Which units were raised in Feldkirch (Vorarlberg, Austria) by the Wehrmacht?

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me what Wehrmacht (especially Army) units were raised, or had their depots and/or barracks, in Feldkirch in Vorarlberg, Austria over 1938-45?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance,

Cheers,

Sid.

[hucks216]

So far I can only find mention of Heeres-Unteroffizier-Schule für Infanterie ( http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Kas ... irch-R.htm ) and Reserve Lazarett I & II Feldkirch.

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi hucks216,

That was quick. A useful start.

Many thanks,

Sid.

[hucks216]

It looks like one of the Reserve Lazarett is now a music school. Type Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium Feldkirch in to a Google Image search and there are loads of images. The following link seems to show a 1940 dated postcard illustration of the buildings (which used to be Jesuit related) - the one shown on the far side of the river is the Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium as the building at the forefront looks to of been demolished/destroyed and replaced with more modern buildings judging from Google Earth.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... sLaz-R.htm

[CNE503]

I found a Gebirgs-Unteroffizier-Vorschule in Feldkirch, but I suspect it is the same school than the Heeres-Unteroffizier-Schule für Infanterie previously mentioned.

Cheers,

CNE503

[CNE503]

Concerning the Landesschützen units, I don't know where were raised several Wehrkreis XVIII independent battalions:
- Landesschützen Bataillon II/XVIII - later numbered 902;
- Landesschützen Bataillon IV/XVIII - 904;
- Landesschützen Bataillon VIII/XVIII - 908;
- Landesschützen Bataillon X/XVIII - 910;
- Landesschützen Bataillon XII/XVIII - 912.

It is possible that one of them was from Feldkirch, even if it is doubtful.

Cheers,

CNE503

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi CNE503,

Thanks. Given that the town had 15,000 inhabitants, I would imagine it had more than a couple of military hospitals, but I still can't find anything or pin a Landesschutz unit to the place.

There must have been a local unit or two, but what was it?

Cheers,

Sid.

[CNE503]

Hi Sid,

Maybe looking all the units raised in Wehrkreis XVIII? It was the less prolific of all the pre-war German military regions, after all...
For instance:
- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 136 (2. Gebirgs-Division): Innsbruck, Landeck, Kufstein;
- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 137 (2. Gebirgs-Division): Linz, Salzburg, Spittal, Saalfelden;
- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138 (3. Gebirgs-Division): Leoben, Graz, Admont, Pinkafeld, Radkersburg;
- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 139 (3. Gebirgs-Division): Klagenfurt, Villach, Wolfsberg, Völkermarkt;
- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 140 (2. Gebirgs-Division): Kufstein;
- Gebirgs-Artillerie Regiment 111 (2. Gebirgs-Division): Hall, Innsbruck, Spittal;
- Gebirgs-Artillerie Regiment 112 (3. Gebirgs-Division): Graz, Villach;
- Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11, then 111, then Radfahr-Abteilung 67, then Aufklärungs-Abteilung 67 (2. Gebirgs-Division): Stockerau;
- Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12, then 112 (3. Gebirgs-Division): Stockerau;
- Gebirgs-Panzerabwehr-/Panzerjäger-Abteilung 47 (2. Gebirgs-Division): Hall, Schwaz;
- etc. etc.

Good luck!

Cheers,

CNE503

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi CNE503,

Thanks.

Vorarlberg, and therefore presumably Feldkirch, seem to have contributed to 2. Gebirgs-Division in 1938-39. However, I cannot establish any distinct footprint for Vorarlberg in any later divisions raised in Wehrkreis XVIII. Bregenz was Vorarlberg's capital and I guess the main depot for the province was there.

Cheers,

Sid.