History

Heers verordnungsblatt nr 35 1921 led to the formation of the wachregiment berlin, this unit was formed to provide manpower for the guarding of military installations in berlin and for honour guard duties for State visits, funerals etc. Also they were available and in place for the putting down of any attempted coup d'etats in the politically volatile city of Berlin.

This unit did not last long being, percieved as a threat by the left wing factions of the Reichstag. This led to disbandment in June of 1921.

However the city needed some form of military Honour Guard, the solution: "Kommando der Wachtruppe".

Based at 10 Rathenower Strasse Berlin-Moabit it comprised seven Kompanies derived from the seven Divisions of the Reichsheer. The Kompanies kept their original unit designations on their shoulder straps, however they were reffered to as 1.Kp/Wachtruppe berlin, 2.Kp/Wachtruppe Berlin etc.

Having kompanies from seven divisions of the Reichsheer from all over Germany gave rise to a great mix of dialects and regional traditions, GD later prided itself on drawing recruits from all over the Reich rather than from a particular region.

In 1934 the kommandos name was again changed to the Wachtruppe Berlin. The Wachtruppe providing guards for any State occasions plus permanent duties at:

The War Memorial

Reichswehr Ministry

Brandenburg Gate

Army Ordnance Offices

Commander in Chief of the Army

amongst many other smaller and varied guard detachments.

On 23 June 1937 another name change occurred this time to the Wachregiment Berlin keeping this name until 1945. With the name change came expansion. The Wachregiment now consisting of eight kompanies plus HQ and signals elements, putting the framework and elements in place for further expansion.

Personnel were now rotated through the Wachregiment from the rapidly expanding Heer. Officers serving one year, enlisted men six months. They now relinquished their original unit designations for their period of service and now wore the Gothic "W" cypher on their shoulder straps.

From January of 1939 the Wachregiment provided the guard for Adolf Hitler known as the "Wache Fuhrer".

6th April1939 the Wachregiment Berlin is to be renamed INFANTERIE REGIMENT GROSSDEUTSCHLAND effective 12th June 1939.

The unit was now autonomous and responsible for its own administration and training. The Wachregiment continued supplied solely by men from the GD.

The Infanterie Lehr Battalion was formed in Doberitz in 1934 from the "Lehr und versuchs-Kommando fur Infanterie Waffen". In 1935 the Battalion recieved the title Infanterie Lehrbattalion and was permitted to wear the "L" cypher on their shoulder straps. II. Battalion formed in October 1936 was fully motorised and on the formation of a III. Battalion the unit became Inf.Lehrregiment and was rehoused in the Olympic village. Inf Lehr Rgt was involved in the training of the rapidly expanding Heer at this time and was too busy to become involved in the Polish campaign. Apart from a battalion sized unit formed from several kompanies and a kompanie of Pioniers by Oberleutnant Garski (more from him later). This unit was sent to man static positions on the "Westwall" at the outbreak of war. The unit returned in October 1939 and became the basis of the III./Inf.Rgt.GD.