The Panzer-Aufklärungskompanie (armored reconnaissance company) was used in armored units. It could be used either as an independent unit or as part of a Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung (armored reconnaissance battalion). The table of organization and equipment came into effect on 18 December 1943, where it replaced the 1 March 1942 version.

Summary

Unit outline

Manpower and equipment

The numbers in the table refer to the original organization. See the list of changes below.

Unit commandGruppe Führer
Look up term		 1st platoon 2nd platoon 3rd platoon Mortar sectionGranatwerfer-Gruppe
Look up term		 Motor vehicle maintenance sectionKraftfahrzeuginstandsetzungsgruppe
Look up term		 Combat trainGefechtstroß
Look up term		 Baggage trainGepäcktroß
Look up term		 Total
Personnel
Officers 1 1 1 - - - - - 3
Non-commissioned officers 5 9 9 10 3 4 4 1 45
Enlisted 11 34 34 34 15 9 9 3 149
Weapons
Rifles 14 24 24 24 8 12 11 4 121
Pistols 1 12 12 12 9 1 1 - 48
Submachine guns 5 12 12 12 5 - 1 - 47
Light machine guns 3 14 14 14 4 - - - 49
7,5 cm Kw K (L/24) - 1 1 1 - - - - 3
8 cm Granatwerfer 34 - - - - 2 - - - 2
Vehicles
Light cars 1 - - - - - 1 - 2
Open, cross-country, 2 ton truck1Alternatively Kfz 2/40. - - - - - 2 - - 2
Open, 3 ton truck - - - - - - - 1 1
Open, cross-country, 3 ton truck - - - - - - 3 - 3
Open, cross-country, 5 ton truck - - - - - 2 - - 2
Leichter Zugkraftwagen 3 ton (Sd Kfz 11) - - - - - 1 - - 1
Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/1) 1 7 7 7 - - - - 22
Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/3) 2 - - - - - - - 2
Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (8 cm Gr W 34) (Sd Kfz 250/7)22 of which do not have mortars. - - - - 4 - - - 4
Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (7,5 cm Kan) (Sd Kfz 250/8) - 1 1 1 - - - - 3
Light motorcycles 2 - - - - - - - 2
Kleines Kettenkraftrad (Sd Kfz 2)3Alternatively motorcycles with side cars. 2 - - - - - - - 2

Organization and Equipment

Full name: Panzer-Aufklärungskompanie (gepanzert)

Abbreviation: Panz Aufkl Kp (gp)

Number: 1113 (gp.)

Date: 1 November 1943

The following changes were made to the table of organization and equipment:

