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1954-1960 (TO51)

99 Füsilier Bat in 33 Reg, 22 ind. Füsilier Bat (note in Swiss usage Fusilier, Schützen = Infantry, the Infanterie Bat 1960-2000 was NOT an Infantry formation but the Regimental Hvy Weapons Bat)

 

Division

Division HQ

Motoraufklärungsschwadron (Motorised Recon Co)

PAK Kp; Co HQ, 4xPlt, 3x4.7cm PAK (first call on the 9cm PAK 50/57), Motorised

Genie Bat;  1xMotortransportkolonne, 1xHeavy Sappeur Kp, 3xSappeur Kp; Co HQ, 3xSap Plt (ca. 30 men) (1AT Mine per man per 30min)

3x Inf Rgt

Regimental HQ

1xPAK Kp, Co HQ, 3xPlt, 4x4.7cm IK, then 9cm PAK 50/57, (Motorised, from the IK Plt that were previously in the Füs Bat)

1x Gren Plt (previously a Co)

1x AA Kp (4x20mm triple20mm, 8x single20mm)

3x Füsilier Bat 1959 Totals: 700 men; 15xZF K31/ZFK51, 82xMP, 32xLMG25/MG51 bipod, 18xMG51, 12x81mm, 46xRifleGrenade Lnchr, 27xRakrohr, 4 Flamethrowers, 7xSE101 Radios)

Bat HQ Comms Plt, Medical Plt, Supply Plt, Grenadier Plt (45 men)

3xFüs Kp (see below)

1xHvy Füs Kp (see below)

 

Füslier Co 1959 (170men)

Co HQ

1xFires Plt  1xMG sections(2xMG51), 3xAT Troops (6 men; 2x then 3xRackrohr (intro was mid 50's) (also AT Mines)

3x Infantry Plt

Platoon Cmd 1 Of, 1 Uof, 2 men, at least 1 ZFK31

3x Infantry Sections 1 Uof, 9 men; (1xLMG (LMG25 or MG51 bipod), 2xMP, 2xGrenadiers (HG43+K31), 2xK31)  with 696 in 7.5 Stripper clips, 870 7.5 in 30 Rd LMG25 Mags, 500 9mm in 50 rd MP-Mags  or only STGW57 1200 7.5 in 24rd Mags (another 1200 in Mags at Co level) 

 

Hvy Fusilier Co 1954

Total 224 men: 7 Of, 22 NCO, 193 men of which 5 weapon mechanics, 1 saddle maker, 2 horse shoe makers, 1 Admin assistant, 1 NCO cook, 4 Cooking Assistants

Co HQ 1 Of, 4 Uof, 17 Sdt; 2xMP; 1xJeep, 1xhvy Truck+Trailer 

2xMG Platoon

Platoon Cmd 1 Of, 1 Uof, 3 Sdt; 1xMP; 1xFox (large Radio), 2xBikes

2x MG Sections each 4xMG51(+2 in Reserve) 1 Uof, 13 Mitr; 5x horse+wagon (4xtransport, 1xammo)

3xMort Platoon 3x81mm (+1 in Reserve) 1 Of, 3Uof (probably 1 Observer), 25 Sdt; 1xMP; 7xhorse+wagon (3xtransport, 4xammo)

Transport Platoon 1 Of, 3, Uof, 45 Sdt; 5xAT Rifle Grenade Launchers

(The 81mm received a permanent 3x4 structure in 1961.)

 

MG51: always tripod mounted unless in the Squad LMG role, which was only until 1961 in non STGW squads. the MG platoons were permanently removed from the Hvy Co's in 1961 and integrated into the Füsilier Co's with each Füs Co receiving a platoon of 4xMG51.

each MG51 with 3 extra Barrels; 1 extra (Blindfire?, probably shot out) Barrel; 1 reserve breech; 1 cover for feed mechanism, tripod; 1 Lighted Scope, 1 Drummag; 20 Beltboxes à 4 Belt pieces/ feeding strip/ feed tray; 1 reserve striker, 1 reserve ejector, cleaning tools.

 

Artillery (fully motorised)

1.-8. Divisions, 1xHb Rgt w. 3 Hb Abt, 1xSch Kan Abt, 1xSch Mw Bttr (9x12cm Mort)

9. Divsion: 1xSch Kan Rgt w. 2 Sch Kan Abt; 2xHb Abt, 1xSch Mw Bttr (9x12cm Mort)

Geb Brig 10-12: 1xHb Rgt w. 2 Hb Abt, 1xSch Kan Abt

L Brig 1-3: 1xHb Abt

 

Corps Artillery (1,2, 4th Corps)

1 Sch Kan Rgt w. 2 Sch Kan Abt (3rd Corps with 2)

1 Sch Hb Rgt w. 2 Sch Hb Abt (24x15cm) (none in 3rd Corps)

 

Hb/Sch Kan Artillery Rgt

Regimental HQ

Motortransportcolumn

3x(2 if Geb Brig) Hb Abt/ 2x Schw Kan Abt

Abt HQ

Stabs Bttr (7 Of, 175 Uof+men);  Flab Pl (4x20mm), 6xFO

3xGun Bttr; (3 Of, 60 Uof+men) Total: 12 vehicles, 4 guns

 

Vehicle Totals:

Hb Abt Total 98; Dienst Bttr 21, Flt Bttr 41, 3xHb Bttr 12

Schw Kan Abt Total 101; Diesnt Bttr 22, Flt Bttr 43, 3xSchw Kan Bttr 12


 

 

1952 PAK Kp (Divisions and Light Regiments, f.e. Mot Dragoner and Radf)

Co HQ, 4xPlt 3x4.7cm ATG, first call on 9cm PAK)

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Evolution of the Swiss Army 1962-1991

 

Translation of

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004%3A1991%3A157%3A%3A414#492

If something does not make sense let me know.

Infantry

(Füsilier, Schützen - Infantry, Geb Füs - Mountain Infantry, Infanterie Bat - Regimental Hvy Weapons Bat)

(F Div - Feld Division, G Div - Grenz (Border) Division, both are Infantry Divisions but different organisation)

-1958 introduction of Bantam (MCLOS ATGM) for Divisional AT Co's and BAT (106RR on a jeep, 600 ordered) in Regimental AT Co's.

- 1960 MG11 gets replaced by the MG51 in the Landwehr

- 1969 phasing out of the last horses from the Füslier Bat with full motorisation of the 81mm Mortar Co.

- 1975 order of new Rakrohr 75 with upgraded ammunition, doubled Rakrohr allocation to Füs Co's. (later cancelled)
- 1979 the 20mm Flab Co's of the Infantry Rgt's are transferred to the AA branch
- 1979 a towed 12cm mortar Co is added to the Geb Füs Regiments "Gebirgs Infanterie Bat"
- 1981-85 addition of PAL (Dragon) Type B Co's in all Füsilier Bat and in the "Gebirgs Infanterie Bat" (48 Co's, dissolved 5 Geb Füs Bat, 2 Schützen Bat and 2 Füs Bat for the manpower,edit: 1986 48 Co's listed for the Reserve Infantry)

- 1986 order of 310 Tow Piranha (22 Füs Rgt AT Co's, 3 Mot Inf Rgt AT Co's, 3 Radf Rgt AT Co's, 3 Geb Div AT Co's; 9 per Co) 7 Co's converted by 1991

- 1990 a towed12cm Mortar Co is added to the Füs Rgt's "Infanterie Bat"
 

Mechanized

(F Div - Feld Division, G Div - Grenz (Border) Division, both are Infantry Divisions but different organisation)

- 1951 200 AMX13 bought

- 1953 300 Universal Carriers bought

-1954 100 Centurion MkIII 20pdr (Pz 55) bought,  Pz Abt 12, 14

- 1956 100 Centurion MkVII20pdr (Pz 57) bought, delivery Spring 1960, Pz Abt 11, 13

- 1960 100 Centurion MkV 20pdr (Pz57)+10 Engineer-Cents from South Africa, delivery March1961

- 1961 order of 150 Pz 61 (delivery 1964-1966), decision to upgrade 150 Centurions to 105mm (50 each of the 3 lots).

