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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Panther

A World War Two German Panther company could have as few as ten tanks and as many as twenty-two tanks.

10 Tank Panzer Company
Company Headquarters: 1 Panther tank, 4 light vehicles
1st Tank Platoon: 3 Panther tanks
2nd Tank Platoon: 3 Panther tanks
3rd Tank Platoon: 3 Panther tanks

17 Tank Panzer Company
Company Headquarters: 2 Panther tanks, 4 light vehicles
1st Tank Platoon: 5 Panther tanks
2nd Tank Platoon: 5 Panther tanks
3rd Tank Platoon: 5 Panther tanks

22 Tank Panzer Company
Company Headquarters: - 2 Panther tanks, 4 light vehicles
1st Panzer Platoon: 5 Panther tanks
2nd Panzer Platoon: 5 Panther tanks
3rd Panzer Platoon: 5 Panther tanks
4th Panzer Platoon: 5 Panther tanks


The actual TO&E was supposed to be 22 tanks. Typically when units were deployed they started with 22 tanks. As the unit would sustain losses they would reorganize into the smaller company sizes. If units were formed or re-formed and not enough tanks were available, they would use the smaller TO&E.

4 comments:

Karcuss said...

you missed out

the Command panther or two command
and three platoons of four, as that is what i go for (13-14) which seems to be the right balance.
But as i'm going late late war (1946)
I like 10 Panthers or Panzer IVs

and Jagdpanzers and Jagd(others) in Companies of five (seven)
as in Command and then two platoons of two (or three)

Karcuss said...

also If you don't have PANZERTRUPPEN vol.II get it
gret big reference with phots and diagrams etc,
as it will give 1944 and 1945 t/oe and show (10) (13-14) (17) as well as suppossed to be (22),
But seems more about balance and reality of combat than a lack of vechiles, as there were Kampfgruppes propping up everywhere, and companies in most division's (panzer grnadier's and some Infantry unit's building up to effective all arms units)and more a fuel problem and moving trains around.
As you only need to get a reference to what those krauts were building (Production Numbers)

Mike Bunkermeister Creek said...

Yes, the 14 tank company is another valid option.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek said...

PANZERTRUPPEN vol II is an excellent work. I have it in my collection and have greatly enjoyed it.