German order of battle for the invasion of Poland

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Forces as of 31 August and German plan of attack.

This article details the order of battle of German military units during the invasion of Poland in 1939.[1][2][3][4][5]

The German army's forces for the invasion of Poland (codename Fall Weiss, English - "Case White") were divided into Army Group North (consisting of the German 3rd and 4th armies) and Army Group South (consisting of the German 8th, 10th, and 14th armies, and the Slovak Army Group Bernolak).

Army Group C was on the western border of Germany defending against a potential French attack. This order of battle is for 04:47 on September 1, after which things started to get shuffled.[a]

Oberkommando des Heeres[]

Oberkommando des Heeres was the High Command of the Heer. It controlled everything related to the Heer: Personnel, Training, Recruitment, Armaments, Transportation, Supplies, Medical Services, etc. An ongoing problem was that each service branch was its own "kingdom" resulting in massive inefficiency.

Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres - Generaloberst Walter von Brauchitsch

  • Chef des Generalstab des Heeres - General der Artillerie Franz Halder, the Chief of the General Staff of the Army was the head of all of the departments of the Heer except for the armaments section and the replacement army.
  • Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres ("Chief of Armaments and Commander of the Replacement Army")- General der Artillerie Friedrich “Fritz” Fromm, who controlled all army procurement and production, and all of the troops within Germany who were replacements for front line units.

Heeresgruppe Nord[]

Heeresgruppe Nord was commanded by Generaloberst Fedor von Bock. Its initial objectives were to capture the "Polish corridor" (4th Army) and drive southwards towards Warsaw from East Prussia (3rd Army).[b]

Army Group Reserve Troops[]

Directly subordinated to Heeresgruppe Nord were:

  • 10. Panzer-Division[c] - Generalleutnant Ferdinand Schaal, Commanding: Panzer-Regiment 8, Infanterie-Regiment (mot.)[d] 86, II./[e] Artillerie-Regiment (mot.) 29, I./ Aufklärungs[f]-Regiment 8.
  • 73. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Dr.phil.h.c. Friedrich von Rabenau, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 170, 186, 213, Artillerie-Regiment 173.
  • 206. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Hugo Höfl, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 301, 312, 413, Artillerie-Regiment 206.
  • 208. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 309, 337, 338, Artillerie-Regiment 208.

3. Armee[]

3. Armee was commanded by General der Artillerie Georg von Küchler. It was based in East Prussia.

  • 3rd Army Reserves
    • 217. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajorl , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 311, 346, 389, Artillerie-Regiment 217.
    • 1. Kavallerie-Division - Oberst Kurt Feldt, Commanding:  Reiter-Regiment[g] 1, 2, Radfahr[h]-Abteilung 1, reitende Artillerie[i]-Abteilung 1.
  • I. Armeekorps - Commanded by Generalleutnant Walter Petzel m.F.b.[j]
    • 11. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Max Bock, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 2, 23, 44, Artillerie-Regiment 11.
    • 61. Infanterie-Division - Char.[k] Generalleutnant z.V.[l] Siegfried Haenicke, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 151, 162, 176, Artillerie-Regiment 161.
    • Panzerverband Ostpreußen[m] (AKA Panzer-Division Kempf) - Generalmajor Werner Kempf, Commanding:  Panzer-Regiment 7, SS-Standard (mot.) "Deutschland",[n] SS-Artillerie-Standart/SS-TV.[o]
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando[p] 15 - Generalmajor , Commanding: 4 Grenzwacht[q]-Regiments.
  • XXI. Armeekorps - Commanded by Generalleutnant Nikolaus von Falkenhorst.
    • I./ Panzer-Regiment 10 - Oberstleutnant Friedrich-Wilhelm Sieberg, Commanding.
    • 21. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Kuno-Hans von Both, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 3, 24, 45, Artillerie-Regiment 21.
    • 228. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 325, 356, 400, Artillerie-Regiment 228.
  • Führungsstab z.b.V.[r] 1 (also known as Kommandostab[s] Wodrig, Korps Wodrig) - Commanded by Generalleutnant Albert Wodrig.
    • 1. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Joachim von Kortzfleisch, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 1, 22, 43, Artillerie-Regiment 1
    • 12. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 27, 48, 89, Artillerie-Regiment 12.
  • - Commanded by Generalmajor .
    • Kommandantur der Befestigungen bei Königsberg[t] - Generalmajor , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment "Gumbinnen", Landwehr[u]-Infanterie-Regiment 152, 2  Grenzwacht-Regiments.
    • - Oberst , Commanding:  IV./ Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment 161, II./ Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment 162, II./ Landwehr-Artillerie-Regiment 161.
    • Brigade Lötzen - Generalmajor Otto-Ernst Ottenbacher, Commanding:  Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment 161, 162, Landwehr-Artillerie-Regiment 161, 1 Grenzwacht-Regiment.

