I have read over and over again several threads and posts on this forum and on the Internet concerning the above mentioned CO.
According to Juha Hujanen (http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... ht=collani):
“In Poland Collani served as adjutant of LAH and was awarded with EKII. During closing stages of Western campaign he served in IR 1/Totenkopf, most likely as orderly officer. He was long time sick and was transferred to Wiking in 8.2.1941. Firstly he served in II/Nordland, then in Stab/Wiking and finally in Finnisches freiwilligen Bataillon der Waffen-SS (later IV. (finn.)/Nordland and finally III. (finn.)/Nordland.”
“Collani was promoted to Sturmbannführer 20.4.1942 and to Obersturmbannführer in 20.4.1943 and he lead the Finnish battalion until it was disbanded 10.7.1943.He led the SS-Freiw.Pz.Gren.Rgt.49"de Ruyter" until he was KIA 29.7.1944. “
Then Ignacio (in http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... ht=collani) wrote:
“According to an order of the III. (Germ.)SS-Panzer-Korps dated 15.07.1943 (regarding the creation of the Brigade "Nederland", instead of the SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. "Nederland" that was planned to be an element of the "Nordland" Division), Ostubaf. Hans Collani was appointed Führer of the new 2.niederländische SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment (later "De Ruyter") with effect 1.08.1943 (source: "Europese vrijwilligers in Europese Krijgsdienst 1940-1945", vol. 3, by Vincx & Schötanius)”.
Following Juha's & Ignacio's info as points of reference, I have tried to draw up this succession of Collani’s career within the Wiking Division:
A) CO of II./Nordland from 8.2.1941 to ?
B) Service in the divisional Staff: from –to ?
C) SS-Sturmbannführer & CO SS-Freiwilligen-Bataillon “Nordost”: 15 June (*)-13 September 1941
(*)According to Mauno Jokipii's Panttipataljoona, p. 331, battalion's official date of foundation was 15 June 1941 when SS-Hauptsturmführer Collani greeted the Finnish volunteers in the field of Vienna's Waffen-SS barracks. Thus that date should also be the official date Collani took the command. He led the Finnish battalion until it was disbanded on 11 July 1943.
D) SS-Sturmbannführer & Commander Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS/SS-Division “Wiking” (°): 13 September 1941-23 May 1942.
(°) Former “SS-Freiwilligen-Bataillon “Nordost”. Unit’s name changed to “Finnisches Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS” on 13 September 1941.
E) SS-Sturmbannführer/SS-Obersturmbannführer & Commander III.Bataillon (Former Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS)/SS-Infanterie-Regiment “Nordland” (mot.)/SS-Division “Wiking”: 23 May 1942-11 July 1943 (Unit officially disbanded).
******************
From 01 August Collani became CO of 2.niederländische SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment (later "De Ruyter".
******************
I’ve found nothing more on this forum or on the Internet about Collani’s service both with Wiking and Totenkopf. So if anybody could help me with some more info about this officer or giving any corrections or additions to improve this file, that would be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Giorgio
SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani
Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Anything about this famous officer ?
Giorgio
Giorgio
Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Here is what I have on him
Phil Nix
Phil Nix
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Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Hi Phil,
in your card you wrote Collani as Kommandeur I. Bataillon der SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment "Westland" from 26.10.1942 until 10.7.1943. He then was replaced by the SS-Hauptsturmführer Günther Sitter. But at the beginning of Collani's command (26.10.1942) I have instead in my file the SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Hans Joachim - Hajo- von Hadeln, who commanded the I.Bataillon/SS-Panzergrenadier-Bataillon “Westland” from 1940 until he was KIA on 12.1.1943.
Well, did Collani replaced sometimes Hadeln as deputy or was he charged with command (Beauftragt mit der Führung) into the "Westland" Regiment ?
Giorgio
in your card you wrote Collani as Kommandeur I. Bataillon der SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment "Westland" from 26.10.1942 until 10.7.1943. He then was replaced by the SS-Hauptsturmführer Günther Sitter. But at the beginning of Collani's command (26.10.1942) I have instead in my file the SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Hans Joachim - Hajo- von Hadeln, who commanded the I.Bataillon/SS-Panzergrenadier-Bataillon “Westland” from 1940 until he was KIA on 12.1.1943.
