Kriegsstärkenachweisung (KStN)

A KStN is a chart which shows the theoretical organization and composition of a certain unit. KStN´s were often changed during the war due to reorganization of higher level units like regiments or Abteilungen. The KStN gives the exact number of men, their Stellengruppe, their position, task in the unit and the armament. The type of vehicles, trailers etc.. is set in the KStN. Normally KStN are numbered but there are also several unnumbered KStN in special folders. KStN include units of the Feldheer and the Ersatzheer. Some KStN went through several changes and updates during the war which makes it difficult to determine which correction or update was valid at a certain time. Normally a KStN has a date when it was issued but some have handwritten corrections and additions which are at times very confusing but ongoing research should solve some unclear particulars.

German unit organizations were based on tables of organization, (Kriegsstärkenachweisungen or KStN). Every unit raised had one, and all orders raising units indicated the corresponding KStN number and date which applied to them.

The Germans did not necessarily issue their KStN on the dates indicated on them, and it is highly unlikely that units conformed to these new KStN on the issue dates. The issue date referred to a specific deadline upon which the KStN were to become effective. In several cases, the KStN were issued later, although with this earlier date. Standard KStN were always issued on the 1st of the month. Provisional KStN were dated any other day of the month. These provisional KStN, (issued to test organizations and changes to be promulgated), were then replaced by the official, standard KStN when ready. Sometimes, these provisional KStN remained in force, and in effect became the standard KStN. In this case, a 'standard' KStN (with an issue date on the 1st of the month), was not issued at all.

As new KStN appeared, the old ones were supposed to be destroyed, at least at unit levels. This practice was carried out with typical German efficiency at higher levels also. The result is that only fragments of the KStN of the early years remain.

KStN were modified by General Army Memorandums (AHM Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen) and also by orders issued by various arms inspectorates or higher headquarters. These agencies continually changed and modified the units, adding a vehicle here, deleting a soldier or two there, or making other nonstandard modifications.

The Germans occasionally published lists with valid KStN at specific dates. Some of the KStN indicated on these lists were never published, or they were issued, but with a remark to the effect that they were not to be implemented until further notification, which, in some cases, was never forthcoming.

Some KStN existed for a short time, and never appeared on the validity lists, (either cancelled, never authorized, or superseded).

Other KStN were issued twice under the same date with minor modifications. The validity of the second one was indicated by underlining the date. Any KStN issued on that date had to have the date underlined to be valid.

KStN and changes became valid on the issue date and applied to unit strength reports immediately. Internal reorganizations were not made until the indicated unit was able to implement them, i.e., was withdrawn from combat and having time for administrative matters. Units to be issued with new and particularly complicated equipment were withdrawn to training grounds, transferring their old equipment to other units. A new unit was normally raised, trained, and equipped at one of the training grounds and then sent to the front, where normally (but not always immediately) it joined its parent unit or formation.

The author has extrapolated the missing KStN either from other, contemporary and similar, later, or earlier dated KStN. The KStN of the unit being defined in this case has an *) behind it. These educated guesses are also based on what information could be gleaned from orders of battle, unit histories (where available), unit strength reports, and German tactical doctrine manuals of that period.

It is important to emphasize that KStN indicated the maximum authorized organization. In many cases, they represented an ideal organization which in reality was not achieved.

The war diaries of both Halder (Chief of the German Army Staff, August 1938-September 1942) and of the OKW (German Armed Forces Supreme Command) contain many remarks indicating a lack of specialized personnel, equipment, and vehicles, including armored fighting vehicles.