Researching 3 SS Dog Handlers Auschwitz / Flossenburg

[Vinnie]

Hi All,

I am a frequent reader/lurker but seldom post.

I am in the process of researching 3 SS Dog Handler Guards from Auschwitz-Birkenau and would be most appreciative if any other member could provide information on them as well.

Some of the details may be too in-depth/boring, but some may find them interesting.

Please bear with me, but here goes.

Bohdan Sokolvskyi

An Ethnic Ukrainian conscripted into SS service.

Born on May 20, 1905 with a robust build, brown hair and eyes in Kiev, Ukraine.

He was a Catholic with 5 children with his wife Juliana and was a Laborer/Farmer.

He had 4 years of public schooling and surprisingly spoke 3 languages - Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian.

His SS service began on October 15, 1943 when he was assigned to the 2nd Company Waffen SS Totenkopfsturmbann Auschwitz until January 14, 1944.

On January 15, 1944 he was sent to the Hundestaffel Training Course (Class 151 at Oranienburg/Sachsenhausen) efrom which he passed / graduated on March 10, 1944.

From March 27, 1944 he served with the Hundestaffel Company of the Totenkopfsturmbann Auschwitz.

Finally on January 1, 1945, he was transferred to the 2nd Company SS Totenkopfsturmbann at Flossenburg.


Josef Kraüs

Josef was born January 2, 1893 and was a Roman Catholic.

On October 19, 1943 he began service in the 5th Company SS Totenkopfsturmbann Auschwitz.

A few weeks later, he too was sent to the Hundestaffel Training Course from November 25, 1945-December 15, 1943.

December 16, 1943 until August 15, 1944, he was a member of the SS Totenkopfsturmbann Auschwitz.

From August, 16, 1944 to October 19, 1944 he served with the Hudestaffal detachment at Auschwitz II (Birkenau).

On October 20, 1944, he was transferred to one of the many sub camps in the Vaivara network and served there until February 20, 1945.

On February 21, 1945, he was transferred to the 2nd Company SS Totenkopfsturmbann Flossenburg.


Kraüs was promoted to Scharfuhrer der Reserve on October 19, 1943 and Oberscharfuhrer der Reserve on March 1, 1945.

He was award the War Merit Cross 2nd Class w/ Swords on March 15, 1945 while still service with the 2nd Company at Flossenburg.



Brüno Sandner

Brüno was born on December 3, 1921 and entered the Waffen SS.

He was stationed in the 3rd Company 4th SS Totenkopfstandarte ‘Ostmark’ on November 9, 1938 but was not active until November 12, 1939. He served with ‘Ostmark’ until August 8, 1940.

On November 15, 1940 her was transferred to the 2./5. SS Totoenkopf Infantry Regiment where he served until December 3, 1940.

Then, on December 11, 1940 to June 1, 1941 he was transferred to the 11./5th SS Totenkopf Infantry Regiment.

A week later, on February 25, he was stationed in the 3rd SS Totenkopfsturmbann in Flossenburg and remained there until October 3, 1941.

On October 4, 1941, he transferred to the 5th Totenkopfsturmbann Auschwitz and was there until December 15, 1941.

December 16, 1941, he transferred to the 2nd SS Totenkopfsturmbann Auschwitz

On January 20, 1943 he went thru the Dog Handlers course and passed on March 15, 1943.

March 16, 1943 to October 10, 1944 he served with the Hudestaffel at Auschwitz.

Then, on October 21, 1944 he was transferred to the Vaivara sub camps and finally on February 25, 1945, he was last serving with the 2nd Company ss Totenkopfsturmbann Flossenburg.

Sandner was promoted to Sturmann on March 1, 1940.

March 1, 1942 to Rottenfuhrer der Reserve
May 1, 1944 to Unterscharfuhrer der Reserve
March 1, 1945 to Oberscharfuhrer der Reserve

He received the SS 4 Year Long Service Medal on January 15, 1943 while serving with the Hundestaffel SS TK Sturmbann K.L. Auschwitz and the War Merit Cross 2nd Class w/ Swords on March 15, 1945 while in the 2nd Company SS TK Sturmbann Flossenburg.

Would any members have anything to add on these three men?

Thank you very much for you time and interest.

Best,

Vinnie

[Puck]

[..]
Josef Kraüs
[..]
On October 20, 1944, he was transferred to one of the many sub camps in the Vaivaranetwork and served there until February 20, 1945.
[..]

Brüno Sandner
[..]
Then, on October 21, 1944 he was transferred to the Vaivara sub camps and finally on February 25, 1945, he was last serving with the 2nd Company ss Totenkopfsturmbann Flossenburg.
[..]

I have some doubts - the last subcamps of KL Vaivara, Lagedi and Klooga, were closed in September 1944.


Regards Puck

[Vinnie]

Hi Puck,

Thank you for the interest.

I too read that but thought that possibly he served somewhere around the Vaivara.

The first three images are of the Kraüs ID, the Sandner will follow shortly as they are too large.

[Vinnie]

Here is the Sandner ID.