SS-Panzerjäger-Abt. 13 und 509 (Div. "Handschar"

[FransN]

The formation of the Pz. Jg. Abt. for the kroatische SS-Freiwilligen-Division (Croatian SS Volunteers Division) took place according according to an decree from SS-FHA/Kdo Amt der W.SS with effect from 01.03.1943, made up of Reichsdeutsche and Volksdeutsche personnel and muslim volunteers.

A "vorläufige Gliederung" (provisional structure) dated 30.04.1943 showed in a schematic ToO:
Staff
(no St. Kp.)
1., 2. and 3. Kompanie with each 9 mPak (motZ) KStN Nr. 1144

With effect from 02.07.1943 the Abteilung under formation was restructured. The schematic ToO showed:
Staff
(no St. Kp.)
1. Kp. with 10 "Selbstfahrlafetten" (Sfl. = self-propelled guns) KStN Nr. 1148a
2. and 3. Kp. with each 9 sPak (motZ) KStN Nr. 1140

The training and formation took place August-October 1943 with the SS-Pz. Abt. 1 (should probably be SS-Pz. Jg. Ausb. u. Ers. Abt. 1) in Rastenburg/Ostpr., from which it was transferred in October 1943 to Tr. Üb. Pl. (training ground) Neuhammer for formation training.

With effect from 22.10.1943 the unit was rebaptised SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 13.

A similar composition as in July was shown in a schematic ToO dated 14.12.1943

(source: Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv Freiburg (BA-MA), Vopersal Archive folders N756/168 or 169)

In February 1944 the 13. SS-Frw. b.h. Geb. Div. (Kroatien), including its Pz. Jg. Abt. (not at full war strength, according to Vopersal) was transported by train to Croatia. George Lepre kindly provided me with a transport list dated 15.02.1944:
Abt. Kdr. Hstuf. Dierich
Abt. Adj. Ustuf. Kettenbach
OO Hscha. Antel
Abt. Arzt Ostuf. Siller
Abt. Imam Ustuf. Mašić
Kp. Fhr. 1./Pz. Jg. Ostuf. Ladenhauser
Kp. Fhr. 2./Pz. Jg. Ostuf. Montel
Kp. Fhr. 3./Pz. Jg. Ostuf. Hohberger

The division strength report dated 15.02.1944:
Gesamt-Stärke (total strength): 14 officers, 51 NCOs, 408 enlisted men
Soll-Stärke (authorised strength): 24 officers, 94 NCOs, 382 enlisted men

(source: George Lepre: "Himmler's Bosnian Division, the Waffen-SS Handschar Division 1943-1945", Schiffer Publ. Ltd, Atglen, 1997)

Upon its arrival in Bosnia, the Pz. Jg. Abt. was divided over the Kampfgruppen (battle groups) and Jagdkommandos (hunting teams) and participated in the fighting against the partisans in the pacification area of the division.

(source: BA-MA N756/261b)

A schematic ToO of the 13. SS-Frw. b.h. Geb. Div. (Kroatien) from probably early 1944 shows for its Pz. Jg. Abt. the following composition:
Staff
(no St. Kp.)
1. Kp. with 10 Sfl. KStN Nr. 1148a (behind the entry is a question mark in red pencil!)
2. Kp. with 9 sPak KStN Nr. 1140
3. Kp. with 9 mPak KStN Nr. 1144

(source: BA-MA RH 10-322)

Although the transport list of 15.02.1944 indicate the presence of a 1. Kp. under Ostuf. Ladenhauser, what was its composition? Did this company ever had actual Selbsfahrlafetten as originally envisaged? If so, what type? Or did it fight as ordinary infantry in Bosnia? Your help is greatly appreciated!

