Well as the name emplies "Sturm" means assault, and if my memory serves me well, the Sturmgruppes were used as heavy assault company's. Many were used in Stalingrad. They were equiped with explosives, flamethrowers, MG-34 and Mortars. Depending if the "Pioneer" units were from Panzer or Infantry units they could be deployed by armored cars, trucks or on foot. As far as training, they had many schools for its Engineers, and were probably some of the most profecient in the art of Engineering, and Urban combat Demolition. The Allies of course made great use out of their Engineers and casused much havoc...ie.. Battle of the Bulgde. I would say that they were trained by engineers, and then sent to Infantry Combat scools, or visa versa. They could be deployed either by Company, battalion or even at Korps level..depending on the mission or objectives... there are many good books out there, you can check out Feldgrau.com for units.

The 78th Infantry division was designated as a Sturmdivision in Jan 43. It had a unique TOE. 14, 195, 215 Grenadier regiments, regimental pak allocated to rifle co's, each regiment had its own pioneer co in addition to infantry gun co.The div also had heay mortar batt'n -36 x 120mm. Stug batt'n (31) and pzjager had 2 co's (sp) also AA batt'n 2 batteries of 88's. It was destroyed at Orsha June 44 during the russian operation Bagration. Reformed from 543rd Div in July and was designated as Himmlers personal stormdivision. Became 78th Volkssturm division in Feb 45

Hey! Great info. I was aware of Orsha. Where did you find your data? I assume that there was a Pioniere Bn. in the division structure, in addition to the pioniere kompanies at the Inf. Regt. level. Virtually all Heer infantry divisions had gone to a three regiment-two battalion TOE, beginning in spring of 42. Did 78 Sturm Div retain three inf. bn. in the regimental structure? When you say Himmler's personal stormdivision, it would imply some affiliation to the S.S., but I'm certain that wasn't the case. Did Himmler's fondness for this division change it's command relationship at all. Moreover, do you know why this division was selected for such a unique TOE? Also, why were there no others of similar composition? Any info on training of Pioniere Battalions, in general. Again, they seem fill a greater infantry role than comparable units on the allied side, though I'm aware that U.S. Combat Engineers have always had a secondary mission of infantry. Regimental PAK was nominal in most German infantry divisions. Either 50mm or 75mm PAK, sometimes mixed, usually six weapons per regiment (IIRC). My BattleFront computer game shows a sturmbattalion TOE, with a platoon of 75mm PAK at the company level, as you suggest. Depending upon the 78th's structure (perhaps up to 27 sturmkompanies), that may indicate as many as 81 75mm PAK, plus an additional PAK battery in the PzJagr Bn? Thanks in advance. The division's structure has always intrigued me, more so as it seems utterly unique.

Look for a description in 'On Artillery; by Gundmunson. I dont have it at hand, but there is a a description of a assualt divsion that sounds like this 78th.

I went to Yahoo with the spelling and no reference. Sounds like a book which I've never read. Is the author's spelling correct?

Certainly not. I never do that from memory. Bruce I Gudmundsson Praeger Publishers - Greenwood Publishing Group Inc

Carl, thanks. This looks like a helluva book for a ol' cannoneer type. Gudmundsson also appears to be something of an authority on the origins of sturmtruppen from W.W.I. Neat.

Yes it is a good book. But, despite having a similar background to Bruce as an artillery officer, and having read many of the same sources, I cant see several of his ideas or conclusions. He also goes on endlessly about German artillery techniques, hardly mentioning anything anyone else might have done with cannon. He barely acknowledges that French, British, or US techniques might have been superior. His post WWII discussion is largely abstract & seems to assume the reader knows what Gunmunddson knows already.

The info on 78th Sturm was from "The German Order of Battle -Infantry in WW2" by George F Nafziger ISBN 1-85367-393-5. It was a Heer formation, Himmler was put in charge(briefly) of Army Group Weichel in 1945.

Yes it also had a regular pioneer Battlion