Beobachtungs-Abteilung 20

History

Beobachtungs-Abteilungen, or Observation Artillery Battalions, were the ears and eyes of the German artillery branch. They served largely as sound and light ranging units but also as general range finding and long range tactical observation units for artillery spotting. These units even used medium sized ballons in the role of artillery observation.

After Decemeber of 1939, all of these units served as Heerestruppen. Most of these units were renamed as leicht Beobachtungs-Abteilung (mot.) at some point during the latter part of WWII. The arm of service color used by these units, like all other artillery units, was bright red.

Organization

General Organization
Stab
Stabs-Batterie
1.Vermessungs-Batterie
2.Schallmeß-Batterie
3.Lichtmeß-Batterie
4.Ballon-Batterie (w/ Flak-Zug)

The 4.Ballon-Batterie was removed from the organization of most all Beobachtungs-Abteilungenafter 1942, during the conversion into leicht Beobachtungs-Abteilungen (mot.). Their Flak-Zug waslikewise removed.

Knights Cross Holders

No KC holders for this unit

German Bibliography

  • Aufklärende Artillerie, by Hans Joachim Froben
  • Die deutschen Infanterie-Divisonen, Band 1-3, by Werner Haupt
  • Die deutsche Feldpostübersicht 1939-1945, Band 1-3, by Nobert Kannapin
  • Die Pflege der Tradition der alten Armee in Reichsheer und im der Wehrmacht, by Schirmer/Wiener
  • Die Truppenkennzeichen… der deutchen Wehrmacht u. Waffen-SS, Band 1-4, by Schmitz/Thies
  • Der Zweite Weltkrieg im Kartenbild, Band 1-3, by Klaus-Jurgen Thies
  • Deutsche Verbände und Truppen 1918-1939, by George Tessin
  • Verbände und Truppen der deutchen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS…, Band 1-14, by Georg Tessin
  • Formationsgeschichte und Stellenbesetzung 1815-1939, Teil 1, der deutschen Heer, Band 1-3, by Günter Wegner
  • Die Deutsche Wehrmacht u. Waffen-SS, Ihre Kommando. u. Grossverbände… im Zweiten Weltkrieg, author unknown
  • Das Reichsheer und Seine Tradition, author unknown
  • Deutsche Rote Kreuz Suchdienst, Divisionsschicksale, author unknown

English Bibliography (Available on Amazon)

German Artillery in World War II 1939-1945 Book Cover
German Artillery in World War II 1939-1945
by Joachim Engelmannn