5 Kompanie 984 Grenadiere Regiment

In the German military, the appointment of Hauptfeldwebel was the German equivalent of a Commonwealth Company Sergeant Major or American Company First Sergeant. There was one such NCO in every infantry company, artillery battery, cavalry squadron, etc. He was the senior NCO of his subunit, his duties were largely administrative.

The Hauptfeldwebel had many nicknames, including Spieß ("Spear") and Mutter der Kompanie ("company mother"). He wore two rings of NCO braid around the cuff of his sleeves (nicknamed "piston rings") and carried a Meldetasche (reporting pouch) tucked into the tunic front, in which he carried blank report forms, rosters and other papers related to his duties. 

The appointment could be held by any non-commissioned officer (Unteroffiziere mit Portepee, Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee), but was generally held by an Oberfeldwebel or Stabsfeldwebel.

Our "Speiss" is also one of our authenticity officers, and his standards are extremely high. This page will serve as his message board to members and individuals interested in joining the ranks of the 984 Grenadiere Regiment.

Grüßen Besucher, Freunde und Kameraden!!!

As you are already aware, we are a North Texas based re-enacting unit dedicated to the authentic recreation of the 984th Grenadier Regiment of the 275th Infanterie Division as it would have appeared starting in late 1943 up through the end of World War II. GR 984 was like many of the German units manning the "West Wall" in that it was comprised of a mix of rehabilitated veterans from other campaigns and new recruits of varying quality. Our general impression will be that of the late war German infantryman. In addition, members are encouraged to have a Tropical Heer impression to do either DAK (90th Light Division) or other Tropical events. Luftwaffe infantry impressions (LFD) are also welcome at late war events as the ranks of ID 275 were replentished with Luftwaffe personnel as the war dragged on. The emphasis of this group will be authenticity and flexibility of impressions to match tactical and public battle themes. The goals of the group are:

1. Authenticity - it's either correct or it's not going to be used.
2. Active - get off the couch and go fight as a unit!
3. Fun - this is a hobby!

At this time, the unit has no dues. A $10 truck fee will be collected at those events where the truck is used. Requests for membership from outside of the DFW area will generally be declined, however, we are considering some possible options, to accommodate re-enactors from other parts of Texas, and bordering states. Vendors are a possible exception to this. Membership in the TMHS is required and will be verified. Enjoy your visit to our home, here on the Internet, the 984 GR and I hope to see you amongst our ranks in the field. 

In Kameradenschaft!!!

Der Spiess - Andy

I managed to escape from work early and got to the event around 4pm. After talking to Scott, we decided to set up our camp up near the museum rather than on the opposite side of the property where the German camp was. Sam arrived soon after the camp was set up followed by Scott, John, and Adam. The usual festivities were well underway and having the camp so close to the French camp was a real plus. We managed to see several members of the 167 Volksgrenadier as well as taking a tour of the museum.

Saturday morning, Chris (Brown) and Jeff (Horning) arrived in time to get set up and we headed for the field shortly before 9am. We crossed the bridge after moving railroad ties into the road to slow the Allies advance. We decided to head to the south of the bridge and take up positions across the clearing from the bridge but before we could get set up, we were called back to the German CP for our orders. We were given orders to go back to where we had originally decided to set up. We must have read their minds? We trudged back to our position and played cat and mouse with a handful of Americans who had set up in the thicket in the middle of the field. Our aim must have been poor that day as we managed to score no hits. After what seemed like an eternity, Chris and Scott organized an assault on the thicket which resulted in a lone American machine gunner being killed but only after he managed to take out 3 of us. We regrouped and moved up to the camp for a short break and then proceeded to flank the Allied positions by advancing from behind the museum. In short order, we encountered scattered resistance which we quickly overcame. Each time, the enemy complimented us on our assault. Eventually, we worked our way to within 30 meters of the Allied CP but we were turned back by a determined adversary. After regrouping, we took up our old position across the clearing and awaited the Allied final push.

Their attack started with a smokescreen which obscured them as they moved into position. When they appeared out of the smoke, they were almost on top of our position. We were unable to hold them back and they soon wiped us out. This action was captured on film by one of our new recruits before they snuffed out his young life.

Chris and Scott managed to keep us together all day and were instrumental in the tactical successes that we managed. Numerous times, our adversaries complimented us on our appearance and on our tactical ability. I can't wait for the next time we get together as I think that this is quickly becoming a great group! This weekend's battle was one of the best I've attended in years. We ended up fielding 7 and all of you looked awesome! We got many compliments and even have one of the US guys acquiring gear so he can fall in with us from time to time. Special thanks to Chris (Brown) and Scott for their tactical guidance which allowed us to be on the giving end of fire more often than the other end. The finest compliment in my opinion was being the sole German unit to participate in the final assault put on by the Allies. They laid down smoke and came charging across the clearing where we managed to take some of them with us despite being vastly outnumbered. They Allies had nothing but praise for us and the way that we fought all day long. I'd also like to thank Les Young and his 36th Infantry Division (GI) guys for their awesome impressions and fighting skills as well. Hopefully, we'll have a few more guys at the next tactical event in Van, Texas (March) so we can build on what is really looking like a great unit.

Andy - Der Spiess