Kampfgruppen KOCH, ROTH

[AETIUS 1980]

Hello,
Looking about ant informations for Kampfgruppen KOCH (Major KOCH, Kdr Pi.Btl.716 and leader of remnants from his own unit and Gr.Rgt.736) and ROTH (Hauptmann Richard ROTH, Kdr Ost.Btl.441 with the remnants of s. Art.Abt.989). They were fighting under the command of 21.Pz.Div on June 1944 between Colombelles, St Honorine la Chardonette and Escoville.

Regards
Romain

[Sam Wren]

There are some references to them in the history of 21.PD by Kortenhaus and I have seen a few references elsewhere. I will try to find them.

[AETIUS 1980]

The remains of the 716.Inf.Div began to be regrouped on Epron on June 8th, then switch to the precursors on Colombelles the next day. By the 13th, all the combats units of Generalleutnant RICHTER division gathered to the east of Orne estuary. We find at this date the Verspr.Btl.716 (around the nucleus of III./Gr.Rgt.736), soon transformed as KG KOCH, and KG ROTH. Although partly knowing the internal structure and the chain of command, I remain on the lookout for information.
Regards

[Sam Wren]

When I first transcribed this, I guessed that the cut-off name on this KTB of 21.PD was "Korfes", but since he was MIA on 6.6.44 and later confirmed dead, "Koch" or "Roth" makes much more sense, but I can't tell which for sure but it looks closer to "Roth":

[AETIUS 1980]

Yes, it must be. We can see members of the defunct Major LEHMANN II./Gr.Rgt.726. Those remnants have been fighting alongside SS.Pz.Gr.Rgt.26 up to June 12th in The Mue Valley before to be withdraw and sent near La Folie (hamlet North of Caen, now part of it and call LA Folie Couvre-chef.). After a short time to regroup, they went to Colombelles becoming part of KG ROCH.

[AETIUS 1980]

Oups, I saw my mistake: that's KG ROTH.

[AETIUS 1980]

You had also KG GROTE, for a short time between 13th and something like 20th of June 1944. Subordinated to the 21.Pz.Div before to be amalgamated with KG ROTH, he was lead by Hauptmann d.R Georg GROTE, kp.führer of 6./Gr.Rgt.736. I don't still know why he wasn't on Courseulles-sur-Mer on June the 6th (probably on leave?), but he kept on fighting with those stragglers united within battalion strength unit during the first part of the summer. If you have any informations about what happened to him.
Regards
Romain