Korps-Vorausabteilung Lindemann, 1941

[CNE503]

Hello,

Has anyone information about this ad hoc grouping that was tasked in spearheading the attack of XI. Armeekorps in the first days of operation "München" (as of July 2nd, 1941)?
My understanding is that it was a collection of mobile units from the corps divisions and assets (Sturmgeschütze from Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 190, recon units from 22. and 76. Infanterie-Divisionen, some artillery, etc.). But has anyone a list of these units?

Then, who was this Lindemann that gave his name to the unit?

Thank you.
Regards,

CNE503

[DirkAH]

Hello!

A few bits and pieces about V.A. Lindemann/Gr. Lindemann:

6.7.41:
Aufkl.Abt. 22 (3. Kradschtz.Kp., 1x s.M.G.Kp.)
Aufkl.Abt. 76 (2x Radf.Kp.)
II./Art.Rgt. 818
2x Pz.Jg.Kp.
1x Pi.Kp.(mot.)
1/2x schw.Flak-Bttr.
1x Kp.Fla (M.G.) 22

4.8.41:
Aufkl.Abt. 22 (3. Kradschtz.Kp., 1x schw.Kp.)
Aufkl.Abt. 76 (2x Radf.Kp.)
III./Art.Rgt. 818 (2x 10cm Bttr.)
1x s.F.H. Bttr.
2x Pz.Jg.Kp.
1x Pi.Kp.(mot.)
1/2x schw.Flak-Bttr.
Fla.M.G.Btl. 22

Source: KTB A.O.K. 11

Cdr. seems to have been Oberst Fritz Lindemann (Arko 138 of LIV. A.K.) who was later executed as one of the Stauffenberg conspirators.

[CNE503]

Thank you!
As far as I know anyway, there wasn't an Aufklärungs-Abteilung 76. It was probably Aufklärungs-Abteilung 176 of 76. Infanterie-Division.

You're right, Oberst Lindemann fits perfectly as commander of such a unit.

Regards,
CNE503

[CNE503]

Oberst Fritz Lindemann, Arko 138, as Führer Vorausabteilung Lindemann, is confirmed (NARA T315 R1087 file 518): "Führer der Vorausabteilung ist Art.Kdeur. 138 einzuteilen".
Regards,
CNE503

[CNE503]

I found a document related to this ad hoc unit in NARA T315 R1087 file 639 dated June 30th, 1941), that stated Vorausabteilung was set up with the following units from 76. Infanterie-Division (or subordinated assets):
- 1 Radfahrverband (möglichst 1 Batl.)
- A.A. 176 (ohne Reiter-Schwadron)
- 1 Bttr. II./818 mit Funkgerät
- 1 Lichtmesszug B-Abt. 34
- 2./Sturm-Artl. Abt. 190.

Another one (file 645, dated July 1st, 1941) stated:
- Radf.Verband der 76. Div. (mögl. ein Batl.)
- A.A. 176 (ohne Reiter-Schw.)
- 1 Kradsch.Kompanie der A.A. 22
- 1 Batterie der II./A.R. 818 mit Funktrupp
- 1 Lichtmess-Zug der Beob.Abt. 34
- 2./Sturm-Art.Abt.190
- Panzerjäger-Abteilung 560 (ohne 1 1/3 Kp.)
- 1 Flak-Kampfgruppe der I./Flak 14 (2 Gesch. 8,8cm, 2 Züge 2cm)
- 1 Pi.Komp. (mot.)
- 6./Lehr-Regt. Brandenburg
- 5 Kr.Kw. der 76. Inf. Div.

I'm now trying to know what were:
- the bicycle companies that formed the "Radfahr-Verband 76" (probably one coy in each of the three infantry regiments, 178, 203 and 230, that were grouped together - but which ones?);
- the number of the motorcycle coy of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22;
- the number of the battery of the II./Artillerie-Regiment 818;
- the exact contribution of Panzerjäger-Abteilung 560 (I guess two coys, one of which lacked one platoon);
- which was the motorized engineers company.

Regards,
CNE503

[CNE503]

The motorcycle coy was probably the 4.(Krad)/Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22.
CNE503

[CNE503]

According to what I read, the Pionier-Kompanie should have been either the 3.(mot.)/Pionier-Bataillon 176, either the 2./Pionier-Bataillon 744.
CNE503

[CNE503]

Hello,

Here are some additional informations.

Korps-Vorausabteilung "Lindemann" comprised the following units:
- Staff from Artillerie-Kommandeur 138, included its commander, Oberst Lindemann;
- 6./Lehr-Regiment zbV 800 "Brandenburg" (14 KIA);
- 4.(Krad)/Aufklärungs-Abteilung 22;
- Aufklärungs-Abteilung 176 (without its Reiter-Schwadron) (7 KIA);
- Radfahr-Kompanie/Infanterie-Regiment 230;
- 2./Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 190;
- Panzerjäger-Abteilung 560 (without a company);
- 4./Artillerie-Regiment 818 (with Stab, II./Artillerie-Regiment 818)*;
- Flak-Kampfgruppe I./Flak-Regiment 14 (3 KIA);
- 1./Pionier-Bataillon 70.
I found nothing about the Beobachters from Beobachtung-Abteilung 34.

*On July 7th, 5./Artillerie-Regiment 818 did provide supporting fire for the fights in Moghilev-Podolskij, so it appears that this battery could have been part of the Vorausabteilung too.

From July 2nd to 9th, 1941 (from its first steps in action to its disbanding), Vorausabteilung "Lindemann" suffered the following losses:
- 24 KIA;
- 42 WIA;
- 6 MIA.
Most of them were inflicted during the heavy fights for Otaci, on July 7th, 1941.
Its first objective, the seizure of the road bridge in Moghilew-Podolskij, was ultimately a failure but tactically succeeded. On July 7th, the bridge was taken and was only slightly damaged not by demolition charges, but most probably by a Soviet artillery shell.

Vorausabteilung "Lindemann" was relieved and disbanded on July 10th or 11th. During this timeframe, it did succeed in beating off several Soviet attempts to blow the road bridge in Moghilew-Podolski.

CNE503

[CNE503]

Latest information I digged up about this Vorausabteilung: the bicycle company of Infanterie-Regiment 230 was the third one (3.[Radfahr]/Infanterie-Regiment 230).
CNE503