9./Pz.Gren.Regt.200/90.PzGren.Div. Impression Guide, Spring-Summer 1944
(Updated JUL 2017)
Historical Context: The 90. Panzergrenadier-Division was activated 6 July 1943 in Sardinia from the remnants of, and as a replacement for the 90. Leichte Afrika-Division following its destruction in Tunisia in May 1943. The 90. Panzergrenadier-Division fought at Anzio, Rome, the Caesar and Gothic Lines and in the Po River Valley. Due to its status as an elite mobile division, elements of the 90. Panzergrenadier-Division were used often as an OKW reserve force often shifting between 10. and 14. Armee sectors to plug gaps in defensive lines and perform rear area security missions throughout the campaign in Italy.The division fought from July 1943 – April 1945 where it was ultimately destroyed near Bologna, Italy.
In January 1944, the 90.Panzergrenadier-Division was ordered south from vicinity of Rome, to reinforce the Gustav Line. They arrived 21 January. Shortly after the Allied landings at Anzio the 90. PzGren.Div. was sent north to help repel the invasion on the 16 February, 1944. From February to May 1944, the division acted as the mobile reserve of the 14. Armee performing rear area security missions and defending against the Anzio landings. On 23 May the Allied forces broke out of the Anzio bridgehead and started their push towards Rome. The 90. PzGren.Div. commenced a fighting withdrawal to the intermediate defenses of the Caesar Line. On 2 June 1944, the Caesar Line collapsed and two days later, on 4 June 1944, the Allies captured Rome. The division then commenced a fierce fighting withdrawal from the town of Tivoli up to Lake Trasimeno, in what was called Schwerpunkt am Tiber from 4-16 June 1944. In July, the division once again served as the reserve for the 14. Armee and in August was transferred to West Alpine area to defend the Piedmont region and Genoa against potential Allied landings there. In September 1944, the division was moved back to the Adriatic Coastal region of Rimini and in October placed under 10. Armee South East of Bologna. From November 1944, and to its destruction in April 1945, the division continued to fight in the area around Bologna where it was listed as destroyed in combat on 28 April 1945. The remaining soldiers of the 90. Panzergrenadier-Division surrendered to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Italy at the end of April 1945.
The division was reorganized on 23 October 1943 and Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 200 received the I. Battalion of Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 155 to become its III. Battalion. 9. Kompanie was part of this new III. Battalion. The regiment was also known as Grenadier-Regiment (motorisiert) 200 throughout 1944.
Impression Guidance:
This guide has been developed from the historical context of the units portrayed, original unit photographs and observation of general theater-specific trends through historical source documents/photo studies. This guide endeavors to capture what was “most common” amongst the unit portrayed during this time period/theater, and may not be 100% correct in ALL instances/situations. Any additions, suggestions/recommendations, or further inquiries should be forwarded to the Vice President, Kampfgruppe-Steiner.
Helmet- M35/M40/ M42. Standard feldgrau preferred. If camo is desired, two or three color camo schemes are most likely/common in Italy. Despite having veterans from Afrika, there probably wouldn’t be too many purely tan painted helmets left over, especially as the Italian campaign progressed northwards.
Tunic- Wool feldblusen and tropical tunics are both common and like trousers depended on wear/tear and what the soldier was issued and retained. General guidance should be a good 50/50 mix and bleaching or fading of tropical tunics is also commonly observed due to the Mediterranean climate/sun exposure.
Tunic Insignia/Awards: Panzergrenadier (weisen-grun) waffenfarben shoulder boards, generic (M42/43)/panzergrenadier (M40/M36) litzen, and Bronze Infantry Assault Badges (if worn) are appropriate.
Trousers- Sometimes hard to determine from pictures, but common sense tells us tropical trousers may be seen during the summer months and wools will be more common during the winter months. Depends on what the unit/soldier was issued or kept from past campaigns.
Footwear- Tropical low boots (or cut down tall boots for Afrika vets)/leather low boots are most common. A few marching boots are seen but not too many. Usually reserved for dress or formal instances/pictures.
Hats- M41 Tropical Feldmützen would be likely amongst the older men/Afrika vets. M43 caps are most prevalent per theater trend, especially as more replacements arrived from Germany.
Equipment Belt- Tropical/Leather belts are both seen – 50-50 mix.
Ammunition pouches- Ammo pouches remain the same throughout the war until the supply system began to completely fall apart. Black leather pouches are the most common and acceptable.
Breadbags- Any type desired, both tropical and continental are common.
Field Gear (Canteens, Gas mask canisters, shovels, bayonets)-at this point during the war, any assortment of field gear can be seen, web gear items and leather are often intermixed and in alignment with what was common on any front during 1943 and later into 1944.
Other tropical field gear: Leather items are more likely (y- straps, scabbards), but tropical/canvas web gear items are also seen.
References:
90th Light Infantry Division
Example Photos:
*Note the wire mesh on the wounded Gefrieter’s helmet in the foreground