4. Armee[]

4. Armee was commanded by General der Artillerie Günther von Kluge. It was based in Western Pomerania.

  • 4th Army Reserves
    • 23. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Walter Graf von Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 9, 67, 68, Artillerie-Regiment 23.
    • 218. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 323, 386, 397, Artillerie-Regiment 218.
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 1 - General der Flieger z.V. Leonhard Kaupisch, Commanding:  2 Grenzwacht-Regiments.
    • 207. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 322, 368, 374, Artillerie-Regiment 207.
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 2 - Char. Generalleutnant , Commanding:  4 Grenzwacht-Regiments
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 12 - Generalmajor z.V. Hermann Metz, Commanding:  Grenz-Infanterie[v]-Regiment “Crossen”, “Meseritz”, “Schwerin”, 3 Grenzwacht-Regiments.
  • II. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Infanterie Adolf Strauß.
    • 3. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Walter Lichel, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 8, 29, 50, Artillerie-Regiment 3.
    • 32. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Franz Böhme, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 4, 94, 96, Artillerie-Regiment 32.
  • III. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Artillerie Curt Haase.
    • 50. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding:  Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 121, 122, 123,[w] schw.[x] Artillerie-Abteilung (mot.) 101.
    • - Generalmajor Eccard Freiherr von Gablenz, Commanding:  2 Grenzwacht-Regiments.
  • XIX. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Panzertruppe Heinz Guderian.
    • 3. Panzer-Division - Generalleutnant Leo Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg, Commanding:  3. Panzer-Brigade (Panzer-Regiment 5, 6), Panzer-Lehr{{Panzer-Lehr: (Panzer Teaching) a school unit of highly trained instructors}}-Abteilung, 3. Schützen-Brigade (Schützen-Regiment 3), Artillerie-Regiment 75 (mot.).
    • 2. Infanterie-Division (mot.) - Generalleutnant Paul Bader, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 5 (mot.), 25 (mot.), 92 (mot.), Artillerie-Regiment 2 (mot.).
    • 20. Infanterie-Division (mot.) - Generalleutnant Mauritz von Wiktorin, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 69 (mot.), 76 (mot.), 80 (mot.), Artillerie-Regiment 56 (mot.).

Heeresgruppe Süd[]

Heeresgruppe Süd was commanded by Generaloberst Gerd von Rundstedt. Its initial objective was to drive from Silesia towards Warsaw (by the 8th Army and 10th Army), and to destroy the Polish forces around Kraków (by the 14th Army).[b]

Army Group Reserve Troops[]

Directly subordinated to Heeresgruppe Süd were:

  • 56. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor Karl Kriebel, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 92, 171, 234, Artillerie-Regiment 156.
  • 57. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor Oskar Blümm, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 179, 199, 217, Artillerie-Regiment 157.
  • 252. Infanterie-Division - Char. Generallutnant z.V. , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 452, 461, 472, Artillerie-Regiment 252.
  • 257. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 457, 466, 477, Artillerie-Regiment 257.
  • 258. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 458, 478, 479, Artillerie-Regiment 258.
  • VII. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Infanterie Eugen Ritter von Schobert.
    • 27. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 40, 63, 91, Artillerie-Regiment 27.
    • 68. Infanterie-Division - Oberst Georg Braun m.F.b., Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 169, 188, 196, Artillerie-Regiment 168.
  • XXII. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Kavallerie z.V. Ewald von Kleist.
    • 62nd Infantry Division - Commanded by General Walter Keiner. Consisted of the 164th, 183rd, and 190th Infantry Regiments.
    • 213th Infantry Division - Commanded by General . Consisted of the 318th, 354th, and 406th Infantry Regiments.
    • 221st Infantry Division - Commanded by General Johann Pflugbeil. Consisted of the 350th, 360th, and 375th Infantry Regiments
  • Enroute...
    • 1. Gebirgs-Division[c][y] - Generalmajor Ludwig Kübler, Commanding:  Gebirgs-Jäger[z]-Regiment 98, 99, 100, Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 79.
    • 2. Gebirgs-Division[c] - Generalleutnant Valentin Feurstein, Commanding:  Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 136,137, Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 111.

8. Armee[]

8. Armee was commanded by General der Infanterie Johannes Blaskowitz. It was based in northern Silesia.

  • 8th Army Reserves
    • 30. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Kurt von Briesen, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 6, 26, 46, Artillerie-Regiment 30.
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 13 - Generalleutnant z.V. Max von Schenckendorff, Commanding:  2 Grenzwacht-Regiments.
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 14 - Char. General der Kavallerie z.V. Kurt Ludwig Freiherr von Gienanth, Commanding:  Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment 183, 2 Grenzwacht-Regiments.
  • X. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Artillerie z.V. .
    • 24. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Friedrich Olbricht, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 31, 32, 102, Artillerie-Regiment 24.
  • XIII. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Kavallerie Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von und zu Weichs an der Glon.
    • 10. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 20, 41, 85, Artillerie-Regiment 10.
    • 17. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Herbert Loch, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 21, 55, 95, Artillerie-Regiment 17.
    • SS-Infanterie-Regiment (mot.) „Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler“ - SS-Oberstgruppenführer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich, Commanding.