- 1964 first delivery of M113, 500 1964-1966, a further 500 delivered by 1976

- 1965-1973 founding and reorganizing the Panzer/ Pz Gren Bat for the 3 new Mech Divisions. The existing Mot Dragoons (Mot Infantry) Bats are converted to Pz Gren Bat. Founding of M113 12cm Mech Mortar Co's for Pz/ Pz Gren Bat.

- 1968 order of 170 Pz 68, first delivery 1971, a further 50 ordered 1974, then 110 and 60 with a larger turret. Pz68 was the first 2-axis stabilised tank in Swiss service,

- 1965 A G Div and all F Div's receive a Aufkl (Recon) Bat Type B (was a Company before) with AMX13, the Mountain Divisons a Aufkl (Recon) Bat Type C.- 1974 The last Dragoons (pure cavalry) are dissolved or converted to Pz Gren Bats.

- 1972 introduction of Pz68 into Mech Div 1
- 1974 The Panzerjäger Bat (G13) of the F Divs are converted to Panzer Bats (3 Pz Co's, 1 Pz Gren Co).
- 1974 The 3 Mech Divs receive 5 new Pz Bat (2 Pz Co's, 2 Pz Gren Co's)
- 1977 The Panzer Regiments receive bridging tanks (Pz 61 based).

-1975-1978 update of M113/Schützenpanzer 63 for Panzergrenadier formations with 20mm and turret.

-1978 20 Centurions bought from Canada (in very bad condition) for training purposes

- 1979-1981 The F Divs receive a 2nd Pz Bat, the G Divs now also receive 2 Pz Bats. They lose their Aufkl Bat and the Mech Div lose their ind. Pz Bats. The last Centurions are converted from 20pdr to 105mm. The AMX13's are retired.
- 1981 conversion of PAK (9cm AT Gun) and sundry Mot Dragoon Co's to Bicycle PAL Co's
- 1988 introduction of the Leo2 with introduction of new Leo Bat organisation with 3 Pz Co+1 Pz Gren Co. Leo Pz Bat Platoons now with only 3 tanks, 10 tanks in a company.

Reequipment plan: 1987 Pz Bat 12, 1988 Pz Bat 20, 1989 Pz Rgt 8 (Mech Div 4 complete), 1990 Pz Rgt 7, 1991 Pz Rgt 3, 1992 Pz Rgt 1, 1993 Pz Rgt 9 (all Mech Divs complete)


- 1991 Reorg of all Panzer Bat Type A,B,C into uniform Leo organisation.

 

Artillery (Hb/ob - 105mm towed howitzer, Sch Kan - towed 105mm heavy cannon,  Pz Hb/ob bl - M109, Rgt - Regiment, Abt - Battalion)

full overview to 1988

1951- Artillery fully motorized, retirement of Field- and Mountainguns

1957- introduction of mechanic FDC

1961- switch from 4 gun to 6 gun batteries, loss of Corps level artillery, everything pushed to Divisions.

1968 -120 Pz Hb 66/74 with L23 (later upgraded to L39)+68 M548 ordered

1971- Hb Rgt 4 (Abt 10,11) from Mech Div 4 and Hb Rgt 7 from Mech Div 11 become Pz Hb

1972 -the last two 12cm Mortar Abt are dissolved;

1974 -147 Pz Hb 74 with L39 ordered
1973 - rgt ob 1(2 Abt) becomes rgt ob bl in Mech Div 1
1978 - Abt 63, 75 convert to Pz Hb
1979- The 15cm Schw Hb are retired; Abt 48, 54, 72, 73 convert to Pz Hb, the Hb Abt 6, 13, 33 convert to Sch Kan Abt, 207 Pz Hb 79 with licence built L39 ordered; 6 Pz Hb Abt in G and F Divs.

1982- the Hb Abt of the F Divisions are converted to Sch Kan Abt, introduction of electronic FDC
1985 - Abt 17, 41, 44, 47 convert to Pz Hb (Mech Divs get 3rd Pz Hb Abt, each of the 9 F/G Divs have a Pz Hb Abt)
1986 - Abt 5, 7, 15, 21, 24 convert to Pz Hb

1988 - Landwehr (Reserve) Abt 31, 32, 36 convert to Pz Hb, 108 Pz Hb 88 with licence built L39 + 54 M548 ordered

1990 - introduction of DPICM from IMI

1991 - last 6 Abt converted to Pz Hb for a grand total of 30.  F Divs exchange a Schw Kan Abt for a Pz Hb Abt (now 3xPz Hb Abt, 1xSchw Kan Abt)

Genie (Engineers)
1962-1970 the forming of several new formations, notably the Pz Sappeur (M113 Armoured Combat Engineer) Co's for the Mech and Field Div's.
1969- Building Staffs attached to Army Corps and Divisons (specialized in planning, constructing field fortifications)
1970- Genie Bat 65-67 reorganised as Bridging Bat. The Genie Regiments receive a Diving Platoon until 1977.
1979 - existing Pz Sap Co's in Grenz Divs reorganized due to new allocation of 2 Pz Bat
1980 - Genie Regiments receive a Rammzug (no idea what this is)

1990- Eisb G Abt (Railway Engineer Bat) formed

Festung (Fortress)

1966 introduction of the twin 12cm semi auto mortar bunkers, continous raising new Mortar Co's as construction advanced.

1978 new seperate Branch

1987 new (or modernization?, unclear) of 46  Fest Hb Batteries

1991 introduction of the Centurion Bunkers

Flab (AA)

1948 20mm Flab Kan 43 HS (triple 20mm) for Infantry Flab

1954 Mob L Flab Abt are reequipped with 20mm Flab Kan 54

1961 4 Batteries of Bloodhound MK2 ordered

1964-1968 introduction of Bloodhound, introduction of 35mm Flab Kan 63 Oerlikon (Superfledermaus, from 1978 Skyguard)

1967 Flab Lwf Rgt 7 (Guided AA) stood up

1972 Artillery loses their organic 20mm AA platoon, goes to the Divisional Mob L Flab Abt (mobile 20mm AA Bat)

1972 Divisional Mob L Flab Abt is reinforced (probably at least partially from the dissolved Flab Co's of the Inf Regiments)

1983-5 The 3 Mech Div's receive a Mob Flab Lwf Abt (mobile guided AA Bat -> towed Rapier Bat) with 60 firing units (probably 20 per Abteilung)

1993 introduction of Stinger (12 Launchers + 3 observation teams per Bttr)

 

 

 

Edited by Junior FO
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TO61

1968 Feld Division

1x Aufkl Bat Type B (1973) Bat HQ, 1x Recon Co, 2 L Pz Co(AMX13 replaced by Pz68 in 1978), 1xPz Gren Co, 1xPz Mw Co (was a PAK Co in 1962, then BAT Co until???)  (until 1981, then became a Pz Bat)

1x Pzj Bat (G13) (in F Div 3, 6, 8 )