Well, did Collani replaced sometimes Hadeln as deputy or was he charged with command (Beauftragt mit der Führung) into the "Westland" Regiment ?
Giorgio
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Juha Hujanen
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Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Strange because Jokipii says that Collani led Finnish Bataillon until it was disbanded.
Collani was send to field hospital 23.10.42 because of high fever.Hstuf.Weitzdörfer from II/Norland commanded Bataillon for few days.29.10.42 Hstuf.Hoffmann took over and in 30.10.42 Hstuf.Hoy.However he was wounded next days and Collani came back as convalescent and took over the command(page 562) .The Finnish Bataillon strenght was very low after very heavy fights in Malgobek.22.10.42 its srenght was 9+56+164.
Tieke says in his book of Finnish Bataillon that after Ustuf.Ertel came back to command post after difficult mission 1.1.43 Collani embraced him as father to long lost son (page 126).And Jokipii mentios also the incident in 23.1.43 when Ertel didn't attacked with 9.Kp because it would result only to heavy casualties.Collani was at first furious but then put on an exaggerate estimate of enemy strenght to war diary to justify cancelled attack.
Cheers/Juha
Collani was send to field hospital 23.10.42 because of high fever.Hstuf.Weitzdörfer from II/Norland commanded Bataillon for few days.29.10.42 Hstuf.Hoffmann took over and in 30.10.42 Hstuf.Hoy.However he was wounded next days and Collani came back as convalescent and took over the command(page 562) .The Finnish Bataillon strenght was very low after very heavy fights in Malgobek.22.10.42 its srenght was 9+56+164.
Tieke says in his book of Finnish Bataillon that after Ustuf.Ertel came back to command post after difficult mission 1.1.43 Collani embraced him as father to long lost son (page 126).And Jokipii mentios also the incident in 23.1.43 when Ertel didn't attacked with 9.Kp because it would result only to heavy casualties.Collani was at first furious but then put on an exaggerate estimate of enemy strenght to war diary to justify cancelled attack.
Cheers/Juha
Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Again: in Phil Nix's card, the SS-Hauptsturmführer Günther Sitter commanded the I.Bataillon/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 “Westland”/5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" from 10 July 1943 (replacing SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Collani) until he died on 25 July 1944.
Giorgio
Giorgio
Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Hi, Juha,
b) Looking at Phil Nix'card I also wonder how Collani could have been CO of the III.Bataillon (Finnisches)/Regiment Nordland from 26.10.1942 till 9.11.1942 (replacing Walter Plöw) while he was also CO of I.Bataillon /SS-Panzer- Grenadier-Regiment Westland from 26.10.1942 till 10.7.1943. Was Collani charged with command of both units in the same time from 26 October till 09 november 1942?
As You wrote, I think Collani left the Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS from 23 October 1942 and never came back to his unit, being transferred to I./Westland.
Do You agree?
Thanks in advance,
Giorgio
a) Do you mean Collani came back to his previous unit - i.e. the Finnish Bataillon - in the first days of November 1942?Juha Hujanen wrote:Strange because Jokipii says that Collani led Finnish Bataillon until it was disbanded.
Collani was send to field hospital 23.10.42 because of high fever.Hstuf.Weitzdörfer from II/Norland commanded Bataillon for few days.29.10.42 Hstuf.Hoffmann took over and in 30.10.42 Hstuf.Hoy.However he was wounded next days and Collani came back as convalescent and took over the command(page 562) .The Finnish Bataillon strenght was very low after very heavy fights in Malgobek.22.10.42 its srenght was 9+56+164.
Tieke says in his book of Finnish Bataillon that after Ustuf.Ertel came back to command post after difficult mission 1.1.43 Collani embraced him as father to long lost son (page 126).And Jokipii mentios also the incident in 23.1.43 when Ertel didn't attacked with 9.Kp because it would result only to heavy casualties.Collani was at first furious but then put on an exaggerate estimate of enemy strenght to war diary to justify cancelled attack.
