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Reorganization
of Kradschuetzen in Panzer-Division before Operation Blau.
The harsh condition of Russian winter snow and spring mud had proved difficulty
in front line service for pure motorcycle rifle battalion. The motorcycle
rifle battalion was extracted from the motorized rifle brigade and merged
with motorized reconnaissance battalion during 1941 to 1942. Although
they remained the title of Kradschuetzen, they played the reconnaissance
role under the division command. The battalions were reorganized and some
of them received new equipment such as Kuebel wagon and even SPW 250 to
replace motorcycle. Five panzer divisions were raised during 1941 to 1942.
The 21. Panzer-Division was converted from 5. leichte-Division for Africa
Campaign in August 1941. The 22., 23. and 24. Panzer-Divisions all had
one motorcycle rifle battalion in each division. The 25. Panzer-Division,
which was still raising in Norway, had only one partial-motorized Schuetzen-Regiment
146 with two bicycle rifle battalions and one motorcycle rifle battalion.
Reorganization
of Kradschuetzen in Infanterie-Division (mot) before Operation Blau.
The motorcycle rifle battalions in motorized infantry divisions were also
merged with motorized reconnaissance battalions during 1941 to 1942. Although
they remained the title of Kradschuetzen, they played the reconnaissance
role under the division command. Two motorized infantry divisions were
raised during 1941 to 1942. The 90. leichte Afrika-Division was raised
for Africa Campaign in November 1941. The famous Infanterie-Regiment "GD"
(mot) expanded to a fully motorized division in 1942 and the Kradschuetzen-Bataillon
"GD" was raised under the division command. The battalion received
new equipment such as Kuebel wagon and SPW 250 to replace motorcycle.
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