German Bundeswehr Panzergrenadier Battalion (IFV), 1959–1967

Panzergrenadiers of the German Bundeswehr.

In 1958 the West German Bundeswehr adopted the Heerestruktur 2 organisation. New Schützenpanzer HS 30 APCs were licensed from the Swiss firm Hispano Suiza, and manufactured in Britain and Germany, to serve as a fully tracked and amoured infantry section transport of the Panzergrenadiers (SPz). The HS 30 was well armed with a 20 mm automatic cannon and MG 7.62 mm which provided effective fire support for M47 and M48 Main Battles Tanks in combined arms operations. Each Panzergrenadierzug (SPz) had one HS 30 APC with a 106 mm Recoilless Anti-Tank Rifle attached at the platoon level. The picture shows Bundeswehr Panzergrenadiers using Unimog S404B light trucks as temporary section transport until their new Schützenpanzer HS 30 arrive.

Bundeswehr Panzergrenadierbataillon (SPz), 1959–1967

  • Stab (Battalion HQ)
  • 1. Stabs- und Versorgungskompanie (HQ Company)
    • Fernmeldezug (Signals)
    • Versorgungsstaffel (Supply & Logistics)
  • 2. Panzergrenadierkompanie (Mechanized Infantry Company)
    • Kompanietrupp (Company HQ Party)
      • Lkw 0.25 t (Jeep)
      • 3 Kräder (Motorcycles)
      • Schützenpanzer HS 30 APC with 20 mm Cannon
    • 1. Zug (Platoon)
      • Schützenpanzer HS 30 APC with 20 mm Cannon
      • Schützenpanzer HS 30 APC with 20 mm Cannon
      • Schützenpanzer HS 30 APC with 20 mm Cannon
      • Schützenpanzer HS 30 APC with 20 mm Cannon
      • SPz HS 30 APC with 20 mm Cannon and 106 mm Recoilless
    • 2. Zug, as above
    • 3. Zug, as above
    • Kompaniefeldwebeltrupp (CSM’s Party)
      • Lkw 0.25 t (Jeep)
      • Lkw 1.5 t (Radio Truck)
      • Lkw 5 t (Supply Truck)
  • 3. Panzergrenadierkompanie, as above
  • 4. Panzergrenadierkompanie, as above
  • 5. (schwere) Kompanie (Heavy Weapons Company)
    • Kompanieführungsgruppe
      • Feuerleitpanzer HS 30 Type 81-3, FOO vehicle
      • Feuerleitpanzer HS 30 Type 81-3, FOO vehicle
    • Mörserzug 81 mm (Mortar Platoon)
      • Schützenpanzer HS 30 Type 12-3 or Type 21-3, platoon leader
      • Panzermörser 81 mm HS 30 Type 51-3
      • Panzermörser 81 mm HS 30 Type 51-3
      • Panzermörser 81 mm HS 30 Type 51-3
      • Panzermörser 81 mm HS 30 Type 51-3
      • Panzermörser 81 mm HS 30 Type 51-3
      • Panzermörser 81 mm HS 30 Type 51-3
    • Mörserzug 120 mm (Mortar Platoon)
      • Schützenpanzer HS 30 Type 12-3 or Type 21-3, platoon leader
      • Panzermörser 120 mm HS 30 Type 52-3
      • Panzermörser 120 mm HS 30 Type 52-3
      • Panzermörser 120 mm HS 30 Type 52-3
      • Panzermörser 120 mm HS 30 Type 52-3
      • Panzermörser 120 mm HS 30 Type 52-3
      • Panzermörser 120 mm HS 30 Type 52-3
    • Panzerjägerzug M41 (Tank Destroyer Platoon)
      • Leichter Kampfpanzer M41 light Tank
      • Leichter Kampfpanzer M41 light Tank
      • Leichter Kampfpanzer M41 light Tank
      • Leichter Kampfpanzer M41 light Tank
      • Leichter Kampfpanzer M41 light Tank

The Schützenpanzer HS 30 APC had significant mechanical problems initially, which reduced the combat-readyness of the Panzergrenadierbataillon (SPz). The problems were eventually solved, but after 1966 the HS 30 was no longer capable of following and supporting the new Leopard main battle tank in action.

Cold War Miniatures