 37mm AT gun crudely mounted in the truck bed. Later, in North Africa in 1943, the TD battalions began to receive the first standardized TD gun, the M10. The M10 was based on a variant of the M4 tank chassis, was lightly armored, and had poor cross-country mobility and speed. However, its 3" gun, a development of the prewar AA gun, was quite powerful for the time. By early 1944 the first purpose-designed TD appeared, the M18, and began to slowly replace the M10. The M18 was more lightly armored than the M10, but had very good cross-country mobility and impressive speed. Furthermore, the gun was an improved 3", known as the 76mm, with a more powerful cartridge case and muzzle-break, giving it greater accuracy and hitting power. Finally, also in 1944, the M36 was deployed. The M36 utilized the same chassis as the M10, but mounted the powerful 90mm gun (also originally an AA weapon). The M36 was the most powerful antitank weapon in the U.S. arsenal, with the newly developed high-velocity armor piercing rounds (HVAP, also known as APCR for Armor Piercing Composite Rigid), the 90mm was easily capable of defeating all German armor, if it could get the first hit.

The seventy-three tank destroyer battalions active and their armament on 1 January 1945 were:

There were fifty-two in the ETO: the 601st (M36, also served in Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy with M3 and M10), 602nd (M18), 603rd (M18), 607th (M36), 609th (M18), 610th (M36), 612th (M18), 614th Colored (T), 628th (M36), 629th (M10), 630th (M36), 631st (M10), 634th (M10), 635th (M10), 636th (M10, also served in Tunisia and Italy), 638th (M18), 643rd (M18), 644th (M10), 645th (M36, also served in Italy with M10), 654th (M36), 691st (M36), 692nd (T), 701st (M10), 702nd (M36), 703rd (M36), 704th (M18), 705th (M18), 771st (M36), 772nd (T), 773rd (M36), 774th (M36), 776th (M36, also served in Tunisia and Italy with M10), 801st (T), 802nd (T), 803rd (M36), 807th (T), 808th (M36), 809th (M36), 811th (M18), 813th (M36, also served in Tunisia and Sicily with M3 and M10), 814th (M36), 817th (T), 818th (M36), 820th (T), 821st (M10), 822nd (T), 823rd (M10), 824th (T), 825th (T), 827th Colored (M18), 893rd (M10), and 899th (M36, also served in Tunisia with M10). Before the end of the war in Europe eight more battalions converted to SP, the 692nd(M10), 801st (M18), 802nd (M10), 817th (M18), 820th (M18), 822nd (M18), 824th (M18), 825th (M10).

Four were in route to the ETO: the 605th (T, converted to M10 in March)), 648th (T), 656th (M36), and 661st (M18).

Four were serving in the MTO: the 679th Colored (T), 804th (M10, also served in Tunisia), 805th (T, also served in Tunisia with M3), and 894th (M10, also served in Tunisia).

Six were serving in the PTO: the 632nd (M10), 637th (M18), 640th (M10), 671st (M18), 806th (M10), and 819th (M10).

Seven remained in the US: the 606th (SP, disbanded 28 February), 611th (T, disbanded 20 February), 627th (SP, in Hawaii, disbanded 10 April), 633rd (M18, arrived in the ETO 12 April), 652nd (SP), and 670th (SP, in Hawaii, disbanded 10 April), and 816th (T, disbanded 20 February).

Like the mass employment of separate tank battalions, the deployment of the tank destroyers in mass to defeat enemy armored attacks was never actually practiced. In the Ardennes Campaign the Third Army employed one TD battalion as an augmentation to the army's Military Police force. By the end of the war it was clear that the tank destroyer experiment had no future in the army, on 10 November 1945 the Tank Destroyer Center at Fort Hood Texas was officially discontinued, ending the existence of the tank destroyer force. * * * < Previous Page
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Military History Online - US Army in World War II

It has organizational tables for infantry as well.

Triple C · Apr 28, 2009

I did find this:

Military History Online - US Army in World War II

It has fairly detailed manpower and weapons information about US divisions, including heavy and light armor as well as infantry.

BWilson · May 12, 2009

Triple C said:

I know I am sounding greedy, but anyone has a US division website like this? Hyper War's US Army Ground Combat units page isn't completed at least from where I can see it.
Click to expand...

100th Division
100th ID - Supporting Units

Click on the unit icons for more information. This is one of the better on-line sources I've found.

Cheers

BW

SOAR21 · May 12, 2009

nice sources. Very informative

As for the pic of the men marching away with Panzerfausts, its just...wow...there seems to be no lack of those. The only thing Germany has plenty of at the end? Panzerfausts

brndirt1 · May 13, 2009

SOAR21 said:

As for the pic of the men marching away with Panzerfausts, its just...wow...there seems to be no lack of those. The only thing Germany has plenty of at the end? Panzerfausts
Click to expand...

The thing to remember is that the Panzerfaust family of weapons was extremely cheap and quick to produce, and the first of them were designed as "shoot once, discard" weapons. Even though a great many were returned to the factory for reloading.

The two most prevalent were the 30 and 60 meter models. But the small and simple Faustpatrone klein was kept in production well into 1945 as well. For an informative site concerning the weapons and its derivations;

See:

Panzerfaust und Faustpatrone

WotNoChad? · May 13, 2009

T. A. Gardner said:

I really don't think the Volksturm for the most part had much in the way of orgainzation.
Click to expand...

That's my understanding as well. They lined up neatly for the cameras, but there really wasn't much more to it.

In a way it's very similar to the Werwolf plan, sounds feasible, makes great propaganda, but the myth is far greater than the actuality.

I'd even go as far as saying liberated slave labourers would have killed more people than both VS or W combined.

Rall · May 22, 2009

A lot of them were like Panzerjaegers, minus the bike. Armed with mostly Panzerfausts, they'd fire, and throw their hands up, surrendering. They were completely protected by the convention.

STURMTRUPPEN · May 25, 2009

the volksturm was the german version of the british home guard

marc780 · Jul 29, 2009

depended on the front they fought. If they were on the western front, and led by anybody with half a grain of sense, they often threw their weapons away and surrendered. If they were under the leadership of a regular Wehrmact officer, which sometimes happened, there is more than one instance where the officer simply sent them home since he realized there was little he could do with a mob of underequipped and untrained small boys and old men.

If they fought on the eastern front, as many did, the Russians usually shot them down like any other Germans - as most were in no mood for mercy during their time for revenge. One hopes that the pitiful volksturm at least slowed the Russians down for a day or two and allowed more civilians to escape west.

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