Kurt von Gottberg - III./Sta...

[Timo]

I have a question about Kurt von Gottberg.

Is "III./Sta.", mentioned as his postion in the SS-Dienstalterliste, Stand vom Oktober 1934, is this III./SS-Standarte 2 VT (soon to be renamed 1 VT)?

Also, does anybody know the exact date SS 2 VT became SS 1 VT? I know it was changed after Hitler withdrew the LAH from the numbering sequence, but I don't have the exact date.

Thanks in advance,
Timo

[Georges JEROME]

TImo,

Von Gottberg
c.o. III/2 SS VT in march 34
c.o. III/1 SS VT on may 34
left SS VT on 1/6 /35 for general SS

best

[Timo]

TImo,

Von Gottberg
c.o. III/2 SS VT in march 34
c.o. III/1 SS VT on may 34
left SS VT on 1/6 /35 for general SS

best

Thanks for your reply Benoit, but are you sure?

The information I have indicates that III/SS VT 2 was formed from Politische Bereitschaft Württenberg on 3 August 1934 and that it was renamed III/SS VT 1 some time later. In that case March and May 1934 make no sense.

1 June 1935 does fit as the info I have mentions that Von Gottberg left command to Major Boye in the summer of 1935.

[Richard Murphy]

Timo,
According to Mark C. Yerger von Gottberg was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer at the end of January 1934, and became head of the Polictical Readiness Detachment at Ellwagen on the same day he was promoted to Obersturmbannführer (25th March 1934.).
This unit was redesignated III/SS-Standarte 1 on 1st October, and von Gottberg retained command until losing a leg in a car accident (Sorry, no date given.) and didn't return to a command until June 1935, when he replaced Erich Cassel as CO of 49 SS-Standarte.

Hope that helped a bit,

Regards from the Park,

Rich

[Timo]

Thanks Richard,

Thus to summarize this:

- Politische Bereitschaft Württemberg was founded in May 1933, from company sized units from the towns of Oberndorf, Reutlingen and Trossingen;
- Since February 1934 the PBW was based in the Mühlberg-Kaserne, in Ellwangen/Jagst.;
- On 25.03.1934, the same day he was promoted to Ostubaf., Von Gottberg became commander of the PBW in Ellwangen;
- On 01.10.1934 SS-Standarte 2 VT was formed from Politischen Bereitschaft München, Hilfswerk Schleissheim and Politischen Bereitschaft Würtemberg. At this date PBW became III./SS-Standarte 2 VT, still commanded by Von Gottberg. The Battalion was now stationed at the Truppenübungsplatz Prittlbach, north ofDachau. It was almost immediately renamed III./SS-Standarte 1 VT, due to Hitlers order that the Leibstandarte would be taken out of the numbering sequence;
- At een unknown dat in late 1934/early 1935 Von Gottberg lost a leg in a car accident, recovered, but was succeeded as commander of III./SS-Standarte 1 VT by Major Boye on 01.06.1935

Hope this is correct. If I missed anything or if somebody has additional info about the PBW or III./SS-Standarte 1 VT, please let me know.

Regards,
Timo

[Richard Murphy]

I would imagine that Boye had been acting CO following von Gottberg's accident, prior to being named as his official successor in June '35.
No proof, just supposition.

Regards,

Rich