Organization of the Army (Bundeswehr, Army Structure 1)

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The division of the Army of the Bundeswehr in Army Structure 1 describes the units of the Army in Army Structure 1.

Army Structure 1 denoted the breakdown between rearmament in 1955 and reclassification into Army Structure 2 in March 1959. A special feature of Army Structure 1 was the division into combat groups based on the American model .

Preliminary remarks

Structure, structure and sources

Since the creation of new units in Army Structure 1 was very dynamic, and units in this Army structure were sometimes divided several times, renamed, disbanded, subordinated to other units and relocated, a specific observation time is given for each large formation if possible. It should be noted that the key date is not the same for all associations . The overall structure can therefore only be understood in principle. So it does not reflect an overall structure of the army on a specific (uniform) reference date. Therefore, some units - especially at battalion , regimental and company level - can be listed several times and with different subordinates. In addition, it must be taken into account that, unlike the later brigades , the combat groups did not already organically dispose of permanently assigned units and units during peacetime, but were primarily ad hoc units , depending on the situation . Accordingly, the subordinate troops indicated here could also be subordinated to other staffs at short notice.

For these systematic reasons, not all units are listed at this level that were ever planned during Army Structure 1. Overall, the source situation (e.g. the number of available unit chronicles) for Army Structure 1 is to be assessed as incomplete; later army structures are much better documented.

Numbering system

A uniform numbering system, as it was common in the later army structures, is recognizable up to the combat groups level, but beyond that only rudimentary.

Scope of the army

Plans for Army Structure 1 envisaged twelve divisions and a peace scope of the field army of 195,000 soldiers by the end of 1956. The planned scope of Army Structure 1 was not achieved by March 1959 (time of reclassification into Army Structure 2 ). At the end of 1958 the actual strength of the army was “only” about 100,000 men . Six grenadier and tank divisions could be put into service in Army Structure 1 . However, not every division received enough material and personnel to be able to set up each of its three planned combat groups . The formation of the 7th Division did not go beyond approaches. When setting up the 8th Division (corresponded to the 1st Mountain Division ) and the 9th Division (corresponded to the 1st Airborne Division ), it was initially limited to the formation of two combat groups.

Superior leadership

After NATO -membership the Federal Republic of Germany were those listed below, the Corps subordinate organizations, early stage batons out of NATO. Until the final formation of the troops and the associated assignment, ie integration into the NATO command structure , the troops were initially subordinate to the inspector of the army . These troops that were not assigned to NATO, as well as the troops at the level of the highest army command, remained (also in the event of war ) under national leadership - that is, they remained subordinate to the Federal Ministry of Defense or the command staff of the armed forces and the command staff of the army . So this area was not integrated into the NATO command structure.

The territorial army in the army structure 1

The troops of the territorial army are not included , because these troop units subordinate to the Territorial Defense Command were not part of the Army in Army Structure 1, but formed a separate area of ​​the Bundeswehr alongside the Army. In Army Structure 1, however, only a few troops were planned in the territorial army, because inevitably only a few reservists (i.e. in particular conscripts or regular soldiers ) were available.

Note on the association badges and internal association badges

For internal Badge middle, only about officially granted a carrying approval of the 1980s. They are therefore not shown. The enumerated troop units or the "successors" standing in their tradition could, however, have unofficially already carried badges similar to a coat of arms or have officially received them from the middle of 1980. Association badges for large associations were only introduced into the troops in Army Structure 2 . Only members of the airborne troops and mountain troops wore sleeve badges to identify the rank group and their affiliation to the mountain or airborne troops, which were already similar to the later introduced association badges of the mountain and airborne division.

Supreme Army Command

Tank training group

Note: The tank training group was set up on July 1, 1958 and subordinated to the tank troop school as a teaching force .

I. Corps

Note: Until October 1, 1956, the staff of the later corps was referred to as "Army Staff I". The 7th Panzer Division (7th Division) was subordinate to the I. Corps until December 1958 and then switched to the III. Corps .

1st Grenadier Division

Division troops 1st Grenadier Division

(Structure July 1956)

Combat group A 1

(Structure at the beginning of April 1958)

Combat group B 1

(Structure at the beginning of March 1959)

Note: The following list describes the structure of the "new" combat group B 1 , which was reorganized on April 1, 1958. On April 1, 1958, the "old" combat group staff B 1 was reclassified to the "new" combat group staff B 6 and accordingly changed from the 1st Grenadier Division to the 6th Grenadier Division - see there.

Combat group C 1

(Structure at the beginning of February 1958)

3rd Armored Division

Note: The deployment staff of the 6th Grenadier Division was suspended from the 3rd Panzer Division from February 20, 1958 to September 25, 1958 . On September 25, 1958, the deployment staff became the staff of the 6th Division . Troop units of the 3rd Panzer Division were intended for use for LANDENMARK .

Division troops 3rd Panzer Division

(Structure around July 1956)

Combat group A 3

(Structure as of August 1, 1956)

Panzer Group B 3

(Structure 1958)

Panzer Group C 3

Note: Panzerkampfgruppe C 3 was used in 1958 for the formation of the 7th Panzer Division (7th Division) (formation from mid-1958) and separated from the 3rd Panzer Division .

