Kradschützen.Battalion.15

[enzus]

i am searching the krad.bn.15 OOB during Operation Brevity and the correct locations of its coys near Halfaya pass.

[David W]

As part of Gruppe Herff the 2nd Company were the only members of Kradschuetzen Battalion at the border prior to 10-11/5/1941. On the night of 10/11/5/41 the remainder of the Battalion joined them.
By 12/5/41 the Battalion seems to have become part of Gruppe Knabe and occupying Point 210, South of Dar El Hamra.

As for an OOB/To&E
I've only got in theory, not in practice (although if you are extremely lucky they can be the same) Let me know if you want it. Or another forum member may have the real thing.


Cheers! Dave.

[enzus]

the OOB/TOE will be appreciate.....
I know that 2/krad.15 had 190 men with 3 AT 37mm and 2 AA 20mm.
The 2nd coy surrended to UK less 7 men.
I find uncertain information about another coy at Ridotta Capuzzo

Enzus

[David W]

Hi Enzus

As promised: theoretical T.O&E.

I Kompanie Kradschutzen.
II Kompanie Kradschutzen.
III Kompanie Kradschutzen.
Each with 18 x lM/G, 8 x sM/G & 3 x lGr.W

IV Kompanie Kradmachinegun.
With 8 x sM/G & 6 x sGr.W.

V Kompanie Schwerewaffen.
With 1 x Pioneer Zug (3 x lM/G), 1 x IG section (2 x 75mm IG) & 1 x Panzerjaeger Zug ( 3 x 37mm PaK & 1 x lM/G).

Total "bayonet strength" would be 600-900, probably closer to 900 than 600, given the total of 5 Kompanie.

Interestingly there is no mention of any M/G Fla at this time. However on paper at least there could have been up to 18 x 20mm, presumably in the V kompanie.

The M/G fla that you mention in II Kompanie might have been "attatched" rather than organic.

Hope this is of some help.

All the best.......... Dave

[Nacht]

David,

You must know that I have the commander of 4./MG of KB15's photoalbum from April 25, 1941- December 15, 1941...

Since you would like me to post here I could share a few photos of some of the unit numbers and location points... at specific times...

[Nacht]

David,

KB15 in May of 1941 should match this:

