The German Infantry Tank Destroyer Battalions (Panzerzerstörer) were formed in the fall of 1943 around the new R.Pz.B.54 (panzerschreck) weapon. On September 8th 1943
OKH/GenStdH/Org.Abt. issued order Nr. I/3965/43 g.K. v.8.9.43, titled Equipment of the Troops with new anti-tank weapons ("Ofenrohr" und "Puppchen").
The orders indicated that 10 battalions were to be raised on the Eastern Front. Additionally orders (Nr.5270/43 g.Kdos) from
Chef H Rüst u.BdE/AHA/Ia (II) dated October 5th titled Creation of Tank Destroyer Units and Equipment of Infantry with R Pz B 54 specifically
mentioned the battalions to be raised. These would be designated Panzerzerstörerbataillon and were numbered from 470 to 479.
Organization of Tank Destroyer Battalions
The battalion organization consisted of a Battalion Headquarter Staff, K.St.N. 119, and three Tank Destroyer Companies, K.St.N. 154. The total
number of men fielded by the battalion would be 9 officers, 1 civil servant, 53 NCO’s and 494 enlisted for a total of 557. The specific K.St.N.
are as follows:
- Stab gem.KStN u.KAN Nr.119 v.28.9.43
- Kp. gem.KStN u.KAN Nr.154 v.28.9.43 (x3)
This set consists of copies of the original documents of the two K.St.N. The set is 9 pages and < 10 MB in size. It can be purchased below.
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