1x Genie Bat

3x Infanterie Rgt

Rgt HQ

Infanterie Bat

Bat HQ 1xCommand Plt,1xRepair Plt, 1xMedical Plt;

1xNachrichten Co; Co HQ, Recon Plt, Telephone Plt, Radio Plt

1xGrenadier Co; Co HQ,  3xPlt (specialist Demo, Mine and Urban Combat, (2 per Plt) Flamethrowers, no Rakrohr, no MG)

1xFlab Co; Co HQ, 3xPlt w. 4x20mm Flabkanone 54),

1xPzaw Co; (until 1990, then TOW, see below)

3x Füs Bat

Bat HQ Command Plt, Recon Plt, Radio Plt, Medical Plt, Motortransport Plt

3xFüs Co

1xSch Füs Co  Co HQ, 3xPlt w. 4 81mm (+in 1962 Horse Plt)

(1x PAL Co (Guided AT) Co HQ, 3xPl 3xTroops (2xDragon); added in early 80's)

 

1962,1969, 1972 Füsilier Co (should stay standard until intro of PzF3)

Total probably 137 (132 Uof+men from the Stgw57 numbers + 5 Officers)

Company Weapon totals 132xSTGW 57,x4 MG51 (+1 Reserve), 9xRakrohr, 5xScoped Rifles (probably ZFK 55)

Co Hq (1xPzaw Gruppe (4 Rakrohr) listed in some places in early 60's, but not always and they don't show up in 1969 totals)

3x Füsilier Platoons (Total for 1 Füs Plt + 1 MG Troop given as 43 Men, so Plt total probably 39, which means I'm missing 2 below, or MG troop has 6 men instead of 4)

Platoon Cmd; 1 Of, 1 Uof, 2 men (at least 1 ZFK55)

3x Gefechtsgruppen; 1Uof, 6men; STGW57 (also named Sturmgewehrgruppe (Assault Rifle troop), from TO61 the common building block for all weapon arms, so Radf, Mot. Inf., PzGren, Grenadier, Sappeur)

1x Ustü Gruppe (Support); 1 Uof, 4 men; STGW 57+HE Rifle Grenades

1x Pzaw Gruppe (AT); (1Uof, 6men) 3xRakrohr+AT Rifle Grenades

1x MG Platoon

2x MG Sections, 2x MG51

 

(1972 AT usage of a Füs Kp 1 .2, 3.)

 

1986 Füs Bat

Bat HQ Securty Plt,2xComms Plt, Transport Plt, Supply Plt, Medical Plt

3x Füs Kp as above

1x PAL Kp Co Hq, 3xPlt, Plt HQ, 3xTroops (2xDragon) (18 firing posts total) (new since 1984)

1xMw Kp as above

 

Artillery F Div

1962-1978 2xArtillery Rgt (1 Hb Abt, 1 Sch Kan Abt )

1979-1985 1xArtillery Rgt (2 Hb Abt, 1 Sch Kan Abt, 1 Pz Hb Abt )

1986-1995 1xArtillery Rgt (2 Sch Kan Abt, 2 Pz Hb Abt)

 

Artillery Gz Div (Border Divisions)

1962-1972 1xSch Artillery Rgt (1 Hb Abt, 2 Sch Hb Abt, 1 Sch Mw Abt (24x12cm Mort) ) (12 gun Abteilungen instead of the 18 gun standard)

1973-1978 1xSch Artillery Rgt (2 Hb Abt, 1 Sch Hb Abt) (now 18 gun Abteilungen)

1979-1985 1xArtillery Rgt (2 Hb Abt, 1 Sch Kan Abt, 1 Pz Hb Abt (not all))

 

Hb/Sch Kan Artillery Rgt

Regimental HQ

x Hb Abt/  Schw Kan Abt / Sch Hb Abt  (see above for composition)

Abt HQ

Stelllungsraum (Service) Bttr; (responsible for Art organisation, comms and supply in fire positions area)

Feuerleit (FDC) Bttr; 9xFO (responsible for Art organisation and comms in observation area)

3xBttr; 6 guns (4 guns in Gz Div 1962-1972), 2x20mm AA(1962-1971)

 

1962 Mech Division

 

2xPz Rgt (all Centurion)

Rgt HQ

1xPAK Co

1xPz Bat;

Bat HQ, Service Co,

3xPz Co (13 tanks), 3xPlt w. 4 Cents

1 Pz Gren Co (UC), Co HQ, 3xPz Gren Plt w. 4xUC

 

1xMot. Dragoner Bat

Bat HQ

3xMot. Dragoner Schw (Co's); Co HQ; 3xMot.Drag Plt, 1xMG Plt

1x Mortar Co; Co HQ, 3xPlt (4x81mm)

 

 

1968 Mech Division

Division HQ

1x Aufkl Bat Type B (1973)  Bat HQ, 1x Recon Co, 2 L Pz Co(AMX13), 1xPz Gren Co, 1xPz Mw Co (was a PAK Co in 1962, then BAT Co until???)  (until 1981, then became a Pz Bat and moved to F Div)

1xPz Bat (from approx 1966 until 1981, then to F Div) (Pz Bat 25 in Mech Div 4)

1xGenie Bat (3xCo's; of which first 1 then later 2xPz Sap Kp w. M113)

1x Mob Flab Abt

2xPz Rgt (1979 52 Tanks, 65 M113, 12x12cmM113)

Rgt HQ

1xStaff Co 1xComms Plt, 1xRepair Plt, 1xMedical Plt, (no supply, all decentralised to the Bats), Bridging Plt (from 1976 w. 4 Pz68 Bridgelayers)

1xPAK Co (12x90mm towed PAK50/57) (still 1974 until ???)

1x12 Pz Mw Co (12x12cmM113) (from 1974, from the rerolled Pz Gren Bat)

1xPz Bat Bat HQ, Service Co, 3xPz Co, 1 Pz Gren Co (until 1974, then 2+2)

1xPzGren Bat Bat HQ, Service Co, 3xPz Gren Co, 1x12cm Mech Mortar Co (3x3); (until 1974, then Pz Bat, 2+2)

1xMot. Dragoner Rgt; (later Mot. Inf Rgt)  560 Vehicles, mainly UNIMOG S (renamed Mot. Infanterie Rgt at some point, both names in use in the early 60's )

Rgt HQ

1x Mot Infanterie Bat 1xMot Grenadier Co, 1x PzAbw Co (12xBAT, 106RR on Jeeps), 1xMortar Kp (81mm), 1xFlab Co (12x20mm)

3x Mot Dragoner Bat 3xMot Dragoner Co, 1 Mot Schn Co (12x81mm)

 

Artillery Mech Div

1962 to 1972 1xArtillery Rgt (1 Hb Abt, 1 Sch Kan Abt ) , 1xArtillery Rgt (2 Hb Abt)

1973 to 1978 1xArtillery Rgt (2 Pz Hb Abt)

1979 to 1985 1xArtillery Rgt (2 Pz Hb Abt, 1 Sch Kan Abt)

1986 to 1995 1x Artillery Rgt (3 Pz Hb Abt)

 

1972 Pz Hb Artillery Regiment (in the Mech Divs)

Regimental HQ Battery

2 x Pz Hb Abt

Abt HQ

1x Dienst (Service) Bttr (8 Of, 174 Uof+men)(Total: 51 vehicles(incl. M113),  2xRecovery Tank, 20xHenshel Trucks, 10t Cranetruck

1x FDC Bttr (18 Of, 140 Uof+men) Total: 41 vehicles (incl. M113), 9xFO (some or all in M113)

