An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Germanicus · #196

23 Jul 44: partial list of locations -

Wehrmannschafts-Rgt. “Untersteiermark”:

Stab III. Btl. in Mozirje/27 km NW of Celje

1. Kp. “Cilli-Ost” (154 men) in Rečica/10 km SSW of Celje

2. Kp. “Cilli-West” (150 men) in Mozirje

3. Kp. “Cilli-Ost” (123 men) in Luce/44 km WNW of Celje

4. Kp. “Cilli-Ost” (127 men) in Ljubno/36 km WNW of Celje

Kp. “Pettau” (from II. Btl.) (161 men) in Gornji Grad/37 km WNW of Celje.

25 Sep 44: Hitler ordered the creation of the Volkssturm. Wehrmannschafts-Rgt. “Untersteiermark” was used as the formation staff for the Volkssturm in the Untersteiermark and provided the personnel from former members of the Wehrmannschaft. Although this process did not really get under way until 1945, eventually 49 Volkssturm battalions were subordinated to it, but these only existed on paper.

mid-Jan 45: a fifth battalion was added to “Untersteiermark” at about this time. By now each battalion consisted of a Stab, 3 rifle and 1 heavy weapons company.

http://www.axishistory.com/axis-nations ... heimatbund

Volkssturm-HJ- Grüppchen Magdeburg

http://f15919.nexusboard.de/t143f6-RE-D ... sturm.html

Hitler-Jugend-Banns 26

http://f15919.nexusboard.de/t1075f16-De ... sturm.html

HJ Volkssturm, die Rekrutierung und Ausbildung im Wehrertüchtigungslager Dreetz

http://www.mydict.com/Wort/HJ/

Germanicus · #197

Panzerjagdkommando Krause

From Axis History Forum • View topic - Awardholders / unit

"HJ (/Volkssturm) units:

German Cross in Gold

Krause, Rudolf ("Rudi"), 08.05.1945, Leutnant d.R., Führer Panzerjagdkommando Krause

[= formation (and sent into action by) of HJ-Gebietsführer 5, Stettin (HJ-Gebiet Pommern, Gebietsfhr. Gerd Wegner)]

[action at PYRITZ, southeast of STETTIN, 1.-9. Feb 45 ; attached to Kampfgruppe Weiss / XXXII. AK / Pz.AOK 3]

Here's a short summary of the story of this unit [transl. by me] :

Facing the Soviet advance towards the ODER in late Jan 1945 it became obvious that the cut-off of the retreating troops in Pommerania and the taking away of the Oder bridges at Stettin would cause a very critical situation. Especially for the trecks with thousands of civilians on their way westwards.

As part of the defensive measures taken, the Volkssturm was called to form hastily. The nucleus of Panzerjagdkommando Krause comprised of 48 Hitlerjungen from Stettin and Stralsund ; so-called HJ-Volkssturm, Jahrgang 1928. Leutnant d.R. Rudi Krause, a former Panzerjäger Lt. (Eastern Front) was given command of this Kdo. at Stettin. With receiving cloth, weapons, ammunition, a short weapons instruction during this first night the boys, 16 to 18 years of age, were sent south-eastwards towards PYRITZ on 31 Jan 45 with trucks. Their task, as part of other ad-hoc defensive troops, was not less than to stop the Soviets (2. Garde-Pz.Armee) attacking towards Stettin from south-east direction. The heaviest weapon they were equipped with was the Panzerfaust. From 1 Feb until 9 Feb 1945 (relieved and marched back to Stettin, Kdo. dissolved until end of Feb finally) the Kdo. fought a successfull hand-to-hand and house-to-house battle at PYRITZ. The city couldn't be taken and overrun by the Soviets during these first days of february.

Attached to Kampfgruppe Weiss = Kampfkommandant PYRITZ (Oberst Otto Weiß, Lw, OL holder) the average strength of the unit was around 100 men and comprised of :

- appr. 48 HJ boys , from Stetting and Stralsund

- appr. 40 Hitler-Jugend-Schüler , from Tilsit (those volunteered to join the Kdo., when met on the march towards Pyritz)

- appr. 20 men from Unteroffiziersschule Stargard , some experienced NCOs (joined the Kdo.)

- one U-Boot crew, appr. 20 men with two officers (sent from Stetting to strengthen the Kdo.)

- a number of older Volkssturm men

Krause reports that his deputy cdr. George Straßburg (received the EK1 for Pyritz) was amongst those Volkssturm and HJ men who were at Berlin to visit and to be honored by Hitler, when the last Wochenschau was recorded on 22 March 45 (he himself was in a Lazarett seriously ill at that time).

The report contains the original German Cross in Gold proposal for Krause

- Korps level , based on the proposal by Kampfgruppe Weiss, Stettin, 14 Feb 1945 -

with positive comment by Gen.Kdo. XXXII. AK (Gen. Schack), March 45 .