Cheers/Juha
b) Looking at Phil Nix'card I also wonder how Collani could have been CO of the III.Bataillon (Finnisches)/Regiment Nordland from 26.10.1942 till 9.11.1942 (replacing Walter Plöw) while he was also CO of I.Bataillon /SS-Panzer- Grenadier-Regiment Westland from 26.10.1942 till 10.7.1943. Was Collani charged with command of both units in the same time from 26 October till 09 november 1942?
As You wrote, I think Collani left the Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS from 23 October 1942 and never came back to his unit, being transferred to I./Westland.
Do You agree?
Thanks in advance,
Giorgio
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Jan-Hendrik
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Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Hm, but why it was him who brought back the Finnische Freiwilligenbatalllion in 1943 when it was disbanded?and never came back to his unit
Jan-Hendrik
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Juha Hujanen
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Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Hello Giorgio
Jokipii,Tieke and Parvilahti in his book "Terekille ja Takaisin" all agree that Collani was again with FFB in 1.11.42.He was hospitalized for fever about week but came back to lead his Bataillon after Hoy was WIA.
All the sources indicates that Collani was the commanding officer of FFB until it was disbanded.Mayby Collani indeed commanded both Bataillons.Jokipii says in page 659 that 24.3.43 Collani also took the command of sector of AA5.AA5 under the command of Hstuf.Füting was submit to tactical use of Collani.
Cheers/Juha
Jokipii,Tieke and Parvilahti in his book "Terekille ja Takaisin" all agree that Collani was again with FFB in 1.11.42.He was hospitalized for fever about week but came back to lead his Bataillon after Hoy was WIA.
All the sources indicates that Collani was the commanding officer of FFB until it was disbanded.Mayby Collani indeed commanded both Bataillons.Jokipii says in page 659 that 24.3.43 Collani also took the command of sector of AA5.AA5 under the command of Hstuf.Füting was submit to tactical use of Collani.
Cheers/Juha
Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Thank you Juha and Jan-Hendrik.
First of all I’d try to fix the FFB’ lineage:
A) SS-Freiwilligen Bataillon Nordost: formed on 13 February 1941 (1) and renamed on 13 September 1941 as
B) Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS: added to “Wiking in January 1942 till 23 May 1942.
C) III.Bataillon/ SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland (mot.).Added to Wiking in January 1942 forming the III Battalion of the Nordland Regiment as of 23 May 1942. From that date also called “Finnisches Bataillon”. This Bataillon - along with the support units of SS-Regiment Nordland after heavy casualties in Balabanovka 20-23.11.1943 and due bitter retreat – was disbanded and its remaining personnel given to I and II/Nordland to provide replacements.
NOTE
(1)According to Mauno Jokipii's Panttipataljoona, p. 331, battalion's official date of foundation was 15 June 1941 when SS Hauptsturmführer Collani greeted the Finnish volunteers in the field of Vienna's Waffen-SS barracks. Thus that date should also be the official date Collani took the command. This Bataillon served as a separate unit until 10 July 1943 when it was disbanded.
A question: when was really disbanded the above mentioned battalion? On 10 July 1943 or in November 1943?
===================================================
Let’s now list the dates of Collani’s career from 11 August till his death.
First conjecture:
1) During closing stages of Western campaign he served as SS-Hauptsturmführer & Commander z.b.V. (=Special assignments officer) of SS-Infanterie-Regiment 1/Totenkopf: 11 August-21 October 1940.
2) He was long time sick 21 October 1940 (hospitalized in the SS Hospital at Hohenlynchen in Berlin until 08 February 1941.
3) Transferred to SS-Division “Wiking” on 08 February 1941.
4) Service within the Staff as z.b.V. (=Special assignments officer) of the II.Bataillon/SS-Regiment “Nordland”: from 08 February till 21 April 1941.
5) Commander of SS-Feldersatz-Bataillon 5 (field replacement battalion consisting of five companies): in spring 1941-15 June 1941. He then left to take command of the Finnisches Freiwilligen-Bataillon der SS which was attached to Wiking.