3x Pz Hb Bttr  (4 Of, 90 Uof+men) Total: 19 vehicles (incl. tracked), 6xM109, 1xFDCM113, 2xCmdM113, 3xM548

 

 

Total Corps Artillery

1961-1986 none

1987 2 Pz Hb Abt

1988 5 Pz Hb Abt

 

1962 Pzaw Kp (of the Infantry Rgt and Border Brigades, 31 Co's in 1989)

Co HQ,

1xPlt PAK (4x90mm PAK50/57)

2xPlt BAT (1Of, 5 Uof, 26 men, 4x106RR Jeeps, 3xJeeps, 1xL trk, 2xtrailers)

(always 4 gun Plt, early 50's mix of 9cm PAK and 4.7cm IK, the latter getting replaced as production allowed, then BAT replacing the 9cm PAK, by early 70's only BAT in the Regimental Co's, BAT's started equipping some Co's of the Border Brigades in early 80's;)

 

1990 TOW Piranha Kp (how the trials were organised, unfortunately no results)

Kp HQ 2 Of, 6 Uof, 9 men; 1xMC, 1xL trk, 2xTrucks, 3xtrailers

Repair Plt (only Geb Div) 4 Uof, 13 men; 3xL trk, 2xRepair L trucks, 1xtruck w. 3t crane, 6 trailers

3xPzj Plt 1 Of, 4 Uof, 20 men; 3xTOW Piranha, 2xMC, 1xPuch, 1xTruck, 2xtrailers

 

Edited by Junior FO
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AMX13 w. universal carriers. They mention transporting two fusilier platoons of a regiments reserve, this must refer to an Infantry Regiment, which in turn means the AMX13/UC are from the Aufklärungs Bat of a Feld Division. Video must be from 1965-1974. Since they don't have M113 yet, this  is probably still 1960's.

Dismounted BAT live fire exercises. The backblast is huge, it's noted elsewhere that BAT can't really be put under cover or be hidden, heavily diminishing it's survivability.

https://www.historic.admin.ch/media/video/a9f61fbe-06ff-477d-811e-c2d8be900bb7

 

Mr. Lanz of Lanz-Odermatt fame going through Artillery/Fortressartillery developements from 1950's to 1980's. A lot of interesting information, but only in Swiss German.

6:08 Overview of the Presentation

From 16:45 various destructive testing of the prototypes for the bustle charge magazine for the M109 KAWEST.

18:05 Test with only 2 charges in the magazine of a late prototype

19:20 Test with full magazine of a late protoype. Temperature in the fighting compartment increased to 40°C but no pressure increase. Final version had added internal divisor so that cookoff would be confined to a half magazine. (AFAIK the KAWEST is still the only SPG with seperate vented charges but current experience shows this should be a basic design requirement).

30:59 No significant differences between a gun mounted on SPG or fortress, but only small experimental sample.

 31:45 best gun of Swiss Artillery inventory prior to introduction of Bison was watercooled 15cm TK 58 with 30km range and sustained fire capability of 24 rounds/minute

31:55 installation for the above, depth was about 50m.

35:00 Swiss trials of UK 105mm L118 Light Gun. Deemed too expensive, and apparently there was an existing decision to only accept 155 guns in the future. Doesn't go in on why then the trials took place at all. Decided to lengthen the barrels of existing howitzers to increase their range instead.

39:00 L39 barrel shortened to L30 155mm barrel on an existing 105 Hb carriage. Military didn't want any more towed guns.

43:07 Pz68 SPG variant w. 4 prototypes. Record range for it's time. However, very heavy at 45t, cartridge ammunition since it was adaptation of the above 15cm Tk58, cramped, expensive.

46:32 Mentions German trials of SPG on Leo1 chassis with 10 prototypes. Apparantly many of the same issues as above as well as unreliable. Needed 3 weeks to play through the standard 24 h NATO combat day. Follow on conclusion tank chassis are not suited for SPG conversion. Cost about a billion CHF equivalent.

47:30 Swiss were involved in early conception stages of PzHb2000 project. German project lead had reliability obsession, probably trauma from Leo1 project.

49:42 mentions they got a 12cm Rheinmetall tank gun a few years before Leo2 was selected and was used for various trials, but special concentration on making an autoloader. (Probably for the pending indigenous Nkpz project)

50:11 Destructive testing of the Centurion turret bunker with 155mm artillery, 120mm mortar and 105 tank gun fire. 

51:45 Test with static mounted Maverick warhead with about .5m standoff. Blast blew the cement roof off and wrecked the gun but did not penetrate the turret (Bunker Cent turrets had massive add on frontal armour arrays)

54:34 1982, specifications for new Fortress gun, range at least 30km, ideally 40km. Caliber was not specified

55:28 settled on 155 because: ammo commonality with field forces, can be loaded by hand, focus of international research with pending precision and AT capability.

55:59 mathematical results for influence of caliber on range

59:12 longest possible barrel length that could be locally produced was 7.4m which worked out to L47 for a 155, this became basis for trials.

100:19 pressure tolerances of various ammunition. Swiss standard StG 66 being of older construction could only handle 3000bar due to narrow driving band (US M107 had same issue). The then new NATO L15/L17 was taken as reference round, it was 2-3 times more expensive than the StG 66. Follows a few slides i posted in the 105 vs 155 thread.

101:54 155mm fragments and penetration test of fragments vs Peraluman.

104:45 Impact comparison HE and DPICM

106:45 Increasing the range also means increasing the chamber volume. The US M109 L39 w. chamber volume of 19litres and 2800 bar, Vo 680m/s reaching about 18 Km.

107:40 US trials to increase range involved a bigger charge originating from M198 with 4300 bar and Vo 830m/s mated with the existing L39 barrel. This turned out to not be doable. Too much damage, especially the higher gas pressure led to damage of of the muzzle break.->Taylor Report. The US dealt with this by  redesigning another L39 barrel assemby that could deal with the higher gas pressures, but they also needed new ammunition (L15/17) as the M107 couldn't deal with them->Paladin.

109:17 He had access to the report and for him the straight forward of dealing with the added gas pressure was to lengthen the barrel.

110:25 K+W proposal for M109 KAWEST, L47, 3500 bar so still compatible with StG66, Vo 830m/s, with added charge 4300 bar, Vo 900+m/s with new ammunition (the cannister rounds). Fairly cheap since backwards compatible with existing ammunition.

112:07 in addition to the above work was going on for the new Bison Fortress 155. They saw the work of GC Bull, but unlike Bull didn't want to increase the existing L39 chamber volume to keep commonality with the existing ammunition.

113:28 The two concepts for Bison, "Inter" was chosen to keep commonality with exisiting ammunition but they did some trials with with the concept "Mille" which would mean pushing for Vo 1000 m/s but this was deemed both expensive and risky, as nobody was trialing shells for those speeds and they would need to develop completely new charges.

114:28 "Mille" trial vehicle with L52 and 26 liter chamber, this reached an average Vo of 1001 m/s.

115:31 intermediate Bison and KAWEST proposal. L47 with increased chamber volume to 21 (from 19 liters) which was the same as a fully eroded L39 barrel. Near complete elimination of barrel errosion with new charge additives and a fully chromed barrel. They adjusted the twist rate and also groove profile, the latter to allow better chroming (119:54). With max charge and the new NATO ammunition it allowed shooting past 40km with normal shells while keeping backward compatability at lower charges.

The L47 limitation was industrial, since the the crane height at the barrel manufacturer didn't allow all production steps for a longer barrel. However K+W Thun did have the crane height and could do the work after the barrel was bored. This allowed going to L52, which was done for Bison.

