German Kampfgruppen of WW2

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Andy H
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German Kampfgruppen of WW2

#1

Post by Andy H » 01 Jan 2004, 14:12

During WW2 the Germany became very adept at throwing together a number of miscellaneous and disparate military units, to undertake a specific task or action, and upon completion the temporary grouping was usually broken up-This was the birth & death of the German Kampfgruppe’s.

Due to the very brief nature of there existence and except for a few well known documented cases, Kampfgruppe’s rate either just a line of text within a page or a footnote at it’s base. The idea behind this thread is for us to collect & record these Kampfgruppe actions etc in a single source feature. Now obviously given the myriad of Kampfgruppes’s that were formed and the paucity of information regarding some, the list will never be complete but at least we will have some record of there existence.

This thread will not be a discussion thread as such just a listing thread. Anything to which you want to add or discuss regarding a post within thread, then please either PM the poster or start another thread within the Wehrmacht at War & Peace section, to that end the following information regarding the Kampfgruppe listing is required:

1)Name: Usually the Kampfgruppe commander, but not always the case.
2)Parent unit of Kampfgruppe if applicable
3)Date of Formation (If Known)
4)Date of Dispersion (If Known)
5)OoB
6) TOE
7)Details of any action fought
8)Source of information

So for example

1)Kampfgruppe Audorff (C/O Gren Regt 754/334th Infantry Division)
2)Korpsgruppe Weber
3)February 22nd 1943
4)? April 1943
5)Gren-Regt 754
A Btn from the HG Division
Plus elements possibly from 10th Panzer Division
6) ?
7)Engaged in holding attacks near Madjez el bab
8)Uniforms,Organisation and History of the Afrika Korps by Bender & Law
The History of the Fallschirm Panzerkorps Hermann Goring by F.Kurowski
The Bloody Road to Tunis by D.Roff


Please note if I’ve not included the full aspects of 6) given this is just an example.

So just to re-cap this is a listings thread only, and that any discussion or query regarding a post within the thread or if you unsure about anything your about to post within the thread, then PLEASE RESOLVE these outside this thread and within the Wehrmacht at War & Peace section before posting.

Andy H

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K.Kocjancic
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#2

Post by K.Kocjancic » 01 Jan 2004, 14:56

1) KG Blank
2) /
3) 3/45
4) 4/45
5) OoB:
- 10. SS-Pol.Rgt.
- III./SS-Pol.Rgt. 15
- 2 Btl.'s from 1. Serbisches Frw.Corps
- one Gun Batterie
6) unknown
7) Operations "Frühlingsanfang" and "Winterende" in Slovenia March to April 1945
8) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945


1) KG Dippelhofer (SS-Stubaf. u.Maj.d.Gend. Dr. Otto Dippelhofer)
2) /
3) 3/45
4) 4/45
5) OoB:
- 2. Home Guard (Domobranski) Btl. (Rakek)
- SS u. W-Unterführerschule Laibach
- Home Guard units from Dolomiti area
- Cetniks
- Art.Detachment of 1. Serb. Frw.Corps
- possible also units from SS-Frw.Rgt. "Varjag"
6) unknown
7) Operations "Frühlingsanfang" and "Winterende" in Slovenia March to April 1945
8) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945


1.) KG Burchberger
2.) 188. Gebirgs-Divison
3.) ?
4.) Destroyed in action on 29.4.'45
5.) Unknown
6.) Unknown
7.) hold line Trava-Draga-Podpreska-Travnik with 3. and parts of 2. Rgt. of 1. Serb.Frw.Corps
8.) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945


1.) KG Christl (CO: Christl, CO of 139. Rgt. (HQ: Postojna)
2.) 188. Res.Geb.Div.
3.) 3/44
4.) ?
5.) Sub-units from 138. and 139. Rgt.
6.) Unknown
7.) Operation Dachstein 3/44 - 4/44; Operation "Bergzauber Moritz" 10/44; Slovenia
8.) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945


1.) KG Reindl
2.) 97. Armee-Korps
3.) 4/45
4.) 5/45
5.) ?
6.) ?
7.) holding positions N of Čičarija-Volosko, Slovenia-Croatia
8.) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945