10. Armee[]

10. Armee was commanded by General der Artillerie Walter von Reichenau. It was based in southern Silesia.

  • 10th Army Reserves
    • 1. leichte Division -Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm von Loeper, Commanding:  Panzer-Regiment 11, Panzer-Abteilung 65, 6. Schützen-Brigade (Schützen-Regiment 4), Artillerie-Regiment 76 (mot.).
  • IV. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Infanterie Viktor von Schwedler.
    • 4. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Erik-Oskar Hansen, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 10, 52, 103, Artillerie-Regiment 4.
    • 46. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Paul von Hase, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 42, 72, 97, Artillerie-Regiment 115.
  • XI. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Artillerie Emil Leeb.
    • 18. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Friedrich-Carl Cranz, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 30, 51, 54, Artillerie-Regiment 18.
    • 19. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 59, 73, 74, Artillerie-Regiment 19.
  • XIV. Armeekorps (mot.) - Commanded by General der Infanterie Gustav von Wietersheim.
    • 13. Infanterie-Division (mot.) - Generalleutnant m.F.b., Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 33 (mot.), 66 (mot.), 93 (mot.), Artillerie-Regiment 13 (mot.).
    • 29th Motorized Division - Generalleutnant Joachim Lemelsen, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 15 (mot.), 71 (mot.), Artillerie-Regiment 29 (mot.).
  • XV. Armeekorps (mot.) - Commanded by General der Infanterie Hermann Hoth.
    • 2. leichte Division - Generalleutnant Georg Stumme, Commanding:  Panzer-Abteilung 66, Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 6, 7, Artillerie-Regiment 78 (mot.).
    • 3. leichte Division - Generalmajor Adolf-Friedrich Kuntzen, Commanding:  Panzer-Abteilung 67, Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 8, 9, Artillerie-Regiment 80 (mot.).
  • XVI. Armeekorps (mot.) - Commanded by General der Kavallerie Erich Höpner.
    • 1. Panzer-Division - Generalleutnant Rudolf Schmidt, Commanding: 1. Panzer-Brigade (Panzer-Regiment 1, 2), 1. Schützen-Brigade (Schützen-Regiment 1), Artillerie-Regiment 73 (mot.).
    • 4. Panzer-Division - Generalmajorl Georg-Hans Reinhardt, Commanding:  5. Panzer-Brigade (Panzer-Regiment 35, 36), Schützen-Regiment 12, Artillerie-Regiment 103 (mot.).
    • 14. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 11, 53, 116, Artillerie-Regiment 14.
    • 31. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Rudolf Kämpfe, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 12, 17, 82, Artillerie-Regiment 31.

14. Armee[]

14. Armee was commanded by Generaloberst Wilhelm List. It was based in Moravia and Slovakia.

  • 14th Army Reserves
    • 239. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Ferdinand Neuling, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 327, 372, 444, Artillerie-Regiment 239.
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 3 - Generalleutnant z.V. , Commanding:  3 Grenzwacht-Regiments.
    • Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 30 - Generalmajor Erwin Engelbrecht, Commanding:  III./ Infanterie-Regiment 135, III./ Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100, I./ Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 137.
  • VIII. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Infanterie Ernst Busch.
    • 5. Panzer-Division - Generalleutnant Heinrich von Vietinghoff genannt Scheel, Commanding:  8. Panzer-Brigade (Panzer-Regiment 15, 31), Schützen-Regiment 13 (mot.), 14 (mot.), Artillerie-Regiment 116 (mot.).
    • 8. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Rudolf Koch-Erpach, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 28, 38, 84, Artillerie-Regiment 8.
    • 28. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Hans von Obstfelder. Consisted of the 7th, 49th, and 83rd Infantry Regiments.
    • 239th Infantry Division - Commanded by General Ferdinand Neuling, Commanding:  Infanterie-Regiment 7, 49, 83, Artillerie-Regiment 28.
    • SS-Standart (mot.) "Germania" - SS-Standartenführer Karl-Maria Demelhuber, Commanding.
  • XVII. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Infanterie Werner Kienitz.
  • XVIII. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Infanterie Eugen Beyer.
    • 2. Panzer-Division - Generalleutnant Rudolf Veiel, Commanding:  2. Panzer-Brigade (Panzer-Regiment 3, 4), 2. Schützen-Brigade (Schützen-Regiment 2), Artillerie-Regiment 74 (mot.).
    • 4. leichte Division - Generalmajor Dr.iur. Alfred Ritter von Hubicki, Commanding:  Panzer-Abteilung 33, Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 10, 11, Artillerie-Regiment 102 (mot.).
    • 3. Gebirgs-Division - Generalmajor Eduard Dietl, Commanding:  Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 138, 139, Gebirgs-Artillery-Regiment 112.

