118. Jäger-Division (gallery)

Alte Hasen · Post by **Alte Hasen** » 10 Oct 2005 05:50

I wonder what happened to these POWs of the partisans? Serioulsy...

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 10 Oct 2005 12:00

Given that in April 1944 partisans had a solid base (Vis),I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of a POW camp.So,at least some of them were kept for exchange (more than 2,000 exchanges were made during the war). I doubt they shot anyone of the prisoners on Vis-there were Allies there,and that would undoubtedly cause troubles (and it would be a powerful "anti-communist" piece of info after the war).Shipping them to the mainland and than shooting them (at least those who couldn't be exchanged) is a possibility,but again it's a mere speculation on my part...

My opinion only,

Gaius

streljko1 · Post by **streljko1** » 10 Oct 2005 16:02

Prisoners on the picture were sent to prison camp established on Biševo island near Vis, they were not shot, there was no need for such brutal act, after all they were needed for rebuilding the country.

But also I know for some different stories.
Two years ago I read in one local newspaper interview with mr. Max Frey, former member of 118JD, he was captured with most of the men from his platoon after short combat north of Makarska(during the german retreat from Dalmatia late 1944), prisoners were forced to clean mines that were previously laid by germans, with BARE hands, M.Frey was only surivor.

That kind of treatment was not allways the rule, large part of german POWs surived the war unlike the captured members of quisling formations .

G. Trifkovic · Post by **G. Trifkovic** » 10 Oct 2005 18:00

Jure,

do you have a link to that interview? Was it "SD"?

Cheers,

Gaius

streljko1 · Post by **streljko1** » 10 Oct 2005 22:42

Pozdrav Gaju!
Unfortunately, interview was made for "Makarska kronika" local magazine with very poor internet page, http://www.kronika.hr without archive(unlike SD). Max Frey was in 738 JR, He arrived in 118JD during april 1943(during the restuffing of division) and was wounded near Sutjeska.Also, he fought on Brač island in juni 1944.(his unit captured british commander Jack Churchill, commander of british commando unit), since 1960ies he comes every year to Zagvozd(town where he was captured) to put some flowers on grave of family that hide him and later negotiated his surrender to partisans(he was cut off from the rest of his unit and feared for his life- I guess that he thought that partisans took no individual prisoners), lucky thing for him was that his platoon did not abuse any local people, that saved his life.

All these informations are from my head, I lost that particular number of "M.Kronika"

streljko1 · Post by **streljko1** » 25 Jan 2006 14:38

Here is link in German with few photos of 118JD men, from the text is clearly visible that partisans were feared enemy....
http://rudolf-nautilus-wagner.info/5.htm

streljko1 · Post by **streljko1** » 08 Nov 2006 22:29

T.Radošević book “Ofenziva za oslobođenje Dalmacije” identifies Yugoslav unit that captured Max Frey in Zagvozd as Group of South Dalmatian detachments(Grupa južnodalmatinskih odreda) here is entire quote from book,page 99.:”...12/13.october, after securing themselves with one battalion from direction Imotski, and with one battalion of Biokovo Detachment from direction village Grabovac, Group completely wiped out one weakened company of 738.Regiment in Zagvozd, losing 6 killed and 12 wounded fighters...”
Radošević doesn`t give any detail on German losses, anyway Mr.Frey indeed had great luck, regular Yugoslav troops(26DD) landed in Makarska area on 18. october, GJDO was actually at the time of Zagvozd attack swimming in the sea of different foes(Group had around 900 fighters, against them were concentrated larger parts of 118JD and Ustasha/HG units to secure communications for retreat) and had no time for prisoners.

Also,here is photo from “Dalmacija u NOB” monography, German troops in Pupnat, Korčula island, spring 44.

streljko1 · Post by **streljko1** » 18 Dec 2006 21:30

Interesting page about 118 JD, including few photos:
http://members.aon.at/ebenthaler/index.htm