Leadership Duties:
Division Kommandur
The Division Kommandur is responsible for the four key functions that we have adapted from the original German 1944 Divisional staff model. Each function has its own commander who report directly to the Division Kommandur. His responsibility is to ensure that the four act in concert with each other, give each strategic advice and direction. The Axis Division Kommandur has the ultimate accountability to WWIIHA for their performance and in turn he works to ensure the appropriate WWIIHA support for their operations.
These four functions are based on a real world model that served the German Army well, but have been adapted with practicality for contemporary re-enactors:
- Administration & Discipline (originally the Division Staff Adjutanture Unit or IIa)Standards of behavior and appearance must be established, widely understood and enforced. Additionally, event management must have a central point of contact for all administrative issues surrounding event registration, housing, parking, post regulations.
- Battle Planning (originally the Division Staff Command Unit or Ia)The objective of the battle must be clearly understood via analysis of terrain, combat capabilities of the Division’s front line and the combat capabilities of the enemy. That analysis must be ongoing and developed into recommendations of action for the Commander.
- Ammunition Management & Troop Movement (originally the Division Staff Quartermaster Unit or Ib)Daily movement of troops happens in this order: Appell, Ammunition Distribution, Convoy Assembly and Deployment to the field. Since there are multiple convoys and routes into the field, these must be coordinated from a central point of management that ensures the order of march to the field is properly maintained and that control of all elements is maintained upon arrival.
- Combat Effectiveness (this is delivered by the Regiment(s), or the front line of the Division).Full strength divisions were organized into multiple regiments supported by several back line services. The Regiment has a commander solely focused on translating the Divisional Commander’s Intent into success on the battlefield via the regiment’s Kompanie commanders, men and assets.
Additionally, each branch of service-- Wehrmacht (comprising of Heer and Luftwaffe) and Waffen SS will be organized as a Battallion while in garrison (Kaserne) and each branch will have it's respective leader responsible for it while in garrison. Unit commanders report to Battaillon while in garrison and the Battaillonführers report to the Division Kommandur.
How The Axis Division Chain of Command Will Function
- Kaserne Operations is the chain of command to be used when the troops are in garrison
- Field Operations is the chain of command to be used when the troops are in the field.
- Divisional command will retain command over both Kaserne Operations and Field Operations, but will administer each through separate chains of command