Hi,
Quick question, were the Einsatzgruppen controlled by the immediate commanding Armee Gruppe or Korps, or did they only really follow commands from the SS internal structure, and were thus fairly independent in the location they were 'working' in.
Thanks for any help
Steve
Einsatzgruppen Command structure
Re: Einsatzgruppen Command structure
I would guess that as long there was not an immediate military threat at hand, where they would fall under the higher military commander, that they would most definitely be under the control of the framework within the RSHA as well as the HSSPF in the territory they operated in. This is why the vast majority of their operations took place in the rear of the Heer formations. However, there would be times that the EG would arrive in a city while the battle was still going on.
Re: Einsatzgruppen Command structure
During the first months of the German invasion of the USSR, the Einsatzgruppen Staff had a liaison officer (Verbindungsführer) with the Armee they followed, e.g. Einsatzgruppe D followed 11.Armee.
The Einsatz- and Sonderkommando also had liaison officers with army unit they followed. One reason why some Kommandos reached a town/city which had not yet fallen and a battle continued.
Come winter 1941 the anti-Jewish measures continued, though to a lesser extent due to the weather, but an increased in co-operation with the local army units for anti-partisan activity.
The Einsatz- and Sonderkommando also had liaison officers with army unit they followed. One reason why some Kommandos reached a town/city which had not yet fallen and a battle continued.
Come winter 1941 the anti-Jewish measures continued, though to a lesser extent due to the weather, but an increased in co-operation with the local army units for anti-partisan activity.