Slovak Army Bernolak[]

See Slovak invasion of Poland

  • Polní armáda "Bernolák" (Field Army Bernolak) - Commanded by Generál 1. třídy Ferdinand Čatloš.
    • 1. Divise "Jánošík" - Generál 2. třídy , Commanding:  Pěší pluk 1, 4, 6, Dělostřelecký pluk 1.
    • - Podplukovník , (09.05.1939 Generál 2. třídy ), Commanding:  Pěší pluk 3, Dělostřelecký pluk 2 (Division was in Reserve).
    • - Plukovník Augustín Malár, Commanding:  Pěší pluk 2, 21, Dělostřelecký pluk 3, 4.
    • Pěší pluk 5

Undergoing Organization and Training

Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland[aa] - Oberstleutnant , commanding.

Heeresgruppe C[]

Heeresgruppe C was commanded by Char. Generaloberst z.V. Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb. Its only duty was to protect the western border of Germany from any French attacks until stronger units could be sent back from the east. It was accomplished by deception. The units were generally under strength, most of the infantry unit were missing their heavy weapons platoons, and some entire battalions. There was almost no mobility, except for horses and bicycles. Some of the units were headquarters only to give the impression of a larger presence.

Army Group Reserve Troops[]

Directly subordinated to Heeresgruppe C were:

  • 76. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Maximilian de Angelis, Commanding
  • 251. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalleutnant , Commanding
  • 253. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalleutnant z.V. , Commanding
  • 254. Infanterie-Division[c] - Char. Generalleutnant z.V. , Commanding
  • 255. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor Wilhelm Wetzel, Commanding
  • 256. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor , Commanding
  • 260. Infanterie-Division[c] - Char. Generalleutnant z.V. Hans Schmidt, Commanding
  • 262. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor , Commanding
  • 263. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor Franz Karl, Commanding
  • 267. Infanterie-Division[c] - Char. General der Panzertruppe z.V. Ernst Feßmann, Commanding
  • 268. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor Erich Straube, Commanding
  • 269. Infanterie-Division[c] - Generalmajor Ernst Eberhard Hell, Commanding

5. Armee[]

5. Armee was commanded by General der Infanterie z.V. . It was based along the Luxembourg and Belgium border.

  • 5th Army Reserves
  • V. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Infanterie Richard Ruoff
    • 22. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Hans Graf von Sponeck, Commanding
    • 225. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant , Commanding
  • VI. Armeekorps - Commanded by General der Pioniere Otto-Wilhelm Förster
    • 1 Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment
  • XXVII. Armeekorps - Commanded by Char. General der Infanterie z.V.
    • 16. Infanterie-Division - Generalleutnant Gotthard Heinrici, Commanding
    • 69. Infanterie-Division - Oberst , Commanding
    • 211. Infanterie-Division - Generalmajor Kurt Renner, Commanding
    • 216. Infanterie-Division - Char. Generalleutnant , Commanding
  • XXX. Armeekorps - Commanded by Generalleutnant Otto Hartmann

1. Armee[]

1. Armee was commanded by General der Infanterie Erwin von Witzleben. It was based along the French border.

7. Armee[]

7. Armee - Commanded by General der Artillerie Friedrich Dollmann. It was based along the French border.

Supporting forces[]

Luftwaffe[]

Luftwaffe[6][5] - Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Göring

Kriegsmarine[]

On August 30 the Polish Navy, realizing what was about to happen, sent three destroyers (Błyskawica, Grom, and Burza) to the UK. The group was spotted the 30th in the southern Baltic Sea by U 31[an] and again, in the Skagerrak, by U 19 on 31 August. Since the war hadn't started they were unmolested. With the destroyers gone some of the ships deployed to the Baltic were recalled and some sent to the North Sea (Nordsee). The fleet was in the process of shifting its deployment when the war broke out. Later, the submarines Orzeł and Wilk also made it to the UK, while the Sęp, Ryś and Żbik, sought internment in Sweden.

Kriegsmarine[7][8][5] - Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine Generaladmiral Erich Raeder

Under Direct Control of Seekriegsleitung (Skl)

  • Admiral Graf Spee (Panzerschiff[au]) - Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff: en route to South Atlantic
  • Deutschland {Panzerschiff} - Kapitän zur See Paul Wenneker: North Atlantic
  • Altmark (Troßschiff[av]) - Kapitänleutnant der Reserve : operating with ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE
  • Westerwald {Troßschiff} - Korvettenkapitän : operating with DEUTSCHLAND
  • U 27 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic[aw]
  • U 28 - Kapitänleutnant Günter Kuhnke: North Atlantic
  • U 29 - Kapitänleutnant Otto Schuhart: North Atlantic
  • U 30 - Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Juluis Lemp: North Atlantic
  • U 33 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic
  • U 34 - Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Rollman: North Atlantic
  • U 37 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic[ax]
  • U 38 - Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Liebe: North Atlantic
  • U 39 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic
  • U 40 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic
  • U 41 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic
  • U 45 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic[ay]
  • U 46 - Kapitänleutnant Herbert Sohler: North Atlantic
  • U 47 - Korvettenkapitän Gunther Prien: North Atlantic
  • U 48 - Kapitänleutnant Herbert Schultze: North Atlantic
  • U 52 - Kapitänleutnant : North Atlantic

