What is the difference between a panzergrenadier unit and Panzer unit?
On paper a Panzergrenadier division had one tank battalion less than a Panzer division, but two more infantry battalions, and thus was almost as strong as a Panzer division, especially on the defensive.
What is a grenadier Division?
Grenadier-Division) of the German Army in World War II was formed in October 1944 from the depleted 19. Luftwaffen-Sturm-Division (“19th Air Forces Assault Division”), which was transferred to the Heer (“Army”) and renamed 19. Volksgrenadier-Division (“19th People’s Grenadier Division”) .
What were German grenadiers?
Grenadier is the lowest rank (OR-1) in the Heeresanteil (en: army part) of the Bundeswehr Wachbataillon (en: Bundeswehr guard battalion). Furthermore, in German Heer Panzergrenadier (en: armoured grenadier) is the lowest rank (OR-1) of the Panzergrenadieretruppe (en: mechanized infantry).
How many panzergrenadier divisions were there?
four
Of the eight Waffen-SS divisions, four were SS-Panzergrenadier divisions: 1st ‘Liebstandarte SS Adolf Hitler’, 2nd ‘Das Reich’, 3rd ‘Totenkopf’, and 5th ‘Wiking’.
Was Grossdeutschland an SS division?
In 1942 it was expanded into the Großdeutschland Division, the best-equipped division in the Wehrmacht, which received equipment before all other units, including some Waffen-SS units; however it remained a regiment within the division and was renamed to Grenadier-Regiment Großdeutschland.
Who is grenadier?
Definition of grenadier 1a : a soldier who carries and throws grenades. b : a member of a special regiment or corps formerly armed with grenades. 2 : any of various deep-sea fishes (family Macrouridae) that are related to the cods and have an elongate tapering body and compressed pointed tail.
What was the size of a German division in WWII?
12,000 to 25,000 men
A division contained from 12,000 to 25,000 men. Adolf Hitler reviewing German troops in Poland, September 1939. It was the qualitative superiority of the German infantry divisions and the number of their armoured divisions that made the difference in 1939.
What does Gross Deutschland mean?
Greater Germany
Großdeutschland is German for “Greater Germany” or “Big Germany.” It can refer to: Großdeutsches Reich, Nazi Germany’s official state name from 1943 to 1945.
Why are the grenadier Guards called that?
At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the regiment gained the name “Grenadier” in July 1815 following a Royal Proclamation, honouring their part in defeating Grenadiers of the French Imperial Guard at the Battle of Waterloo, thereby becoming the 1st (or Grenadier) Regiment of Foot Guards.