Wehrpass KIA Greece (Massacre of Kalavryta)

[Diaspora]

Thought I would show you my latest purchase!

Gerhard Wagener was born 07.11.1923 in Hannover. Drafted into Die Wehrmacht in 1942, and served with various infantry units. He ended up in Jäger Regiment 749, part of 117. Jäger Division.

Jäger Regiment 749 was sent to Greece to fight partisans in 1943. During the period 18.09-14.10.1943 Wagener sent 6 letters home to his parents. In his Wehrpass his last day of serving with Jäger Regiment 749 is 17.10.1943. There are no corresponding entry on page 34, only a "blacked out" entry which I can not read.

In November 1943, the German 117. Jäger Division began a mission named Unternehmen Kalavryta (Operation Kalavryta), intending to encircle Greek guerrilla fighters in the mountainous area surrounding Kalavryta. During the operations, some German soldiers were killed and 77 of them, who were taken prisoners, were executed by the Greek guerrillas. On 10 December 1943 von Le Suire signed the order for the German division to "level the locations Mazeika and Kalavryta"

Gerhard Wagener was KIA 06.12.1943 by Mazeika. One way or another, this links Wagener to The Massacre of Kalavryta. I have a theory on how.

[Diaspora]

02

[Diaspora]

I have been reading up on Massacre of Kalavryta online.
"Atrocities, Massacres and War Crimes: An Encyclopedia" written by Alexander Mikaberidze has the following written about the massacre:

"The tippingpoint came when Greek communist partisans (ELAS) took about 80 men from Jäger Regiment 749 of 117. Jäger Division prisoner after a small skirmish near the small village of Kerpini on 17. october 1943".
The same day as the last day Wagener is listed with Jäger Regiment 749!!

The book goes on to say that the Germans tried to find the prisoners the next few weeks, and even to negotiate with the communists. This failed, so the Germans decided to free the prisoners by force and launched "Operation Kalawrita". 3000 German troops advanced into the mountains of the Northern Peloponnese. Learning of the operation, and the smaller acts of German reprisals, the partisans decided to execute all German prisoners on Desember 7th.

I believe that Wagener was one of the 80 Germans executed on Desember 7th. Even though his date of death is listed as 06.12.1943 in the Wehrpass, Volksbund has it recorded as 07.12.1943. The blacked out entry in the Wehrpass might be a record of Wagener's capture by the partisans, and it was later erased when the regiment learned of his death.

What do you think? Seem like a valid theory?

[Lee Luke]

Pretty interesting Jager wehrpass.

[mufasa]

your thesis is very likely ... a very interesting Wehrpass!

[Diaspora]

Small update:

I sent a request to WaST 3 weeks ago, for more information. I believe my exact question was: Was Gerhard Wagener one of the 78 soldiers taken prisoner by greek partisans and later executed by Mazeika on the 7th of Desember 1943?

[mufasa]

and the thesis is confirmed and certified!

[hucks216]

That is great confirmation. You just need a photo of his grave now : )

[Diaspora]

Thanks guys! I'm happy that my thesis got confirmed! I'm glad to have added this Wehrpass to my collection!

Kevin: I don't think my girlfriend will mind a trip to Greece! I will work toward that.

Now, I will start the process of translating the six letters Wagener wrote back to his family!