Help please!

[Dick Pumphrey]

Gentlemen,
First let me wish everyone a wonderful New Year. Then, I am searching for any information about Kavallerie-Schützen Rgt. 4 - "GD". Such as - commander, areas of operation with "GD" and hopefully where they ended up later in the war and it's designation at that time. Any and all help much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Best Regards,
Dick

[Larry deZeng]

Try:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/

--Larry

[Dick Pumphrey]

Thank you!

Thanks Larry,
I'll try that.
Regards,
Dick

[Simon O.]

Just curious but what's it's connection to GD?

[Dick Pumphrey]

Source

Hi Simon,
When I picked up my uniform I had asked Scott Pritchett what if any Kav. units had been attached to "GD". The is the unit info he gave me at that time. Thanks for your interest.
Regards,
Dick

[Simon O.]

Well Kav.Sch.Rgt.4 changed to Schützen Rgt.4 at the outbreak of war, it belonged to the 1 Leichte Division which became the 6 Panzer Division in Oct.39. As with the other Schützen regiments it's name changed to panzergrenadier regiment 4 in 1942.

What's the uniform if i may ask?

[Dick Pumphrey]

Uniform

Hi Simon,
Sure you can. It is a M-36 OFW. Thanks for the info you sent. It is a good place to work from.
Regards,
Dick

[Simon O.]

Yeah but what's the connection between the uniform, kav-sch rgt.4 and GD? Cyphers, cufftitle, waffenfarbe? Just trying to see the link between the three things here because as far as i can see the regiment had no formal connection to GD.

[Dick Pumphrey]

Uniform

Hi Simon,
When I picked up the uniform several years ago I asked Scott at that time what Kav. outfit was attached to "GD" and this was his answer. That information was what my original question was based on today. I had tried to find some answers in material that I have and had no luck. It appears to be a good honest "GD" tunic with yellow piping. Hope that this helps.
Regards,
Dick

[Simon O.]

Ok, so from what i can tell you have an oberfeldwebel's tunic with cavalry yellow piping and GD cyphers?


If that's the case then it sounds more like it belongs to GD's panzer-Aufklärungs abteilung.

One thing is absolutely certain, Schützen regiment 4 did not belong to GD and was not a 'GD' unit in any formal way. If the tunic belonged to Kav.Sch.Rgt.4 then there would be an S and a 4 on the shoulder straps.

A lot of people, when they see cavalry yellow think 'cavalry' and they forget that recce units (aufklärungs) used this colour as well as some motorised infantry units which had converted from cavalry.

I take it, it's golden yellow rather than lemon yellow?

[Dick Pumphrey]

Uniform

Hi Simon,
Yes it is golden yellow. Your help is very much appreciated and has cleared up the questions I had. Now, thanks to you, I have a base to start working from. Take care.
Regards,
Dick

[Simon O.]

One more thing Dick, According to Mike Pruett's excellent book on field uniforms of the German panzer forces, the armoured car company of GD's Kradschützen (motorcycle) battalion, also wore golden yellow.

[Dick Pumphrey]

Thank you!

Hi Simon,
I cannot thank you enough for your very kind help and answers to my question. This help such as you have provided is what makes this site so great and such a great source. (PM sent)
Best Regards,
Dick