German Units in the Balkans - 1941.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a new little story goes here.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

Yugoslavia.

Following the events of March 27, 1941 (coup in Belgrade and repudiation of the pact with the Axis), the German 2 AOK was newly organized and ready to operate according to Directive No. 25 issued by the Führer. This army was composed of the XXXXVI AK (Mot), the XVIII Geb K, the LII AK and the LI AK to which was subordinate the 132 ID, along with the 183 ID and 101 Le. ID, the latter Army Corps would be the main effort in the southern direction. The LI AK after forcing the passage of the River Drava was to advance first on Zagreb and if necessary was to reinforce there the units of the Army Corps Vietinghoff (XXXXVI AK), then it would follow behind the Armored Army Corps to Belgrade.

While the date of attack for the forces that operate against southern Yugoslavia and Greece had been set for April 6, 1941, the 2 AOK attack would be launched only on April 10, 1941. However from April 6 onwards it will conquer some bridgeheads on the Drava.

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follws.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

Transport and assembly of the division.

The 132 ID would be transported by rail directly from Germany. The boarding of the division took place on April 2 1941 and on April 6 1941 one third of the unit had been detrained in Graz, being completed the transport on 09 April 1941.

This division was organized on October 5, 1940 with elements of the 263 ID, 268 ID and parts of the horse-drawn elements of the 27 ID which had been converted into an armored division (17 Pz). Its Commanding Officer was Generalleutnant Rudolf Sintzenich and it was composed of the IR 436, IR 437 and IR 438, AR 132, Pz Jäg Abt 132, AA 132, Pi Btl 132 and NA 132.

The Campaign.

April 6, 1941.

The LI AK crossed the Yugoslav border by Murk and Radkersburg, capturing intact both bridges over the river Drava. The 132 ID captured Sejanska, while a cyclists detachment of 183 ID entered in Murska Sobota.

At about 07:30 hours was secured the elbow on the border due west of Gerogenberg with the Height 510 (Platsch). The wooded high ground west of Zierberg was secured also.

In the afternoon the enemy resistance was broken on the road Graz - Marburg taking several forts. The fighting ceased at 16:00 hours, here distinguished Oberleutnant Wack belonging to the 2. / Pi Btl 132.

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follws.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

The Campaign.

April 7, 1941.

A combat patrol secured Ober-St.Kunigund without casualties. The infantry was delayed by the destruction of roads although it reached the road bridge in Kamnitz. When trying to enter the valley Pößnitz received intense fire from fortified positions on the ridges located nearby. The Bridge on the Pößnitz destroyed.

April 8, 1941.

The path towards Marburg was heavily mined so the advance was delayed. Later in the day Marburg was occupied without resistance however.

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follws.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

The Campaign.

April 9, 1941.

Two infantry regiments of the 132 ID and the engineer battalion crossed the river Drau/Drava by Marburg/Maribor using assault dinghies.

April 10, 1941.

The division reached Pogorje-Hoce-Sv.Miklavz south of Marburg.

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follws.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

The Campaign.

April 11, 1941.

The 132 ID conquered the towns of Windisc-Freistritz and Jurovzi. At 11:00 hours it was reached the town of Windisch - Landsberg. Advance through Satteldorf - Krapinske - Toplice. The vanguard advanced to the bridge over the Sava River about 6 kilometers of Agram (Zagreb). The AA 132 established a bridgehead on Rann about 25 kilometers northwest of Agram (Zagreb).

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follws.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

The Campaign.

April 12, 1941.

The 132 ID reached Agram (Zagreb), the area west of the city.

April 13, 1941.

The AA 132 in Klinkaselo with spearhead in Sorace - Maja. The Division advanced along routes in poor road conditions. As an Armoured Division used the same routes traffic jams and delays occurred.

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follws.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

The Campaign.

April 14, 1941.

The Division was in Kristinja Dl. Kirin (45 km southwest of Agram - Zagreb). Elements of the 132 ID reached the river Una and established bridgeheads on Krupa, Otoka and Novi.

April 15, 1941.

Vanguards of the 132 ID reached Sanskimost and Prijedor on the River Sana.

April 16, 1941.

Division was assembled in area of Bos-Krupa - Glina. Its CP was located in Bos Krupa.

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[G. Trifkovic]

The story of 132nd in Yugoslavia was published in Banja Luka daily "Nezavisne novine" some years ago-I have been trying to find these photos ever since. Thanks, tigre

Cheers,

Gaius

[tigre]

Hello Gaius ; you're welcome and every text to complement this thread will be fully appreciated. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the end.......................