KRADSCHÜTZENKOMPANIE
KStN 1111 dated 01.02.1941

1 Officer (K) as Company Commander (Pistol)
Company Headquarters
Headquarters Section
1 NCO as Headquarters Section Leader (SMG)
1 Motor Vehicle NCO (Rifle)(on motorcycle)
1 Messenger / Bugler (Rifle)
1 Messenger / Distance Measurer (Pistol)
1 Messenger / (Rifle)
1 Messenger (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
2 Messenger (Rifles)(on motorcycles)
2 Motor Vehicle Drivers (Rifles)
1 Stretcher Bearer (Pistol)
3 motorcycles
1 motorcycle with sidecar
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 12)
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 18)
Combat Trains
1 Senior NCO as First Sergeant (Pistol)
1 NCO as Supply Trains Leader (Rifle)(on motorcycle)
1 NCO as Armorer (Pistol)
1 NCO as Motor Vehicle Mechanic (Rifle)
1 NCO as Medic (Pistol)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
1 Assistant Armorer (Pistol)
6 Motor Vehicle Drivers (Rifles)
1 Clerk & motor vehicle escort (Rifle)
1 Motor Vehicle Mechanic & motor vehicle escort (Rifle)
1 Cook (Rifle)
1 Cook & motor vehicle escort (Rifle)
2 motorcycles with sidecars
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 15)
1 truck, medium, open, cross-country, with Field Kitchen
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for baggage and equipment
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for fuel
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for ammo and supplies
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for fuel and equipment
Maintenance Section
1 NCO Foreman as Section Leader (Pistol)
1 Motor Mechanic (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
1 Motor Mechanic (Rifle)
1 Motor Mechanic / Motor Vehicle Driver (Rifle)
1 motorcycle with sidecar
1 maintenance car, light, cross-country (Kfz. 2/40)
Baggage Trains
1 NCO in charge of baggage / clerk (Rifle)(on motorcycle)
1 Tailor (Rifle)
1 Cobbler / motor vehicle escort (Rifle)
1 Motor Vehicle Driver (Rifle)
1 motorcycle
1 truck, 1½-ton, open, for baggage and equipment 3 Rifle Platoons, each with
1 Officer (Z) as Platoon Leader (SMG)
Platoon Headquarters
1 Messenger / Bugler (Rifle)
2 Motorcycle Messengers (Rifles)(on motorcycles)
2 Motorcycle Drivers (Rifles)(on motorcycles with sidecars)
1 Stretcher Bearer (Pistol)
2 Motor Vehicle Drivers (Rifles)
2 motorcycles
2 motorcycles with sidecars
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 11)
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 18)
1 antitank rifle
3 Rifle Squads, each with
1 NCO Squad Leader (SMG)
1 MG Gunner (Pistol)
1 Assistant MG Gunner (Pistol)
3 Riflemen (Rifles)
3 Motorcycle Drivers (Rifles)(on motorcycles with sidecars)
3 motorcycles with sidecars
1 light machine gun
Light Mortar Section
1 NCO as Mortar Section Leader and Gunner (Rifle)
2 Assistant Gunners (Pistols)
2 Motorcycle Drivers (Rifles)(on motorcycles with sidecars)
2 motorcycles with sidecars
1 light mortar (50mm)
Heavy Machine Gun Half-Platoon
1 NCO as Half-Platoon Leader (Pistol)
Headquarters Section
1 Distance Measurere (Pistol)
1 Messenger (Rifle)
1 Messenger (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
3 Motorcycle Drivers (Rifles)(on motorcycles with sidecars)
4 motorcycles with sidecars
2 Heavy Machine Gun Sections, each with
1 NCO as Gun Team Leader (Pistol)
1 MG Gunner (Pistol)
1 Assistant MG Gunner (Pistol)
3 Assistant MG Gunners (Rifles)
3 Motorcycle Drivers (Rifles)(on motorcycles with sidecars)
3 motorcycles with sidecars
1 heavy machine gun
Totals:
4 Officers, 24 NCO, 150 Enlisted;
122 Rifles, 43 Pistols, 13 SMG, 3 Light Mortars, 2 HMG, 9 LMG, 3 ATR;
16 motor vehicles; 11 motorcycles; 46 motorcycles with sidecars.


The Machine Gun Kompanie (As in my photoalbum of 4Kp. of KB 15 is like this)...

