German Army WW2 Names: A Comprehensive Guide

The German Army in World War II, also known as the Wehrmacht, was a formidable fighting force with a rich history and legacy. It was comprised of various branches, including the Heer (Army), Kriegsmarine (Navy), and Luftwaffe (Air Force). This guide explores the names of these units, their structures, and the meanings behind them. Discover the historical significance and intriguing origins of these names, providing insights into the organization and strategy of the German military during the war.
1. **Wehrmacht:** "Defense force", a collective term for the German armed forces during the Nazi era.
2. **Heer:** "Army", the land forces of the Wehrmacht.
3. **Kriegsmarine:** "War Navy", the naval forces of the Wehrmacht.
4. **Luftwaffe:** "Air Force", the air forces of the Wehrmacht.
5. **Panzerwaffe:** "Armored Forces", the tank forces of the Heer.
6. **Waffen-SS:** "Armed SS", a paramilitary organization that served alongside the Wehrmacht.
7. **Feldgendarmerie:** "Field Gendarmerie", the military police of the Wehrmacht.
8. **Fallschirmjäger:** "Parachute Troopers", elite airborne infantry units of the Heer.
9. **Gebirgsjäger:** "Mountain Hunters", specialized infantry units trained for mountain warfare.
10. **Grenadier:** "Grenadier", infantry regiments equipped with grenades and mortars.
11. **Jäger:** "Hunter", light infantry units typically deployed for reconnaissance and skirmishing.
12. **Panzergrenadier:** "Armored Grenadier", mechanized infantry units that supported tank operations.
13. **Panzerdivision:** "Panzer Division", a large formation of armored units, typically consisting of several Panzer regiments.
14. **Infanterie-Division:** "Infantry Division", a standard infantry formation of the Heer.
15. **Artillerie-Regiment:** "Artillery Regiment", units responsible for providing artillery support.
16. **Flak-Regiment:** "Anti-Aircraft Regiment", units tasked with defending against air attacks.
17. **Pionier-Bataillon:** "Pioneer Battalion", engineering units responsible for bridge building, mine clearance, and other tasks.
18. **Nachrichten-Regiment:** "Signal Regiment", units responsible for communications and intelligence gathering.
19. **Sanitäts-Regiment:** "Medical Regiment", units providing medical care to soldiers.
20. **Feldpost:** "Field Mail", the military postal service of the Wehrmacht.
21. **Heeresgruppe:** "Army Group", the largest formation of the Heer, typically comprising multiple armies.
22. **Panzergruppe:** "Panzer Group", a formation of multiple Panzer divisions.
23. **Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW):** "High Command of the Armed Forces", the supreme command of the Wehrmacht.
24. **Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH):** "High Command of the Army", the supreme command of the Heer.
25. **Kommando der Kriegsmarine:** "Command of the Navy", the supreme command of the Kriegsmarine.
26. **Kommando der Luftwaffe:** "Command of the Air Force", the supreme command of the Luftwaffe.
27. **Generalfeldmarschall:** "Field Marshal", the highest rank in the Wehrmacht.
28. **Generaloberst:** "Colonel General", the second highest rank in the Wehrmacht.
29. **General der Infanterie:** "General of Infantry", the highest rank for infantry officers.
30. **General der Panzertruppe:** "General of Panzer Troops", the highest rank for armored forces officers.
31. **General der Flieger:** "General of Aviation", the highest rank for Luftwaffe officers.
32. **Admiral:** "Admiral", the highest rank in the Kriegsmarine.
33. **SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer:** "SS Senior Group Leader", the highest rank in the Waffen-SS.
34. **SS-Obergruppenführer:** "SS Group Leader", a high-ranking officer in the Waffen-SS.
35. **SS-Gruppenführer:** "SS Group Leader", a senior officer in the Waffen-SS.
36. **SS-Brigadeführer:** "SS Brigade Leader", a mid-level officer in the Waffen-SS.
37. **SS-Standartenführer:** "SS Standard Leader", a junior officer in the Waffen-SS.
38. **Panzerkampfwagen:** "Armored Fighting Vehicle", a general term for tanks used by the German Army.
39. **Tiger I:** "Tiger I", a heavy tank used by the German Army.
40. **Panther:** "Panther", a medium tank used by the German Army.
41. **StuG III:** "Assault Gun III", a self-propelled artillery gun used by the German Army.