118:56 The inability of the chroming factory to chrome 8 meter barrels threatened to delay the trials. So they made a some what longer barrel, cut it, had the parts chromed separately and then welded them together.

119:54 Original groove profile was too steep, so wall angle was shallowed to enable better chroming.

120:49 Twist rate was a big discussion. They made experiments with progessive twist which seemed promising, including pulling through shells to see how the driving bands interacted with it. This seemed a possible solution but they decided to stick with a constant twist.

121:24 New barrels need about 50 rounds to settle. With chromed barrels this is no longer possible. The following part I didn't quite get. They made an insert to prevent the settling in effect. Not sure if this means the geometry changes made the settling unnecessary.

122:56 provisional Bison L52 trajectory chart

123:40 barrel fatigue life, apparently the US at some point had 3 accidents with nearly new 175mm barrels, which led to generally more attention being paid to barrel fatigue issues.

126:00 empirical 50% dispersion spread of fires at various ranges out to 40km, hence need for intelligent ammunition for effective fire

From 127:30 to 130:30 short film in barely audible English on Bison/Fortress guns. The autoloading mechanism used for Bison was first trialled in M109's, though the KAWEST ended up using a flick rammer in the end. Bison could do 5 shots in 25 seconds.

130:58 overview of the Bison - KAWEST project links

132:09 overview of munitions used in the trials.

133.15 instead of a watershroud for the barrel as in the 15cm Tk58 they decided for simply pumping water into the barrel directly.

133:51 casemate installation. The small blocks were reactive armour modules.

135:04 test of Maverick warhead against armour array, didn't penetrate

136:16 KAWEST improvements

- 155mm L47 chromed

- new additional charges

- flick rammer

- navigation system, self laying

- new electrical system to handle the extra equipment

- vented bustle rack for charges

- fire surpression system

- Nightvision for commander and driver

137:00 wrap up. Where has the been the advancement?

- since 1935 litte advancement in muzzle speed with the max Vo still around 930 m/s.

- advances in barrel technology mainly in terms of lighter weight, improved barrel life, safety and build quality

- main technical advancement has been in the ammunition

 

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1965 -2004 Panzer Grenadier Kp (except for PAL group in Plt Cmd, structure did not change, PAL troop probably replaced a 2xRakrohr troop)

M113 Schützenpanzer 63/89, 1974 addition of a vintage 20mm gun salvaged from scrapped fighters, constant jams.1989 rebuilt and upgraded engine/suspension.

https://militaerfahrzeuge.ch/unterkategorie_13_25_282.html

PAL (Guided AT, Dragon)

Feldweibel (SNCO responsible for munitions and material resupply & management, housing & day to day organisation of Co)

Fourier (SNCO responsible for paperwork admin, meal planning&delivery, food resupply)

Co HQ

1xM113 - 2 Of, 1 Uof (Co HQ vehicles commander), 3 crew;

1xlight Truck -1 Feldweibel (SNCO), 1 man/ 1xlight truck+trailer - 1 Fourier (SNCO), 1 Cook Uof, 5 men (3xcooks)/ 1 hvy truck+trailer - 1Uof(Material), 1 man

3 x Platoons

Plt Cmd

1xM113 - 1 Of, 1 Uof (2iC mounted section), 2 crew, + 1 PAL Uof, 4 PAL men (2 Dragons posts+2 rounds) (pre Dragon this was Ustü troop with RG as in Füs Plt)

1x light truck 1 Uof, 2 men

3x M113 Sections  3 crew+ dismounts 1 Uof, 6 men (AFAIK 4x PzF3 rounds, 2 Sights)

 

1974-1987 Pz Bat Type A (pre Leo2, only in the Pz Rgt's of the Mech Divs)

HQ Co

Service Co

2xPz Co; Co HQ (1xPz61/68), 3xPlt (4xPz61/68)

2xPzGren Co (see above)

 

1974-1987 Pz Bat Type B,C (in F Divs, B with Pz61/68, C's with Centurion, the first Pz Bats in the F Divs were Type C, as Leo2 is issued latter to receive Pz61/68)

HQ Co 2xM113

Service Co

3xPz Co; Co HQ 1xCent, 3x4 Cent

1x Pz Gren Co

1xPz Mw Co (3x3 12cm Mortar M113) (only Type B, since early 80's )

 

1987 Pz Bat Type A (post Leo2)

HQ Co

Service Co

3xPz Co, Co HQ 1xLeo2, 3x3 Leo2

1xPz Gren Co

 

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1955 Swiss Army Panzer organisation

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004%3A1955%3A121%3A%3A695&referrer=search#695

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004%3A1954%3A120%3A%3A570&referrer=search#570

-the above on the initial formation and training of the below units in 1949 (G13) and 1954 (AMX13), the 36 day course was done 3 times which worked out to an instruction time of about 210h per course. This was enough for teching the basic functions without cross training, but too short for the leaders and mechanics.

- new experience is the massive maintenance times needed (Battery maintenance Jeep/Truck 1h, AMX13 1h+5h to change Battery!)

- tank drivers got 30-41 of driving time, this was seen as the aim for the later armoured basic training courses,

- the close support grenadiers were also included in the course, here it showed that the contemporary infantry training was excessivly specialized and only 5-10% were intensively trained in the use of demolitions and mines

Panzerjäger Abt (44xG13, PzJ Abt 21-23, 3 in Army)

Stabskp (HQ Co) 4x G13

4 x Companies

Co HQ 1x G13

3x Platoons 3xG13

Leichte Pz Abt (42xAMX13, L Pz Abt 1-4, 4 in Army)

Stabskp (HQ Co) 3xAMX 13

3 x Companies

Co HQ 3x AMX13

2x Platoons L Panzer 5xAMX13

2x Platoons Grenadier (on Universal Carriers)

 

1953 Leichte Brigade (3 in Army, became the 3 Mech Div in TO61)

Brigade HQ

Panzerjäger Abt (G13) see above

Motorcycle Bat; Bat HQ, 3xMC Co's, 1xMortar Co (81mm)

Mob Flab Abt; Bat HQ 3xFlab Bttr (12x20mm)

Sappeur Bat (Engineer, Motorised); 2xSappeur Co's (12t normal, 16t emergency bridges, bulldozers, cranes, drill machines for 60cm demo charges)

Radf Rgt (Bicycle Inf)

Regimental HQ

PAK Co Co HQ, 4x3 (mix of 4.7cm and 9cm PAK 50/57, with the former getting replaced as production allows)

3xRadf Bat; Bat HQ, 3xRadf Co's, 1xMortar Co

Mot. Dragoner Rgt (Mot. Infantry w. all terrain vehicles)

Regimental HQ

PAK Co

2xMot. Drag. Bat; Bat HQ, 3x Mot. Drag Co's, 1xMortar Co

(The Radf., Motorcycle, Mot. Dragoner Co's had the same organisation as the Füsilier Co's.)

Artillery (to follow)

 

1953 Dragoner Abt (Total 8, 1 per Feld Divisionen except 9. Div.)

Bat HQ, 3xDragonerschwadron; each with 158 Horses; 31xMP, 10xLMG25, 20xRifle Grenade Launchers

 

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If you're interested in the details of the 1995 Panzer Brigade organisation have a look at the suppliment to ASMZ 1995/3 which starts here:

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004%3A1995%3A161%3A%3A11#167

Not 100% but I think a Ramm Zug (in the engineers section above) is a blocking platoon which builds temporary fortifications/defensive positions on an as required basis. 