Marinegruppenkommando West[]

Oberbefehlshaber Marinegruppenkommando[az] West - Admiral Alfred Saalwächter

  • Kommandierender Admiral der Marinestation der Nordsee - Admiral Rolf Carls
  • Führer der Unterseeboote West - Kapitän zur See Karl Dönitz
  • At sea (North Sea)
  • At Wilhelmshaven
    • Scharnhorst {Schlachtschiff} - Kapitän zur See Otto Ciliax: Kriegsmarinewerft for modifications
    • Admiral Scheer {Panzerschiff} - Kapitän zur See
    • Emden (light cruiser) - Kapitän zur See Werner Lange
    • Karlsruhe (light cruiser) - Kapitän zur See : refitting
    • 2. Zerstörerflottille[bf] - Kapitän zur See Friedrich Bonte:
      • Paul Jakobi (Z 5) - Korvettenkapitän : refitting (Flag 2. Zerstörerflottille)
      • Theodor Riedel (Z 6) - Korvettenkapitän
      • Hermann Schoemann (Z 7) - Korvettenkapitän Theodor Detmers
      • Karl Galster (Z 20) - Korvettenkapitän
    • 4. Zerstörerflottille[bg] - Fregattenkapitän Erich Bey:
      • Hans Lody (Z 10) - Korvettenkapitän (Flag 4. Zerstörerflottille)
    • 5. Zerstörerdivision[bh] - Korvettenkapitän :
      • Dieter von Roeder (Z 17) - Korvettenkapitän
      • Hans Lüdemann (Z 18) - Korvettenkapitän (Flag 5. Zerstörerdivision)
    • 6. Torpedobootsflottille[bi] - Korvettenkapitän :
      • Iltis - Kapitänleutnant
      • Jaguar - Kapitänleutnant
      • Leopard - Kapitänleutnant (Flag 6. Torpedobootsflottille)
      • Luchs - Kapitänleutnant
      • Seeadler - Kapitänleutnant Werner Hartenstein
      • Wolf - Kapitänleutnant
    • U 25 - Oberleutnant zur See Georg : refitting
  • At Brunsbüttel
    • Gneisenau (battleship) - Kapitän zur See Erich Förste: Flottenflaggschiff
  • At Kiel
    • Schlesien {Linienschiff} - Kapitän zur See
    • Admiral Hipper (heavy cruiser) - Kapitän zur See Hellmuth Heye: refitting
    • Blücher (heavy cruiser) - {Kapitän zur See }: finishing at Deutsche Werke, commissioned September 20
    • Erich Koellner (Z 13) - Fregattenkapitän Alfred Schulze-Hinrichs: outfitting
    • Hermann Künne (Z 19) - Fregattenkapitän
    • Wilhelm Heidkamp (Z 21) - Korvettenkapitän Hans Erdmenger: outfitting
    • 5. Torpedobootsflottille[bj] - Fregattenkapitän :
    • U 2 - Kapitänleutnant Helmut Rosenbaum: refitting
    • U 8 - Kapitänleutnant : refitting
    • U 10 - Kapitänleutnant Georg-Wilhelm Schulz: refitting
    • U 13 - Kapitänleutnant : rearming / departs September 2 (Nordsee)
    • U 16 - Kapitänleutnant : rearming / departs September 2 (Nordsee)
    • U 20 - Kapitänleutnant Karl-Heinz Moehle: rearming / departs September 1 (Nordsee)
    • U 24 - Kapitänleutnant : rearming / departs September 2 (Nordsee)
    • U 49 - Kapitänleutnant : training
    • U 51 - Kapitänleutnant : training
    • U 53 - Kapitänleutnant : training
    • U 60 - Kapitänleutnant Georg Schewe: training
    • U 61 - Kapitänleutnant Jurgen Oesten: training
  • At Hamburg
    • Erich Giese (Z 12) - Korvettenkapitän Karl Smidt
  • At Bremen
    • Anton Schmitt (Z 22) - {Korvettenkapitän Friedrich Böhme}: finishing at DeSchiMAG, commissioned September 24
    • U 42 - Kapitänleutnant : training
    • U 43 - Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Ambrosius: training
  • At Neustad
    • Unterseebootsschulflottille[bk] - Kapitänleutnant :

Marinegruppenkommando Ost[]