With the 132 ID in the Balkans.

The Campaign.

April 18, 1941.

The vanguard of the 132 ID took Jajce around 07:30 hours. At 12:00 hours armistice.

April 19, 1941.

The Division took a break to regroup.

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a new story in this thread......................

The 50 ID in the Balkans. Assault on Height 510.

The mission of the XXX AK, subordinated to the 12 AOK, was to reach the Aegean Sea by the shortest route and attack from the east those fortifications in the Metaxas Line which were situated behind the river Nestos. Then the Army Corps should converge on Saloniki. The Army Corps would attack with two divisions the 50 ID against Komotini and the 164 ID against Xanthi.

One of the regiments of the 50 ID was the IR 123 (Oberst Hermann Frenking) which was to cross the Greek border south of Makas and move along the road to Komotini in order to gain access to Thrace in the mountains Rodopi. Behind the spearheads, still followed the Detachment of Oberst v. Geyso with the II. / IR 121 and the Stug Abt 190 (Oberstleutnant Reinhard Naether) in Tschorbadishisko.

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... n/50ID.htm
http://forum.balsi.de/index.php?topic=3142.0
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ei ... gt-123.htm
Private Sales List-Army Light Field Artillery. Historical Media. Martes, 07 de Abril de 2009, 23:33:41
Kriegstagebuch der II. Abteilung des Artillerie-Regiments 150. http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... R150-R.htm
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... enland.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Dr Eisvogel]

Sources: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/ETO/Eas ... index.html
The Balkans Campaign, invasion of Yugoslavia. General d. Infanterie v. Greiffenberg
Geschichte der 132. Inf.Div. in Bildern und Dokumenten.
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/

Cheers. Raúl M .

Hello Raúl M,

thank you very much for posting the story. I guess the German sources have some of the places wrongly rendered.

Correction of the place names:

With the 132 ID

April 11, 1941.
Krapinske – Toplice -> Krapinske Toplice (one town)

April 13, 1941.
Klinkaselo -> Klinča Selo

April 14, 1941.
Kristinja Dl. -> Krstinja Dolnja

April 15, 1941.
Sanskimost -> Sanski Most

April 16, 1941.
Bos Krupa -> Bosanska Krupa

Best regards,
Eisvogel

[tigre]

Hello Dr Eisvogel ; thanks to you for posting those correct names . Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows......................

The 50 ID in the Balkans. Assault on Height 510.

On April 5, 1941 at 23:30 hours the II. / AR 150 occupied firing positions to the east and west of the Highway Markassa - Komotini, about 1-2 kilometers from the border. The Artillery Group will support the IR 123.

On April 6, 1941 the IR 123 advanced with its I. Battalion (Maj. Heinrich Kodré) and behind it the III. Battalion (Major Helling) along the route to Komotini. The march continued through the deep gorge, covered by the 9. / IR 123 (Oberleutnant Hans Schroeter) marching down the slopes west of the road and the 1. / IR 123 (Oberleutnant Leukefeld) progressed through the eastern heights.

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... n/50ID.htm
http://forum.balsi.de/index.php?topic=3142.0
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ei ... gt-123.htm
Private Sales List-Army Light Field Artillery. Historical Media. Martes, 07 de Abril de 2009, 23:33:41
Kriegstagebuch der II. Abteilung des Artillerie-Regiments 150. http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... R150-R.htm
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... enland.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows......................

The 50 ID in the Balkans. Assault on Height 510.

About 7 kilometers beyond the border, the massif of the Height 510 blocked the passage of the attackers, who marched through the deep valley; the fortifications on that point had been improved by the Greeks since 1936. The system included about 30 to 40 forts armed with machine guns and protected by a barbed wire obstacle of 7 to 8 meters wide. Upon reaching this point the attack could not progress and the northern outpost was attacked by the fire of anti-aircraft guns and assault guns. After noon the artillery of the division joined the action and unleashed its fire but yet the infantry could not gain ground.

At 10:10 hours the II. / AR 150 opened up its concentrations of fire on the fortified line that held back the progress of the IR 123. However it could not go around the Height 510.

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... n/50ID.htm
http://forum.balsi.de/index.php?topic=3142.0
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ei ... gt-123.htm
Private Sales List-Army Light Field Artillery. Historical Media. Martes, 07 de Abril de 2009, 23:33:41
Kriegstagebuch der II. Abteilung des Artillerie-Regiments 150. http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... R150-R.htm
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... enland.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .