Sbf Helmut Schreiber

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Pena V
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Sbf Helmut Schreiber

#1

Post by Pena V » 26 May 2009, 23:52

This is what I have gathered so far:

Schreiber Helmut
* 25 Mar 1917

Promotions
20 Apr 1944 Sturmbannführer

Assignments
?? ??? 1941 - ?? ??? 1943 10./"Deutschland" Succeeded Willi Lindemann (?)
?? ??? 1943 - ?? Oct 1943 II/"Deutschland" Succeeded by Hans Bissinger (?)
02 Oct 1943 - ?? ??? 1943 "Deutschland" Succeeded Heinz Harmel and was succeeded by Heinz Harmel (?)

Awards
01 Dec 1941 EK 2
01 Dec 1941 EK 1
09 Apr 1943 DKiG
30 Jul 1943 Ritterkreuz
24 May 1944 NKiG

It's suprising that there is so litte info for a highly decorated officer. Can someone please help me especially in promotions and assingments.

Pena V

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Waleed Y. Majeed
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Re: Sbf Helmut Schreiber

#2

Post by Waleed Y. Majeed » 27 May 2009, 01:38

Could it be Helmuth Schreiber...?

The dates seem to match!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_Schreiber

One more:
Helmuth Schreiber, 30.07.1943 SS-Hauptsturmführer Commander 10th Company SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt Deutschland
Look under SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment 3 Deutschland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kn ... _Das_Reich

And a picture: http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_sea ... wert1=5831


waleed


Mark C. Yerger
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Re: Sbf Helmut Schreiber

#3

Post by Mark C. Yerger » 27 May 2009, 04:29

A lot of questions can be replied simply reading already published books, often more complete than free Internet searches.

1st below is Schreiber's biography from volume 2 of "German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police," footnote documentation with its additional data doesn't transfer when pasted. 2nd and 3rd following are the addendum section data in volume 3 related to Schreiber, and finally the manuscript's addendum related to him that will be in volume 5.

All volumes contain similar detail beyond free web posting inquiries.

Hope the data completes the question, the last time I'll personally post what I've already published since the time and costs invested in writing books is invested so they are read. The small amount paid to authors makes such a time involved task undertaken for reasons other than obtaining great "wealth." Buy and read books, you'll know more and have fewer questions that have already been answered.

HELMUTH SCHREIBER
German Cross in Gold- April 9, 1943
SS# 361 292

Untersturmführer- August 1, 1940
Obersturmführer- June 21, 1942
Hauptsturmführer- June 21, 1943
Sturmbannführer- April 20, 1944

Iron Cross 2nd Class- December 24, 1941
Iron Cross 1st Class- December 24, 1941
Infantry Assault Badge in Silver- July 20, 1942
Eastern Front Medal- August 1, 1942
Wound Badge in Black- February 15, 1942
Wound Badge in Gold- April 20, 1945
Close Combat Clasp in Silver- November 5, 1943
Close Combat Clasp in Gold- May 24, 1944
Knight’s Cross- July 30, 1943

The son of a railway administrator, Helmuth Schreiber was born on March 25, 1917 in Giessen. He served with the Hitler Youth starting from June 1, 1933, and became an HJ Leader before leaving in early April 1938, having attended a Reichsführerschule. Schreiber then moved to the RAD until October 25, 1938.

Joining the SS/VT with Regiment “Deutschland” at the start of November 1938, he was assigned to the 6.Kompanie and saw combat in Poland as a Gruppenführer. Following that campaign he attended Junkerschule Bad Tölz from November 1, 1939, to February 24, 1940, then undertaking a company commanders course in Berlin.

Assigned to the new 14.SS-Totenkopfstandarte in Weimar-Buchenwald as a Standartenoberjunker and Zugführer, by January 1941 he was temporarily commanding the 2.Kompanie. Schreiber remained with the unit when it was restructured into an infantry regiment in mid-September 1940 and then became a component of the 2.SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot), leaving when the regiment dissolved at the end of June 1941. He then became 2.Kompanieführer of the Sonderbataillon Kommandostab “Reichsführer-SS.”

