Oberst Rendellis (Latvia)

[Halfdan S.]

Hi,
does anyone have any info on a latvian Oberst Rendellis?
Best
Halfdan S.

[VJK]

Hi,

There is no such Latvian Oberst. What is your source, please?

Best regards,

VJK

[Halfdan S.]

Venghaus, p. 46, almost at the bottom of the page:
(28.4.1945) "Im näheren Bereich des Reichstages stehen zusammengewürfelte Kampfgruppen aus Angehörigen aller Waffengattungen sowie Reste des 15. lett. Füsilierbataillons unter Oberst Rendellis …" - the main Bulk of this Bataillon fought further South at the Reichsluftfahrtsministerium under Neilands/Nielandis. It is an SS-Unit so strange that an Oberst should command it - didn't find this Rendellis in Führerliste, so woundered who he might be?!

Regards
Halfdan S.

[VJK]

Hi,

It's probably most likely that this Rendellis commanded one of the Kampfgruppen which the remnants 15. lett. Füsilierbataillon formed a part of. Rendellis is definately not a Latvian surname. Incidentally, my father served in the 15. lett. Füsilierbataillon, but fortunately was detached from it before it ended up in Berlin, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this now!

Best regards,

VJK

[Halfdan S.]

Thx. - and also nice to have you among us

Regards
Halfdan S.

[Halfdan S.]

In the book by Gerald Ramm: Endstation Oderfront, pp. 76-92, one can find the memoirs of one SS-Rottenführer Haralds Veilands: Als Lettischer Rottenführer in der Waffen-SS beim Kampf um das Zentrum der Reichshaupstadt - on p. 83 there is the mentioning of "unseren Bataillonsführer Ostuf. Rendelis" - would be the same man - so the correct way of spelling could be with just one l: Rendelis and Obersturmführer rather than Oberst. He is not in John P. Moore's Führerliste ... any comments?

Best
Halfdan S.

[VJK]

Hi,

I can't find any trace of a Rendelis in any of my records either. It is a complete mystery. Incidentally, Haralds Veilands was a friend of my father, and I also met him on many occasions. Unfortunately he is deceased now, and I cannot ask him about this Rendelis.

Kind regards,

VJK

[Halfdan S.]

Thank you, VJK, mysterious indeed since two sources mention the same unknown person.

Regards
Halfdan S.

[Bagaudas]

Hi Halfdan

I took notes about the Latvian battalion that fought in Berlin, the source is the panzer-archiv.de page which, unfortunately, thank goodness we have some, among them forum.axishistory, but I think we would be very limited. They are the names of the officers in charge of the companies of the III./Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS "Janums", previously 15 SS-Fusilier Bataillon.

The command held by the SS-Hauptsturmführer Wally.

Ia: Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS Antoms

1./III./Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS "Janums"
Commander:
SS-Obersturmführer Donath (german)
Zugführer:
Waffen Untersturmführer der SS Weldens &
Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS Sils.

2./III./Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS "Janums"
Commander:
SS-Obersturmführer Schmidt (german).
Zugführer:
SS-Obersturmführer Stauer (german).
Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS Tilmanis.
Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS Lauvins or Laivins.

3./III./Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS "Janums"
Commander:
Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS Ruuskis
Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS Atis Neilands.
Zugführer:
Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS Kamps
Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS Atis Neilands.

4./III./Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS "Janums"
Commander:
SS-Obersturmführer Kilp.
Zugführer:
Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS Liepricks or Liepnieks (this last name I do not know if I have collected it correctly).
Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS Krumins

No more officers appear, except for the ones I've collected here, but rest assured that I would have reflected them in my notes.
In the book of Antonio Munoz, "The Last Levy, SS-Officer Roster, March 1st, 1945" appear some surnames initiated with "R" of Latvian officers. In particular, I noticed two, one who had been commander of the 2./15 SS-Fusilier Bataillon, possibly at the end of February 1945, his surname was Raitums, Waffen-Untersturmführer der SS Raitums. And another, perhaps closer to the last name you are looking for, it sounds similar, Rudels, Waffen-Obersturmführer der SS Juris Rudels, who belonged (could be commander of one of their companies) to one of the regiments of the SS-Feldrekruten Depot der SS configured by three regiments.