 

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2000 Artillery Regiment (Pz Hb Abt structure the same since 1968)

Regimental HQ Battery 138 Total: 11 Of, 27 Uof, 101 men; 4xPzF3 sights;

3xMotorcycle, 11xPuchs, 1xLight truck, 8xTrucks, 8xFkw(Puchs w. built in 50W radio rack+Antenna),1xCmdTruck(Duro w. rr+A), 2xWire cars, 2xWeather Radar Trucks, 15xTrailers, 2xWeatherRadar trailers, 2xH2

Reg HQ Plt

FDC Plt

2x Weather Plt

Comms Plt 2xWire troops, 3xRelays

FO Plt 3x mot. FO troops

3 x Pz Hb Abt Type B/C/D (M109 Battalion)

B/C/D  differed in numbers of M113 assigned to various functions like FO's, type B had it's supply consolidated into 1 Platoon instead of 5, but no difference in total lift. F Div 2xB,1xD; Geb Div 2xD, Pz Brig 1xC

Pz Hb Abt Type D

1x Service Bttr (C,D) Total 174men; 10 Of, 27 Uof, 137 men;  4xPzF3 Sights

1xRecovery Tank, 3x Puchs, 7xL Tr, 29xTrucks, 4xFUG (Army Forklift), 1xForklift, 4xWeathertrk, 3xFkw, 1x20tCranetrk, 1xRepairtrk, 2xAmbulance, 15xtrailers

Bttr HQ Bttr Cmd troop, Survey troop, Kitchen+Mat troop,

Weather Pl 2xWeather troops, Maint troop

Repair Pl 1xRecovery tank, several Repair and Maint troops,

Supply Pl 3xMunition troop 52t (Type B both Suppy Platoons consolidated into one unit)

Supply Pl 1xTrsp troop 34t, 1xFUG troop, 1xFuel troop 31t

Medical Pl 2xMed troops

1x FDC Bttr (B,D) Total 134 men; 15 Of, 19 Uof, 92 men; 4xPzF3 Sights

5xCmdM113, 1xFDCM113, 2xMc, 5xPuch, 1xlight trk, 6xTrucks, 13xFkw, 2xWire cars, 8xtrailers

Bttr HQ Bttr Cmd troop, Survey troop, Vo troop, Kitchen+Mat troop,

Staff Pl Bat Cmd troop 1xCmdM113, Bat HQ 1xCmd M113, Bat FDC 1xFDCM113, FO Pl Cmd troop

Comm Pl 2xWire troops, 5xRelay troops

FO Pl 4x mech FO troops, 5x mot FO troops (Type C 9x mech FO troops)

3x Pz Hb Bttr (C,D) Total 97men;  5 Of, 18 Uof, 74 men

6xM109, 1xFDCM113, 2xCmdM113, 2xMc, 5xPuch, 2xlight trk, 2xTrucks, 3xM548 , 3xtrailers

Bttr HQ Bttr Cmd troop 1xCmdM113, MC troop, Survey troop, Kitchen+Mat troop (Type B: 3xM548 in HQ, no supply platoon)

Gun Pl Gun Pl Cmd troop 1xCmdM113, 1xFDCM113, 6xM109

Supply Pl 3xM548

 

Judging from uniforms early-mid 70's Pz Hb Abt. Everything shown on a field, but I'm not going to go counting. Lots of vintage Swiss footage in that channel.

 

(Hb/ob - 105mm towed howitzer, Sch Kan - towed 105mm heavy cannon,  Pz Hb/ob bl - M109, Rgt - Regiment, Abt - Battalion)

 

1972 Pz Hb Artillery Regiment (in the Mech Divs)

Regimental HQ Battery

2 x Pz Hb Abt

Abt HQ

1x Dienst (Service) Bttr (8 Of, 174 Uof+men)(Total: 51 vehicles(incl. M113),  2xRecovery Tank, 20xHenshel Trucks, 10t Cranetruck

1x FDC Bttr (18 Of, 140 Uof+men) Total: 41 vehicles (incl. M113)

3x Pz Hb Bttr  (4 Of, 90 Uof+men) Total: 19 vehicles (incl. tracked), 6xM109, 1xFDCM113, 2xCmdM113, 3xM548

 

 

1986 Art Rgt 7 (F Div 7)

Pz Hb Abt 21, ?

Schw Kan Abt 33, ?

1986 Art Rgt 8 (F Div 8 )

Pz Hb Art Abt 24, 48

Schw Kan Abt 23, 56

 

Active Service Artillery totals (without Fortresses, or Landwehr)

1951

420 105mm Hb

276 105 Sch Kan

72 150 Sch Hb

72 120mm Mort

1961-72

756 guns

72 120mm Mort

1973

810 guns

1988

144 105mm Hb

324 105mm Sch Kan

432 Pz Hb (M109)

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On 4/29/2022 at 4:39 AM, Captain Hurricane said:

If you're interested in the details of the 1995 Panzer Brigade organisation have a look at the suppliment to ASMZ 1995/3 which starts here:

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004%3A1995%3A161%3A%3A11#167

Not 100% but I think a Ramm Zug (in the engineers section above) is a blocking platoon which builds temporary fortifications/defensive positions on an as required basis. 

 

Thanks

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Swiss Mountain Infantry

(Link has Divisional OOB's going down to the Company level for Mountain Infantry 1911-1974)

1986 Geb Division

Divisonal HQ

Art Rgt (2 with 2xAbt each until early 80's) 2 x Hb Abt (18 guns), 2x Schw Kan Abt (18 guns)

3xGeb Füsilier Rgt

Reg HQ

1xGeb Infanterie Bat; Total 797 men; 1xGeb Grenadier Co, 1xGeb PAL Co (Dragon, 18xTroops), 1xSchw Mw Co (3x3 towed 12cm Mortars)

3xGeb Füsilier Bat; Total 785 men; 3xGeb Füs Co (12xMG51), 1xGeb Mw Co (12x81mm Mortars)

1x mob Flab Abt 3x Co's (12x20mm AA)

1xAufkl Bat type C (not mentioned but should still be around at this time)

 

 

Artillery Geb Div

1962-1978 2xArtillery Rgt (1 Hb Abt, 1 Sch Kan Abt )

1979-1995 1xArtillery Rgt (2 Hb Abt, 2 Sch Kan Abt)

 

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Going to post some of the more esoteric articles that I come across.

To translate: click the downarrow next to the title on the left. This will download a pdf from which you can copy paste the text.

Alpenflagge packing order and weights

 

MG51: calculating ammo consumption for various target areas and sizes

 

1958 Stgw57 Training and usage concept (including hip shooting)

1965 Stgw57 Alpine usage (interesting sidenote, the ubiquitous weapons grease used for everything in the Swiss Army has a freeze point below -50°C)

 

1962 Summer Alpine Basic Training

1965 Winter Alpine Basic Training Curriculum

Snowbiwak

 

1962 Detailed Breakdown of a Basic Training Tank course, including education of recruits and ammo allocation.

The cross training of Gunner-Driver that's seen here was at some point later done away with.

 

1974 Tank battalion exercise https://dx.doi.org/10.5169/seals-48799

1975 practical Pz/Pz Gren excercise in a village. https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004:1975:141::567#104

 

 

1962 Swiss Army Supply organisation

 

Swiss conception of the fight in around bunkers 1

Swiss conception of the fight in around bunkers 2

1974 conception of Urban combat

 

The issues of Radar in Swiss Terrain (from 1951 but principles still apply).