Schreiber went to Vienna for a technical course in October 1941 and in early November 1941 came to the Division as a replacement. He was assigned to Regiment “Deutschland” as a Zugführer with the 5.Kompanie until early February 1942. Transferred to the newly formed Ski Company of “Deutschland,” he served as a Zugführer and on March 21, 1942, succeeded Rolf Diercks as company commander when the latter was wounded.

Schreiber remained in Russia with Kampfgruppe “SS-Reich,” serving as battalion adjutant from early April 1942 for the remnants of “Deutschland” attached to the battle group. When the remnants returned to France in June 1942, Schreiber was assigned as adjutant for the III./Deutschland until becoming commander of the 10./Deutschland in October, succeeding Wilhelm Endemann. Leading the 10.Kompanie back to Russia in January 1943, Heinz Harmel recommended him for the German Cross for his company command during the February and March Charkow fighting.

"In the defensive fighting in the Oskol sector and the area northeast of Charkow, as well as in the rearguard engagements from Krassnograd to Charkow, Obersturmführer Schreiber has particularly proven himself as a determined, outstanding and brave commander of his company.

In the defensive engagement at Novopotrowka and during the retreat movements at Budjenowka on February 2, 1943, Obersturmführer Schreiber, fighting at the point of his company, withstood an attack from two Russian battalions. With several counterattacks into the ranks of the enemy, who was attacking from all sides, he managed to tie him down to such an extent, that the III./Deutschland, covered by the 10./Deutschland managed to perform a coordinated and orderly retreat while the enemy was unable to move around it and encircle it, as he had intended.

On February 8, 1943, the III./Deutschland was ordered to retreat from Wel Burluk, from which, during the course of two days, the enemy had attacked the sector of the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment “Deutschland” in several waves with the strength of five divisions. The 10./Deutschland was assigned to guard the battalion's retreat moves. Through constant attack- and counterattack moves, which Obersturmführer Schreiber conducted against the enemy from different, alternating positions with personal action and outstanding bravery, he managed to confuse the enemy to such an extent, that the opponent ceased his attacks and the battalion could retreat in a coordinated fashion and without loss of men and materiel.

During the time from February 10-13, 1943, Obersturmführer Schreiber's company manned the blocking position at Bairak, east of Charkow on both sides of the road to Woltschansk. For this mission, a Luftwaffe company lacking combat experience was subordinated to Obersturmführer Schreiber. Since this company had gone through several heavy crises in the days before, it was initially more of a burden than help for the 10./Deutschland.

When the men of the Luftwaffe company displayed signs of a crisis during a heavy, tank-supported attack from the enemy, Schreiber placed himself at the point of the reinforced company, directed inciting words at the security company while being under fire and, by giving an example, swept the men along to the front. From this hour on, the men of the subordinated company regained the belief in their own fighting power and, following their company commander's example and together with the 10./Deutschland, successfully repelled all the enemy's attacks, which were undertaken by vastly superior forces.

On March 5, 1943, the 10./Deutschland was assigned to attack Novaja Wodolaga from the regiment's right wing. Under the heaviest flanking fire, which was reinforced by enemy tank forces, the company pushed forward, the company commander personally charging ahead of it and so caused the enemy forces to hastily retreat. Through this bold and fearless attack, it was possible to force the enemy's tank forces to turn away and, on the same day, to take possession of the eastern part of town. At the same time, the company established with this success a basis for the further advance of our tank and infantry forces, who pushed further ahead, took the whole town and pursued the fleeing enemy, so that only very weak enemy forces could gain a footing in the enemy's rearward positions in the Msha sector.

During the attack on Charkow conducted on March 11-12, 1943, Obersturmführer Schreiber speedily advanced on the city regardless of the enemy's heavy flanking fire and, through his bold attack caused the enemy to feel threatened in the flanks himself and so to withdraw his positions, a retreat which allowed speedily following forces from the neighboring sector to seize and destroy him. Thus, the determined charge of the 10./Deutschland had created a double success. During every mission and engagement, Obersturmführer Schreiber has proved himself through outstanding leadership qualities, determination, fearlessness and bravery as well as through a never-failing optimism."

Schreiber remained 10.Kompanie Chef and in early July 1943 saw combats that won him the Knight’s Cross. Again recommended by Heinz Harmel, the quickly approved proposal reads as follows.

