Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

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Dan E. Moe
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Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#1

Post by Dan E. Moe » 17 Mar 2008, 21:21

Skorzeny called upon his own specialist units, namely a company of SS-Jagdverbände Mitte and two from SS-Fallschirm-Jäger-Abteilung 600. Since there was no possibility of welding together in the time available an efficient force comprised of volunteers drawn from all branches of the Wehrmacht, he asked for, and was given, som regular units for stiffening, which were attached to the SS-Jagdverbände for the duration of the mission. The brigade thus received two Luftwaffe parachute battalions previously attached to Kampfgeschwader 200 (and then known as Sonderverbande Jungwirth).
From Osprey Publishing's: "Ardennes 1944 Peiper & Skorzeny"

In what Kampfgruppe of Panzer-Brigade 150 was these to battalions attached? Where these the same guys which glider-landed on the Vercours Plateu in July, 1944?

Dan

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Peter H
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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#2

Post by Peter H » 18 Mar 2008, 03:05

From Prosper Keating:

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/ ... hp?t=24157

Kampfgruppe Jungwirth-Vercours:
Oberleutnant Friedrich Schäfer was awarded the RK on October 24 1944 for the battle in July 1944 against French partisan forces on the Vercors plateau in the French Alps where hundreds of partisans had created a stronghold from which they were mounting operations against the German occupiers.

Schäfer was in command of one of the parachute companies of Kampfgeschwader 200. The para-trained commandos of II./KG 200 remain a little-known arm of Germany's WW2 parachute forces. They were listed on II./KG 200's ORBAT as the 3rd staffel and were based and trained in Dedelstorf, Germany.

Schäfer and his men were part of Kampfgruppe Jungwirth, specially assembled for the Vercors mission and supported on the ground by elements of the German Army's 157th Reserve Division based in towns in the region of the Vercors. At the time of the Vercors battle, one of the units on the 157th's ORBAT was Reserve-Gebirgs-Jäger Rgt 1.

Kampfgruppe Jungwirth consisted of Fallschirm-Aufklärungs-Abt 12 under Major Hans Jungwirth, formed with 5 companies in June 1944 and based since July 14th at Fallschirmschule 1 in Lyon-Bron, Schäfer's company of KG 200 paratroopers and the 8th (Legionnaire) Company of the Brandenburg Division's 3rd Light Infantry Regiment....

...Oberleutnant Schäfer was awarded the RK on October 24th. In September 1944, the 3rd staffel had been transferred from II./KG 200 to 7. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division as Bataillon Schäfer. 7. FJD had been formed in August in Holland as FJD "Erdmann" and surrendered to the British on May 8th 1945 after fierce fighting in northern Alsace.


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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#3

Post by Dan E. Moe » 18 Mar 2008, 14:57

Thanks Peter!

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#4

Post by Fallschirmjäger » 21 Mar 2008, 00:00

I think i remember a book,men at arms of vanguard series that had some info on this FJ unit that was part of the panzer -brigade 150.I may have to try and look at the library where i saw it to be shure next week if i can,

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#5

Post by RolandP » 21 Mar 2008, 21:34

Hello!

Concerning the Fallschirmjäger with SS-Pz.Brig. 150, it seems to be a little bit complicated:

Michael Schadewitz, Erst die Maas und dann Antwerpen – Einige Aspekte zum Scheitern von Hitlers Ardennenoffensive (Dargestellt am Einsatz der Panzerbrigade 150 – Kommandounternehmen GREIF – unter SS-Obersturmbannführer Skorzeny), Selbstverlag Münster, 1.Auflage (500 Stück) 1992,
mentioned a socalled „Dachau-rooster“ of this brigade (Anlage, Grundgliederungsbild 2, Skorzeny vom 11.7.1947):

Stab
Kommandeur SS-Obersturmbannführer Skorzeny
Adjutant Oberleutnant Gallend
Ib Leutnant Blau
Ab 21.1.Ord.Offz. Lt.X.

Nachrichten-Zug Hauptmann Streckfuss

I.Kampfgruppe Oberstleutnant Wulf (EL, Infanterie)
Stab
Pionier-Zug
Nachrichten-Zug
Panzerspähgruppe
Ab 14.12.1944 etwa 2 Aufklärungs-, 1 Funk – und 1 Pionierkommando der Komando-Kompanie

Fallsch.Jg.Btl. Maj.Schluckebier
1.
2.
3.
4.Kp. SS-Ostuf. Leifeit (a company of SS-Fallsch.Jg.Btl 600)
Schützenpanzer-Kp.
2 cm-Fla-Kompanie
Granatwerfer-Kp.

