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
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1st platoon 2nd platoon 3rd platoon Mortar sectionGranatwerfer-Gruppe
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Motor vehicle maintenance sectionKraftfahrzeuginstandsetzungsgruppe
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Combat trainGefechtstroß
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Baggage trainGepäcktroß
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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
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    • Officers
    • 1 company commanderKompanieführer
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      (Officer - K)
      • Submachine guns: 1
    • Company headquartersKompanietrupp
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      • Non-commissioned officers
      • 1 Company headquarters leaderKompanietruppführer
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        (NCO - G)
      • 1 radio operatorFunker
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        (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 Leader of the company motor vehicle and motorcycle messengerKradmelder
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        groups
        (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
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        (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
    • 1 medical sergeantSanitätsunteroffizier
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      (NCO - G)
      • Pistols: 1
      • Enlisted
      • 2 radio operatorFunker
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        (Enlisted - M)
        • Until 2 May 1944: 1 also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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        • Rifles: 2
      • 1 messengerMelder
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        (Enlisted - M)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 Ammunition handler (Enlisted - M)
        • Also secondary prime mover driver2. Kraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
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        • Rifles: 1
      • 4 motorcycle messengerKraftradmelder
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        (Enlisted - M)
        • Rifles: 4
        • Light motorcycles (350 cc): 2
        • Kleines Kettenkraftrad3Alternatively motorcycles with side cars.: 2
      • 1 car driverKraftwagenfahrer für Pkw.
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        (Enlisted - M)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 2 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
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        (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
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      (Officer - Z)
      • Submachine guns: 1
    • platoon headquartersZugtrupp
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      • Non-commissioned officers
      • 1 Platoon headquartersZugtrupp
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        leader
        (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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        • Pistols: 1
      • 1 gun commanderGeschützführer
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        (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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        • Pistols: 1
      • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
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        (NCO - G)
        • Rifles: 1
      • Enlisted
      • 1 armored vehicle crewmanPanzerschütze
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        (Enlisted - M)
        • Pistols: 1
      • 1 messengerMelder
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        (Enlisted - M)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
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        (Enlisted - M)
        • Rifles: 1
      • 1 stretcher bearerKrankenträger
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        (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
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      • Non-commissioned officers
      • 3 squad leaderGruppenführer
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        (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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        • Submachine guns: 3
      • 3 Deputy squad leaderGruppenführer
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        (NCO - G)
        • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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        • Rifles: 3
      • Enlisted
      • 24 machine gunnerMaschinengewehrschütze
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        and riflemanSchütze
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        (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
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    )
  • mortar sectionGranatwerfer-Gruppe
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    • Non-commissioned officers
    • 1 squad leaderGruppenführer
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      (NCO - G)
      • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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      • Submachine guns: 1
    • 2 team leaderTruppführer
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      (NCO - G)
      • Also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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      • Pistols: 2
    • Enlisted
    • 10 Mortar crewmen (Enlisted - M)
      • 2 also mortar commanderWerferführer
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        , 2 also telephone operatorFernsprecher
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        operator of which one is also voice radio operatorSprechfunker
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      • Rifles: 4
      • Pistols: 6
    • 1 range finderEntfernungsmesser
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      operator
      (Enlisted - M)
      • Pistols: 1
    • 4 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
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      (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
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        . 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
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    • Non-commissioned officers
    • 1 harness sergeantSchirrmeister
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      (NCO - O)
      • Also section leader
      • Pistols: 1
    • 2 armored vehicle mechanicPanzerwart
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      (NCO - G)
      • Rifles: 2
    • 1 armored vehicle radio mechanicPanzerfunkwart
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      (NCO - G)
      • Rifles: 1
    • Enlisted
    • 5 armored vehicle mechanicPanzerwart
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      (Enlisted - M)
      • 1 also truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
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      • Rifles: 5
    • 1 armored vehicle radio mechanicPanzerfunkwart
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      (Enlisted - M)
      • Removed from 12 July 1944 onwards
      • Pistols: 3
    • 2 truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
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      (Enlisted - M)
      • Pistols: 2
    • 1 prime mover driverKraftwagenfahrer für Zgkw.
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      (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
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    • Non-commissioned officers
    • 1 first sergeantHauptfeldwebel
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      (NCO - O)
      • Submachine guns: 1
    • 1 weapons sergeantWaffenunteroffizier
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      (NCO - O)
      • Pistols: 1
    • 1 equipment sergeantGerätunteroffizier
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      (NCO - G)
      • Also Combat trainGefechtstroß
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        leader
      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 field kitchen sergeantFeldkochunteroffizier
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      (NCO - G)
      • Also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
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      • Rifles: 1
    • Enlisted
    • 2 assistant armorerWaffenmeistergehilfe
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      (Enlisted - M)
      • From 12 July 1944: 1 also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
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      • Rifles: 2
    • 1 writing clerkSchreiber
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      (Enlisted - M)
      • Also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
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      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 Ammunition and equipment handler (Enlisted - M)
      • Also secondary truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
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      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 field kitchen cookFeldkoch
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      (Enlisted - M)
      • Rifles: 1
    • 1 car driverKraftwagenfahrer für Pkw.
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      (Enlisted - M)
      • Rifles: 1
    • 3 truck driverKraftwagenfahrer für Lkw.
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      (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
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    .
  • Of the 45 NCOs, 3 were Oberfeldwebeltechnical sergeant
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    and 8 Feldwebelstaff sergeant
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    .
  • The company was to have a gas detection teamGasspürtrupp
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    consisting of 1 non-commissioned officer and 3 enlisted.
  • When in occupied territory, 3 of the enlisted positions in the Combat trainGefechtstroß
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    were to be manned by volunteer from occupied countryHilfswillig
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    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.