20 July 1943

20 July 1943 Formation of field replacement battalions Annex 24

Secret. To the 716th, 709th, 319th and 389th Divisions. Army High Command’s training and organisation branches have ordered formation of field replacement battalions. The order applies to all corps divisions. Formation is by command authority; formal establishment of the 389th Division’s battalion will be ordered in due course.

The directive defines their purpose, organisation and training. Commander-in-Chief West adds: divisions intended for eastern service are to concentrate on training eastern-front fighters, with the High Command directive fully applicable. For static divisions and divisions not yet ordered east, including the 389th, bringing replacements up to full eastern-front standard temporarily takes second place to their other tasks.

Corps does not possess the High Command order mentioned in paragraph 2(c) on divisional combat schools for platoon and section leaders. It previously applied only to eastern divisions; applicability to western divisions is still being clarified.

As the corps divisions must form these battalions by command authority and no replacements will initially be supplied, corps considers the following organisation appropriate: battalion headquarters; one course company per division for rifle training; one course company for heavy weapons and specialists. For the 389th Division, however, paragraph 2(a) of the referenced directive governs formation. Divisions report intended strength, organisation, weapons, equipment and accommodation by 24 July.

T-314 Roll 1604, T314_R1604_English_Translation.docx. 20 July 1943 | Source PDF pages 710. Selected island-related text; document or report date governs placement.