Panzer divisions

In the modern day, the term Panzer division refers to a type of armed division fielded by various organizations within the Menschlicher Sternenstaat - such as the Weltraummarine, Sturmheer, or Staatsschutz - that utilizes a core of armor (mainly main-battle tanks) to provide the punching force for spearheads, breakthroughs, and flanking maneuvers on the battlefield and in general combined arms offensives with air-orbital coverage and infantry echelons. All Staat panzer divisions are supplemented by attached air wings to achieve or maintain local air superiority and include mechanized infantry subsections that provide logistical support, reconnaissance duties, and elastic defense against different enemy units.

Unlike Panzergrenadier divisions, which are composed mainly of mechanized infantry that are dispatched to and disembark near key locations, panzer divisions are able to move rapidly under proper air coverage to isolate and destroy pockets of enemy resistance in addition to plugging rapidly created holes in the front lines that could later be supplemented by other divisions. The emphasis on orbital and aerial control by the Sturmheer and Weltraummarine in any planetary invasion means that the enemy will have assured difficulties in a miscellany of variable factors ranging from communications and logistics to that of reinforcement and retreat, thus enabling panzer divisions to move rapidly without fear or failure of their actions.

In the event that air and/or orbital supremacy is lost for an amount of time - which would effectively stop any major shock and awe campaign - panzer divisions are to cease rapid movements that would dismember them from the main advancing army bodies. Instead, they will revert to a pure spearing form that will attempt to shatter encountered enemy forces in potent assaults, not leaving the safety of anti-air (or, rarely, anti-orbital) batteries that are brought up to defend against newfound enemy air or orbital supremacy.

The technologies and doctrines of the panzer divisions of the Staat have been built up for centuries through various encounters with alien species and humans alike, all with differing strategies and tactics per each war and battle. The Staat has learned that the value of panzer divisions and other armored units (such as panzer armies) is not just from their shock and their speed, but also the manifested flexibility that can be offered from them once they are utilized in grand assaults and other endeavors.

Work in progress.