Kommandeur 7. Fliegerdivision 1941

[genstab]

Can anyone help with this one? Gen. Wilhelm Suessmann was KIA in Crete on 20 May 1941. Oberst Alrfred Sturm took over and either commanded until 30 May (according to Axis History Factbook when Gen Erich Petersen took over) or 30 Sept, whereupon Gen. Petersen, just transferred to the Luftwaffe from the Army on 1 October, took over the division according to Bradley. But then who commanded the division from 30 May to 1 October?

Best regards,
Genstab

[Peter H]

Bruce Quarrie states that Petersen took over the command of the division on the 1st June 1941 but "Sturm remained in day to day charge on Crete for other 3 weeks",reverting back to command of FJR2 on the 21st June 1941.( German Airborne Divisions: Mediterranean Theatre 1942-45,page 19).

Jean-Yves Nasse also gives Petersen as the commander of 7. Fliegerdivision on the 24th September when it received orders to deploy to Russia,supporting Quarrie as such.

[genstab]

So then Gen. Petersen was given command of the division while he was still an Army general? Does anyone have a more authoritative source than these secondary ones? Hildebrand says he was Kdr Grenz-Inf. Rgt. 125 until 19-9-41 and then in Fuehrer Reserve until 30 Sept- then transferred to the Luftwaffe and promoted to GenMaj 1-10-41. Naturally Bradley hasn't been published that far when we need it.

Best regards,
Genstab

[askropp]

I doubt that Süßmanns death should be classified as "gefallen", and he was still some 250 km from Kreta and just off the Greek coast when his glider crashed on the island of Ägina.

[Jeremy Dixon]

This what I have:

01.09.1938 – 14.05.1940 GL Kurt Student
16.05.1940 – 21.01.1941 GL Richard Putzier
21.01.1941 – 20.05.1941 GL Wilhelm Süssmann
20.05.1941 – 30.05.1941 GM Alfred Sturm
01.06.1941 – 01.08.1942 GL Erich Petersen
01.08.1942 – 01.05.1943 GL Richard Heidrich

[genstab]

The only difference I have is that I have Sturm from 21-5-41 to 30-9-41 (source unknown unfortunately) but Hildebrand says Petersen from 1-10-41 to 31-10-42. and then Heidrich. HOWEVER, Heidrich's bio in Hildebrand says he was mFb from 1-8-42. Hildebrand isn't very helpful with Sturm; his entry says he was Kdr. of Fallsch. Rgt. 2 und zeitwillig stellv. Kdr. der 7. Flieger Division- but not for the whole period of his regimental command 1-7-40 to 30-9-42 of course. Hildebrand is as bad as Bradley sometimes for complete accuracy- but still an improvement on Keilig. What's a poor researcher without the money to buy NARA microfilms of HPA Karten and division Karten to do? You affluent guys are such a help you'll never know and the rest of us certainly appreciate you. Remember, I will try to assist on O/B info (divisions and up) any time.

Best,
Bill in Cleveland

[histan]

Hildebrand seems to be correct.

"mit Wirkung vom 19.September 1941 Oberst Petersen, Kdr.d.Inf.Regt.125, z.Führ.Res.d.O.K.H.(Fr.St.O.). Seinen Dienst regelt d.Bfh.i.Wehrkrs.XII"
Original Reference: Personalveränderungen Nr.5050/41 g.Ag P1/Ref.9 7.Oktober 1941
Source: NARA T-77 R-984 Frame 424221

Also from NARA T-77 R-984 the order transferring Petersen to the Luftwaffe.

Regards

John

[askropp]

Wasn't Petersen immediately promoted to Generalleutnant, also effective from September 1? Is there a similar document on that promotion? And why was he, an obscure and undistinguished army Oberst, chosen for this important job anyway?