Waffen-SS in Africa?

[WEISWEILER]

Correct me if I'm wrong, though I don't think the Waffen-SS was active in Africa. I found some data on the 16.SS-Division Reichsführer-SS in Africa on a forum but couldn't find any confirmation.

Waffen-SS units fought in virtually every battle of the war, then why not in Africa?

Many thanks in advance for your comments.
/W

[Bergmolch]

Never heard before.
The 16th SS was in Corsica and Italy.
The only SS unit in Africa as far as I know was the SD-Aussenkommando Tunis.

Cheers
T

[WEISWEILER]

Thanks, T. A Google search didn't deliver much on that particular Aussenkommando. Could you help out with more info (your sources, for instance)?

/W

[WEISWEILER]

According to the AH Factbook it would be the SD Einsatz-Kommando Tunis...

[Andreas]

SD EINSATZKOMMANDO TUNIS

Established: 1942
Disbanded: 1943
Kommandoführer:
SS-Ostubaf. Walther Rauff:
Deputy Kommandoführer:
SS-Hstuf. Theodor Saevecke:
Operational Area:
Tunisia.
Notes:

http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/SS-PO ... uppen.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Rauff

All the best

Andreas

[WEISWEILER]

Apparently, the same question is debated on other forums. Here are two pictures of SS-men in dessert uniforms, of which is suggested they are from the mentioned SD Einzats-Kommando Tunis.

(Source: http://www.elgrancapitan.org/foro/image ... 4ba0e4f501 )

001

[WEISWEILER]

Thanks, Andreas.


002

[Marcus]

Apparently, the same question is debated on other forums. Here are two pictures of SS-men in dessert uniforms, of which is suggested they are from the mentioned SD Einzats-Kommando Tunis.

Not in desert uniform, simply the "tropical" uniform used in for example Italy.

/Marcus

[WEISWEILER]

Walter Rauff, the infamous commander of the Kommando, with Afrika cufftitle. (http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=114914 )

[WEISWEILER]

Apparently, the same question is debated on other forums. Here are two pictures of SS-men in dessert uniforms, of which is suggested they are from the mentioned SD Einzats-Kommando Tunis.

Not in desert uniform, simply the "tropical" uniform used in for example Italy.

/Marcus

Indeed, as I learned in the mean time, and also used in Greece and the Ukraine. Photografic evidence of the Tunis operations is scarce, and I think that I know why...

/W

[WEISWEILER]

SD isn't the same as Waffen-SS... It seems right to conclude that the latter was not active in Africa. Anyway, I think that leaves the initiative question: Why didn't the Waffen-SS join the Afrika Korps or attend African operations? Where they never mentioned, for example to help save the situation there?

Worthwhile to discuss?

/W

[Christoph Awender]

SD isn't the same as Waffen-SS... It seems right to conclude that the latter was not active in Africa. Anyway, I think that leaves the initiative question: Why didn't the Waffen-SS join the Afrika Korps or attend African operations? Where they never mentioned, for example to help save the situation there?

Wearthwhile to discuss?

/W

Hello

Yes it was planed to ship Waffen-SS divisions to Afrika. But the changing war situation cancelled all these plans. This is confirmed by several veterans I know. One of them who was within the Ib department of a Waffen-Ss division also confirmed that they already received the tropical uniforms and equipment but were then sent to the eastern front again.

\Christoph

[WEISWEILER]

A most interesting, even 'breaking' piece of oral history. Did you get this information from the veterans (first hand) or did other sources lead you to them? Can you tell some more -names and such?

In fact, I would like to know everything about it, and I presume I'm not the only one.

/W

[Harro]

Indeed, AA LAH veterans claim that they trained in Metz to see action in the invasion of England, then to see action in Africa. But in the end they were shipped to the Balkan for action in Yugoslavia and Greece.

[Charles Trang]

In december 1942, LSSAH Tiger tanks were equipped with filters for use in Africa.