Date Change
2 May 1944 Company troop runner ceased also being voice radio operator.
12 July 1944
  • Each platoon changed from 12 rifles and 12 pistols to 18 rifles and 6 pistols.
  • 1 enlisted armored radio mechanic armed with a rifle was removed from the motor maintenance section.
  • 1 weapons sergeant helper started also being truck co-driver.
These changes increased the number of rifles from 121 to 148, and decreased the number of pistols from 60 to 42. They also decreased the number of enlisted men by 1.
  • Unit commandGruppe Führer
    Look up term
    • Officers
    • 1 company commanderKompanieführer
      Look up term       (Officer - K)
      • Submachine guns: 1
    • Company headquartersKompanietrupp
      Look up term
      • Non-commissioned officers
      • 1 Company headquarters leaderKompanietruppführer
        Look up term         (NCO - G)
      • 1 radio operatorFunker
        Look up term         (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 Leader of the company motor vehicle and motorcycle messengerKradmelder
        Look up term         groups         (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
        Look up term         (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
    • 1 medical sergeantSanitätsunteroffizier
      Look up term       (NCO - G)
      • Pistols: 1
      • Enlisted
      • 2 radio operatorFunker
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Until 2 May 1944: 1 also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
          Look up term
        • Rifles: 2
      • 1 messengerMelder
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
          Look up term
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 Ammunition handler (Enlisted - M)
        • Also secondary prime mover driver2. Kraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
          Look up term
        • Rifles: 1
      • 4 motorcycle messengerKraftradmelder
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Rifles: 4
        • Light motorcycles (350 cc): 2
        • Kleines Kettenkraftrad3Alternatively motorcycles with side cars.: 2
      • 1 car driverKraftwagenfahrer für Pkw.
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 2 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Rifles: 2
      • Equipment
      • 1 Light car (4 seats)
      • 1 Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/1)
        • For carrying equipment
        • Submachine guns: 1
        • Light machine guns: 1
      • 2 Leichter Funkpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/3)
        • Submachine guns: 2
        • Light machine guns: 2
  • 1st platoon
    • Officers
    • 1 platoon leaderZugführer
      Look up term       (Officer - Z)
      • Submachine guns: 1
    • platoon headquartersZugtrupp
      Look up term
      • Non-commissioned officers
      • 1 Platoon headquartersZugtrupp
        Look up term         leader         (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
          Look up term
        • Pistols: 1
      • 1 gun commanderGeschützführer
        Look up term         (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
          Look up term
        • Pistols: 1
      • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
        Look up term         (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
      • Enlisted
      • 1 armored vehicle crewmanPanzerschütze
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Pistols: 1
      • 1 messengerMelder
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
          Look up term
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 stretcher bearerKrankenträger
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • Pistols: 1
      • Equipment
      • 1 Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/1)
        • Submachine guns: 1
        • Light machine guns: 1
      • 1 Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (7,5 cm Kan) (Sd Kfz 250/8)
        • Submachine guns: 1
        • Light machine guns: 1
        • 7,5 cm Kw K (L/24): 1
    • 3 squadGruppe
      Look up term
      • Non-commissioned officers
      • 3 squad leaderGruppenführer
        Look up term         (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
          Look up term
        • Submachine guns: 3
      • 3 Deputy squad leaderGruppenführer
        Look up term         (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
          Look up term
        • Rifles: 3
      • Enlisted
      • 24 machine gunnerMaschinengewehrschütze
        Look up term         and riflemanSchütze
        Look up term         (Enlisted - M)
        • From 12 July 1944: 18 rifles and 6 pistols
        • Rifles: 12
        • Pistols: 12
      • Equipment
      • 6 Light machine guns
      • 6 Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/1)
        • Submachine guns: 6
        • Light machine guns: 6
  • 2nd platoon (as 1st platoon)
  • 3rd platoon (as 1st platoon, but with NCO (O) platoon leaderZugführer
    Look up term    )
  • mortar sectionGranatwerfer-Gruppe
    Look up term
    • Non-commissioned officers
    • 1 squad leaderGruppenführer
      Look up term       (NCO - G)
      • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
        Look up term
      • Submachine guns: 1
    • 2 team leaderTruppführer
      Look up term       (NCO - G)
      • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
