German order of battle for the invasion of Poland

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

Forces as of 31 August and German plan of attack.

The German army's forces for the invasion of Poland with the 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 0447 on September 1, after which things started to get shuffled.[6]

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 - General der Artillerie Friedrich “Fritz” Fromm, who was the Chief of Armaments and Commander of the Replacement Army. He controlled all army procurement and production, and all of the troops within Germany who were replacements for front line units.

Heeresgruppe Nord[7]

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).

Army Group Reserve Troops

Directly subordinated to Heeresgruppe Nord were:

3. Armee

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

4. Armee

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

Heeresgruppe Süd[7]

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).

Army Group Reserve Troops

Directly subordinated to Heeresgruppe Süd were:

8. Armee

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

10. Armee

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

14. Armee

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

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 Antonin Pulanich, Commanding:  Pěší pluk 1, 4, 6, Dělostřelecký pluk 1.
    • 2. Divise "Škultéty" - Podplukovník Ján Imro, (09.05.1939 Generál 2. třídy Alexandr Čunderlik), Commanding:  Pěší pluk 3, Dělostřelecký pluk 2 (Division was in Reserve).
    • 3. Divise "Rázus" - Plukovník Augustín Malár, Commanding:  Pěší pluk 2, 21, Dělostřelecký pluk 3, 4.
    • Pěší pluk 5

Undergoing Organization and Training

Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland[33] - Oberstleutnant Hunold von Stockhausen, 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:

5. Armee

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

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[34][5] - Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Göring

Kriegsmarine

On August 30 the Polish Navy, realizing what was about to happen, sent 3 destroyers (Błyskawica, Grom, and Burza) to the UK. The group was spotted the 30th in the southern Ostsee by the U 31[47] and again, in the Skagerrak, by U 19 on the 31st.  Since the war hadn't started they were unmolested. With the destroyers gone some of the ships deployed to the Ostsee were recalled and some sent to the 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[48][49][5] - Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine Generaladmiral Erich Raeder

Under Direct Control of Seekriegsleitung (Skl)

Marinegruppenkommando[61] West - Oberbefehlshaber Marinegruppenkommando West - Admiral Alfred Saalwächter

Marinegruppenkommando[61] Ost - Oberbefehlshaber Marinegruppenkommando Ost - Generaladmiral Conrad Albrecht