It is to state, that a presentation of the award is not mentioned as well as further "paper work" is not shown. Is it the humbleness of the author Krause, or is it (most likely) he wasn't well informed or aware of the award - award has to be regarded as finally confirmed via Patzwall/Scherzer, with date 08.05.1945.

Source (memories / first hand account by the cdr. himself) :

Rudi Krause, "Noch Vierzig Kilometer bis Stettin " - Februar 1945 - Kampf eines Panzerjagdkommandos in Pyritz/Pommern, 1. Aufl. 1989, pojkart Verlag, Harry Turné, Lübeck (ISBN 3-924616-18-3)

highly recommended booklet ; / courtesy of Jan-Hendrik , many thanks !

/ Bernd"

http://www.hj-research.com/forum/f86/pa ... ause-6045/

Germanicus · #198

Volkssturm Units in the defence of the Remagen Bridge

Bekannt für den Einsatz bzw. Nachweisbar auf Grund von Vermisstenschicksalen in den Regionen des damaligen Brückenkopf von Remagen und dem Ruhrkessel sind die folgenden Bataillone und Kompanien:

Volkssturm-Bataillon Altenkirchen >>> kämpfte mit je einer Kompanie bei Flammersfeld und bei Willroth.

Volkssturm-Bataillon Bonn >>> nur im Fragment im Brückenkopf vertreten, der Wehrmacht eingegliedert.

Volkssturm-Kompanie Derschen >>> Kampf bei Neuwied, Rückmarsch über Horhausen bis nach Döttesfeld, Seifen.

Volkssturm-Bataillon Freikorps Sauerland >>> Besondere Teilnahme an den Kämpfen in und um Siegen.

Volkssturm-Bataillon Köln >>> nur im Fragment im Brückenkopf vertreten, der Wehrmacht eingegliedert.

Volkssturm-Bataillon Leverkusen >>> während der Kämpfe um die Festung Uckerath als eigenständiges Bataillon eingesetzt, dann Unterstellung der Wehrmacht.

Volkssturmkompanie Politt >>> Gemeinsam mit der 363. Volksgrenadier Division an den Remagener Brückenkopf.

Volkssturmkompanie Troisdorf >>> Kämpfte bei Hennef-Siegburg

http://www.das-kriegsende.de/volkssturm ... nenfutter/

Germanicus · #199

English Translation.

Volkssturm units in the defense of the Remagen Bridge are known for use or Undetectable because of missing fates in the regions of the former bridgehead at Remagen and the Ruhr encirclement, the following battalions and companies:

Volkssturm Battalion Altenkirchen >>> fought with one company at Flammersfeld and Willroth.

Volkssturm Battalion Bonn >>> represented only fragment in the bridgehead, incorporated the Wehrmacht.

Volkssturm company Derschen >>> battle of Neuwied, retreat about Horhausen up to Döttesfeld,.

Volkssturm Battalion Freikorps Sauerland> >> Special participation in the fighting in and around Siegen.

Volkssturm Battalion Cologne >>> represented only in the fragment in the bridgehead, incorporated the Wehrmacht.

Volkssturm Battalion Leverkusen >>> during the battles for the fortress Uckerath used as a standalone battalion, then subordination of the armed forces.

Volkssturm company Politt >>> Together with the 363. Volksgrenadierdivision the Remagen bridgehead.

Volkssturm company Troisdorf >>> fought at Hennef-Siegburg

Germanicus · #200

Volkssturm-Einheit Flensburger Nachrichten

http://www.angelfire.com/nj/ww2/kcrecaux.html

Volkssturm-Einheit Wiener Philharmoniker

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/orc ... agesize/20

Panzerjagdverband ‘Munster’

Panzerjagdverband ‘Döberitz’

http://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic ... &start=225

Germanicus · #201

Germanicus · #202

Volkssturm-Bataillon Finkenwerder

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 99&start=0

Germanicus · #203

Volkssturm-Bataillon 20/375
Volkssturm-Bataillon 32/318
Volkssturm-Bataillon 32/631
Volkssturm-Bataillon 32/632
Volkssturmkompanie Seitendorf

http://www.badatelna.eu/?s=3&q=Volkssturm

Germanicus · #204

More detailed information on the creation and organisation of the Volkssturm

Of all the measures taken to mobilize with speed the last manpower resources of the German nation, the most extreme was the creation of the Volkssturm, a national militia, designed to supplement the defence of the homeland. A proclamation by Hitler announcing the formation of a German Volkssturm was broadcast by the German Radio on 18th October 1944, the date of the anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig in 1813.