1.) KG Fiume
2.) 97. Armee-Korps
3.) 4/45
4.) 5/45
5.) ?
6.) ?
7.) holding positions Volosko-Reka, Slovenia-Croatia
8.) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945


1.) Sicherungs-(K)G Le Fort
2.) 162. Inf.Div. (Turk.)
3.) 11/43
4.) 12/43
5.) units from 236. Art.Rgt. and reinforcements
6.) Unknown
7.) Anti-Partisan actions in W Slovenia-NE Italy in 11/43
8.) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945


1.) KG Lütgering
2.) unknown
3.) 4/45
4.) 5/45
5.) unknown
6.) unknown
7.) area of Mislinjska dolina-Šoštanj-Mozirje, April '45
8.) Narodnoosvobodilna vojna na Slovenskem 1941 - 1945



Regards,
Kocjo
Last edited by K.Kocjancic on 02 Jan 2004, 15:19, edited 1 time in total.


Abel Ravasz
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#3

Post by Abel Ravasz » 01 Jan 2004, 15:55

1.) KG Philipp (CO 1. Pz Reg)
2.) various
3.) 0?/1/1945
4.) unknown
5.) 2 PzGr Marsch Kp / Pz Div FHH
284/II. Gren Bn
a Panzer group of the IV. SS PzK
6.) the 2 PzGrM Kps were equiped with MP-44 and Panzerfaust; the Panzer Group was made up of 6 SPWs, 5 Panzers and 3 PzSpWs.
7.) participated in operation Konrad 2; should have reached Budapest following the Danube river, but was halted (10-11/1/1945)
8.) Számvéber, Norbert: Erőd a Duna mentén.


1.) KG Pz.Korps Feldherrnhalle
2.) PzK FHH
3.) 7/2/1945
4.) 24/2/1945
5.) sPz Abt FHH
PzJg Abt 13
II./ PzGr Reg 93
II./ PzGr Reg FHH
2 Kp/ Pz Abt 208
II./ A.R. 13
6.) 2 Pz IV., 2 Pz V., 25 Pz VI.B, 15 JPz IV., 20 Hetzers of PzJg Abt 13 en route, 3 FlaK Pz (Möbelwagen)
7.) Participated in Operation Südwind north of the river Danube, dissolved afterwards.
8.) Számvéber, Norbert: Nehézpáncélosok, Paktum, 2000


Best,

Abel

Abel Ravasz
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#4

Post by Abel Ravasz » 01 Jan 2004, 16:09

1.) KG Hupe
2.) 96. Inf Div
3.) 17/2/1945
4.) 22/2/1945
5.) 284. Gren Reg
287/II. Gren Bn
6.) 20 StuG
7.) participated in operation Südwind, was dissolved after completion of its objectives (make a bridgehead N of the Danube)
8.) Számvéber, Norbert: Nehézpáncélosok


1.) KG Staubwasser
2.) 357. Inf Div
3.) 18/2/1945
4.) 22/2/1945
5.) 945/I., II. Gren Bns
946/II. Gren Bn
Sachsen MG Bn
6.) unknown
7.) participated in operation Südwind, was dissolved and sent back to parent unit afterwards
8.) Számvéber, Norbert: Nehézpáncélosok


Best,

Abel

Timo
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#5

Post by Timo » 02 Jan 2004, 00:54

1) Kampfgruppe Knittel (Hauptsturmführer Gustav Knittel)
2) LSSAH
3) 20.11.1941
4) 28.11.1941
5) 4. (schw.-) Komp./AA LAH, FlaK-Zug, elements of Abteilungsstab/AA LAH
6) -
7) 20.-28.12.1941 - Defended a 2 km wide sector in the LSSAH front near Rostow against continuous attacks by Russian infantry. Managed to push back several Russian breakthroughs.
8) -