Oberbefehlshaber Marinegruppenkommando Ost - Generaladmiral Conrad Albrecht

  • Kommandierender Admiral der Marinestation der Ostsee - Admiral Rolf Carls
  • At sea (Baltic)
    • 1. Zerstörerflottille[bl] - Kapitän zur See Wilhelm Meisel:
      • Georg Thiele (Z 2) - Korvettenkapitän Max-Eckart Wolff
      • Richard Beitzen (Z 4) - Korvettenkapitän (Flag 1. Zerstörerflottille)
      • Erich Steinbrinck (Z 15) - Korvettenkapitän Rolf Johannesson
    • U 5 - Kapitänleutnant '
    • U 6 - Kapitänleutnant
    • U 7 - Oberleutnant zur See
    • U 14 - Kapitänleutnant Horst Willner
    • U 18 - Kapitänleutnant
    • U 22 - Kapitänleutnant Werner Winter
    • U 31 - Kapitänleutnant : Ostsee
    • U 32 - Korvettenkapitän : Ostsee / returning to Kiel
    • U 35 - Kapitänleutnant Werner Lott: Ostsee / returning to Kiel'
    • U 57 - Kapitänleutnant Claus Korth
  • At Danzig
  • At Pillau
    • Friedrich Eckoldt (Z 16) - Korvettenkapitän
    • Leberecht Maas (Z 1) - Korvettenkapitän (Flag Führer der Torpedoboote Konteradmiral Gunther Lütjens)
  • At Stettin
    • Max Schulz (Z 3) - Korvettenkapitän : damaged in collision and not operational
  • At Swinemünde
    • Bruno Heinemann (Z 8) - Korvettenkapitän Fritz Berger
    • Friedrich Ihn (Z 14) - Korvettenkapitän

