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Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 11:03 pm
by Ratzki
I know that Aufklarungs are recon troops and Jagers are light infantry, but Fusiliers turned up at about the same time as the infantry divisions were renamed Grenadier divisions. What was the Fusiliers function? I can't seem to find a clear answer.
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 2:31 am
by sPzAbt653
Fusilier: An historic German term often used to refer to heavy infantry units, original referring to the type of weapon carried of the same name. During WWII used to name infantry formations with some recon abilities that replaced an infantry division's recon battalion mid-war when the Germans reduced the number of standard infantry battalions in their divisions from 9 to 6.
Sorry but can't tell you were I got this from, I had it in one of my scenario notes.
Wiki also has a full page on Fusilier's by country.
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 11:11 pm
by Ratzki
Yes, thanks. I have seen them listed as the 7th Battalion in a two Regiment Division. So they must act as a dual role recon/Infantry Battalion depending on the need. Their equipment seems to be similar to a standard Infantry Battalion.
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 12:23 pm
by Poopyhead
In 1943 the Wehrmacht established Fusilier battalions that consisted of infantry and recon companies. The title was largely a traditional listing and the title was removed in 1945.
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 1:55 pm
by rico21
I found no trace of German units bearing the name of riflemen during the Second World War.
The German infantry units are organized around the use of machine guns, the term fusilier seems to me to be an anglicism on forums that do not cite the sources confirming this term.
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 11:58 pm
by Ratzki
According to a website i was browsing the Fusilier battalion came into being in 43 and they were issued bicycles and had pretty much the same equipment that an infantry battalion was given. This backs up what has been stated above, thanks guys.
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 7:05 am
by rico21
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 11:31 am
by MrRoadrunner
Wiki does have this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusilier#Germany
In World War II the elite German Division Großdeutschland contained a regiment titled Panzerfüsiliere ('Armoured Fusiliers'), to maintain the old German traditions. This was again titular, as in organisation, appearance and tactical use they were essentially Panzergrenadiere. The modern German Army has no fusiliers.
RR
RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:55 am
by sPzAbt653
the term fusilier seems to me to be an anglicism on forums that do not cite the sources confirming this term.
Here's a pretty good source, Niehorster :

RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:09 am
by rico21
Thanks for sharing [&o]
BUT
Attached looks like an anglicism [:D]

RE: Question about German WW2 OOB
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:30 am
by sPzAbt653
You better call Prussia and tell them.