(Structure 1958)

6th Grenadier Division (6th Division)

Note: The deployment staff of the 6th Grenadier Division was suspended from the 3rd Panzer Division from February 20, 1958 to September 25, 1958 . On September 25, 1958, the deployment staff became the staff of the 6th Division . The division was designated as the 6th Grenadier Division from February 1, 1958 to September 30, 1958, and then as the 6th Division between October 1, 1958 and March 16, 1959.

Division troops 6th Grenadier Division (6th Division)

(Structure from October 1, 1958 at the earliest)

Combat group A 6

(Structure from October 1958)

Combat group B 6

Note: Combat group B 6 was created on April 1, 1958 by renaming the "old" combat group B 1 . At the same time, a "new" combat group B 1 was set up at the 1st Grenadier Division. (Structure April 1958)

II Corps

Note: Initially, the staff of the later corps was called "Army Staff II". The 2nd Grenadier Division and the 5th Panzer Division were under the II Corps until 1957 and then switched to the III. Corps .

4th Grenadier Division

Division troops 4th Grenadier Division

(Structure July 1956)

Combat group A 4

(Structure July 20, 1956)

Combat group B 4

(Structure December 1958)

Panzer Group C 4

(Structure August 1958)

1st Mountain Division

Ärmelabzeichen for identification of belonging to Gebirgstruppe for officers - similar Ärmelabzeichen contributed officers and teams

Note: A mountain brigade 104 with staff in Mittenwald was planned for a short time until December 1, 1956 . The 1st Mountain Division was reorganized from it on December 1, 1956 .

Division troops 1st Mountain Division

(Breakdown December 1956 at the earliest)

Mountain Group A 8

(Structure July 1, 1957)

Mountain Combat Group B 8

(Structure July 1957)

1st Airborne Division

Sleeve badges to mark the affiliation to the airborne troops for NCOs - officers and men wore similar sleeve badges

Note: Short term 1956 was a 106th Airborne Brigade with staff and headquarters company in Esslingen am Neckar deallocated. The 1st Airborne Division was reorganized from it on January 2, 1957 .

Division troops , 1st Airborne Division

(Structure no earlier than January 1957)

Airborne Combat Group A 9

Airborne Combat Group B 9 (Airborne Brigade 26)

Note: From October 20, 1958 until Army Structure 2 was taken, Airborne Combat Group B 9 was designated as Airborne Brigade 26.

III. corps

Corps troops III. corps

(Structure July 1957)

2nd Grenadier Division

Note: The 2nd Grenadier Division was subordinate to the II Corps until July 1, 1957 .

Division troops 2nd Grenadier Division

(Structure no earlier than July 1, 1956)

Combat group A 2

(Structure July 1, 1956)

Combat group B 2

(Structure 1956/1959)

Combat group C 2

(Structure in May 1958 at the earliest)

5th Armored Division

Note: The 5th Panzer Division was under the II Corps until 1957 and then switched to the III. Corps .

Division troops 5th Panzer Division

(Structure August 1956 )

Panzer Group A 5

(Structure from February 1957)

Panzer Group B 5

(Structure no earlier than August 1, 1956)

Panzer Group C 5

(Structure from around March 1958)

7th Panzer Division (7th Division)

Note: The name of the division was 7th Panzer Division from August 1, 1958 to September 30, 1958; then 7th Division until March 16, 1959 . The division was subordinate to the I. Corps until December 1, 1958 and then switched to the III. Corps . The formation of the 7th Panzer Division (7th Division) with the three intended combat groups could not be completed in Army Structure 1. Panzerkampfgruppe C 3 was used for the setup . Since the armored fighting group C 3 in Army Structure 1 was under the 3rd Armored Division for the longest time , and its name did not change until the end of Army Structure 1, the structure of armored fighting group C 3 in the 3rd Armored Division is described. The 7th Panzer Division (7th Division) consequently did not lead any (tank) combat groups in Army Structure 1 with the designated designations A 7, B 7 or C 7.


(Structure as of December 1, 1958)