KRADSCHÜTZEN-MASCHINENGEWEHRKOMPANIE
KStN 1118 dated 01.02.1941

1 Officer (K) as Company Commander (Pistol)
Company Headquarters
Headquarters Section
1 NCO as Headquarters Section Leader (SMG)
1 Motor Vehicle NCO (Rifle)(on motorcycle)
1 Messenger / Bugler (Rifle)
1 Messenger / Distance Measurer (Pistol)
1 Messenger / (Rifle)
1 Messenger (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
2 Messenger (Rifles)(on motorcycles)
2 Motor Vehicle Drivers (Rifles)
3 motorcycles
1 motorcycle with sidecar
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 15)
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 18)
Signal Detachment
2 Light Telephone Section c, each with
1 Telephonist NCO as Section Leader (Rifle)
2 Telephonists (Rifles)
1 Telephonist / Motor Vehicle Driver (Rifle)
1 signal car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 15)
Combat Trains
1 Senior NCO as First Sergeant (Pistol)
1 NCO as Supply Trains Leader (Rifle)
1 NCO as Armorer (Pistol)
1 Equipment NCO (Rifle)
1 NCO as Medic (Pistol)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
2 Assistant Armorers (Pistols)
1 Clerk & motor vehicle escort (Rifle)
1 Cook (Rifle)
1 Cook & motor vehicle escort (Rifle)
5 Motor Vehicle Drivers (Rifles)
1 motorcycle with sidecar
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 15)
1 truck, medium, open, cross-country, with Field Kitchen
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for ammo and supplies
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for fuel
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for fuel transport
1 truck, light, open, cross-country, for ammo
Maintenance Section
1 NCO Foreman as Section Leader (Pistol)
1 Motor Mechanic (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
1 Motor Mechanic (Rifle)
1 Motor Mechanic / Motor Vehicle Driver (Rifle)
1 motorcycle with sidecar
1 maintenance car, light, cross-country (Kfz. 2/40)
Baggage Trains
1 NCO in charge of baggage / clerk (Rifle)(on motorcycle)
1 Tailor (Rifle)
1 Cobbler / motor vehicle escort (Rifle)
2 Motor Vehicle Drivers (Rifles)
1 motorcycle
1 car, light, open
1 truck, 1½-ton, open, for baggage and equipment Heavy Machine Gun Platoon
1 Officer (Z) as Platoon Leader (SMG)
Headquarters Section
1 NCO Direction Finder as Half-Platoon Leader (SMG)
1 NCO Direction Finder (Pistol)
2 Distance Measurers (Pistols)
2 Messengers (Rifles)
1 Messenger (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
1 Messenger (Rifle)(on motorcycle)
4 Motorcyclist (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
1 Stretcher Bearer (Pistol)
2 Motor Vehicle Driver (Rifles)
1 motorcycle
5 motorcycles with sidecars
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 15)
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 18)
2 Light Telephone Section c, each with
1 NCO as Section Leader (Rifle)
2 Telephonists (Rifles)
1 Telephonists as motor vehicle driver (Rifles)
1 signal car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 15/1)
2 Heavy Machine Gun Half-Platoons, each with
2 Heavy Machine Gun Sections, each with
1 NCO as Gun Team Leader (SMG)
1 MG Gunner (Pistol)
1 Assistant MG Gunners (Pistol)
2 Assistant MG Gunners (Rifles)
3 Motorcycle Drivers (Rifles)(on motorcycles with sidecar)
3 motorcycles with sidecars
1 heavy machine gun
1 Mortar Platoon
1 Officer (Z) as Platoon Leader (SMG)
Platoon Headquarters
1 NCO (Pistol)
3 Messengers (Rifles)
1 Messenger (Rifle)(on motorcycle with sidecar)
1 Motor Vehicle Driver (Rifle)
1 motorcycle with sidecar
1 car, medium, cross-country (Kfz. 15)
3 Mortar Sections, each with
1 NCO as Section Leader (SMG)
2 NCO as Mortar Team Leaders (Pistols)
1 Distance Measurer (Pistol)
2 Gunners (Pistols)
4 Assistant Gunners (Pistols)
4 Assistant Gunners (Rifles)
2 Telephonists (Rifles)
3 Drivers (Rifle)
2 mortars (81mm)
3 personnel carriers, open, cross-country (Kfz. 70)
2 trailers (ammunition)

Per Niehorster... but is he correct for KB15... and I have them coming in around April 25-26 to NA

[David W]

Excellent detail Nacht.

(I love the thought of a bugler! I thought they went out with the old U.S 7th Cavalry ).

[Nacht]

David,

We know how to work together to take it to another whole level of study and research... and you are the friend to motivate me to do so! This is the Stab ... of the 15KB ...

This is for 13emeDBLE's and my book on the 15KB so I am not posting it in higher resolution... there are even painted flowers under the windows! and the officer's initials and their girlfriend's or wive's initials! Some extremely nice photos that 13 & I acquired to put together a research project and hope others are interested in Knabe's KB15... and his story is another that many here might appreciate.

[David W]

I see from Nacht's T.o&E above, that there are no machine pistols or sub machine guns listed, is this correct?

[Alanmccoubrey]

David, I have looked on Christoph's site and the KStN he has for the KradSchtz Kp, Number 1111 dated 1st Feb 1941 has 13 MPi in each company. I doubt very much that any front line German "infantry" based units failed to have their junior leaders armed with the Mpi. There are 15 MPi shown for a "normal" MG Kp (mot) , KStN 1116, so I can't see the re being very much difference.

[Brad Hunter]

The 15. Kradschützen-Bataillon as part of the 15. Schützen-Brigade on May 20, 1941 (NARA T78, Roll 404, File H1/91):

[Alanmccoubrey]

David, the LMG totals in Brad's post are double what appears in the KStN 1111 while the other weapons totals are the same.

[David W]

Re the L/Mgs..... I wonder why?

Is Brad's document "Soll" or "Ist"?

[Alanmccoubrey]

David, While, of course, not speaking for Brad, I'd guess the chart is "Soll" as the numbers are all too uniform. As for the LMG's, it looks as though all the "infantry" in the Division have a double allocation of LMG's, remember they are motorised and not armouredd units which did have double the LMG's.

[Brad Hunter]

Yup, Soll.

Brad