II.Kampfgruppe Hauptmann Scherf
Stab
Pionier-Zug
Nachrichten-Zug Oberleutnant Reble
Panzerspähgruppe/Kp.
Versorgungs-Kp. Oberleutnant Wetterling
Ab 14.12.1944 etwa Aufklärungs-, 1 Funk – und 1 Pionierkommando der Komando-Kompanie

Fallsch.Jg.Btl. Oberleutnant Bading
1.
2.
3.
4.Kp. SS-Ostuf. Manns ( a company of SS-Jagdverband „Mitte“)
Panzer-Kompanie Oberleutnant Ernst
2 cm-Fla-Kompanie Oberleutnant Stein
Granatwerfer-Kp. Leutnant Täubricht

III.Kampfgruppe SS-Obersturmbannführer Hardieck
Ab 17.12.1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer von Fölkersam
Adjutant: SS-Untersturmführer ?
Leutnant Selle
Stab
Pionier-Zug
Nachrichten-Zug
Panzerspähgruppe
Ab 14.12.1944 etwa 2 Aufklärungs-, 1 Funk – und 1 Pionierkommando der Komando-Kompanie

Fallsch.Jg.Btl. 600
(this should be the SS-Fallsch.Jg.Btl. 600, but this info is totally wrong!!)
1.
2.
3.
4.Kp. Leutnant Grabowski
Panzer-Kompanie Oberleutnant Dreier
2 cm-Fla-Kompanie
Granatwerfer-Kp.

Beneath this units, there should be a so called “Reserve-Fallschirm-Jäger-Bataillon (additional formed)” with a staff and three companies for special purpose (?), the companies should be send to
1.Kompanie zur I.KGr.
2.Kompanie zur II.KGr. und
3.Kompanie zur III.KGr.

The “Kommando-Kompanie von Behr” under Oberleutnant Stielau should have 160 Mann
in
24 Aufklärungskommandos
8 Funkkommandos
7 Pionierkommandos
From these untis, about 4 Kommandos each were with I., II. and III.KGr. (about 2 Aufklärungs-, 1 Funk- und 1 Pionierkommando each)

This rooster was created by Hauptmann Scherf, commander of battle group Y of SS-Pz.Brig. 150 in 1947!!
Does anybody have additional information concerning these paratroop bataillons mentioned above????

Regards Roland

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#6

Post by Peter H » 22 Mar 2008, 00:20

Thank you Roland.

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#7

Post by RolandP » 24 Mar 2008, 11:57

Hi,
but what´s about any additional hints for this „Dachau“-rooster, because it seems to me, that there are some mistakes, the company of SS-FschJgBtl 600 seems to be in action with battle group III? Major Schluckebier seems to be the commander of the FallschJg-bataillon in this battle group and was wounded in the early stages of the attack ….

The company of SS-Jagdverband “Mitte” seems to be identified correctly with battle group II, but there were no further information available concerning it´s action …

Is it possible, that there were f o u r FallschJg-bataillons with Pz.Brig 150, with drei companies each and a additional company of SS-Fallsch.Jg, or SS-Jagdverband Mitte or like the company of Lt. Grabowsky, a kind of Pz.Gren.-company?!

I think, the Fallschirmjäger of KG 200, later FallschJgRgt z.b.V. with only two bataillons, were attached to PzBrig 150, but I couldn´t find any reports about the attachment or action with this unit!

Are there any reports about the battle group I of Eichenlaubträger Oberstleutnant Wulf, which was not employed at Malmedy, when Pz.Brig 150 was send to action. Maybe Wulf arrived later, but there were no reports available about the unit ….

Regards Roland

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#8

Post by Peter H » 24 Mar 2008, 14:02

One account gives Panzer-Brigade 105's strength as 2676 men.Of these 800 were Luftwaffe.I assume these were all Fallschirmjäger.Around another 600 were Waffen SS,the remainder Heer,1200 men.

But this link suggests Sonderverbande Jungwirth was part of Kampfgruppe von Hoffman under Peiper??

http://www.chakoten.dk/unternehmen_wacht_am_rhein.pdf

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#9

Post by Dan E. Moe » 24 Mar 2008, 15:04

Thank you for the information guys.

I thought only I/FJR9 was attached to Kampfgruppe Peiper?

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#10

Post by RolandP » 24 Mar 2008, 16:36

Dear Peter H,
thanks for the answer, so 800 men were from the Luftwaffe, this number could be devided under two bataillons with 400 men each, but not three bataillons a n d a reserve-bataillon as well!!! With about 600 men from the Waffen-SS, we know the companies of SS-FschJgBtl 600 and the SS-Jagdverband Mitte, with about 120 - 150 men (?), and with the units from the Wehrmacht, that were divided in the support weapon units as tank companies, anti air craft or mortar companies, too, you may form three bataillons, one for each battle group.