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ e.g. Kampfgeschwader 27 of Luftflotte 2, on the west side of Germany, was transferred to Luftflotte 1, on the east side of Germany, by noon of the first day.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b On September 1 Heeresgruppe Nord & Heeresgruppe Süd were named 2. Armee & 12. Armee respectively. They were renamed on September 2. They were later renamed Heeresgruppe B & Heeresgruppe A respectively.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p German High Command Reserve: Their permission was required to utilize these units.
  4. ^ (mot.): motorisiert ("motorized")
  5. ^ I./, II./, III./, etc is a Battlion/Abeltung of a Regiment. An Abteilung was battalion-sized unit of armor, artillery or cavalry.
  6. ^ Aufklärungs: "reconnaissance"
  7. ^ Reiter-Regiment: ("riding" regiment) Calavry Regiment
  8. ^ Radfahr: Bicycle
  9. ^ reitende Artillerie: horse artillery
  10. ^ m.F.b.: mit Führung beauftragt (entrusted with the command) acting (an oversimplification)
  11. ^ Char.: mit Charakter als (with Character of) Acting rank (an over simplification)
  12. ^ z.V.: zur Verfügung (placed at the disposal) reactivated retired officer (an over simplification)
  13. ^ Panzerverband Ostpreußen: Panzer "Collection" East Prussia (later XXVI. Armeekorps)
  14. ^ Standard: a regiment in SS terminology
  15. ^ SS-Totenkopfverbände (Death's Head Units) units of concentration camp guards
  16. ^ Grenzschutzabschnittskommando: (Border Rifle Section Command) a command area of a group guarding the border
  17. ^ Grenzwacht: (Border Watch) Border Patrol
  18. ^ Führungsstab z.b.V.: (Leadership staff); zur besonderen Verwendung (for special purpose) a Headquarters unit created for a specific purpose
  19. ^ Kommandostab: (Command Staff) a Headquarters unit
  20. ^ Kommandantur der Befestigungen bei Königsberg: (Command of the Fortifications near Königsberg) an area command of "fortifications"; mostly a concentration of better armed border guards (an over simplification)
  21. ^ Landwehr: (Defence of the Land) a national guard/militia type unit (older than 35 and younger than 45)
  22. ^ Grenz-Infanterie: (Border Infantry): better armed and trained "border guards"
  23. ^ Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 121, 122, 123: redesignated Infanterie-Regiment 121, 122, 123 on 10 November 1939
  24. ^ schw.: schwere (heavy)
  25. ^ Gebirgs: "Mountain"
  26. ^ Gebirgs-Jäger: "mountain hunter" mountain trained infantry
  27. ^ Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland: included here due to the confusion with SS-Standard "Deutschland". Großdeutschland was in Berlin/Moabit Barracks being upgraded/expanded from Wach-Bataillon Berlin a ceremonial guard unit.
  28. ^ I./, II./, III./, etc is a Gruppe (Group) of an Air Wing.
  29. ^ Kampfgeschwader: (Combat Squadron) a Bomber Air Wing and is abbreviated KG.
  30. ^ Sturzkampfgeschwader: (Dive Bomber Squadron) a Dive Bomber Air Wing. Stuka is the short form of Sturzkampfflugzeugand and is abbreviated StG.
  31. ^ Lehrgeschwader: (Teaching Squadron) a School Air Wing and is abbreviated LG.
  32. ^ (Jagd): hunt
  33. ^ Zerstörergeschwader: (Destroyer Squadron) a Heavy Fighter Air Wing and is abbreviated ZG. The twin engine Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters were considered attack planes, at this time.
  34. ^ Luftgau: (Air District) administrative district within the various military districts (Wehrkreis).
  35. ^ Jagdgeschwader: (Hunt Squadron) a Fighter Air Wing and is abbreviated JG. The single engine fighters (Ar 68 & Bf 109), were considered defensive weapons, at this time.
  36. ^ 7. Fliegerdivision: later 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division
  37. ^ Fallschirmjäger: literally "Parachute hunter" paratroops
  38. ^ Kampfgeschwader z.b.V.: (Combat Squadron for Special Purpose) a Transport Air Wing (Ju 52) and is abbreviated KG z.b.V.
  39. ^ Luftlande-Infanterie: (Air Landing Infantry) glider troops. The 16. Infanterie-Reigment of the 22. Infaterie-Division was undergoing training as glider troops. Eventually the 22. Infanterie-Division became 22. Luftlande-Infanterie-Division.
  40. ^ The format of U.##, U-## and U## will be seen in common use but the correct format is U ##.[citation needed]
  41. ^ Seekriegsleitung: (Sea War Leadership) the Operations Section
  42. ^ Chef der Flotte / Flottenchef: (Chief of the Fleet) Fleet Commander
  43. ^ Befehlshaber der Panzerschiffe: (Commander of Armoured Ships) type commander for battleships & panzerships.
  44. ^ Befehlshaber der Aufklärungsstreitkräfte: (Commander of Reconnaissance Forces) type commander of cruisers
  45. ^ Führer der Torpedoboote: (Leader of Torpedo Boats) this includes both torpedoboats and destroyers
  46. ^ Führer der Unterseeboote: (Leader of Submarines)
  47. ^ Panzerschiff: ("armoured ship!) later reclassified as a heavy cruiser
  48. ^ Troßschiff: (Supply Ship) a replenishment ship with fuel, food, ammunition, etc.
  49. ^ The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Salzwedel” - Korvettenkapitän : U 26 [Type IA] - Nordsee, Grid AN43; U 27 [Type VIIA] - North Atlantic, Grid AM19; U 28 [Type VIIA] - North Atlantic, Grid AM75; U 29 [Type VIIA] - North Atlantic, Grid AL66; U 30 [Type VIIA] - North Atlantic, Grid AL28; U 31 [Type VIIA] - Ostsee, Grid AO77; U 32 [Type VIIA] - Ostsee, returning to Kiel; U 33 [Type VIIA] - North Atlantic, Grid BE26; U 34 [Type VIIA] - North Atlantic, Grid BE35; U 35 [Type VIIA] - Ostsee, returning to Kiel
  50. ^ The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Hundius” - Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartmann: U 37 [Type IXA] - North Atlantic, Grid CF31; U 38 [Type IXA] - North Atlantic, Grid CF62; U 39 [Type IXA] - North Atlantic, Grid AM16; U 40 [Type IXA] - North Atlantic, Grid CF67; U 41 [Type IXA] - North Atlantic, Grid CF67; U 42 [Type IXA] - training at Bremen; U 43 [Type IXA] - training at Bremen
