Infanterie-Regiment 125

[Ron_Wynn]

Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 125
Formation
On 10 November 1938, Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 125 (Grz.IR 125) was formed at Saarbrücken in Wehrkreis XII. The regiment, commanded by Oberst Erich Petersen was initially set up with two battalions, I. Bataillon was formed in Trier with II. Bataillon formed in Truppenübungsplatz Baumholder and garrisoned at Merzig. III. Bataillon was to be raised upon mobilisation. The regiment was assigned to Grenz-Kommandantur Sankt Wendel.
Mobilisation
In September 1939, Grz.IR 125 was re-organised as a 1 Welle Infantry Division Regiment, assigned to Generalkommando der Grenztruppen Saarpfalz, deploying along the West Wall. During this time it was referred to as Grz.IR 125, IR 125 and Grenz-Regiment Petersen.
Sources
Gliederung der Truppen des Heeres 19.09.1939
Higher Headquarters-GHQ Units-Static Units, Leo Niehorster
Halder Diary
Halder mentioned the "Border Regiment Petersen" in his diary on September 26th, 1940. Grenz-Infanterie Regiment 125 was headed by Oberst Erich Petersen at this time, so it's an additional though indirect evidence that the regiment was not yet a "regular" infantry one, but still a border guard one.
26 September 1940:
f) Border Regt. Petersen is alerted for Romania.
Source
Franz Halder Diary Volume IV Page 210
Reorganisation
In early January 1941, Grz.IR 125 was transferred to 12. Armee and ordered dispatched to Romania. Now tasked to Unternehmen Marita, Grz.IR 125 and I./ Grz.IR 126 were subordinated to XVIII. AK. The regiment was reorganised and re-designated IR 125. II./Grz.IR 125 was re-designated II./IR 117 and transferred to 111. Infanterie-Division. I./Grz. IR 126 was assigned to IR 125 and re-designated II./IR 125.
Sources
12. Armee Gliederung: stand 25.01.1941
Kriegsgliederung des Feldheeres stand: 10.2.4
Das Panzergrenadier-Regiment 125 des Heeres

[ewir54.69]

Hi!
I'm looking for the battalion commanders of this regiment.
1938
Oberst Erich Petersen - Commander;
I. Bataillon - Major Walter Rietschel;
II. Bataillon - Major Hans Krökel;
1939/40
Oberst Erich Petersen - Commander;
I. Bataillon -
II. Bataillon -
1940/1941
Oberst Erich Petersen - Commander;
I. Bataillon - ......... badly wounded during the fighting for Usita;
II. Bataillon - Major Karl Ens;
III. Bataillon -

[ewir54.69]

Small Supplement:
major Hans Krökel in January 1941 he moved with the entire battalion to the 111 Infanterie Division;
Major Karl Ens on May 14, 1941 received the Knight's Cross for the fight for Usita.

[CNE503]

Hello Alan,

Thank you for the answer, but it seems highly unlikely to me. I found evidences that the regiment was still named a borderguards one until late 1940.

Regards,
CNE503

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little complement here....................

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Sources: https://ww2militaria.weebly.com/photosd ... bpage.html

Cheers. Raúl M .