Was the bulk of the German infanty on foot during their eastern front campaign during WW2?

Question

How about the motorized infantry which I often heard about? What were the key differences in terms of roles for these 2? Typically how would a German army attack a russian army in terms of co ordination among the luftwaffe,panzer gradiers, artillery, pioneer battalion etc?

Answer 1

For the most part infantry in World War II was still foot bound. However, it was much more common for them to be transferred from place to place in trucks or trains to save time. These vehicles were not permanently attached to the infantry and were used in secure areas. A motorized infantry brigade would have it's own permanent fleet of trucks to get around.

Typically artillery and air power would soften up a target before it was attacked. Also, air power would be used to attack rear areas to hinder troop movement. Panzer Grenadiers is the term for mechanized infantry; troops with armoured transportation, IE. half-tracks. Pioneers are essentially engineers and would have helped to cross rivers and other obstacles as well as demolishing enemy fortifications.

Answer 2

Whoa! You're asking for a complete set of battle plans when you start dragging in the Luftwaffe, panzers, pioneers etc.
The infantry travels on foot. That's what they do. They are foot soldiers. Motorized infantry means they get hauled from place to place in trucks, but then get get out and start marching.
The problem with attacking the Russian army was that the Germans did not have the equipment, or the experience, to cope with the Russian winter. All the Russians had to do was wait until the cold had taken its toll, then go in and mop up.