  51. ^ The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Wegener” - Korvettenkapitän : U 45 [Type VIIB] - North Atlantic, Grid AL77; U 46 [Type VIIB] - North Atlantic, Grid BE24; U 47 [Type VIIB] - North Atlantic, Grid BF48; U 48 [Type VIIB] - North Atlantic, Grid BE59; U 49 [Type VIIB] - training at Kiel; U 51 [Type VIIB] - refitting at Kiel; U 52 [Type VIIB] - North Atlantic, Grid BE74; U 53 [Type VIIB] - training at Kiel
  52. ^ Marinegruppenkommando (Marine/Navy Group Command) in charge of all naval assets in a defined area
  53. ^ Jump up to: a b c d These four cruisers were being redeployed and were transiting the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal from the Baltic to the North Sea
  54. ^ The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Weddingen” - Kapitänleutnant , m.F.b.: U 9 [Type IIB] - North Sea,, Grid AN47; U 13 [Type IIB] - rearming at Keil / departs September 2 (Nordsee); U 15 [Type IIB] - North Sea, Grid AN83; U 17 [Type IIB] - North Sea,, Grid AN82; U 19 [Type IIB] - North Sea,, Grid AN59; U 21 [Type IIB] - North Sea,, Grid AN85; U 23 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN82
  55. ^ The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Lohs” - Kapitänleutnant : U 12 [Type IIB] - North Sea,, Grid AN61; U 14 [Type IIB] - Ostsee, Grid AO94; U 16 [Type IIB] - rearming at Wilhelmshaven / North Sea, 2 September; U 18 [Type IIB] - North Sea,, Grid AO94; U 20 [Type IIB] - rearming at Wilhelmshaven / North Sea, 1 September; U 22 [Type IIB] - Baltic, Grid AO91; U 24 [Type IIB] - rearming at Wilhelmshaven / departs September 2 (North Sea)
  56. ^ The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsschulflottille - Kapitänleutnant Heinz Beduhn: U 1 [Type IIA] - Neustad; U 2 [Type IIA] - refitting at Keil; U 3 [Type IIA] - Neustad; U 4 [Type IIA] - Neustad; U 5 [Type IIA] - Ostsee, Grid AO48; U 6 [Type IIA] - Ostsee, Grid AO48; U 7 [Type IIB] - Ostsee, Grid AO48; U 8 [Type IIB] - refitting at Keil; U 10 [Type IIB] - refitting at Keil; U 11 [Type IIB] - refitting at Neustad ? (with the Communications Experimental Department); U 25 [Type IA] - refitting at Wilhelmshaven; U 36 [Type VIIA] - Nordsee, Grid AN31
  57. ^ The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Emsmann” - Korvettenkapitän : U 56 [Type IIC] - Nordsee, Grid AN37; U 57 [Type IIC] - Ostsee, Grid AO96; U 58 [Type IIC] - Nordsee, Grid AN37; U 59 [Type IIC] - Nordsee, Grid AN61; U 60 [Type IIC] - training at Kiel; U 61 [Type IIC] - training at Kiel
  58. ^ The entire Destroyer Flotilla: 2. Zerstörerflottille - Kapitän zur See Friedrich Bonte at Wilhelmshaven: Leberecht Maas (Z 1) [Type 1934] (Führerboot) at Pillau; Paul Jakobi (Z 5) [Type 1934A] refitting at Wilhelmshaven (Flag 2. Zerstörerflottille); Theodor Riedel (Z 6) [Type 1934A] at Wilhelmshaven; Hermann Schoemann (Z 7) [Type 1934A] at Wilhelmshaven; Karl Galster (Z 20) [Type 1936] at Wilhelmshaven; Wilhelm Heidkamp (Z 21) [Type 1936] outfitting at Kiel
  59. ^ he entire Destroyer Flotilla: 4. Zerstörer-Flottille - Fregattenkapitän Erich Bey at Wilhelmshaven: Bruno Heinemann (Z 8) [Type 1934A] at Swinemünde; Wolfgang Zenker (Z 9) [Type 1934A] at Danzig; Hans Lody (Z 10) [Type 1934A] at Wilhelmshaven (Flag 4. Zerstörerflottille); Bernd von Arnim (Z 11) [Type 1934A] at Danzig; Erich Giese (Z 12) [Type 1934A] at Hamburg; Erich Koellner (Z 13) [Type 1934A] outfitting at Kiel
  60. ^ The entire Destroyer Division: 5. Zerstörer-Division - Fregattenkapitän at Wilhelmshaven: Dieter von Roeder (Z 17) [Type 1936] at Wilhelmshaven; Hans Lüdemann (Z 18) [Type 1936] at Wilhelmshaven (Flag 5. Zerstörerdivision); Hermann Künne (Z 19) [Type 1936] at Kiel
  61. ^ The entire Flotilla: 6. Torpedobootsflottille - Korvettenkapitän at Wilhelmshaven: Iltis [Type 1924] at Wilhelmshaven; Jaguar [Type 1924] at Wilhelmshaven; Leopard [Type 1924] at Wilhelmshaven (Flag 6. Torpedobootsflottille); Luchs [Type 1924] at Wilhelmshaven; Seeadler [Type 1923] at Wilhelmshaven; Wolf [Type 1924] at Wilhelmshaven
  62. ^ The entire Flotilla: 5. Torpedobootsflottille - Fregattenkapitän at Kiel: Albatros [Type 1923] at Kiel; Falke [Type 1923] at Kiel; Greif [Type 1923] at Kiel; Kondor [Type 1923] at Kiel; Möwe [Type 1923] at Kiel; (Tiger [Type 1924] - Kapitänleutnant , lost in collision with Max Schulz (Z 3) August 27)
  63. ^ Unterseebootsschulflottille: "U-boat School Flotilla" the hands on training equipment of the Unterseebootsschule (U-boat School)
  64. ^ The entire destroyer flotilla: 1. Zerstörerflottille - Kapitän zur See Wilhelm Meisel in Ostsee: Georg Thiele (Z 2) Type 1934 in Ostsee; Max Schulz (Z 3) [Type 1934] at Stettin (repairing after collision with Torpedoboote Tiger August 27); Richard Beitzen (Z 4) [Type 1934] in Ostsee (Flag 1. Zerstörerflottille); Friedrich Ihn (Z 14) Type 1934A at Swinemünde; Erich Steinbrinck (Z 15) [Type 1934A] in Ostsee; Friedrich Eckoldt (Z 16) [Type 1934A] at Pillau

References[]

  1. ^ Niehorster, Leo (August 24, 2015). "WWII Orders of Battle and Organizations". WWII Orders of Battle and Organizations. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  2. ^ Army, Department of (April 1956). "Pub_104-20.pdf" (PDF). Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Ankerstjerne, Christian (May 22, 2018). "Poland 1939 (Fall Weiß)". Panzerworld. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  4. ^ Mulholland, John (April 7, 2012). "1 September 1939 - The Invasion of Poland". Axis History. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Altenburger, Andreas (2019). "Inhaltsverzeichnis". Lexicon der Wehrmacht. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  6. ^ Holm, Michael (2019). ""The Luftwaffe, 1933-45"". The Luftwaffe, 1933-45. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  7. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur (2019). "uboat,net". uboat,net. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  8. ^ Emmerich, Michael (2019). "Kriegsmarine Index". German Naval History. Retrieved December 20, 2019.

External links[]

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