If I find another similar surname that may be related to that unit, I'll tell you.

A greeting.

[Halfdan S.]

Thank you very much for this additional info, Bagaudas, much appreciated.

Regards
Halfdan S.

[VJK]

Hi colleagues!

This is what I have been able to put together for the Battalion:

SS-Füsilier Battalion 15:
Formed on 11 November 1943 in Ventspils. Incorporated into the I Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 34 on 16 July 1944. Battalion re-formed in August 1944.

Kdr.:
11 Nov 1943 - 12 Jul 1944: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Pēteris Lapainis
25 Apr 1944 - 19 Jun 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Antons Makovskis (acting CO)
12 Jul 1944 - 16 Jul 1944: SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Pomrehn
Aug 1944 - Sep 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Cubins
Sep 1944 - Oct 1944: SS-Obersturmführer Hans Wallier
Oct 1944 - 16 Nov 1944: SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Pomrehn
16 Nov 1944 - 26 Jan 1945: Waffen-Sturmbannführer Vilis Hāzners
26 Jan 1945 - 21 Feb 1945: SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Pomrehn
27 Jan 1945 - 29 Jan 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Elmārs Krūka (acting CO)
21 Feb 1945 - 27 Feb 1945†: SS-Obersturmführer Hans-Joachim Schütze
27 Feb 1945 - 17 Mar 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Pēteris Jānelsiņš
17 Mar 1945 - 25 Mar 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Atis Neilands
25 Mar 1945 - 20 Apr 1945: SS-Hauptsturmführer Eldon Walli
20 Apr 1945 - 2 May 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Atis Neilands

Adjutant:
11 Nov 1943 - 25 Apr 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Antons Makovskis
Nov 1944 - Dec 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Arvīds Rudzītis
Dec 1944 - 29 Jan 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Pēteris Jānelsiņš
29 Jan 1945 - 13 Feb 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Jurgens
Feb 1945 - 19 Apr 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Atis Neilands
19 Apr 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Standartenoberjunker Antons

IVA:
Nov 1944 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Elmārs Zaļums

IVB:
Nov 1943 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Dr. Juris Lībietis
Nov 1944 - 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Dr. Voldemārs Jansons

1. Company
1943 - 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Priedītis
1944 - 26 Jun 1944†: Waffen-Untersturmführer Jānis Peciņš
Nov 1944 - 9 Feb 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Arvīds Lejiņš
9 Feb 1945 - 26 Feb 1945†: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Šnitkus
26 Feb 1945 - Mar 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Emīls Puriņš
25 Mar 1945 - 19 Apr 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Ādolfs Pulkstenis
19 Apr 1945 - 1945: SS-Untersturmführer Günter Donath

2. Company
1943 - 6 Feb 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Elmārs Krūka
6 Feb 1944 - 3 Mar 1944: Waffen- Untersturmführer Viktors Čivnelis
3 Mar 1944 - 16 Mar 1944†: Waffen-Untersturmführer Valdis Krastiņš
16 Mar 1944 - 17 Mar 1944†: Waffen-Untersturmführer Arvīds Krimelis
17 Mar 1944 - 23 Mar 1944: Waffen-Sturmscharführer Bergmanis
23 Mar 1944 - 6 Apr 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Jānis Eglavs
6 Apr 1944 - 10 Jul 1944: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Elmārs Krūka
10 Jul 1944 - 15 Jul 1944†: Waffen-Sturmscharführer Bergmanis
Nov 1944 - 22 Jan 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Elmārs Krieviņš
22 Jan 1945 - 9 Feb 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Ilmārs Bērziņš
9 Feb 1945 - 27 Feb 1945: SS-Untersturmführer Günter Donath
Mar 1945 - 25 Mar 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Eduards Štauers
25 Mar 1945 - 1945: SS-Untersturmführer Schmidt

