Sturmgeschütze vor!

These are my notes on the 16. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Reichsführer SS.  I intended to work out a TO&E to play Flames of War with, but the information presented here has not been modified for the game.

Sturmgeschütz in SS Units 43-45

(Source: Sturmgeschutz & Its Variants, Spielberger (Spielberger German Armor & Military Vehicles Series, Vol 2) )

Begleit-Bataillone "Reichsführer SS"

There are three Begleit-Bataillone "Reichsführer SS" listed in German records.

The first was formed within Himmler's Headquarters Staff [Kommandostab RFSS] on 15 May 1941 at the SS Barracks at Oranienburg.

Composition – 1941

 Stab

  1. Schützen Kompanie
  2. Schützen Kompanie 
  3. Schützen Kompanie
  4. Maschinen Gewehr Kompanie
  5. Infantrie Geschütz Kompanie
  6. Panzerjäger Kompanie
  7.  Sturmgeschütz Kompanie
  8. leichte Flak Batterie [2,0 cm]

    9. schwere Flak Batterie [8,8 cm]

Fate – Reorganized as Sturmbrigade "Reichsführer SS"

The second Begleit-Btl. Reichsführer SS was formed in September 1943.

In June 1944 it exchanged with the II/35 SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment .

During Operation Wacht Am Rhein it served with the 19. Armee  and participated in the attack on Selestat.

Approximate OOB, December 1944:

Stab
-1. Schützenkompanie
-2. Schützenkompanie
-3. Schützenkompanie
-4. schwere Kompanie (IG-Zug, Gw-Zug)
- Pz. Jg. Kompanie (Hetzer)

After Operation Habicht (12.-14.12.44) it had lost 50% of the Schützen-Kpn.

1 Hetzer written off

1 Hetzer in long term repair

3 Hetzers in short term repair

3 Hetzers ready.

(Source: F.Bruns Unser Ende im Elsass, A, reprint of original report by Begleit Btl Reichsführer SS).

According to Zuführungsliste Gen.Insp.d.Pz.Truppen, a delivery of 10 Hetzers left HZA on the 2.2.45.

Fate - Unknown

In 1945 a Begleit-Btl z.b.V. Reichsführer-SS (z.b.V. = for special purpose) was established with a separate Feldpostnummer.  In January 1945 it is listed in Arnswalde serving with the XIV SS-Armeekorps.

OOB of Begleit-Btl z.b.V. Reichsführer SS – 1945

Stab (Nachrichtenzug, Pionierzug)
- 1. Schützenkompanie
- 2. Schützenkompanie
- 3. Schützenkompanie
- 4. schwere MG Kompanie
- 5. schwere Kompanie

(According to Fritz Mörke, Der Kampf um den Kreis Arnswalde)

Fate - Unknown

 According to unconfirmed information, it was involved with 38. SS-Pz.Gren. Div "Nibelungen." Also, at least the Pz.Jg.Kp remained in the West, as it is listed among the units under OB West as per 1. April 1945, referenced: Panz.Jg.Kp. RF-SS Bgl. Btl (Kuscher).

Sturmbrigade "Reichsführer SS"

In February 1943 Hitler ordered that this escort bataillon, having proved itself in battle, be upgraded to the status of an assault brigade or Sturmbrigade thus Sturmbrigade Reichsführer SS was established. It was stationed on the island of Corsica in the summer of 1943.

SS Stürmbrigade – General Composition

Stab
SS-Regiment 1
       I.Bataillon
       II.Bataillon
       III.Bataillon
SS Regiment 2
       I.Bataillon
       II.Bataillon
       III.Bataillon

Artillery-Abteilung
Füsilier-Kompanie
Pioneer-Kompanie
Nachrichtren-Kompanie

Actual Composition Sturmbrigade RFSS in September 1943 (after July 1943 reform):

Sturmbrigade Reichsführer SS - SS-Ostubaf. Karl Gesele

I. SS-Grenadier Batallion - SS-Stubaf. Max Dallinger:

Schützen Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Hatz

Schützen Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Diesenreitter

Schützen Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Danner

Maschinen Gewehr Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Rosenberger

Infantrie Geschütz Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Haider

II. Grenadier Batallion (Heer) - Hptm. Meyer (absorbed - former 356.Infantrie Division, III./IR 870):

Schützen Kompanie - (typical)

Schützen Kompanie - (typical)

Schützen Kompanie - (typical)

Maschinen Gewehr Kompanie - (typical)

Infantrie Geschütz Kompanie - (typical)

SS-Panzer Jäger Abtielung - SS-Hstuf. Subkleve:

Panzerjäger Kompanie

Panzerjäger Kompanie

SS-Sturmgeschütz Abteilung - SS-Hstuf. Krauß:

Sturmgeschütz Batterie

Sturmgeschütz Batterie

Sturmgeschütz Batterie

SS-Flak Abteilung - SS-Hstuf. Hieber:

Flak Kompanie [2,0 cm]

Flak Kompanie [8,8 cm]

Flak Kompanie [8,8 cm]

Flak Kompanie [8,8 cm]

16. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Reichsführer SS

In September, 1943 the Begleit-Bataillon Reichsführer SS was reformed with 4 Companies and a separate Feldpostnummer.

On 2 October, 1943 Sturmbrigade Reichsführer SS was used to establish the 16. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Reichsführer SS.

SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 33 (renumbered 35 11/12/43)

SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 34 (renumbered 36 11/12/43)

SS-Artillerie Regiment 16

SS-Panzer Abteilung 16

SS-Flak-Abteilung 16

SS-Panzer-Aufklärungsabteilung 16

SS-Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 16

SS-Pionier-Btaillon 16

SS-Nachrichten-Abteilung 16

SS-Nachschub-Truppen 16

SS-Wirtschafts-Bataillon 16

SS-Instandsetzungs-Abteilung 16

SS-Sanitäts-Abteilung 16

SS-Feld-Ersatz-Btaillon 16

Feldgendarmerie-Kompanie

Div.Kampfschule 16.SS-Pz.Gren.Div

Div.Begleit-Kompanie

In June 1944 the reformed Begleit-Bataillon Reichsführer SS was exchanged with the II./SS-PzGdr. Rgt. 35.

The 16. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Reichsführer SS continued to fight in Italy until February 1945.  In February 1945 it was transferred to Hungary and then to Steiermark, Austria in April and May 1945

I used the following sources for the above information:

Tessin Vols 4, 5 and 16
http://www.axishistory.com

Nafziger: German Order of Battle in WWII, Waffen SS, Fallschirmjägers & Foreign Troops in German Service, (2006)

Bender, R.J.: Waffen SS Uniforms Organization History, Volume 4, (1975)

Im Gleichen Schritt und Tritt

Spielberger : Sturmgeschutz & Its Variants - Spielberger German Armor & Military Vehicles Series, Vol 2, (????)