It stated that in all Gaue of the Greater German Reich a German Volkssturm comprising all ablebodied men from the ages of 16 to 60 not already in the Armed Forces and able to bear arms was to be set up. This Volkssturm would defend German soil with all weapons and all means in so far as they were suitable to that purpose. Gauleiters were entrusted with the establishment and command of the Volkssturm and in this task they were to be assisted by the most capable organisers and leaders of the National Socialist Party, the SA, the SS, the NSKK and the HJ. SA Chief of Staff Wilhelm Scheppmann was appointed as inspector of Rifle Training and NKSS-Korpsführer Erwin Kraus was to be inspector of Motor Technical Training.

Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Replacement Army was made responsible for the military organisation, instructors, equipment and armament of the Volkssturm and Reichsleiter Martin Bormann was responsible for recruitment and political leadership. All members of the Volkssturm were classed as 'Soldiers under the Army Code' for the duration of their service which was to take place locally wherever a given area was threatened. Orders issued in this proclamation did not effect the affiliation of the Volkssturm members to other organisatlons. Service in the Volkssturm had priority over duty in all other Party orgamsatlons. The Volkssturm was to be sent into the field according to Hitler's instructions issued by the Reichsführer-SS. All military by-laws concerning this decree were issued by Reichsführer-SS Himmler and all political by-laws by Reichsleiter Bormann. As far as the Party was concerned the creation of the Volkssturm served a dual purpose.

Firstly it strengthened the defences of the Reich, although in fact in many instances it proved to be more of an incumbrance, and secondly with the plot against Hitler's life still very fresh in the Party's mind it kept a large part of the population so thoroughly under military control that any incipient revolt against the Party at this late stage would have had a hard time thriving. Although each Gauleiter was charged with the leadership, enrolment and organisation of the Volkssturm within his district, the largest Volkssturm units tended to correspond to the next smallest territorial sub-division of the Party organisation - the Kreis.

Through the card index system carefully kept by each Political Block Leader, the Party was well aware of the possible service potential of every male in Germany. However, the value of this levy 'en masse' was little more than an exgresslon of the national will. The fighting ability of these Volkssturm units was practically nil. Lack of adequate weapons, ammunition and time for proper training, with units receiving only a few days and with some only a few hours instruction had its effect on morale. The desertion rate was high, both to the Allies and with many of the members drifting home when the opportunity prssented itself. Fanatics did exist within the ranks and these tended to be members of the Hitler Youth. Enthusiasm for the Volkssturm was almost non-existent even amongst the Volkssturmm~nner themselves and especially from the regular troops and the civilian population. Opinion was that if the German Army could not stop the Allied advance into Germany what hope did the civilian Volkssturm have!

Volkssturm personnel were expected to furnish their own uniforms with even civilian, sports and working clothes bring permitted. The only standard mark of identification being the wearing of an arm band, asserted by the Party to officially make the Volkssturm members a part of the Wehrmacht.

Since practically every German had some sort of uniform the problem of supplying uniforms was not a great one. The SA brown uniforms were to have been dyed a different colour in order to prevent any possible equation of the Volkssturm to a purely SA organisation. This, however, does not seem to have been done. Despite the legality of civilian clothes being worn together with an officially issued arm band efforts were made to supply uniforms to those who had none and where possible to try and arrive at a semblance of a standard uniform for a given unit. Practically anything was used including old italian Army overcoats, Police uniforms stripped of insignia and even Imperial German uniforms. Army tunics with the national emblem removed were pressed into use.

Rank insignia where it existed consisted of a matching pair of black collar patches with white metal pips arranged in the following pattern: without pips for Volkssturmmann, one pip for Gruppenführer, two pips horizontally for both Waffenmeister (Ordnance master) and Zahlmeister (Paymaster), three pips diagonally for Kompanieführer, Ordonnanceoffizier and Adjutant and four pips in a square pattern for Bataillionsführer. Pips were sometimes mounted directly into the collar of the garment without the use of collar patches.

There was no remuneration for service in the Volkssturm, except when a member was taking part in actual combat. This together with the lack of a complete official uniform caused a great deal of disgruntlement throughout the Militia. Many of the members felt that they were assuming the duties of soldiers but with none of the privileges.

http://www.geocities.ws/brigatanera88/page32.html

Germanicus · #205

Volkssturm-Bataillon Freienohl-Oeventrop

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Volkssturm-Bataillon Auswärtigen

http://nemaloknig.info/read-255594/?page=42

Germanicus · #206

Another interesting site

Structured use of the Volkssturm places OstWall

http://im-gedenken.jimdo.com/die-reichs ... ach-orten/

: vs 2.jpg (98.26 KiB) Viewed 844 times

Germanicus · #207

Germanicus · #208

: vs5.jpg (72.4 KiB) Viewed 842 times

Germanicus · #209

Germanicus · #210

Axis History Forum

An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?

Re: An extensive list of Volkssturm-Bataillons?