WW2 German Numbering Q

[dougeagle]

Hi ya gang,

I hope everyone is ready for XMas?

I'm currently trying to figure out how to identify the different battalions of tanks that I have for the early stages of WW2 as well as the Normandy battles. What I have in mind is the label would listed as such... I/ 111.
I-1 battalion (the letter 'I' is in Roman numeral)
111- 1 kompanie, 1 zug, 1 tank

Now, if there were (lets say) 3 companies per battalion, then 111- 141, 211-241, 311-341would the identifying numbers, then would the second battalion be identified as 411 up to 711?

[groundlber]

The standard German tank regiment in the early part of World War Two had two battalions of four companies each. Companies 1 to 4 were in the first battalion, 5 to 8 in the second battalion. Would that be the end of the subject. However, some panzer divisions in the battle for France had three battalions of tanks, and I think some had only one. ( Other battalions loaned to other divisvions?). I'll check my reference books when I get home from work tonight.
Groundlber

[groundlber]

My public affairs officer would like to clarify what the poster meant to say.
Yes, German panzer Regiments had two battalions of four companies each. However, the division had a panzer brigade of two regiments. During the French campaign, Panzer Divisions 6 through 9 had a single regiment. Sixth Panzer was equipped with Czech Pz 35's, the Seventh and Eighth had Pz 38's.
Is everyone confused yet? This information is from Squadron's "Blitzkreig Armor Camouflage and Markings, 1939-1940' by Steve Zaloga.
Sorry for the poor information in the first post.
Groundlber

[cbovill]

dougeagle,

It is very difficult to make any generalizations with the German armed forces in WWII as they were highly adaptive in the field. But typically, if a regiment only had six companies, it would have been numbered as companies 1-3 in the first battalion, and companies 5-7 in the second, with 4th being reserved for the first battalion in case it was to be formed up later, and likewise for the 8th with the second battalion. But even that is not completely correct. For example, if they were supposed to have 3 light companies and 1 medium company per battalion but were only issued 2 and 1 respectively, then they could have companies 1,2 and 4 in the first battalion and 5,6, and 8 in the second with 4 and 8 usually being reserved for the medium companies.

The rare third battalions has companies 9-12 typically reserved for them, with the rare heavy company having 13 reserved for it. Of course, the usual disclaimer here in that you could expect to see anything really in the German army's makeup - its just how they were.

Chris

[hauptgrate]

Good book to get is Panzer Colors II published by Squadron/Signal back the 70s and 80s. Focused upon markings, numbering systems, etc for the Panzer Divisions.

[dougeagle]

Thanks