3. Company
1943 - 16 Mar 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Groza
16 Mar 1944 - 1 May 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Kārlis Krebs
1 May 1944 - 16 Aug 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Groza
Nov 1944 - Nov 1944: Waffen-Standartenoberjunker Vārpiņš
Nov 1944 - 27 Jan 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Jānis Elmārs Krūka
27 Jan 1945 - 9 Feb 1945: Waffen-Standartenoberjunker Vārpiņš
27 Mar 1945 - Apr 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Emīls Puriņš
Apr 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Edmunds Rutkis

4. Company
1943 - 3 Mar 1944: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Jānis Āboliņš
3 Mar 1944 - 1944: Waffen-Untersturmführer Miervaldis Grāvītis
Nov 1944 - 27 Jan 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Antons Makovskis
27 Jan 1945 - 9 Feb 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Jānis Ķempe
Apr 1945 - 1945: Waffen-Untersturmführer Kilp

Heavy Company
9 Feb 1945 - 21 Feb 1945: Waffen-Obersturmführer Atis Neilands
21 Feb 1945 - 27 Feb 1945: Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Ādolfs Pulkstenis
25 Mar 1945 - Apr 1945: SS-Untersturmführer Kilp

Best regards,

VJK

[Halfdan S.]

Thanks again, VJK, much appreciated.

As I understand the Cdr. of the 2. Company was SS-Ostuf. Hans-Jürgen Schmidt. Here is what is registered in Führerliste:
Schmidt, Hans-Jürgen Ostuf. 27.12.20 423 939 Felders.Btl.32 4.45 ‡ 4.45
Ostuf. Massenheim 15.Waffen-Gr.Div. 10.44
Ostuf. SS-Pz.Gr.AuE.Btl.11 1.44
Ustuf. Frw.Leg."Nederland" 6.42

Then I'm a bit puzzled about the Name of the Bataillon. Bagaudas says: "III./Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS "Janums", previously 15 SS-Fusilier Bataillon" - I thought the Name was: 15. Waffen-Füsilier Bataillon der SS?! What is correct?

Regards
Halfdan S.

[VJK]

Hi,
I have no idea where the designation ""III./Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS "Janums" comes from, it is in no way official and is not correct. Staf. Janums Regiment was Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 33 (lett. Nr. 4), and the SS-Füsilier Battalion 15 was not the III Battalion of this Regiment.

Kind regards,

VJK

[Bagaudas]

Hi,
Thanks for the corrections to Halfdan, and to VJK. About the battalion, I placed it as a third battalion, I should have checked it before hanging it, my mistake. The sources were old, not mine, but I did not check them later. My apologies.

a greeting

[Bagaudas]

Hi again,

The other day with the Waffen-Füsilier Battalion der SS 15, you left me with a big doubt, if those Zugführers that appear there are correct their names, position and rank. From what I saw, it's Antons no Antoms. Tilmanis appears in some links as Tidmanis, or Titmanis.

Also about the other day, to VJK, since I saw him quite confident in his comments; there is another thing, I do not know if it can be right or not, but there was an officer named Rekelis, Waffen-Ostuf of SS Rekelis, commander of the Stabskompanie of the 34th Waffen-Grenadier Regiment of SS. Could that be the officer Halfdan was looking for?

I do not know the history of the unit, at least in detail, I know general data, but not about its officers, this officer belonged to the 34th Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS, and I do not know exactly what was in early 1944. I could have been wounded, or killed, or even not selected within the Janums unit if he survived, so I ask you, if there was any Rendellis or a similar name?

Thanks
A greeting