The decisive influence on the shaping of the organization and tactics of the German infantry before the outbreak of World War II was, on the one hand, the experience of the previous World War, but also theoretical works created in the 1920s and 1930s, which often emphasized the need to perceive the German infantry as a tool waging an offensive war. This affected both the equipment and the organization of the German infantry division, which during the September campaign of 1939 consisted of 3 infantry regiments, each of which was divided into 3 infantry battalions, an artillery company and an anti-tank company. In addition, there were numerous support units, including: an artillery regiment with 4 artillery squadrons (including one heavy), an anti-tank battalion, a sapper battalion and a communications battalion. In total, the so-called infantry division In the first mobilization wave, there were approximately 17,700 people and had a significant artillery component, but also was abundantly equipped with machine guns. It also had modern and efficient - for those times - means of communication and command. In the course of the war, infantry divisions underwent transformation - in 1943 some of them were transformed into armored grenadier divisions. However, from 1943, the standard division of the "traditional" infantry consisted of approx. 12,500 men (and not approx. 17,700 as in 1939), and its artillery component - especially heavy artillery - was also reduced in it, while its anti-tank defense was significantly improved. It is assumed that during the entire Second World War, about 350 infantry divisions served in the Wehrmacht.
Leichter Granatwerfer 36 (5cm)[w skrócie: l.Gr.W.36] is a German light 50mm grenade launcher from the Second World War. The first prototypes of this weapon were made in 1934, and its serial production was carried out in 1936-1943. About 32,000 of these weapons were produced in its course. The initial velocity of the missile was up to 75 m / s, and the rate of fire with a well-trained crew - up to 25 rounds per minute. The minimum range of the weapon was 75 meters and the maximum 575 meters.
The Leichter Granatwerfer 36 (5cm) was developed as a primary light infantry support weapon for short and very short distances at the platoon level. The weapon was designed and manufactured by the Rheinmetall-Borsig AG concern. Initially, the grenade launcher had a rather complicated - for this class of weapons - targeting system, but later it was abandoned. At the beginning of World War II, especially during the campaign in France in 1940, the weapon performed well, but later, especially during the fighting on the Eastern Front, it was criticized for its short range and low firepower. For these reasons, its production was limited as early as 1941, and a large part of these weapons was withdrawn from the front as early as 1942.