See also

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. Altenburger, Andreas (2019). "Inhaltsverzeichnis". Lexicon der Wehrmacht. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. German High Command Reserve: Their permission was required to utilize these units.
  9. (mot.): motorisiert (motorized)
  10. I./, II./, III./, etc is a Battlion/Abeltung of a Regiment. An Abteilung was battalion-sized unit of armor, artillery or cavalry.
  11. Aufklärungs: (“enlightenment”) reconnaissance
  12. Reiter-Regiment: ("riding" regiment) Calavry Regiment
  13. Radfahr: Bicycle
  14. reitende Artillerie: Horse Artillery
  15. m.F.b.: mit Führung beauftragt (entrusted with the command) acting (an oversimplification)
  16. Char.: mit Charakter als (with Character of) Acting rank (an over simplification)
  17. z.V.: zur Verfügung (placed at the disposal) reactivated retired officer (an over simplification)
  18. Panzerverband Ostpreußen: Panzer "Collection" East Prussia (later XXVI. Armeekorps)
  19. Standard: a regiment in SS terminology
  20. SS-Totenkopfverbände (Death's Head Units) units of concentration camp guards
  21. Grenzschutzabschnittskommando: (Border Rifle Section Command) a command area of a group guarding the border
  22. Grenzwacht: (Border Watch) Border Patrol
  23. Führungsstab z.b.V.: (Leadership staff); zur besonderen Verwendung (for special purpose) a Headquarters unit created for a specific purpose
  24. Kommandostab: (Command Staff) a Headquarters unit
  25. 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)
  26. Landwehr: (Defence of the Land) a national guard/militia type unit (older than 35 and younger than 45)
  27. Grenz-Infanterie: (Border Infantry): better armed and trained "border guards"
  28. Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 121, 122, 123: redesignated Infanterie-Regiment 121, 122, 123 on 10 November 1939
  29. schw.: schwere (heavy)
  30. Panzer-Lehr: (Panzer Teaching) a school unit of highly trained instructors
  31. Gebirgs: (Mountain)
  32. Gebirgs-Jäger: (Mountain Hunter) mountain trained infantry
  33. Infanterie-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.
  34. Holm, Michael (2019). ""The Luftwaffe, 1933-45"". The Luftwaffe, 1933-45. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  35. I./, II./, III./, etc is a Gruppe (Group) of an Air Wing.
  36. Kampfgeschwader: (Combat Squadron) a Bomber Air Wing and is abbreviated KG.
  37. Sturzkampfgeschwader: (Dive Bomber Squadron) a Dive Bomber Air Wing. Stuka is the short form of Sturzkampfflugzeugand and is abbreviated StG.
  38. Lehrgeschwader: (Teaching Squadron) a School Air Wing and is abbreviated LG.
  39. (Jagd): hunt
  40. Zerstörergeschwader: (Destroyer Squadron) a Heavy Fighter Air Wing and is abbreviated ZG. The twin engine Bf 110 fighters were considered attack planes, at this time.
  41. Luftgau: (Air District) administrative district within the various military districts (Wehrkreis).
  42. 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.
  43. 7. Fliegerdivision: later 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division
  44. Fallschirmjäger: (Parachute Hunter) paratroops
  45. Kampfgeschwader z.b.V.: (Combat Squadron for Special Purpose) a Transport Air Wing (Ju 52) and is abbreviated KG z.b.V.
  46. 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.
  47. U 31: The format of U.##, U-## and U## will be seen in common use but the correct format is U ##.
  48. Helgason, Guðmundur (2019). "uboat,net". uboat,net. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  49. Emmerich, Michael (2019). "Kriegsmarine Index". German Naval History. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  50. Seekriegsleitung: (Sea War Leadership) the Operations Section
  51. Chef der Flotte / Flottenchef: (Chief of the Fleet) Fleet Commander
  52. Befehlshaber der Panzerschiffe: (Commander of Armoured Ships) type commander for battleships & panzerships.
  53. Befehlshaber der Aufklärungsstreitkräfte: (Commander of Reconnaissance Forces) type commander of cruisers
  54. Führer der Torpedoboote: (Leader of Torpedo Boats) this includes both torpedoboats and destroyers
  55. Führer der Unterseeboote: (Leader of Submarines)
  56. Panzerschiff: (Armoured Ship) later reclassified as a heavy cruiser
  57. Troßschiff: (Supply Ship) a replenishment ship with fuel, food, ammunition, etc.
  58. The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Salzwedel” - Korvettenkapitän Hans Ibbeken: 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
  59. 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
  60. The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Wegener” - Korvettenkapitän Ernst Andreas Sobe: 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
  61. Marinegruppenkommando (Marine/Navy Group Command) in charge of all naval assets in a defined area
  62. The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Weddingen” - Kapitänleutnant Hans Eckermann, m.F.b.: U 9 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN47; U 13 [Type IIB] - rearming at Keil / departs September 2 (Nordsee); U 15 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN83; U 17 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN82; U 19 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN59; U 21 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN85; U 23 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN82
  63. The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Lohs” - Kapitänleutnant Hans Eckermann: U 12 [Type IIB] - Nordsee, Grid AN61; U 14 [Type IIB] - Ostsee, Grid AO94; U 16 [Type IIB] - rearming at Wilhelmshaven / Nordsee 2. September; U 18 [Type IIB] - Ostsee, Grid AO94; U 20 [Type IIB] - rearming at Wilhelmshaven / Nordsee 1. September; U 22 [Type IIB] - Ostsee, Grid AO91; U 24 [Type IIB] - rearming at Wilhelmshaven / departs September 2 (Nordsee)
  64. 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
  65. The entire Flotilla (for the Map Grids see: https://uboat.net/maps/grid.html): Unterseebootsflottille “Emsmann” - Korvettenkapitän Hans Rösing: 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
  66. 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
  67. The 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
  68. The entire Destroyer Division: 5. Zerstörer-Division - Fregattenkapitän Hans Hartmann 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
  69. The entire Flotilla: 6. Torpedobootsflottille - Korvettenkapitän Georg Waue 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
  70. The entire Flotilla: 5. Torpedobootsflottille - Fregattenkapitän Rudolf Heyke 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 Helmut Neuss, lost in collision with Max Schulz (Z 3) August 27)
  71. Unterseebootsschulflottille: (Under Sea Boat {U-boat} School Flotilla) the hands on training equipment of the Unterseebootsschule {U-boat School}.
  72. 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
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