“On July 8, 1943, the III./Deutschland had orders to secure the railway supply route on both sides of Teterewino. All day long the enemy attacked the positions of the battalion, supported by strong tank forces. In the sector of “Deutschland” 83 enemy tanks were destroyed. Shortly after 1600 hours the enemy, supported again by tanks, broke through the open left flank of the III./Deutschland and began to roll over our trenches.

Hauptsturmführer Schreiber immediately recognized the danger threatening the battalion. He mustered together a platoon of his company and resolutely began a counterattack. After a bitterly hard battle the enemy was thrown out of his positions. Taking advantage of the initial success, Hauptsturmführer Schreiber began a further attack on his own initiative towards a ridge that was away from his own positions. In a sweeping attack the enemy positions were overrun and captured. Schreiber’s actions closed the enemy’s essential escape route.

That the enemy lost his taste for battle on this day is due to the decisive and courageous leadership of Hauptsturmführer Schreiber. The positions he won were the starting point for a successful attack on the Belgorod-Kursk railroad line by the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Leibstandarte” on July 9, 1943. Schreiber is a passionate soldier who is an agile company commander who masters every situation. He distinguishes himself with his exceptional leadership qualities.”

In early August 1943 Schreiber took temporary command of the III./Deutschland, succeeding Günther Wisliceny who was then substituting for regimental commander Heinz Harmel. The remnants of the II.Bataillon were soon incorporated into Schreiber’s III./Deutschland. During late September/early October all the remnants of “Deutschland” were incorporated into the III.Bataillon with Schreiber holding his now unique command.

Schreiber held that command while fighting with a battle group attached to the 1.Infanterie-Division and was wounded at divisional headquarters in Pii on October 30, 1943. Evacuated due to the severity of his wounds, he was succeeded by Hauptsturmführer Emil Maître who came from the Field Replacement Battalion.

Following his recovery, Schreiber returned to the Division while it reformed in France, taking his previous III.Bataillon command position. The remnants of the II. and III.Bataillone were combined on August 5, 1944 and Schreiber was seriously wounded during the Mortain fighting three days later, leading what had become the II./Deutschland. He was then succeeded by Heinz Macher. Returning to duty in January 1945, Schreiber took command of the Division’s Field Replacement Battalion that was later detached and fought in the Remagen bridgehead area from February 1 to March 21, 1945.

After leading a battle group based on the hastily rebuilt Replacement Battalion, Schreiber was succeeded as commander in early April by Eugen Maisenbacher and returned to the Division as part of its reserve pool. “Deutschland” commander Günther Wisliceny and Schreiber surrendered together to US forces on May 8, 1945. Regarded specifically by Heinz Harmel and many other officers of “Deutschland” as one of the best commanders in the regiment’s history, Helmuth Schreiber lives in retirement.

Addendum in volume 3 related to Schreiber:

Helmut Schreiber, pages 174 and 180: In late December 1941 Schreiber assumed command of the 5./Deutschland as successor to Karl Burkhart (T-354/121). Schreiber then became Kompanie Fuehrer (not Zugführer) of the Schi-Kompanie in early February 1942 until wounded on March 10, 1942. Succeeded by Rolf Diercks (who was wounded the next day), Schreiber again assumed the command. When Schreiber assumed command of the combined II. and III. Bataillone, he succeeded Obersturmbannführer Willi Dusenschön who was wounded on August 2, 1944.

Addendum in volume 5, related to Schreiber:

Page 174, Helmut Schreiber: He assumed command of the 10./Deutschland in mid-July 1942, succeeding Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Endemann who then assumed the post of divisional first ordnance officer (01) replacing Hauptsturmführer Walter Harzer. As adjutant of the III./Deutschland Schreiber was succeeded by Obersturmführer Werner Speckmaier. Helmut Schreiber died on December 6, 2008.

Pena V
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Re: Sbf Helmut Schreiber

#4

Post by Pena V » 27 May 2009, 15:22

Waleed,

Thank you for trying to help but I already had the info you provided.

Mark,

The data more than completes the question. The best way to thank you is to purchase your books. I recently purchased Waffen-SS Commanders Part I, paid 41 euros incl. delivery and it's worth every penny. The next book I'm going to buy is part II and then I'll move to the DKiG-series. I just don't have them yet and that's why I'm asking these questions.

Regards to both of you,

Pena V

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