Differences between Sonderkommandos and Einsatzkommandos

[CNE503]

Hello,

Sorry if my question is redundant with a previous one. I hope not and I couldn't find any old entry about this topic.
Could someone tell me what were the differences, in an Einsatzgruppe, between a Sonderkommando and an Einsatzkommando?
The four Einsatzgruppen deployed in USSR as mobile killing-squads were set up initially with two Sonderkommandos and two Einsatzkommandos each (except Einsatzgruppe "D", but whatever...), but I can't understand why these units were designated with different names.

Does anyone know something about that?
Thanks by advance,
Cheers

CNE503

[j keenan]

Sonderkommandos were to follow closely behind the German army even after deep advances were made.Einsatzkommandos would drop off and be responsible for clearing geographic areas.
Source Maclean

[j keenan]

Sonderkommandos 10a and 10b were part of Einsatzgruppe D
Source Maclean

[CNE503]

Ok. If I understand this well, it means that Sonderkommandos were shaped to "spearhead" the advance of their parent Einsatzgruppe right behind the frontline military units, to proceed to the first murders and organization of the newly-conquered area, whereas the Einsatzkommandos were tasked with specific and well-delimitated areas, once reached, and have to clear them of Communists, Jews and so on. Is that correct?

Thanks for your help,

CNE503

PS: could you detail what was Maclean's book used as a reference?

[j keenan]

That's his opinion, the book is The Field Men and is note 18 on page 31 for page 13 under the heading Organisation and Equipment

[little grey rabbit]

It appears by the numbering that two Sonderkommandos were about the equal of one Einsatzkommando
eg
Sonderkommandos 7a and 7b
Einsatzkommandos 8 and 9
I think these could be further subdivided into Teilkommandos, I don't suppose it is particularly significant - probably just ad hoc arrangements with the name depending on the size of the unit.

[steve248]

Far be it from me to actually agree with the Little Grey Rabbit on this occasion.

But he is right.

The main difference between Sonderkommandos and Einsatzkommandos was the personnel strength, as well as final operations by the military.

It was originally intended to have three Kommandos under each Einsatzgruppen in the Russian campaign. However as Wehrmacht plans came to identify the direction of various Divisions and Army Groups, thus the EInsatzkommandos were divided. In the case of Einsatzkommando 10 (of Einsatzgruppe D) the division into two Kommandos (Sonderkommando 10a and 10b) happened before mid May 1941; and the division of Einsatzkommando 11 into SK 11a and SK 11b (also Einsatzgruppe D) happened in the field of operations, July 1941.

[huddyhuddy]

Hello,
This is the only image that was sent to me...
Is this an original piece or a "replica"?
Thanks.

[steve248]

Huddy,
I am thinking the Ausweis you posted is suspect.
I don't know the person mentioned and photographed, but the give away is the German signature and rank.
The signature looks to begin with F ("Fü...ger").

I can tell you there was no SS-Hstuf F (something) with SK 10a. Ever.

[steve248]

Oh, and secondly, the round stamp says "Der Befehlshaber der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD".
There was no such office in Taganrog.

[huddyhuddy]

Thank you very much for the reply Steve, this helps.
In the meantime I found on-line an "identical" ausweis, so the suspicion is much higher now about the document...

[steve248]

This time the rank is OK and the signature looks like "Trimborn"; SS-Ostuf Kurt Trimborn was indeed with SK 10a in Taganrog.
I am no expert in these things but do the signatures in the two different documents look by the same hand and pen?

[huddyhuddy]

Yes, I agree with you here.
But having another "identical" document, same name and SN is a cause of concern, regarding the one I attached originally...think it to be a copy or a fantasy maybe...

[Peter]

There are a lot of fantasy ID's being produced in Ukraine I believe, including items with the recipients of high awards. I do not know about these but I read that a black light may show fakes.

[WAR LORD]

An original document. These are very rare items to find.