Grossdeutschland in the Battle of the Bulge: Additional Companies

Grossdeutschland in the Battle of the Bulge: Additional Companies In Wargames Illustrated 303 we feature an article by Phil and myself on the Führerbegleit and Führergrenadier Brigades during the Ardennes offensive. The Article includes a history of their actions during the Battle of the Bulge as well as an Intelligence Briefing covering a Führer Panzerkompanie and a Führer Panzerfüsilierkompanie. Due to space limitations were unable to include two other companies developed for this Intelligence Briefing. These are the Führer Panzergrenadierkompanie and Führer Grenadierkompanie.

Führer Panzergrenadierkompanie The second battalion of both brigades was a Panzergrenadier battalion mounted in Schwimmwagen amphibious jeeps. This is an unusual organisation for a Panzergrenadier battalion, but common enough in the reconnaissance battalions of panzer divisions. While mounted they use the Motorcycle Reconnaissance rules. They are supported by their Weapons Platoons of heavy infantry guns and anti-tank guns. They also have mortars and machine-guns available in the company headquarters. Brigade support comes from armour like tanks, tank-hunters and assault guns.

They can also call on infantry, artillery and anti-aircraft support. As well as brigade support they can also get corps support from Volks rocket brigades and Volksgrenadiers.

Führer Grenadierkompanie The third battalion of the Panzergrenadier regiment of both the Führerbegleitbrigade and the Führergrenadierbrigade was a bicycle-mounted grenadier battalion. These had previously been Landsturm battalions, units of older men past the age for active service used to guard unused headquarters facilities. Despite this, these units fought hard and suffered very heavy casualties.

In addition to the Grenadier platoons each company had a pair of medium mortars for fire support. Their Weapons Platoons consist of medium mortars, heavy infantry guns and anti-tank guns. They are supported by the brigade’s assault guns. They could also call on infantry, artillery and anti-aircraft support. They receive corps support from Volks rocket brigades and Volksgrenadiers. Wayne

Additional Companies included in The Führerbegleit and Führergrenadier Brigades Intelligence Briefing PDF The Führerbegleit and Führergrenadier Brigades Intelligence Briefing.... Corrections to the WI article Two platoons in the Wargames Illustrated article have the wrong points. The Fuhrer Panzergrenadier Platoon on page 31 seems to currently have Confident Veteran Points and should have Confident Trained points of: 3 Panzergrenadier Squads 250 points 2 Panzergrenadier Squads 180 points The Fuhrer Grenadier Platoon on page 37 should be: 3 Grenadier Squads 130 points. Both these platoons are also the basis for the two extra companies and have been corrected in the Extra companies PDF linked above.