Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland

Historical resource account for the Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland & associate units 1921-1945 | Inspired by ‘Max’

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Guten Morgen

[Marc @History1History]

OMG LOOK WHOS BACK

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Behind the Hauptkampflinie #4

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

📷 KB Foto

▪️#GD support services

A Kompanieschneider (tailor) works in the field.

Often providing personal bespoke & unit wide uniform items, especially camouflage & winter garments, they were a valued asset.

#WW2 #History

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Behind the Hauptkampflinie #3

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

📷 KB Foto

▪️#GD support services

A Kompanieschuster puts new heels on a pair of ‘Knobelbecher’ marching boots.

An Uffz would always be on at his men to look after his feet & that’s where another dependable comrade, such as the cobbler, was well thought of.

#WW2 #History

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Behind the Hauptkampflinie #2

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

📷 KB Foto

▪️#GD support services

A Sdkfz251 Ausf C being worked on by men of the Workshop Abteilung.

Intrigued by the ’cross’ symbol below the driver’s side vision port.

The Div had a few unauthorised insignia & wonder if this is another.

Thoughts anyone? 🤔

#WW2 #History

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Behind the Hauptkampflinie #1

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

📷 KB Foto

▪️#GD support services

A Horch Kfz 15 E.Pkw blocks a road with a damaged axle, while a Workshop Abteilung mechanic looks to repair & enable traffic to continue.

His C/O, Werkmeister Zimmermann looks at the camera.

Note the GD stahlhelm symbol on the driver’s door.

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Morning!

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Morning!

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Time to cut communication.

Gute Nacht.

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

📷 KB Foto

What’s in a picture? Well, sometimes quite a lot. So let’s look deeper....

Essentially, it’s a propaganda photo of a Richtschütze (gunner/MG1) from the I./ PzGr Rgt Grossdeutschland taken April/May 1944 at the time of the first Jassy–Kishinev offensive.

1/

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

📷 KB Foto

An apparent Unteroffizier lies dead in the interior of a Sdkfz250/1 of 2Kp (Squadron) Kradschützen Btl #GD, during the advance to Voronezh c.summer 1942

He rests behind the driver’s position, next to the interior Mg34 periscope mount (as no shield provided).

1/

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

@MTimperley Thanks. Just easing back into some posting. Appreciate the support.

[Markie Mark @MTimperley]

Love threads like this. Where have you been?

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

Finally, the Mg42 he carries is an old hand in itself.

One of the first c.18k produced in 1942 with the slab-sided cocking handle.

So, it’s feasible this is a 2 year old mg he is responsible for.

Well, those are my personal takes on this pic.

Thanks for reading.

8/End/

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

📷 KB Foto

What’s in a picture? Well, sometimes quite a lot. So let’s look deeper....

Essentially, it’s a propaganda photo of a Richtschütze (gunner/MG1) from the I./ PzGr Rgt Grossdeutschland taken April/May 1944 at the time of the first Jassy–Kishinev offensive.

1/

[Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland @PGDivGD]

The four M39 egg grenades suspended from his belt, bear the chipped paint effect of knocking against each other & from belted mg rounds worn from the neck.

Beyond this, he seems light on kit, as was characteristic of armoured/motorised infantry.

7/