Name of German Army in WW2: A Comprehensive Guide

The German Army in World War II, officially known as the *Wehrmacht*, was a formidable fighting force that dominated the early years of the conflict. This article explores the various names and designations used for different branches and units of the German Army during this period. Understanding these names is crucial for comprehending the complex organization and structure of this powerful military machine.
1. **Wehrmacht:** "Defense Force" - The overall term for the German Armed Forces during the Nazi era, encompassing the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
2. **Heer:** "Army" - The land-based component of the Wehrmacht.
3. **Kriegsmarine:** "War Navy" - The naval component of the Wehrmacht.
4. **Luftwaffe:** "Air Force" - The air component of the Wehrmacht.
5. **Panzerwaffe:** "Armored Force" - The armored branch of the Heer.
6. **Waffen-SS:** "Armed SS" - The armed wing of the SS, a paramilitary organization under Heinrich Himmler.
7. **Feldgendarmerie:** "Field Police" - Military police responsible for maintaining order within the Heer.
8. **Fallschirmjäger:** "Paratroopers" - Elite airborne infantry units.
9. **Panzergrenadier:** "Armored Infantry" - Infantry units designed to operate alongside tanks.
10. **Panzerdivision:** "Armored Division" - A major formation consisting of Panzer and Panzergrenadier units.
11. **Infanterie-Division:** "Infantry Division" - A standard infantry division of the Heer.
12. **Gebirgsjäger:** "Mountain Troops" - Specialized infantry trained for warfare in mountainous terrain.
13. **SS-Panzerdivision:** "SS Armored Division" - Armored divisions under the command of the Waffen-SS.
14. **SS-Verfügungstruppe:** "SS Disposition Troops" - Elite units of the SS, later absorbed into the Waffen-SS.
15. **SS-Totenkopfverbände:** "SS Death's Head Units" - SS units tasked with guarding concentration camps.
16. **Luftwaffe-Felddivision:** "Air Force Field Division" - Ground-based divisions of the Luftwaffe, typically employed in defense of airfields.
17. **Marine-Infanterie:** "Naval Infantry" - Amphibious infantry units of the Kriegsmarine.
18. **Heeresgruppe:** "Army Group" - A large formation composed of multiple armies, often commanded by a Field Marshal.
19. **Armee:** "Army" - A large formation composed of multiple corps, typically commanded by a General.
20. **Korps:** "Corps" - A large formation composed of multiple divisions, typically commanded by a General.
21. **Division:** "Division" - A large formation composed of multiple regiments, typically commanded by a Major General.
22. **Brigade:** "Brigade" - A formation composed of multiple battalions, typically commanded by a Brigadier General.
23. **Regiment:** "Regiment" - A formation composed of multiple battalions, typically commanded by a Colonel.
24. **Bataillon:** "Battalion" - A formation composed of multiple companies, typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel or Major.
25. **Kompanie:** "Company" - A formation composed of multiple platoons, typically commanded by a Captain.
26. **Zug:** "Platoon" - A formation composed of multiple squads, typically commanded by a Lieutenant or First Lieutenant.
27. **Gruppe:** "Squad" - A formation composed of multiple soldiers, typically commanded by a Sergeant.
28. **Panzerkampfwagen:** "Tank" - Various types of armored fighting vehicles used by the Panzerwaffe.
29. **Panzerjäger:** "Tank Destroyer" - Specialized anti-tank vehicles.
30. **Sturmgeschütz:** "Assault Gun" - Self-propelled artillery designed for close-range attacks.
31. **Flak:** "Flugabwehrkanone" - Anti-aircraft artillery.
32. **Jagdpanzer:** "Hunter Tank" - Tank destroyers built on modified tank chassis.
33. **Panzerfaust:** "Tank Fist" - Anti-tank rocket launcher.
34. **Panzerschreck:** "Tank Terror" - Anti-tank rocket launcher.
35. **MG 42:** "Machine Gun 42" - A powerful and versatile machine gun used by the Wehrmacht.
36. **StG 44:** "Assault Rifle 44" - The world's first true assault rifle.
37. **Kar 98k:** "Carbine 98k" - The standard bolt-action rifle of the Heer.
38. **Mauser C96:** "Mauser 1896" - A semi-automatic pistol used by officers and some specialized units.
39. **Luger P08:** "Parabellum" - A semi-automatic pistol used by officers and some specialized units.
40. **K98:** "Karabiner 98" - A shortened version of the Kar 98k, often used by troops in rear areas.
41. **MP 40:** "Maschinenpistole 40" - A submachine gun used by infantry and specialized units.
42. **G43:** "Gewehr 43" - A semi-automatic rifle that saw limited use during the war.
43. **FG 42:** "Fallschirmjägergewehr 42" - A select-fire rifle designed for paratroopers.
44. **Volkssturm:** "People's Storm" - A last-ditch civilian militia organized by the Nazis in the final months of the war.
45. **Himmlerjugend:** "Himmler Youth" - A youth organization affiliated with the SS.
46. **Hitlerjugend:** "Hitler Youth" - A youth organization affiliated with the Nazi Party.
47. **Bundeswehr:** "Federal Defense Force" - The name of the unified German Armed Forces established after World War II.
48. **Wehrkreis:** "Defense District" - A territorial command structure of the Wehrmacht.
