German Regimental leadership organization

[nonameno]

Hello Gentlemen,
If an Oberstleutnant is the commander of a Infantry Regiment, is he the only Oberstleutnant in that regiment?
Thank you,
Curtiss

[Simon O.]

Not necessarily.

That was a short answer, perhaps i should explain. If, for example, a regiment was commanded by an Oberst who then get posted or promoted away the regiment would often go to the senior batallion commander, often an oberstleutnant, leaving the remaining batallions under the command of officers of the same rank.
The ranks of unit commanders of course varied wildly during the war, you really can't come up with any hard and fast rules that X type of unit was commanded by Y rank of officer.

[nonameno]

Hello Simon,
Thank you for your reply. My question stems from an officer who served in Norway, as a sidelight. I am in the process of acquiring a uniform grouping which I believe may have been owned by August Krakau while he was regimental commander of JR85. The tunic is an enlisted issue tunic dated '39, converted for officer field use by the addition of officer collar tabs and shoulderstraps. I know Krakau was posted as regimental commander from February 1940, and in October the regiment was converted to a Gebirgsjager Regiment. So, it would seem resonable, although not conclusive. He later served as commander of the 7 Gebirgsdivision in Finland and Norway surrendering in Oslo in 1945.
If you would have any additional information about Krakau which might assist me in determining the true owner, I would be very grateful.
Thank you and best wishes,
Curtiss Shattuck
ps. I have attached one picture of the tunic.

[nonameno]

picture of shoulderstrap..

[Simon O.]

PM me your E-mail address and i'll send over what i have on him.
What's the basis for your thinking that it's Krakau's?


Just for the sake of accuracy the 7 GD did not in fact surrender in Oslo. Divisional headquarters were located in the Lillehammar area whilst the division itself was spread out along almost the entire length of Norway, this is because the division was still in the process of moving (very slowly) to South Norway prior to being moved back to the continent.