1) Kampfgruppe Knittel (Hauptsturmführer Gustav Knittel)
2) LSSAH
3) 29.11.1941
4) 02.12.1941
5) 4. (schw.-) Komp./AA LAH, the remaining combat ready mobile elements of AA LAH and two Sturmgeschütze from StuG-Abteilung LAH.
6) -
7) 29.11.1941 - To cover the retreat of the Division into the Ssambek Line, the Kampfgruppe blocks the 'Rollbahn' Rostow - Taganrog east of Kryn Tschaltyr. The Russians tried to pass by the village but Knittel attacks their flank and pushes them back. The motorcycle platoon of Oberscharführer Mahl is the rear guard of the Kampfgruppe and repulses several Russian attacks and performs several counter attacks.
30.11.1941 - The Kampfgruppe still performs its rear guard duty while the Division is pulling back on the Ssambek Line. Knittel counter attacks and pushes back Russian infantry and tanks which treaten the retreating IV./LAH.
01.-02.12.1941 - The Division takes its positions in the Ssambek Line and the Kampfgruppe Knittel is positioned on the Rollbahn to defend the village Ssambek. During the night the Russian break into the centre of the village but Knittel pushes them back across the river with Pioniere and Panzerjäger from his 4.(schw.-) Kompanie.
8) -

Timo
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#6

Post by Timo » 02 Jan 2004, 01:10

1) Kampfgruppe Knittel (Sturmbannführer Gustav Knittel)
2) LSSAH
3) 09.03.1944
4) 09.03.1944
5) The (weak) remains of SS AA 1, SS PGR 1 and a FlaK unit.
6) -
7) - Ad hoc Kampfgruppe formed to hold Hill 344.4 and Hill 347.3 and the defensive line east of Gaidaika
8) -

Timo
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#7

Post by Timo » 02 Jan 2004, 01:19

And of course...

1) Kampfgruppe Knittel (Sturmbannführer Gustav Knittel)
2) LSSAH
3) 15.12.1944
4) 26.12.1944
5) SS Pz.AA 1, 2.Komp./SS Pz.Pio.Btln. 1 LAH, 2.Battr./SS Pz.Art.Rgt. 1 LAH
6) - That's a long story :)
7) -
8) -

There were also various ad hoc formations named "Gruppe" Knittel which I can list if needed.

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K.Kocjancic
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#8

Post by K.Kocjancic » 02 Jan 2004, 02:13

1.) KG Nord
2.) /
3.) 24.2.'41
4.) 14.5.'41
5.) OoB:
- SS-Inf.Rgt. 6
- SS-Inf.Rgt. 7
- Signal Btl.
6.) Unknown
7.) Northern Norway
8.) Seven Days in January


1.) KG Nord
2.) /
3.) 15.5.'41
4.) 17.6.'41
5.) OoB:
- HQ
- SS-Inf.Rgt. 6
- SS-Inf.Rgt. 7
- SS-Inf.Rgt. 9
- Signal Btl.
- Cartographic section
- 2 Kmp. of combat engineers
- Recon Btl.
- FLAK Btl.
- Supply and service elements
6.) Recon Btl. - ~80 BMW 750 motocycles
7.) Kirkenes, Finland
8.) Seven Days in January

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K.Kocjancic
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#9

Post by K.Kocjancic » 02 Jan 2004, 14:59

1.) KG Wolf
2.) unknown
3.) 1/44
4.) 1/44
5.) Police, Gend., Wehrmanchtschaft units
6.) unknown
7.) Anti-Partisan operation from 18.1.-2/44
8.) Zidanškova brigada by Fajdiga, M.


1.) KG Kohlbacher
2.) unknown
3.) 1/44
4.) 1/44
5.) Police, Gend., Wehrmanchtschaft units
- Gend.Aktions-Zug Marenberg
- Zug/Pol.Btl. 2
6.) unknown
7.) Anti-Partisan operation from 18.1.-2/44
8.) Zidanškova brigada by Fajdiga, M.

1.) KG Eggert
2.) unknown
3.) 1/44
4.) 1/44
5.) Police, Gend., Wehrmanchtschaft units
6.) unknown
7.) Anti-Partisan operation from 18.1.-2/44
8.) Zidanškova brigada by Fajdiga, M.

