by -KSH- on 25 Mar 2012 15:46 I am looking for any information on Major (later Oberst) Heinrich Brückmann, commander of Pionier-Bataillon 4 (Magdeburgisches) from 1933-1942. Pio.Btl. 4 became "Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 4" in May 1941.
I have found this info on Brückmann in the 1939 prewar officer's list:
BRÜCKMANN Heinrich 05.02.1896 - 30.03.1975
Major 01.12.35 (Kdr. Pion.Bat. 4)
Oberst 01.12.41
Any chance to find a photograph of Brückmann (or Oelze, mentioned below)?
I am also very interested in any information regarding Major Oelze, company-commander of the 3rd company of Pionier-Bataillon 4 (in January 1939) - when WW2 began he was given command of the newly formed Pionier-Bataillon 195. This is his entry in the 1939 prewar officer's list:
OELZE Hans
Major 01.10.37 (Pion.Bat.4)
My interest in these two officers comes from the fact that I have a prewar-made Waffenrock (parade tunic) of Major-rank (with '4' syphers for Pio.Btl.4 original to the boards) and a prewar-made Schirmmütze (visor cap) that was found together earlier this year in Southern Germany - the only two people the grouping could have belonged to is Major Heinrich Brückmann and Major Hans Oelze, the only officers with Major rank within the timeframe possible as the shoulder boards have never been replaced and have been on the tunic since it was made. Everything points toward Brückmann the commander (the extremely high quality of the grouping, he was also a Major when these Waffenrocks were authorized (1935) which Oelze was not - he was a Hauptmann then etc) being the original owner, but it would be very nice to be 100% sure (if even possible, as they are not named). I am 99% sure it belonged to Brückmann to put it another way.
The grouping:
I am eternally grateful if any knowledgeable members of this forum could shed some light onto this for me or point me in the right direction. Knowing the story behind the man that wore these items would be priceless to me.
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Kenneth S-H.