        Look up term
      • Pistols: 2
    • Enlisted
    • 10 Mortar crewmen (Enlisted - M)
      • 2 also mortar commanderWerferführer
        Look up term        , 2 also telephone operatorFernsprecher
        Look up term         operator of which one is also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
        Look up term
      • Rifles: 4
      • Pistols: 6
    • 1 range finderEntfernungsmesser
      Look up term       operator       (Enlisted - M)
      • Pistols: 1
    • 4 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Rifles: 4
    • Equipment
    • 2 Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (8 cm Gr W 34) (Sd Kfz 250/7)
      • Submachine guns: 2
      • Light machine guns: 2
      • 8 cm Granatwerfer 34: 2
    • 1 Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/7)
      • For squad leaderGruppenführer
        Look up term        . Without mortar.
      • Submachine guns: 1
      • Light machine guns: 1
    • 1 Leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 250/7)
      • For ammunition. Without mortar.
      • Submachine guns: 1
      • Light machine guns: 1
  • motor vehicle maintenance sectionKraftfahrzeuginstandsetzungsgruppe
    Look up term
    • Non-commissioned officers
    • 1 harness sergeantSchirrmeister
      Look up term       (NCO - O)
      • Also section leader
      • Pistols: 1
    • 2 armored vehicle mechanicPanzerwart
      Look up term       (NCO - G)
      • Rifles: 2
    • 1 armored vehicle radio mechanicPanzerfunkwart
      Look up term       (NCO - G)
      • Rifles: 1
    • Enlisted
    • 5 armored vehicle mechanicPanzerwart
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • 1 also truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
        Look up term
      • Rifles: 5
    • 1 armored vehicle radio mechanicPanzerfunkwart
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Removed from 12 July 1944 onwards
      • Pistols: 3
    • 2 truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Pistols: 2
    • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Pistols: 1
    • Equipment
    • 1 Open, cross-country, 2 ton truck1Alternatively Kfz 2/40.
      • Equipped for motor vehicle maintenance
    • 1 Open, cross-country, 5 ton truck
      • For spare parts
    • 1 Open, cross-country, 5 ton truck
      • For maintenance equipment. Equipped for motor vehicle maintenance.
    • 1 Leichter Zugkraftwagen 3 ton (Sd Kfz 11)
  • combat trainGefechtstroß
    Look up term
    • Non-commissioned officers
    • 1 first sergeantHauptfeldwebel
      Look up term       (NCO - O)
      • Submachine guns: 1
    • 1 weapons sergeantWaffenunteroffizier
      Look up term       (NCO - O)
      • Pistols: 1
    • 1 equipment sergeantGerätunteroffizier
      Look up term       (NCO - G)
      • Also Combat trainGefechtstroß
        Look up term         leader
      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 field kitchen sergeantFeldkochunteroffizier
      Look up term       (NCO - G)
      • Also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
        Look up term
      • Rifles: 1
    • Enlisted
    • 2 assistant armorerWaffenmeistergehilfe
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • From 12 July 1944: 1 also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
        Look up term
      • Rifles: 2
    • 1 writing clerkSchreiber
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
        Look up term
      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 Ammunition and equipment handler (Enlisted - M)
      • Also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
        Look up term
      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 field kitchen cookFeldkoch
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 car driverKraftwagenfahrer für Pkw.
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Rifles: 1
    • 3 truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
      Look up term       (Enlisted - M)
      • Rifles: 3
    • Equipment
    • 1 Light, cross-country car (4 seats)
    • 1 Open, cross-country, 3 ton truck
      • For fuel
    • 1 Open, cross-country, 3 ton truck
      • For ammunition
    • 1 Open, cross-country, 3 ton truck
      • For large field kitchen cooker

Remarks

  • 10 company members were to be designated as auxiliary stretcher bearerHilfskrankenträger
    Look up term    .
  • Of the 45 NCOs, 3 were Oberfeldwebeltechnical sergeant
    Look up term     and 8 Feldwebelstaff sergeant
    Look up term    .
  • The company was to have a gas detection teamGasspürtrupp
    Look up term     consisting of 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 enlisted.
  • When in occupied territory, 3 of the enlisted positions in the Combat trainGefechtstroß
    Look up term     were to be manned by volunteer from occupied countryHilfswillig
    Look up term     personnel. The positions to be filled were at the discretion of the unit commander.

Notes

  1. Alternatively Kfz 2/40. Back
  2. 2 of which do not have mortars. Back
  3. Alternatively motorcycles with side cars. Back

Sources

  1. Panzer-Aufklärungskompanie (gepanzert) (Panz.Aufkl.Kp.(gp.)). Berlin : AHA, 1943. 4 p. K St N 1113 (gp.), 1.11.1943. NARA T78 R393.
  2. Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen : Elfter Jahrgang 1944. Berlin : Oberkommando des Heeres, 1944. BArch RH 1/167.