Destined to become known as the German Army's elite 'fire brigade' during 1939-45, the 'Grossdeutschland' Division began its life as a prestigious guard detachment based in Berlin. Converted into a combat-ready infantry regiment in 1939, it saw action in France, Yugoslavia and the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union. Reinforced to divisional strength, 'Grossdeutschland' fought on the Eastern Front, notably at Rzhev in late 1942 and Kharkov in early 1943. Refitted and redesignated a Panzergrenadier-Diwsion, 'Grossdeutschland' played a key role in the battle of Kursk, before acting as the Wehrmacht's 'fire brigade' in 1943-44. In late 1944, 'Grossdeutschland' was expanded to Panzerkorps status. Further units joined the order of battle, the Führerbegleit-Brigade fighting in the Ardennes in 1944-45 before also being redesignated a division. Depicting uniforms, insignia and personal equipment, this study charts the evolving appearance of this elite formation over nearly six years of brutal warfare.