literature

  • Helmut R. Hammerich , Dieter H. Kollmer , Martin Rink , Rudolf J. Schlaffer : Das Heer 1950 to 1970 . Conception, organization and installation. Oldenbourg, Munich 2006, ISBN 3-486-57974-6 (821 pages, with the assistance of Michael Poppe).
  • Rolf Clement : 50 years of the Bundeswehr . 1955 - 2005. Mittler & Sohn, Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn 2005, ISBN 3-8132-0839-7 (288 pages).
  • Hans-Jürgen Schraut: The armed forces structure of the Bundeswehr 1956-1990 . Documentation as part of the Nuclear History Program. Science and Politics Foundation, Ebenhausen 1993.
  • Herbert Seifert: The structures of the army . In: Federal Ministry of Defense, Command Staff of the Army I 5 (Ed.): European Security . No. 1999/2000 . Bonn 2000, DNB  962058939 (68 pages).
  • Reinhard Teuber: The Bundeswehr 1955–1995 . In: Leadership and Troop . tape 5 . Patzwall, Norderstedt 1996, ISBN 3-931533-03-4 (156 pages).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The history of the army. Federal Ministry of Defense , Head of the Press and Information Office , 2020, accessed on March 19, 2020 .
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-4 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 4. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1993, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  3. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 1 / Federal Ministry of Defense - Army Command Staff. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2012, accessed on March 4, 2020 .
  4. ^ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 2 / Army Office. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2019, accessed on March 4, 2020 .
  5. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 3 / Army headquarters. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2006, accessed on March 4, 2020 .
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Section MA 3 : BArch BH 13 / Schools of the Army. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2016, accessed on March 4, 2020 .
  7. ↑ a b c Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-9 / Panzerlehrbrigade 9th In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2012, accessed on March 6, 2020 .
  8. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 5 / Material Office of the Army. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2002, accessed on March 4, 2020 .
  9. ↑ a b c Department MA 3 : BArch BH 6 / Subordinate departments of the depot organization of the army. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2016, accessed on March 4, 2020 .
  10. ↑ a b c d e Department MA 3 : BArch BH 7-1 / I Corps. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1995, accessed on March 3, 2020 .
  11. ↑ a b c d e f g h Section MA 3 : BArch BH 8-1 / 1. Armored Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2019, accessed on March 3, 2020 .
  12. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee location database of the Bundeswehr in the Federal Republic of Germany as well as the training grounds used by the Bundeswehr abroad. In: Website of the Military History Research Office . Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the Bundeswehr , Military History Research Office , accessed on February 17, 2020 (For technical reasons, direct links to individual search queries or search results are not possible. Please use the “search form” to research information on the individual departments).
  13. ↑ a b c d e f g Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-2 / Panzerbrigade 2. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1993, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  14. ↑ a b c d e f g Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-1 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 1. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2007, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  15. ↑ a b c d e f g Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-3 / Panzerbrigade 3 —Weser – Leine “. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1993, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  16. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Department MA 3 : BArch BH 8-6 / 6. Panzergrenadier Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1994, accessed on March 6, 2020 .
  17. ↑ Dieter H. Kollmer: The "aircraft carrier" Schleswig-Holstein . The role of Schleswig-Holstein in NATO's defense planning during the Cold War. In: Aaron Jessen, Elmar Moldenhauer, Karsten Biermann (eds.): Overcoming boundaries. Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark & ​​the GDR . Husum Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft, Husum 2016, ISBN 978-3-89876-821-4 , p. 72 (368 pp.).
  18. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Department MA 3 : BArch BH 8-3 / 3. Panzergrenadier Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1994, accessed on March 6, 2020 .
  19. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-17 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 17. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  20. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-8 / Panzerbrigade 8 –Lüneburg–. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  21. ↑ a b c d e f g Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-32 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 32. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on March 14, 2020 .
  22. ↑ a b c d e f Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-21 / Panzerbrigade 21 - Lipperland -. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  23. ↑ a b c d e f g Department 3 : BArch BH 9-16 / Panzerbrigade 16 - Duchy of Lauenburg -. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  24. ↑ a b c d e f g Department 3 : BArch BH 9-18 / Panzerbrigade 18 –Holstein–. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  25. ↑ a b c d Section MA 3 : BArch BH 7-2 / II. Corps / II. (GE / US) Corps. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2005, accessed on March 17, 2020 .
  26. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Department MA 3 : BArch BH 8-4 / 4. Panzergrenadier Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1998, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  27. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-12 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 12 - Upper Palatinate -. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  28. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-10 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 10. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  29. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-11 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 11 - Bayerwald -. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2013, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  30. ↑ a b c Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-30 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 30. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2008, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  31. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Department MA 3 : BArch BH 8-8 / 1. Mountain Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1994, accessed on March 11, 2020 .
  32. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-23 / Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on March 11, 2020 .
  33. ↑ a b c d e f g Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-22 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 22. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on March 11, 2020 .
  34. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Department MA 3 : BArch BH 8-9 / 1. Airborne Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1996, accessed on March 12, 2020 .
  35. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-25 / Luftlandebrigade 25. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on March 12, 2020 .
  36. ↑ a b Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-26 / Luftlandebrigade 26 –Saarland–. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  37. ↑ a b c d e f g h Section MA 3 : BArch BH 7-3 / III. Corps. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1994, accessed on March 17, 2020 .
  38. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Section MA 3 : BArch BH 8-2 / 2. Panzergrenadier Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1994, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  39. ↑ Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-6 / Panzerbrigade 6. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 1996, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  40. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-5 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 5. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2003, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  41. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Department MA 3 : BArch BH 8-5 / 5. Armored Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  42. ↑ a b Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-14 / Panzerbrigade 14. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  43. ↑ a b c d Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-13 / Panzergrenadierbrigade 13th In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  44. ↑ a b Section MA 3 : BArch BH 9-15 / Panzerbrigade 15 –Westerwald–. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2004, accessed on February 17, 2020 .
  45. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Section MA 3 : BArch BH 8-7 / 7. Armored Division. In: Research application invenio . President of the Federal Archives , 2019, accessed on March 18, 2020 .