Regards,
Kocjo

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#10

Post by K.Kocjancic » 02 Jan 2004, 15:06

1.) KG Treeck (CO: Oberst Dr. Egon von Treeck)
2.) 18. Ersatz-Geb.Jg.Rgt.
3.) 11.9.'44
4.) unknown
5.) OoB:
- 18. Ersatz-Geb.Jg.Rgt.
- parts of II./SS-Pol.Rgt. 14
- Kmp./Land-Schutzen Btl. 649
- I. "Cholm"/SS-Pol.Rgt. 25
6.) unknown
7.) Anti-Partisan operation from 9/44 - ? in Slovenia
8.) Zidanškova brigada by Fajdiga, M.

Regards,
Kocjo

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#11

Post by K.Kocjancic » 02 Jan 2004, 15:22

1.) KG Beerschneider and KG Auer
2.) probably 188. Res.Geb.Jg.Div.
3.) 3/44
4.) ?
5.) probably units from 188. Res.Geb.Jg.Div.
6.) Unknown
7.) Operation Dachstein 3/44; Slovenia
8.) Prešernova brigada by Petelin, S.

Regards,
Kocjo

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#12

Post by K.Kocjancic » 02 Jan 2004, 15:25

1.) KG Bikowsky
2.) 2. Cossack Rgt.
3.) 4/45
4.) 5/45
5.) 2. Cossack Rgt. without one Btl.
6.) unknown
7.) Operation Winterende, 4/45, Slovenia
8.) Prešernova brigada by Petelin, S.

Regards,
Kocjo

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#13

Post by K.Kocjancic » 02 Jan 2004, 15:37

1.) KG Hahn (CO: SS-Stubaf. Werner Hahn, CO of 24. SS-Karstjäger-Brig.)
2.) 24. SS-Karstjäger-Brig.
3.) 4/45
4.) 5/45
5.) 24. SS-Karstjäger-Brig.
6.) unknown
7.) Operation Winterende, 4/45, Slovenia
8.) Prešernova brigada by Petelin, S.


1.) KG Krumme
2.) unknown
3.) 3/45
4.) unknown
5.) unknown
6.) motorized
7.) Operation Winterende, 4/45, Slovenia
8.) Prešernova brigada by Petelin, S.


1.) KG Lerch
2.) /
3.) 4/45
4.) 5/45
5.) Cetnik's Dinar Division
- parts of 1. Slovene Assault Rgt.
6.) Unknown
7.) Operation Winterende, 4/45, Slovenia
8.) Prešernova brigada by Petelin, S.

Regards,
Kocjo

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Bjørn from Norway
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Gebirgskorps Norwegen

#14

Post by Bjørn from Norway » 04 Jan 2004, 12:41

Hello!
Here are the battlegroups within Gebirgskorps Norwegen for April-May 1942. Please note I have not included the OOBs for Bridgeheads, and not either for the corps units based in Norway, attached to the corps, as this topic deals with battlegroups only.

Gebirgskorps Norwegen - Kampfgruppen 15 April 1942

2 GD (Gen.Maj. Ritter v. Hengl)

Kampfgruppe Ost (Petsamo)
CO: Oberst Hofmeister
Geb.Jäg.Rgt 136 (Oberst Hofmeister)
II./Geb.Jäg.Rgt 136 (+13./137) (Hptm Rode, Hptm Frey ab 1. Mai)
Radf.Btl. 67 (Hptm Marbach)
16./136 (o. 1. Zug)
II./Geb.Art.Rgt 111 (o. 5. Batt.) (Major Bargehr)

Untergruppe Kolosjoki (Maj Hauck)
I./Geb.Jäg.Rgt 136 (Maj Hauck)

f. beweglichen Einsatz frei:

III./Geb.Jäg.Rgt 136 (Hptm Stampfer)
Geb.Pz.Jäg.Abt 55 (Hptm v. Seebach)