Major Schluckebier was known as one of the bataillon commanders, but it seems, that he was with battle group Z of Ostubaf. Hardieck, than Hstuf. v. Fölkersam,
Oberleutnant Bading leads another one, maybe in battle group Y of Hauptmann Scherf,; unfortunately, there were no reports about the command rooster of battle group Wulf.

Any hint concerning the exact structure of Pz.Brig 150 would be great!!

But I suppose, that your linked a PC-game, I have not enough knowledge in this language, but I believe, it´s just a game ….?!

Regards yours Roland

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#11

Post by Peter H » 25 Mar 2008, 08:26


RolandP
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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#12

Post by RolandP » 25 Mar 2008, 17:28

Dear Peter,
thanks for the link, I searched for PzBrig 150 last year and I found these information than :D ,
but it is somewhat strange, that there were no detailed reports or articles about the action of the two battalions with PzBrig 150 in literature … Para troop units have always some reports and it is strange to me, that these two have no one, especially there were used in these “secret” mission in combination with Skorceny ….. :?

I believe, that those two battalions were from the new formed Fallsch.Jg.Rgt z.b.V. (for special purpose), but I have no further information, where these battalions came from. Some sources gave KG 200, so that might be the connection to battle group Jungwirth,
is it possible, that the battalions Schäfer and/or Bading were separated from the battle group Jungwirth in December 1944 and formed the Fallsch.Jg.Rgt z.b.V., with commanding officers Schluckebier and Bading, and were attached to Pz.Brig. 150 for operation “Rabenhügel” – Battle of the bulge?! :?

After the action in the west, the Fallsch.Jg..Rgt z.b.V. war reformed in Pomeranian with three bataillons, later incorporated in 9.Fallsch.Jg.Div. as Fallsch.Jg.Rgt 25 …

So if there are some reports about the action of the mentioned battalions with Pz.Brig. 150, I would be very interested ….. :D

Regards Roland

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#13

Post by Andreas » 25 Mar 2008, 18:00

You should be able to find the info in Schadewitz' book 'The Meuse First and Then Antwerp', which is still available for sale.

http://astore.amazon.com/thirdreichfact ... 06-6299813 (if you buy it through this link you support the forum at no cost to yourself)

All the best

Andreas

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#14

Post by RolandP » 25 Mar 2008, 20:37

Hi Andreas,
thanks for the link, but I bought the Schadewitz-book some years ago, and I noticed, when looking for reports for the company of SS-FJB 600 or JV Mitte, that he used only reports from members of the Wehrmacht espacially Pz.Rgt 11 and the material from the Dachau-court against Skorzeny.
What I am missing are reports of the Fallschirmjäger and the SS-units of the Pz.Brig. 150!!!! And I thought, that there might be some reports of the Lw.-Fsch.Jg.battailons in other literature! :D

Regards Roland

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Re: Paratroopers in Panzer-Brigade 150

#15

Post by Fallschirmjäger » 18 Apr 2008, 04:12

Just some more info off the net on this unit,the first from our very own axis history factbook,another thing dose anyone have any pictures then off the FJ in this unit at all,or know where on the net some are?,thanks.

http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=507
Som of the unit info below.

Commanders
Oberstleutnant Wulf (? 1944 - 14 Dec 1944)
SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny (14 Dec 1944 - ? Jan 1945)

Manpower strength
Officers 90
NCOs 448
Enlisted men 2138
Total 2676

Equipment

Vehicles
1 Sherman operational and 1 in long term repair
5 Panthers operational
5 StuG IIIs operational
4 SdKfz 250/1s operational
6 SdKfz 251/1s operational
6 M3 halftracks-american operational
6 SdKfz 234/1s operational
4 M8 armored cars-american operational
12 motorcycles with sidecar-german
1 motorcycle with sidecar-american
43 motorcycles-german
20 motorcycles-american
28 jeeps-american
6 light civilian type car-german
36 medium civilian type car-german
9 heavy civilian type cars-german
64 light trucks-german
56 medium trucks-german
8 medium trucks-american
6 heavy trucks-german
1 truck-american
1 truck-german

Weapons
226 light MGs
31 heavy MGs
24 8cm mortars-german
24 4.2inch mortars-american
5 3inch AT guns-american
14 57mm AT guns-american

Reference material on this unit ,Michael Schadewitz - The Meuse First and Then Antwerp


http://www.panzerworld.net/oob-150pzb.html
Panzer-Brigade 150.

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