Soldbuch - Regiment von Stössel / Metz

[Hurtgen44]

Hi All,

I have a nice grouping to a Medic, including Soldbuch, Red Cross Ausweis x3, Feldpost, POW paperwork, etc. The interesting part is that he appears to have been with a “Regiment von Stössel” and was captured in November 1944. See previous post regarding the identification of the unit (thanks Bernhard):

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...light=stoessel

Can anyone shed additional light on this regiment and it’s participation in the fighting around fortress Metz. Would this regiment make the grouping rarer? Does his POW date make it likely he was captured at Metz? I have attached a couple of scans below. If additional information is needed, please advise.

Many Thanks,

Pete


Houston, TX

[Hurtgen44]

Red Cross Ausweis

[Hurtgen44]

Feldpost

[Hurtgen44]

POW card

[helmutderpa]

Metz

Hello Pete,

If you look at the address mentionned on the letter envelope, it is "Schule VI für Fahnenjunker der Infanterie". Well this school was located in Metz.
I think Bernarhd was right when identifying the unit.
The battle of Metz took place in November 44 so he was likely made prisonner during this battle (and so was never issued the cufftitle "Metz 1944").
I think this grouping is rare for someone who look for it, like me.
I am living near Metz.

Simon

[bhholst]

Hello Pete.
In addition to the information I was fortunate to provide earlier, the pictured documents helped me to give you the following :
The envelope of the letter shows that the intended recipient could receive mail to be directed at the Fahnenjunkerschule der Infanterie VI ( Officers Candidate School VI ) which was originally located at Metz and provided the backbone of the German defense in September 1944 when the first US push took place. You may be aware that the cufftitle "Metz 1944" was instituted in recognition of the efforts put forth. The major portion of the school was relocated from Metz after the reorganisation of the defending troops and the arrival of reinforcements . the exact date of the relocation is unknown to me at the moment. Also the further indication of "Abt. IV b" indicates that the person belonged to the medical portion of the Einheit v. Stoessel.. This officer apparently commanded the Fort of St. Quentin and surrudered on 1. dec. with 22 officers, 124 NCO and 458 men.
Because Fortress Metz was surrounded only very few garrison members escaped. The defenders were part of 462. Volksgrnadier-Division and commanded by Gen.Maj. Heinrich Kittel who also was the Commandant of Metz ( DoB 31.Oct.1896 and DoD 5. Mar. 69, R.K. 12. Aug 1944 and D.K.i.G 23.Feb.1944 ) POW as of 22.Nov. 1944.
The division was officially disbanded with date of 5.Dec.1944.
It seems very likely that your man was captured during the combats over Metz.
Bernhard H. Holst

[Ian Jewison]

Schule VI für Offizieranwärter der Infanterie

Formed 10.10.1942 in Beverloo/Belgiem, Wehrkreis VI from the Offzizier Anwärter Lehrgang Beverloo des AOK 15 (formed 23.2.1942), 1943 transferred to Metz Wehrkreis XII and renamed Schule VI für Fahnenjunker der Infanterie in Metz on 23. 4.1943;
20.8.1944 became Alarmeinheit Fhj.Schule VI (Regimentsstab, 3 Bataillon, 13 Kompanie) in Kampfgruppe Krause (462 Infanterie Division);
Defence of Metz, within Infanterie Regiment Stössel, later Grenadier Regiment 1215 (462 ID).

Division Nr. 462

Formed 15.10.1942 in Nancy, Wehrkreis XII, France;
Transferred to Metz and conisted of the following units for the defence of Metz:
Grenadier-Regiment Wagner (Kampfgruppe 25/XII)
Grenadier-Regiment Stössel (Fahnanjunker-Schule VI)
Sicherungs-Regiment 1010
Artillerie-Regiment Paim
Divisions-Füsilier-Kompanie; Panzerjäger-Abteilung; Pionier-Bataillon; Nachrichten-Abteilung; Feldersatz-Bataillon; Divisions-Versorgungs-Truppen.


Stössel does not appear to have any high awards, however there was one Ritterkreuz awarded to a member of the unit:

Hauptmann August Weiler. RK 16.11.1944 as Bataillonsführer, Regiment "von Stössel", 462 Infanterie Division

/Ian