Panzergrenadier
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Panzergrenadier, abbreviated as PzG (WWII) or PzGren (modern), meaning "Armour"-ed fighting vehicle "Grenadier", is the German term for the military doctrine of mechanized infantry units in armoured forces who specialize in fighting from and in conjunction with infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) – that is, armoured troop carriers designed to carry a mechanized squad of six to eight soldiers into, during and out of combat while providing direct fire support for those troops.
German Panzergrenadiers mounted on a Sd.Kfz. 251 armoured half-track.
German Panzergrenadiers and their Sd.Kfz. 251 armoured half-track in the Soviet Union, August 1942.
German panzergrenadiers riding on a StuG IIIG assault gun.
Bundeswehr Panzergrenadier squad in 2012.
Grenadier
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A grenadier was historically an assault-specialist soldier who threw hand grenades in siege operation battles. The distinct combat function of the grenadier was established in the mid-17th century, when grenadiers were recruited from among the strongest and largest soldiers. By the 18th century, the grenadier dedicated to throwing hand grenades had become a less necessary specialist, yet in battle, the grenadiers were the physically robust soldiers who led vanguard assaults, such as storming fortifications in the course of siege warfare.
17th century grenadier throwing a hand grenade. The concept of throwing grenades made its way to Europe during the mid-17th century.
Swiss grenadiers from different regiments by the artist David Morier, c.1748, British Royal art collection. Note the mitre caps and the brass match case on the shoulder-belt
The British Army's Guards Division continue to wear the bearskin cap with its full dress uniform, a custom associated with the Grenadier Guards defeat of the French Imperial Guard in 1815.
18th century Prussian grenadier mitre caps (Grenadiermütze).