42. **Flak 88:** "88mm Flak", an anti-aircraft gun that was also used as an anti-tank weapon.
43. **MG 42:** "Machine Gun 42", a general-purpose machine gun used by the German Army.
44. **Sturmgewehr 44:** "Assault Rifle 44", an early assault rifle developed by the German Army.
45. **Panzerfaust:** "Panzer Fist", a single-shot anti-tank rocket launcher used by the German Army.
46. **Panzerschreck:** "Tank Terror", a single-shot anti-tank rocket launcher used by the German Army.
47. **Luftwaffe I:** "Luftwaffe I", a designation used for early Luftwaffe fighter aircraft.
48. **Luftwaffe II:** "Luftwaffe II", a designation used for later Luftwaffe fighter aircraft.
49. **Messerschmitt Bf 109:** "Messerschmitt Bf 109", a fighter aircraft widely used by the Luftwaffe.
50. **Focke-Wulf Fw 190:** "Focke-Wulf Fw 190", a fighter aircraft widely used by the Luftwaffe.
51. **Heinkel He 111:** "Heinkel He 111", a bomber aircraft widely used by the Luftwaffe.
52. **Junkers Ju 87:** "Junkers Ju 87", a dive bomber aircraft widely used by the Luftwaffe.
53. **Dornier Do 17:** "Dornier Do 17", a bomber aircraft widely used by the Luftwaffe.
54. **Heinkel He 177:** "Heinkel He 177", a heavy bomber aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.
55. **Junkers Ju 88:** "Junkers Ju 88", a bomber aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.
56. **Junkers Ju 52:** "Junkers Ju 52", a transport aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.
57. **Messerschmitt Me 262:** "Messerschmitt Me 262", a jet fighter aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.
58. **Arado Ar 234:** "Arado Ar 234", a jet bomber aircraft used by the Luftwaffe.
59. **U-Boot:** "Undersea Boat", a submarine used by the Kriegsmarine.
60. **Kriegsmarine I:** "Kriegsmarine I", a designation used for early Kriegsmarine vessels.
61. **Kriegsmarine II:** "Kriegsmarine II", a designation used for later Kriegsmarine vessels.
62. **Bismarck:** "Bismarck", a battleship used by the Kriegsmarine.
63. **Tirpitz:** "Tirpitz", a battleship used by the Kriegsmarine.
64. **Scharnhorst:** "Scharnhorst", a battlecruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
65. **Gneisenau:** "Gneisenau", a battlecruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
66. **Prinz Eugen:** "Prince Eugen", a heavy cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
67. **Admiral Hipper:** "Admiral Hipper", a heavy cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
68. **Deutschland:** "Germany", a heavy cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
69. **Admiral Scheer:** "Admiral Scheer", a heavy cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
70. **Köln:** "Cologne", a light cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
71. **Leipzig:** "Leipzig", a light cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
72. **Nürnberg:** "Nuremberg", a light cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
73. **Emden:** "Emden", a light cruiser used by the Kriegsmarine.
74. **Z-39:** "Z-39", a destroyer used by the Kriegsmarine.
75. **U-96:** "U-96", a type VII U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
76. **U-559:** "U-559", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
77. **U-47:** "U-47", a type VII U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
78. **U-206:** "U-206", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
79. **U-250:** "U-250", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
80. **U-110:** "U-110", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
81. **U-100:** "U-100", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
82. **U-60:** "U-60", a type VII U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
83. **U-74:** "U-74", a type VII U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
84. **U-571:** "U-571", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
85. **U-333:** "U-333", a type VII U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
86. **U-1105:** "U-1105", a type VIIC U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
87. **U-511:** "U-511", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
88. **U-1206:** "U-1206", a type IXC U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
89. **U-1103:** "U-1103", a type VIIC U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
90. **U-99:** "U-99", a type VII U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
91. **U-124:** "U-124", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
92. **U-1101:** "U-1101", a type VIIC U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
93. **U-978:** "U-978", a type IXC U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
94. **U-1102:** "U-1102", a type VIIC U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
95. **U-106:** "U-106", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
96. **U-66:** "U-66", a type VII U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
97. **U-123:** "U-123", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
98. **U-505:** "U-505", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
99. **U-1104:** "U-1104", a type VIIC U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.
100. **U-1000:** "U-1000", a type IX U-boat used by the Kriegsmarine.