Grossdeutschland

Very few military collectors who are interested in World War II fail to recognize the “elite" “Division Grossdeutschland” of the German Wehrmacht. In fact, this elite unit was thought by many intelligence personnel to be a part of the Waffen-SS, since it had such acclaim by the Germans . Although most of us recognize the division, few can trace the development of it, and questions about the history of this unique unit remain unanswered. Where did its high esprit come from? Why did the German people continue to have such a high regard for this division? This article will serve to acquaint the reader with the early years of "Grossdeutschland", which grew from the first elite unit in Berlin.

The first effort to form an elite Guard", or “Watch” unit in Berlin occurred in the early spring of 1921. This unit, called "Wachregiment Berlin", was disbanded on June 19, 1921, due to the strong anti-military feeling and political pressures prevalent throughout Germany in the twenties.

After a number of years, on the 31st of August 1934,a second attempt to form a guard unit met with more success. This unit, called "Wachtruppe Berlin", was to become the famed “Grossdeutschland" of later years. "Wachtruppe Berlin" was created with seven infantry companies, a machinegun company and an artillery battery, and it was garrisoned at the Berlin-Moabit Kaserne. Each of the companies was formed of personnel from a diferent division of the peace—time “Reichswehr"; thus was established a unique structure within the German Army, each company of “Wachtruppe Berlin" came from a different division, and thus from a different part of the country. Up to this time, the German Army consisted of divisions, each from a different province or state. This was the first unit in the history of Germany to be formed with personel from all parts of the country. The troops in each company were chosen from the best soldiers in their division and they were rotated back to their original unit on a quarterly basis. The companies were designated "1./Wachtruppe Berlin", "2./Wachtruppe Berlin" etc. All personnel continued to wear the numerals of their parent regiment on their shoulder boards; there was no distinctive insignia authorized for the "Wachtruppe”

.

In the fall of 1936, a “Stabskompanie” (Headquarters Company) was added to the "Wachtruppe"; it consisted of a "Nachrichtenzug" and two "Musikkorps" (Signal Platoon and Bands), the latter were for ceremonial purposes. At the same time, the "Wachtruppe" lost its artillery, the battery was transferred to Juterborg as a demonstration unit for the artillery school. The command of the "Wachtruppe" changed three times during this period; with Generalmajor von Keiser commanding until October 1935, Oberst Freiherr von und zu Gilsa commanding until October 1936 and Oberst von Alten commanding through the next changes.

On the 23rd of June, 1937, "Wachtruppe Berlin” was reorganized into "Wachregiment Berlin" and the officers and non-commisioned officers were now rotated on a yearly basis. One half were exchanged each spring, one half each fall for continuity purposes. The enlisted men were rotated each six-months. The companies continued to be formed from each of the seven divisions of the "Heer"; thus continuing to have their unique territorial association.

Each home province took special painsto be sure that “its” company in Berlin was well taken care of, the companies from Bavaria (the 6th and 7th) were shipped native beer and sausage from from Munich, for example. There was a high spirit of competition between companies, each striving to outshine the others. All personnel of the “Wachregiment" were now identified by a gothic “W" on their shoulder boards; this was embroidered in white for enlisted men, in white metal for NCO’s and in gold metal for officers. It should be stressed that this regiment was a highly special unit; all members were specially chosen and it was the elite unit of the entire German Army.

On the 12th of June, 1939, "Wachregiment Berlin" officially became "Infanterie-Regiment Grossdeutschland". By order, the last rotation of replacements took place in May, recruiting was to start immediately; the new regiment was to be selfsufficient in replacing personnel. Recruits were sought from all parts of Germany, in order to maintain the unique structure of the unit, as representing all of Germany. An order of June 27, 1939, authorized the first distinctive insignia for the new unit; this was a "cufftitle" or "cuffband", to be worn on the lower right sleeve by all personnel. It was green, with the wording, "`Inf. Reg. Grossdeutschland", in silver. In September, 1939, when the Polish campaign started, the new regiment was still largely untrained; personnel were being trained, both by the regiment at the Berlin-Moabit Kaserne, and by the "Infanterie-Lehr-Bataillon" (Infantry Instruction Battalion) at Doeberitz. Personnel of the regiment were hurriedly assembled, and the regiment took part in the latter part of the Polish Campaign as reararea security troops, still undergoing training.

Immediately after the conclusion of the campaign in Poland, in October of 1939, “Infanterie-Regiment Grossdeutschland" was reorganized and brought up to strength to get ready for the planned campaign in France. The regiment was reorganized under the command of Oberst von Stockhausen, with four battalions. “l. Bataillon” was organized with three infantry and one machinegun company. "II. Bataillon" was formed from the II.Btl./Inf.Regt.92,
identically to the first battalion. “III. Batallon” was formed from the mass of personnel of the “lnfanterie-Lehr-Regiment", again identical to the first and second battalions. “IV-Bataillon" was a heavy weapons battalion, formed with three companies of the remaining personnel of the “Infanterie-Lehr-Regiment”. The 13th company was equipped with light infantry guns, the 14th company was an anti-tank company while the 15th was equipped with heavy infantry weapons. In the following months, preceding the French Campaign, “Infanterie-Regiment "GD" was busy training with its new organization and personnel, and its new equipment, in order to become
fully operational.

James M. Stuart, "Grossdeutschland", Militaria, vol.1, No.3, c. 1968