Albanian Battalion officers and NCOs

[balkanguy44]

This is not surprising, his surname probably simply serves as the definition of Нodic in the title nation where he was born and lived. The names of the Albanians became recognizable only after the Second World War. Prior to that, they were driven by the name of the “titular” ethnic group. Thus, in the territory of the former Yugoslavia and Albania (in Golobord, for example) one and the same person, a Muslim Slav from Golobord, could have the surname Osmanovich under the Serbian authorities, under the influence of the Republic of Macedonia on this territory Osmanovski, and in the Republic of Albania Osmani . And he seems to be the name that he considers the most prestigious at this particular moment of communication.

Okay thank you.

[DFrolov1992]

Thanks!
The reason that I mentioned Heinrich Gaese in my list is an entry in John P. Moore's "Führerliste der Waffen-SS", showing him as in I./28 in February 1944.
I forgot to list Noll in my list, but do have him in my archive. The source is again Moore: Ustuf. Peter Noll (* 13.05.1908, St. Andres/Banat) in I./28 (without further specification of his position) in June 1944. Since the "Albanerbataillon" left the "Handschar" Division already in April 1944, this may imply at least two things: Either Moore is inaccurate with the June date and Noll was indeed in the "Albanerbataillon". Or Noll served in the resurrected (new) I./28.... Maybe George Lepre can tell us? Anyway Peter Noll is also listed with the "Prinz Eugen" Division in February 1945. BTW Moore also lists an Ustuf. Fritz Noll (* 31.07.1921) in the "Handschar" Division (no further subunit specification) in June 1944....
Moore also lists Ustuf. Julius Kaesdorf (* 10.11.1914, Németfölg/Ungarn) in the "Prinz Eugen" Division in June 1943, but remains silent about his alleged role in "Handschar", or I./28 in particular. Zvonimir Bernwald mentions Kaesdorf as Gräberoffizier in Abt. VI of the divisional staff. Any source that links Kaesdorf to I./28?
Regards,
Frans

Dear Frans

I consider it important to make some clarifications. The first. In one of the interrogations of former servicemen of the 13th SS mountain division, it is indicated that on April 23 the Albanian battalion was still in Bosnia. The second. The battalion was not immediately transferred to Skanderbeg in May 1944. The transfer of individual units of the battalion took place until the end of May 1944. What is said in the documents of the XXI Mountain Corps. See NARA T314 R663 001042. I mentioned Kaesdorf because he was the author of the report "From the Experience of Communication with Albanian Soldiers." Before serving in the Prince Eugene division, he was one of the officers of the folk group of ethnic Germans in Croatia. See ЦАМО РФ Ф. 500. оп.12451. Д. 613 Л. 36. I also wanted to inform you that Karl Lehmann was probably also an officer in the folk group of ethnic Germans in Croatia. See. ЦАМО РФ Ф. 500. оп.12451. Д. 613 Л. 40.

Regards

[zaptiè]

In the photo there are 3 soldier in the italian uniform of " Cacciatori d'Albania", a unit raised mostly in Kossovo.

[druid12]

Interesting photos from the kriegsbetichter-archive link showing Albanian soldiers with pre 1939 /Italian invasion
Albanian insignia on their caps, the strip of cloth , which I assume would be in the pre 1939 green for infantry.
Although the pre war 'Z' monogram has been replaced with a Skanderbeg helmet badge.
I wonder if the 4-5 militia battalions raised had such insignia , collar patches or strip of cloth on the sidecaps?

[zaptiè]

The Skanderberg Helmet was the cap badge of the italian raised Cacciatori d'Albania .