6th PzD - OOB Question - Stalingrad

[Ricky B]

31 vehicles was the max for any StuG battalion until 44. The 31 vehicle battalion was only established in Nov 42. (From about 21 previously) Three companies with ten AFVs, plus one for the battalion commander. In Nov 42 there were 20 Battalions. 347 operational, 101 under repair. By December 28 there were 27 battalions. 315 operational and 127 under repair. Production of the long barrelled StuG's had increased from 3 in march 42, to 100 in November. All these numbers, the expansion the Sturm artillerie, and the replacement of losses and the earlier models, makes it hard for me to think that there might be one super battalion shipped out to Hoth.

Agreed on the numbers in a battalion. Another point, the 31 StuG count was authorized in Nov 42, but according to Nafziger's Panzers and Artillery volume, covering the StuG units, they didn't get their additional vehicles until Feb/Mar, which would leave the battalions at around 21 (23 at full strength I believe) in Dec. Based on this, the only way Raus would be correct is if there was a second battalion of unknown designation assigned in close conjunction with the unit Raus mentions - that would easily account for the total he gave of 42, double the 21.

Rick