Sicherungs-Divisionen

Sicherungs-Divisionen (Security divisions) were first formed in early 1941 for the upcoming
Russian campaign, partly by reorganizing existing divisions of the 3rd wave -Landwehr divisions
(Divisionen der 3. Welle - Landwehrdivisionen).

They were intended to secure the rear army area, where they were subordinate to the
commander of the rear army area. Some security divisions were later assigned to the armies.

Gliederung

The structure of the security division was actually largely uniform, although the number of
subordinate security troops and command offices varied. The typical structure goes something like
this:

-Divisional staff with motorcycle reporting platoon (Divisionsstab mit Kradmeldezug), intelligence
platoon - motorized (Nachrichtenzug (mot.)) and field intelligence command (Feldnachrichten-
Kommandantur)

-Group Secret Field Police (Gruppe Geheime Feldpolizei)

-Infantry regiment (Infanterie-Regiment) in the normal structure with slight differences in the
armament

-Artillery department with three batteries (Le. F.H, partly also field cannons)

Inf.Rgt. and Art. Dept. were considered an intervention force (Eingreiftruppe) that was intended
to be used in key areas (Schwerpunkten), but was often used as a front-line force.

-State Rifle Regimental Staff (Landesschützen-Regimentsstab) with

-1 guard battalion (Wachbataillon) with 4 companies (4 Kompanien).

-3 to 4 state rifle battalions of different structures(Landesschützenbataillonen unterschiedlicher

Gliederung) with3 to 5 companies.

-1 police battalion (Polizei-Bataillon) with 4 companies, motorized - only subordinated for

operations.

The state rifle units were later renamed security units (Sicherungseinheiten).

-2-3 field commanders (with field gendarmerie squad) Feldkommandanturen (mit

Feldgendarmerietrupp).

-6-10 local commandants - of different types (Ortskommandanturen unterschiedlichen Typs) -

with field gendarmerie squad (Feldgendarmerietrupp).

-2-3 prisoner of war transit camp (Kriegsgefangenen-Durchgangslager - Dulag).

-Supply department (Nachschub-Abteilung) with a supply company (Nachschub-Kompanie), 2

horse-drawn (bespannten) and 2 motorized columns (mot. Kolonnen).
-Medical company Sanitätskompanie

-Ambulance train Krankenkraftwagenzug

-Divisional food office Divisions-Verpflegungsamt

-Field Bakery Company Feldbäckerei-Kompanie

-Slaughter platoon or company Schlächtereizug oder - Kompanie

-Field post office Feldpostamt

In many cases, units made up of Eastern volunteers (Ostfreiwilligen) were added later.

From 1942 onwards, most security divisions (Sicherungs-Divisionen) also had one or two captured
tank companies (Beutepanzer-Kompanien).

Beutepanzer (T-34/76 Obr 1941)