To be continued.
Best regards,
Frans

[FransN]

(continuation)

With effect from 10.07.1944 SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 13 was restructured.
The 2 cm battery of the Flak Abt. (i.e. 3./SS-Flak Abt. 13) was transferred with its men and material to the Pz. Jg. Abt.
The formation of a Sturmgeschütz (StuG) battery with the designation "SS-StuG Abt. 13 was ordered and took place (did it really ?) with the SS-Pz. Jg. (StuG) Ausb. u. Ers. Abt. 3, but never came to the division.
The structure of SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 13 was now supposed to be as follows:

Stab
St. Kp.
1. Pz. Jg. Kp. (motZ)
2. StuG. Bttr. (= SS-StuG Abt. 13)
3. Fla. Kp. (2 cm)

(Source: BA-MA N756/261b)

Schematic ToO from 10.07.1944 and 01.08.1944 show indeed:

Stab
St. Kp.
1. Kp. with 12 x sPak (motZ)
2. Kp. with 10 x StuG.
3. Kp. with 12 x 2 cm Flak

(source: BA-MA N756/168 or 169)

During the restructure of the division according to an SS-FHA decree from 24.09.1944 the Pz. Jg. Abt. left the association with the division with men and material and was declared as "Sondertruppe der Reichsführung-SS" with the new designation SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 509 and allocated and subordinated to the Gen. Kdo. IX. W. Geb. AK d. SS (kroat.).

However this new designation (509) was not used for long, and the old designation (13) appears in two reports:
On 15.12.1944 the ad hoc Division Stephan comprised SS-Pi. Btl. 509 with St. Kp., 2. and 3. Kp, and 3.(Fla)/SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 13.
In a report (KTB ?) from Gen. Kdo. XXXIV. AK from 18(?).12.1944 3.(Fl.)/SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 13 was cited as situated in Brückenkopf Brčko.

(source: BA-MA N756/261b)

After the loss-making rearguard actions from the Donau (Danube) river the remnants of the SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. were grouped together into SS-Pz. Jg. Kp. "Handschar". A status report dated 15.01.1945 shows
sPak Ist (actual) = 7 Fehl (missing) = 5
Offz. Ist = 1 Fehl = 2
Uffz. Ist = 16 Fehl = 11
Mannschaften Ist = 73 Fehl = 58

After reinforcements from Luftwaffe personnel in the Berzehce area in Hungary, the SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 13 was reformed. A status report dated 01.02.1945 shows
sPak Ist = 5 Fehl 7
2 cm Flak Ist = 8 Fehl = 4
Offz. Ist = 11 Fehl = 4
Uffz. Ist = 57 Fehl = 24
Mannschaften Ist = 208 Fehl = 83
Freiwilligen Ist = 2 Fehl = 18

A status report dated 15.02.1945 shows
sPak Ist = 5 Fehl = 7 Zugewiesen = 3
2 cm Flak Ist = 8 Fehl = 4
Offz. Ist = 11 Fehl = 4
Uffz. Ist = 58 Fehl = 23
Mannschaften Ist = 214 Fehl = 68
Freiwilligen Ist = 0 Fehl = 18

(sources: BA-MA RH 10-335 and BA-MA N756/168b)

The structure of SS-Pz. Jg. Abt. 13 was now:
Stab
St. Kp.
1. Kp. (sPak motZ)
3. Kp. (leFlak 2 cm)

Early February 1945 parts made it into the Margarethen-Stellung (Drau - Vizvar - Horomfa - Trany - Bakaza - Nagyatad) and were in combat there.
From 28.03.1945 rearguard fights into the Reichsschutz-Stellung and heavy losses along the road Nagykanizsa - Sormas - Leteny (1 and 2 April).
05.04.-06.05.1945 defense in the Reichsschutz-Stellung on both sides of Luttenberg (Ljutomer), east of Marburg. Then the retreat into the area of St. Veith. Capitulation to English forces.

Hstuf. Gerhard Dierich was its CO from the formation to the capitulation.

(source: BA-MA N756/261b)

Question: Is there any evidence that a StuG Bttr. was ever formed with the SS-Pz. Jg. (StuG) Ausb. u. Ers. Abt. 3 ?
Your help is greatly appreciated!

Best regards,
Frans

[NicoH]

Frans,

Check the digitized files in RH10/335.
The forming stug battery is mentioned several times.
Regards
Nico

[FransN]

Bedankt Nico!
For me folders RH 10-317, RH 10-322 and RH 10-335 are very interesting since my focus lies on the SS mountain units, their exact "Ist"-composition and their COs.
In Invenio I tried to get to the digitized version of these files, but did not manage to do so.
Would you please send me a pm so that we can correspond directly via our personal email addresses. Maybe you can guide me how to get to the digitized files with their most interesting info!
Thanks in advance! Best Regards,
Frans

[FransN]

By the way, in my posts #1 and #2 I cited from RH 10-322 and RH 10-335, but this information came from a third party.
Frans