Kampfgruppe Kirkenes (Oberstleutnant v. Mehlem)
Geb.Art.Rgt 111 (o. II./III.) (Ob.lt. v. Mehlem)
I./Geb.Art.Rgt 111 (Hptm Menzel)
5./Geb.Art.Rgt 111
9./Geb.Art.Rgt 111
Geb. Haubitzenbatterie "Kirkenes"
16./Geb.Jäg.Rgt 137 (o. 1. Zug)
Inf.Gesch-Zug 10./137
1 sMG-Zug 9./137
Heeres-Küstenartillerie-Abt. 773
In Zuführung:
HKB 545 (o. Gerät)
HKB 558
HKB 885
5. MAA 513
(Alle zur Zeit der H.K.A.A 478 unterstellt)

Kampfgruppe Varanger
Inf. Rgt. 193 (Oberst Kutzelnigg)
I./IR 193 (Maj Groth)
1.Zug 16./ Geb.Jäg.Rgt 136
1.Zug 16./ Geb.Jäg.Rgt 137
III./IR 193 (Hptm Götz)
Geb.Jäg.Rgt 137 (Oberst Dr. Treek)
II./137 / (o. IGZg 10./137 und o.1. MGZg 9./137) (Hptm Hesselbarth)
III./ Geb.Jäg.Rgt 137 (Hptm. Walleser)

6. GD (Gen.Maj. Philipp)

Zwei Kampfabschnitte: a) westl. d. Liza, u. b) Lizabrückenkopf
Kampfgruppe Nord (Fischerhals-Küste, Motowski-Bucht)
IR 388 (Oberstlt. Frh. v. Ledebour)
mit:
I./IR 388 (Hptm Peters)
II./IR 388 (Maj Dorenbeck, ab 1. Mai Hptm. Balzareck)
I./ Geb.Jäg.Rgt 137 (Maj. Ruf)

H.K.A.A 504 (Hptm Müller)
HKB 546
HKB 562
HKB 869
2. Geb.Art.Abt 111
1./730
2.Pi 214

Korpstruppen
lei. Kp.Lehr-Rgt. z.b.V. 800 (Brandenb. Leutn. Trommsdorff)
M.G Btl. 13 (Oblt Michalke)
M.G Btl. 14 (Hptm Lindwurm)
Radf.Btl. 233 (Maj Pelzner)

II./Flak Rgt 46 (Oberstlt. Hohmann)
Geb.Pz.Jäg.Abt. 48 (Oberstlt. Klinge)
Geb.Pi.Btl 82 (Hptm Ostermann)

Fest.Pi.Abschn.Grp III. 18 (Maj Kuvecke)
1./Fest.Bau-Btl. 60
2./Fest.Bau-Btl. 149
2./Mar.Bau-Btl. 323
3./Fest.Bau-Btl. 19
1./Art.Rgt. 447
finn. Btl Ivalo (Oblt Pennanen)
Aufkl.Kette (H) (Oberstlt. Hauschild)

(Karl Ruef: Winterschlacht im Mai)

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Andy H
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#15

Post by Andy H » 10 Jan 2004, 02:27

1) KG Arnhold
2) 298th Infantry Division
3) 02/02/1943
4) 08/02/1943?
5) 525th Grenadier Regiment, plus later 1./Pz.Jag.Abt 298?
6) 3 7.5cm PAK & some 2cm Flak
7) Defensive combat around Kupjansk
8.) ?

1) KG Neumann
2) 298th Infantry Division
3) 21/12/1942
4) 01/02/1943?
5) 526th Grenadier Regiment, Sturmbatterie Weis, III/Art.Regt 111, II/A.Regt 298, IV/Art.Regt 298 plus parts of Pz.Jg.Abt 654
6) 3 Stug's
7) Support of the Italian forces during the Russian winter offensive
8.) ?

1) KG Sauer
2) 298th Infantry Division
3) 21/12/1942
4) 01/02/43?
5) 527th Grenadier Regiment, Btn Gumprich, elements of Pz.Jag.Abt 654
6) 2 88mm Flak, 5 Stug & 6 PAK
7) Support of the Italian forces during the Russian winter offensive
8.) ?

Andy H

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