6) SS-Sturmbannführer & Commander SS-Freiwilligen-Bataillon Nordost which later became the Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS: 15 June-10 July 1943.
===================================================
Second conjecture:
1)-5) the same.
6) SS-Sturmbannführer & Commander SS-Freiwilligen-Bataillon “Nordost” which became the Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS: 15 June-23 October 1942.
7) Sent to field hospital on 23 October 1942 because of high fever. SS-Hauptsturmführer Rüdiger Weitzdörfer from II.Bataillon/”Nordland” commanded Bataillon for few days. On 29 October 1942 SS-Hauptsturmführer Hoffmann took over and in 30 October 1942 SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Hoy. However he was wounded next days and Collani came back as convalescent and took over the command.
(8) Back to FFB: 31 October or on the first ten days of November 1942.
9) According to Phil Nix’s card: SS-Sturmbannführer & Commander I.Bataillon/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Westland: November 1942-10 July 1943. Collani succeeded Dr. Hajo von Hadeln and was succeeded by Gunther Sitter.
Also:
9-bis) SS-Sturmbannführer & temporary Commander III.Bataillon/SS-Infanterie-Regiment Nordland: 26 October-09 November 1942 (replacing Walter Plöw).
10) SS-Obersturmbannführer & Commander III.Bataillon (Finnisches)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Nordland: 09 November 1942-22 March 1943.
11) From 22 march 1943 until?
===================================================
a) Then, according to an order of the III. (Germ.) SS-Panzer-Korps dated 15 July 1943 (regarding the creation of the Brigade Nederland, instead of the SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment “Nederland” that was planned to be an element of the Nordland Division), Hans Collani was appointed Führer of the new 2.niederländische SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment (later De Ruyter) with effect 01 August 1943.
b) SS-Obersturmbannführer & Commander of SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 /SS-Freiwilligen - Panzergrenadier - Brigade Nederland: 01 August–November 1943. Collani was the first commander of this Regiment.
c)SS-Obersturmbannführer & Commander of SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49 De Ruyter/4.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland: November 1943-KIA or suicide 27 (or 29) July 1944.
Will you or any forum-member tell me your/his opinion and fill in any gaps here, or correct/amend the lineage and list? Any info will be gratefully received.
Giorgio
First of all I’d try to fix the FFB’ lineage:
A) SS-Freiwilligen Bataillon Nordost: formed on 13 February 1941 (1) and renamed on 13 September 1941 as
B) Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS: added to “Wiking in January 1942 till 23 May 1942.
C) III.Bataillon/ SS-Infanterie-Regiment "Nordland (mot.).Added to Wiking in January 1942 forming the III Battalion of the Nordland Regiment as of 23 May 1942. From that date also called “Finnisches Bataillon”. This Bataillon - along with the support units of SS-Regiment Nordland after heavy casualties in Balabanovka 20-23.11.1943 and due bitter retreat – was disbanded and its remaining personnel given to I and II/Nordland to provide replacements.
NOTE
(1)According to Mauno Jokipii's Panttipataljoona, p. 331, battalion's official date of foundation was 15 June 1941 when SS Hauptsturmführer Collani greeted the Finnish volunteers in the field of Vienna's Waffen-SS barracks. Thus that date should also be the official date Collani took the command. This Bataillon served as a separate unit until 10 July 1943 when it was disbanded.
A question: when was really disbanded the above mentioned battalion? On 10 July 1943 or in November 1943?
===================================================
Let’s now list the dates of Collani’s career from 11 August till his death.
First conjecture:
1) During closing stages of Western campaign he served as SS-Hauptsturmführer & Commander z.b.V. (=Special assignments officer) of SS-Infanterie-Regiment 1/Totenkopf: 11 August-21 October 1940.
2) He was long time sick 21 October 1940 (hospitalized in the SS Hospital at Hohenlynchen in Berlin until 08 February 1941.
3) Transferred to SS-Division “Wiking” on 08 February 1941.