 

As many smaller nations Switzerland needed the requisition of civilian transport to supplement it's Army transportation capacity. In1939 the total number of Army vehicles (details from 1937) numbered only 600, by 1971 27'000 and steadied around there. This only covered about a third of the necessary vehicles for the Army. Additional vehicles was needed by Civil Defence and core economic supply. In the case of mobilisation in 1986 about 123'000 vehicles would have been requisitioned via a card system linked to the vehicle registration.

 

Swiss Artillery from 1870 to 1987

 

 

G Div 5 to F Div 5

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004:1988:154::1257#332

 

 

 

Introduction of the Leo 2

 

Short blurb on the evaluation, but not much useful information.

 

Industrial and Licence building structure

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004:1985:151::1337#590

 

Training concept for crew and mechanics

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004:1988:154::1171#126

 

Some experience of the first Battalion retraining course

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=asm-004:1989:155::54#55

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Slightly off-topic. I am looking for the detailed OB of the Gotthard Fortress and Saint-Maurice Fortress, as well as the Dietikon Group on or about 11 May 1941. I.e. before the reteat into the Limmat positions. Something along the lines of my 
    Sargans Fortress, 1 July 1939

Thanks
--
Leo

 

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2 hours ago, Leo Niehorster said:

Slightly off-topic. I am looking for the detailed OB of the Gotthard Fortress and Saint-Maurice Fortress, as well as the Dietikon Group on or about 11 May 1941. I.e. before the reteat into the Limmat positions. Something along the lines of my 
    Sargans Fortress, 1 July 1939

Thanks
--
Leo

 

Have you seen this OOB from one of the old pages of the Schweiz 1940 site?

https://web.archive.org/web/20160215124942/http://www.schweiz1940.ch/limmat40-en/swiss/OOB0540/AK-1.htm#OOB

It relates to 1940 not 1941. I have no idea if things had changed by May 1941.

Looks like St Maurice Fortifications were under the control of 10 Mountain Brigade:

https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193207/http://www.schweiz1940.ch/limmat40-en/swiss/OOB0540/Fst-St-Maurice.htm

While the Gotthard was defended by 9 Mountain Division (with its 12 Mountain Regiment being included in the Dietikon Group):

https://web.archive.org/web/20160204174333/http://www.schweiz1940.ch/limmat40-en/swiss/OOB0540/Div-9.htm

fairly detailed ToE of the various units involved can be found here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20160812122256/http://schweiz1940.ch/common-en/swiss/units.htm

Hope that helps.

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3 hours ago, Leo Niehorster said:

Slightly off-topic. I am looking for the detailed OB of the Gotthard Fortress and Saint-Maurice Fortress, as well as the Dietikon Group on or about 11 May 1941. I.e. before the reteat into the Limmat positions. Something along the lines of my 
    Sargans Fortress, 1 July 1939

Thanks
--
Leo

You can read German right? I suggest you search

https://www.e-periodica.ch/

then bottom left under "Herausgeber" narrow it down by choosing "Verlagsgenossenschaft Schweizer Soldat" or, in your case probably more promising, "Schweizerische Offiziersgesellschaft".

I think I did stumble accross something like that but no idea where it was. If you are interested there was also an article where the evolution of the various deployment plans were shown.

If I see something like that again I'll post it here.

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Thank you for your replies.

Sorry — I did mean May 1940:blush:

I have the data of the old Schweiz 1940 site, but it was not completely right. I have been working with the author, Andreas P. Herren, to make a new presentation to be shown on my site. He has no interest in re-uploading his old site or starting a new, amended one.

I have the various plans (Operationsbefehle) for 1940, although not with a detailed OB down to battalions and companies, such as I have for July 1939 and April/May 1940. 

Saint-Maurice is within the area of the 10th Mountain Brigade, whereas Gotthard is under the 9th Division area. My interest is to locate which of the formations' units were actually emplaced in these fortresses.

--
Leo

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17 hours ago, Leo Niehorster said:

Thank you for your replies.

Sorry — I did mean May 1940:blush:

I have the data of the old Schweiz 1940 site, but it was not completely right. I have been working with the author, Andreas P. Herren, to make a new presentation to be shown on my site. He has no interest in re-uploading his old site or starting a new, amended one.

I have the various plans (Operationsbefehle) for 1940, although not with a detailed OB down to battalions and companies, such as I have for July 1939 and April/May 1940. 

Saint-Maurice is within the area of the 10th Mountain Brigade, whereas Gotthard is under the 9th Division area. My interest is to locate which of the formations' units were actually emplaced in these fortresses.

--
Leo

BTW here is everything you ever wanted to know on Sargans.

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=wej-001:2014:27::408#54

These were not singular blocks but a network of mutualy supporting artillery and infantry positions with integrated depots and command posts. Pre 1947 the actual fortress elements belonged to the artillery branch, including MG and close defense. Post 1947 the infantry branch was responsible for the MG/close defence roles until the Fortress branch was created which brought everything under one hat. During both wars, the troops stationed in the area constructed further permanent and temporary fortifications. The OB's I find seem to be that of the normal field units which would be fighting in the fortress zones around and in conjunction with the various fortress elements.

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TO1936

Infanterie Rgt (3 Bat) (Total 3097men, 129 Of, 398 Uof, 2570 men) 424 horses

109xLMG25, 48xMG11, 6x4.7cm IK, 12x81mm Mortars

 

Artillery

Field Art Abt (12x7.5cm, 12cm) 33 Of, 624 Uof+men, 447 horses, 61 horse wagons, 5 Motorvehicles

Geb Art Abt (8x7.5cmMountainGuns) 36 Of, 966 Uof+men, 511 horses, 44 wagons, 6 Motorvehicles

Sch Mot Kan Abt (8xnew105mm) 20 Of, 320 Uof+men, 10 riding horses, 60 Vehicles

 

 

TO1947 planned

Infanterie Rgt (Total 3456, 133 Of, 483 Uof, 2840 men) 473 horses

(90xZFK31, 269xMP, 129xLMG25, 36xMG11, 27xATRifles, 12x20mmAA, 12x4.7cm IK, 24x81mmMortars, 20xFlamethrowers, 186x AT Rifle Gren Lnch)

1xComms Co 1 Command Plt, 1 Comms Plt, 1 Telephone Plt, 1 Radio Plt

3xFüs Bat

Bat HQ 1 IK Plt (4x4.7cm IK), 2 Mort Plt (4x81mm), Comms Plt

3xFüs Kp Total 191 Men; (10xZFK31, 20xMP, 13xLMG, 3xATR, 18xAT Rifle Gren Lnch); 1 tractor+trailer

Co HQ

3x Plt

1xFire Plt (Feuer Zug) (new) 3xLMG25 w. tripod, 3xATR

Mitrailleur Kp (MG Co) Total 206 12xMG11, 4x20mm AA (intended to be seperated and formed into Regimental AA Co when Motorstransport available), 1xtractor+trailer

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2 hours ago, Junior FO said:

BTW here is everything you ever wanted to know on Sargans.

https://www.e-periodica.ch/digbib/view?pid=wej-001:2014:27::408#54

Thank you for this intersting and helpful link. :)
If only there was something like this for the Saint-Amaurice and Gotthard Fortresses.

--
Leo

 

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1 hour ago, Leo Niehorster said:

Thank you for this intersting and helpful link. :)
If only there was something like this for the Saint-Amaurice and Gotthard Fortresses.

--
Leo

 

Much too big of a subject. Several books were published in the 90's so out of print.

