Former Austro-Hungarian Officers held at Grizedale Hall

CMF · #1

Hi All,

I've just been reading a slim volume entitled 'They call it 'U-Boat Hotel', concerning the use of Grizedale Hall at Ambleside in Westmoreland as a POW camp (No 1) during WWII (from which Oberleutnant Franz von Werra famously tried to escape). Anyway, two figures mentioned interest me:

i) Hungarian Feldmarschalleutnant Eugen de Bor, who was held there in 1945. The Red Cross Report of the time state he was pining for Magyar language books! Does anyone have any information or photographs concerning this man and his possible service in the Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces?

ii) Oberst Benno Kosch, Ritterkreuzträger, who was Lagerführer at Grizedale in 1946 after the camp had become 'Austrian POW Camp No 1'. Again, does anyone have information about, or photographs of him during, his Austro-Hungarian sevice? Here the information in the War Office Report (23rd February -2nd April 1946) in the book is as follows:

Age 46 years.

Soldier uninteruptedly since 10 years of age.

Leutnant at end of WWI. Bundesheer 1920. Hauptmann 1932. Major 1932. Oberstleutnant 1940. Oberst 1942. Ritterkreuzträger. Commandant Flughafenbereich Oslo March 1945 - Capitulation. Afterwards Flughafenbereich Trondheim to hand over German aircraft to the British.

Prussian Militarist.

Any information would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Chris

Stauffenberg II · #2

Obst. Benno Kosch (12.03.1900-15.02.1968)
Ritterkreuz: 01.10.1940

Prussian Militarist.

IIRC he was specialised in Air Recon during his Austrian Air Force time, whereas the other famous guy, Johann Schalk, was specialised in fighter units (later testing He 112 for Luftwaffe). Anyway: both of them were awarded the Ritterkreuz, both ended being Obst.

In the 1934 Schematismus Kosch is listed as Adjutant of the Brigade Artillery Batallion No. 6, most probably making him Artillery Officer by profession.

No WWI action, no WWI awards.

Obviously he joined the newly set up Air Force Division (C-in-C: Alexander Löhr, Chief of Staff: Otto Schöbel, Staff Officers: Aigner Alfred and Punzert Josef) on 01.06.1935.

Kosch commanded the Kampfgeschwader 55 (01.02.1941-08.1942) with some 120 Heinkel He 111 and led the Geschwader in the actions against the Soviet Union. Not involved in the Balkans operations.

I don´t know if he actually received the German Cross.

Sorry, that´s all.

as regards Jenö Bor, see:
http://www.specialcamp11.fsnet.co.uk/Li ... %20Bor.htm

Regards!

CMF · #3

Hi Stauffenberg II,

Thanks for the quick response

It sounds twee now for an Austrian to be referred to as a 'Prussian', in any respect, (like for a Scotsman to be referred to as an Englishman . . .

[though as an Englishman I'd see it as a great complement

] ), but 'Prussian militarist' was then a term of abuse for basically anyone not rubbishing his uniform or Hitler (strange then, all those 'Prussian militarists' attempting to blow Hitler to Kingdom Come :roll: ).

Even at 18, Kosch seems lucky to have escaped any WWI field service . . .!!

Best

Chris

PS just seen the link you've added. Great. Cheers!!

Stauffenberg II · #4

Actually I don´t know how an Austrian can be mixed up with a Prussian but it happened indeed. A certain A. H., Supreme Commander of the German Armed Forces, releived a certain Gen. Obst. Erhard Raus from his command, because that guy from "East Prussia" or "Berlin" was too detailed. Obviously Mr. A. H. didn´t realize that the guy was from Austria, his own home country. (Guderian, Erinnerungen eines Soldaten)

CMF · #5

I suppose its as with all converts, in this case becoming more 'Prussian' than the 'Prussians'!!

Glenn2438 · #6

Hi Chris,

Eugen Bor von Halmaji was a former k.u.k. artillery officer. A Fähnrich in k.u.k. Feldkanonen-Regiment Nr. 19 since 1 Sep 1913. Presumably commissioned in mid/late 1914 and promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 Feb 1916. He was the holder of the Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with War Decoration and Swords and a Bronze Military Merit Medal on the ribbon of the Military Merit Cross. Feld-Kanonen-Regiment Nr. 19 was renamed as Feldkanonen/Feldartillerieregiment Nr. 34 in APril 1916.

Regards
Glenn

CMF · #7

Hi Glenn,

Many thanks

Best,

Chris

PS Was Kosch a Gunner also during WWI, as Stauffenberg IIs information would suggest?

Glenn2438 · #8

Hi Chris,

most probably a gunner. However he is not listed in either the k.u.k. army or the k.k. Landwehr lists for 1918 not even as a Fähnrich which would suggest he was commissioned very late in the war. I will see if I can find him in the late 1918 promotion gazettes (unfortunately not indexed).

Regards
Glenn

CMF · #9

Cheers Glenn

This gets me curious. The official report I quoted above stated he had been a 'soldier' since aged 10, implying cadet school etc. Was there any centralised yearly list of cadets etc during the Monarchy, or would it have been a confidential subject, or alternately a matter for institutions to publish independently?

Best

Chris