4) Service within the Staff as z.b.V. (=Special assignments officer) of the II.Bataillon/SS-Regiment “Nordland”: from 08 February till 21 April 1941.
5) Commander of SS-Feldersatz-Bataillon 5 (field replacement battalion consisting of five companies): in spring 1941-15 June 1941. He then left to take command of the Finnisches Freiwilligen-Bataillon der SS which was attached to Wiking.
6) SS-Sturmbannführer & Commander SS-Freiwilligen-Bataillon Nordost which later became the Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS: 15 June-10 July 1943.
===================================================
Second conjecture:
1)-5) the same.
6) SS-Sturmbannführer & Commander SS-Freiwilligen-Bataillon “Nordost” which became the Finnisches-Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS: 15 June-23 October 1942.
7) Sent to field hospital on 23 October 1942 because of high fever. SS-Hauptsturmführer Rüdiger Weitzdörfer from II.Bataillon/”Nordland” commanded Bataillon for few days. On 29 October 1942 SS-Hauptsturmführer Hoffmann took over and in 30 October 1942 SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Hoy. However he was wounded next days and Collani came back as convalescent and took over the command.
(8) Back to FFB: 31 October or on the first ten days of November 1942.
9) According to Phil Nix’s card: SS-Sturmbannführer & Commander I.Bataillon/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Westland: November 1942-10 July 1943. Collani succeeded Dr. Hajo von Hadeln and was succeeded by Gunther Sitter.
Also:
9-bis) SS-Sturmbannführer & temporary Commander III.Bataillon/SS-Infanterie-Regiment Nordland: 26 October-09 November 1942 (replacing Walter Plöw).
10) SS-Obersturmbannführer & Commander III.Bataillon (Finnisches)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Nordland: 09 November 1942-22 March 1943.
11) From 22 march 1943 until?
===================================================
a) Then, according to an order of the III. (Germ.) SS-Panzer-Korps dated 15 July 1943 (regarding the creation of the Brigade Nederland, instead of the SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment “Nederland” that was planned to be an element of the Nordland Division), Hans Collani was appointed Führer of the new 2.niederländische SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment (later De Ruyter) with effect 01 August 1943.
b) SS-Obersturmbannführer & Commander of SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 /SS-Freiwilligen - Panzergrenadier - Brigade Nederland: 01 August–November 1943. Collani was the first commander of this Regiment.
c)SS-Obersturmbannführer & Commander of SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 49 De Ruyter/4.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland: November 1943-KIA or suicide 27 (or 29) July 1944.
Will you or any forum-member tell me your/his opinion and fill in any gaps here, or correct/amend the lineage and list? Any info will be gratefully received.
Giorgio
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Juha Hujanen
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Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
A question: when was really disbanded the above mentioned battalion? On 10 July 1943 or in November 1943?
The FFB held its last parade 11.7.43 in Hanko Finland.Collani shook hand with every man and declared the Bataillon disbanded from Waffen-SS.
Cheers/Juha
The FFB held its last parade 11.7.43 in Hanko Finland.Collani shook hand with every man and declared the Bataillon disbanded from Waffen-SS.
Cheers/Juha
Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
Hello Juha,
this is the first good progress! Thankyou very much. I hope now some forum-member would help to answer my second question.
Giorgio
this is the first good progress! Thankyou very much. I hope now some forum-member would help to answer my second question.
Giorgio
Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani.
I noticed that Hans Collani isn't buried under his real name at the Kriegsfriedhof in Tallinn. Kriegsgräberfürsorge have made a huge mistake
He is listed on the big stones as '"Hans Bolani" and even the birthdate is wrong. 13.12.1908, he was born on 13.2.1908.
Fritz von Scholz is listed as "Generalleutnant"
Best regard
Georg
He is listed on the big stones as '"Hans Bolani" and even the birthdate is wrong. 13.12.1908, he was born on 13.2.1908.
Fritz von Scholz is listed as "Generalleutnant"
Best regard
Georg
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Re: SS-Standartenführer Hans Collani
Deathnotice of Hans Collani
//Georg
//Georg
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