 

One place you could try is contacting is the email at

https://www.historische-militaeranlagen.com

Very much WIP but they have the detailed troops listed in some instances like

https://www.historische-militaeranlagen.com/Festungsbrigade-23/

if you go to SAN CARLO you'll find Festungsartkp 17 listed for 1939-1944.

 

Under documentation they have some original documentation on Brugg.

 

Hopefully they will be adding further information over time.

 

 

Also :https://www.festung-oberland.ch/sperren/festungsbrigade-23/

Quote

Mit der TO 38 entstand aus der 5. Division die 9. Division, die den Gotthard zu halten und im Tessin zu kämpfen hatte. Die 9. Division war der eigentliche Kern am Gotthard, die Gebirgsbrigade 9 stand im Tessin. An Truppen umfasste die Festung St. Gotthard zur Hauptsache das Gebirgsgrenzregiment 65, das Territorialregiment 78, das selbständige Gebirgsgrenzbataıllon 229 sowie die Festungsabteilungen 5 und 6. Die Gebırgsbrigade wurde 1939 in die Grenzbrigade 9 umgewandelt. Zu ihr gehörte unter anderem dıe Festungsabteilung 7.

1940 unterstellte man die bisher selbständige Festung St. Gotthard dem Kommando der 9. Division. Diese und die Gebirgsbrigaden 11 und 12 wurden einem neu geschaffenen 5. Armeekorps unterstellt, das man gemäss Operationsbefehl Nr. 13 vom 14. Mai 1941 als 3. Armeekorps bezeichnete. Diese Änderungen standen im Zusammenhang mit dem Reduit-Konzept, das gewaltige Befestigungsarbeiten zur Folge hatte.

 

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  • 1 year later...

1960

Panzer Abteilung (Centurion)

Official TOE from 1960, 64 AMX Flab Panzer were intended for 1967 but never aquired, not sure if replaced with towed 20mm for a bit before they were consolidated. Reserve Material is given as 25-30% of total order value, 8 tanks per Abt (so 20%) and 1 spare Barrel per tank.

 

1x Pz StabsKp, 3xPz Kp

879 Men: 47 Of, 131 Uof, 688 Sdt, 13 HD (Hilfsdienst, not fit for combat duties)

177 MP, 18 Rak Rohr

278 vehicles: 42 Pz, 9 Flab Pz, 5 recovery tanks, 30 Pz Begleitfahrzeug (Bren Carriers), 84 MC, 36 Jeeps, 5 Kdow (command radio trucks), 50 CrossCountryTrucks, 2 tow vehic Atlantic, 4 Crane trucks, 6 Maintenance trucks, 1 Generatortruck, 4 Medical trucks, 57 trailers

 

Panzer StabsKp: 1x Kommando Z, 3x Flab Z, 1xMotc Z, 1xRadio Z, 1xRep Z, 1x San Z

3 Panzer, 9 Flab Pz, 2 Recovery Pz, 21 MC, 15 Jeeps, 5 Cmd Radio trucks, 2 light + 18 hvy trucks, 2 tow Veh Atlantic, 1 Crane, 3 Repair trk, 1 Generator trk, 4 Med trk

Pz Kp: 1x Kdo Z, 3x Pz Z, 2x Pz Gren Z, 1x MC Z

Kdo Z: 1 Pz, 1 Recov Pz, 3 Jeep, 2 light + 8 hvy trucks, 1 crane, 1 Rep truck, 1 Jeep trailer, 8 truck trailer, 1 Generator trailer, 1 Welding trailer

Pz Z: 4 Pz, 1 Jeep

Pz Gren Z: 5 Bren Carrier

MC Z: 21 MC, 1 Jeep

 

PzJäger Abteilung (G13)

1x PzJ StabsKp, 3x PzJ Kp

663 Men: 35 Of, 84 Uof, 535 Sdt, 9 HD (Hilfsdienst, not fit for combat duties)

169 MP

240 vehicles: 43 G13, 84 MC, 63 Jeep, 1 Kdow, 33 trucks, 2 towing Veh Uranus, 4 cranes, 5 Maintenance trucks, 1 Generator, 4 Med trucks, 37 trailers

 

PzJ StabsKp: 1x Kommando Z, 1x MC Z, 1x Radio Z, 1x Rep Z, 1x San Z

Kdo Z: 5 Jeep, 5 hvy truck, 5 trailers, 4 G13 (these 4 also listed in Rep Z, so IMO probably a reserve that if intact serves with Kdo Z)

MC Z: 21 MC, 1 Jeep

Radio Z: 1 Cmd Radio truck, 1 Jeep

Rep Z: 1 Jeep, 1 light + 3 hvy trucks, 2 towing veh, 1 crane, 2 Maint trucks, 1 Generator, trailers

San Z : 1 Jeep, 4 Med trucks

 

PzJ Kp: 1x Kdo Z, 3x PzJ Z, 1x MC Z

Kdo Z: 1 G13, 2 Jeep, 1 light + 7 hvy trucks, 1 crane, 1 Maint truck, 6 trailers, 1 Generator trailer, 1 Welding trailer

PzJ Z: 4 G13, 5 Jeeps

MC Z: 21 MC, 1 Jeep

 

 

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Ammo costs in CHF 1960, includes transport and arrival checks

20 Pdr

APDS 380

AP 200

HE 155

 Smoke 160

 

105mm

APDS 700

AP 290

HE 225

HESH 560

Smoke 230

 

Smoke grenade 54

7.5mm MG round 0.22

 

Costs of a Pz Abt

Running costs in fuel, ammo and Maintenance 1 Pz Abt + 1 Pz Sap Kp (Arm Eng Co) = 0.5 Mio CHF

Additional basic training costs of 770 recruits x 3300 CHF (Pz Sdt 6333 CHF, Mot Dragoner (Mot Inf) 3029 CHF) = 2.5 mio CHF

 

Ammo costs in CHF 1953 at source, so excluding transport and checks

US 90mm

HE 126

APDS 678

AP 122

Smoke 145

Practice 110

12.7mm 1.6

7.5mm 0.8

UK 20 Pdr

HE 247

APDS 495

AP 190

Smoke 275

Practice 125

MG 0.733

 

Tank Offering Prices in CHF July 1953

AMX13 400k

Centurion 512'820

Patton47 815'546

Patton 48 759'046

AMX Flab 450'000

 

Edited by Junior FO
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1953 Pz Abt projected CHF Total price for a

- (42+8 Res) Pz Abt (including 30% spare parts, transport & checks, normalising)

- (9+2 Res) Flab Kp

- 200 He, 100 AP, 100 APDS per active Pz, 8000 rounds Flab per active Flab Pz

- general vehicles (Engineer, Supply, Maintenance, (Pz Gren Bren Carrier not included as on hand)

- Radios

- 18 Rakrohr + ammo (3x 6 Pz Gren Z)

- General Material

 

AMX13 Total 44.59 Mio (24.35 Mio (Pz) + 6.49 Mio (FlabPz)+ 4.78 Mio PzMun+ 1.296 Mio FlabMun + 6.112 Mio Vehicles + 1.125 Mio Radios + 0.17 Mio Rakrohr + 0.3 Mio Material

Centurion 20pdr Total 58.083 Mio (35.3 Mio (Pz)+ s.a. + 5.433 Mio PzMun + s.a. + 7.98 Mio Vehicles+ s.a. + s.a. + s.a.)

Patton 47 90mm Total 77.352 Mio (54.55 Mio + s.a. + 5.452 Mio PzMun+ s.a. + s.a.+ s.a. + s.a. + s.a.)

Patton 48 90mm Total 73.502 Mio (50.7Mio + s.a. etc.)

Edited by Junior FO
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