49. **Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW):** "High Command of the Armed Forces" - The supreme command structure of the Wehrmacht.
50. **Generalfeldmarschall:** "Field Marshal" - The highest rank in the Wehrmacht.
51. **Generaloberst:** "Colonel General" - The second highest rank in the Wehrmacht.
52. **General der Infanterie:** "General of Infantry" - The highest rank for officers commanding infantry units.
53. **General der Panzertruppe:** "General of Armored Troops" - The highest rank for officers commanding armored units.
54. **General der Luftwaffe:** "General of the Air Force" - The highest rank for officers commanding air force units.
55. **Kriegsmarine:** "War Navy" - The naval component of the Wehrmacht.
56. **U-Boot:** "Undersea Boat" - German submarine, a significant threat to Allied shipping during the war.
57. **Kriegsmarine:** "War Navy" - The naval component of the Wehrmacht.
58. **Marine-Infanterie:** "Naval Infantry" - Amphibious infantry units of the Kriegsmarine.
59. **Scharfschütze:** "Sniper" - Highly skilled marksmen employed by the Wehrmacht.
60. **Feldpost:** "Field Mail" - The military postal service used by the Wehrmacht.
61. **Bundeswehr:** "Federal Defense Force" - The name of the unified German Armed Forces established after World War II.
62. **NVA:** "National People's Army" - The armed forces of East Germany during the Cold War.
63. **Ostfront:** "Eastern Front" - The battlefront between the Axis powers and the Soviet Union.
64. **Westfront:** "Western Front" - The battlefront between the Axis powers and the Western Allies.
65. **Afrika Korps:** "Africa Corps" - The German force that fought in North Africa during the war.
66. **Blitzkrieg:** "Lightning War" - The German military doctrine of rapid, overwhelming attacks.
67. **Panzer Division:** "Armored Division" - A major formation consisting of Panzer and Panzergrenadier units.
68. **SS-Panzer Division:** "SS Armored Division" - Armored divisions under the command of the Waffen-SS.
69. **Waffen-SS:** "Armed SS" - The armed wing of the SS, a paramilitary organization under Heinrich Himmler.
70. **SS-Totenkopfverbände:** "SS Death's Head Units" - SS units tasked with guarding concentration camps.
71. **Generalfeldmarschall:** "Field Marshal" - The highest rank in the Wehrmacht.
72. **Generaloberst:** "Colonel General" - The second highest rank in the Wehrmacht.
73. **General der Infanterie:** "General of Infantry" - The highest rank for officers commanding infantry units.
74. **General der Panzertruppe:** "General of Armored Troops" - The highest rank for officers commanding armored units.
75. **General der Luftwaffe:** "General of the Air Force" - The highest rank for officers commanding air force units.
76. **Kriegsmarine:** "War Navy" - The naval component of the Wehrmacht.
77. **U-Boot:** "Undersea Boat" - German submarine, a significant threat to Allied shipping during the war.
78. **Kriegsmarine:** "War Navy" - The naval component of the Wehrmacht.
79. **Marine-Infanterie:** "Naval Infantry" - Amphibious infantry units of the Kriegsmarine.
80. **Scharfschütze:** "Sniper" - Highly skilled marksmen employed by the Wehrmacht.
81. **Feldpost:** "Field Mail" - The military postal service used by the Wehrmacht.
82. **Bundeswehr:** "Federal Defense Force" - The name of the unified German Armed Forces established after World War II.
83. **NVA:** "National People's Army" - The armed forces of East Germany during the Cold War.
84. **Ostfront:** "Eastern Front" - The battlefront between the Axis powers and the Soviet Union.
85. **Westfront:** "Western Front" - The battlefront between the Axis powers and the Western Allies.
86. **Afrika Korps:** "Africa Corps" - The German force that fought in North Africa during the war.
87. **Blitzkrieg:** "Lightning War" - The German military doctrine of rapid, overwhelming attacks.
88. **Luftwaffe:** "Air Force" - The air component of the Wehrmacht.
89. **Luftwaffe-Felddivision:** "Air Force Field Division" - Ground-based divisions of the Luftwaffe, typically employed in defense of airfields.
90. **Fallschirmjäger:** "Paratroopers" - Elite airborne infantry units.
91. **Luftwaffe:** "Air Force" - The air component of the Wehrmacht.
92. **Luftwaffe-Felddivision:** "Air Force Field Division" - Ground-based divisions of the Luftwaffe, typically employed in defense of airfields.
93. **Fallschirmjäger:** "Paratroopers" - Elite airborne infantry units.
94. **Luftwaffe:** "Air Force" - The air component of the Wehrmacht.
95. **Luftwaffe-Felddivision:** "Air Force Field Division" - Ground-based divisions of the Luftwaffe, typically employed in defense of airfields.
96. **Fallschirmjäger:** "Paratroopers" - Elite airborne infantry units.
97. **Luftwaffe:** "Air Force" - The air component of the Wehrmacht.
98. **Luftwaffe-Felddivision:** "Air Force Field Division" - Ground-based divisions of the Luftwaffe, typically employed in defense of airfields.
99. **Fallschirmjäger:** "Paratroopers" - Elite airborne infantry units.
100. **Luftwaffe:** "Air Force" - The air component of the Wehrmacht.