Maschinengewehr Bat 13 (mot)

[scharfschutze]

Can anyone explain how an MG Batl fits into the German OoB? I know how the MG Batl is organized and I know that MG Batl 13 (mot) spent most of the war in Finland as part of 20th Mountain Army, but that's really all I've been able to glean. Does that mean that in the Oob it is right below 20th Mtn Army? Or would it have been under the Korps level? Division level? Regimental level?

I have seen at least one document from my great-uncle's papers that indicated that Lt. Gen Christian Phillipp signed his Iron Cross 2nd Class award and Phillipp was the Commander of XIX. (Geb) A.K. I.V., so it is possible that the battalion would have answered directly to the Korps. It still does not confirm that, however.

[Simon O.]

Let's start with Christian Philipp. He was commander of the 6 Gebirgs Division, not korps commander, at that time it was still Ferdinand Sch******246;rner. The IV on the doc indicates Philipp was signing in place of the corps commander, it could be that Sch******246;rner was away at the time.

A little explanation about the XIX Geb.Korps might help. Originally it consisted of 2 divisions, the 2 and 3 Geb.Div. along with some supporting elements, at that time it was called Gebirgs Korps Norwegen. After the very heavy losses during the attempts to reach Murmansk a desperate call was made by it's commander, Dietl, for reinforcements. Several batallions and regiments were taken from units on garrison duty in Norway. these included Inf.Rgt.193, Inf.Rgt.388 and 3 MG batallions, 4, 13, and 14 as well as other units.

As the front settled down for what would become 3 years of static warfare the 3 Geb.Div was replaced by the 6 Geb.Div. the smaller units mentioned above were from one time to another either korps troops or subordinated to a division. IR 388 for example spent much of it's time under the command of the 6 GD. The various formations were also rotated from front duty to security duties in the rear areas of the corps just inside the Norwegian border, as they rotated they would fall under different higher commands. In august '43 i believe MG Btl. 13 was under corps command as it was on the North flank of the corps protecting the narrow neck of land leading to the Fischerhals peninsular which was in Russian hands. This area of the front was outside of the 6 GD's area of operations, it being the neighbouring division. In may of '42 the batallion is definitely named as being under corps command and in october of '42 it was at Nesseby in Norway, near the town of Kirkenes.

So, in short MG Btl. 13 came under operational command of different higher formations (i believe mostly if not always korps level) depending on where it was and what it was doing. Later on in 1944 it, along with the other two MG btls formed MG-Ski Brigade Finnland, a larger more cohesive formation.

[scharfschutze]

Simon, as always, you are the man! This certainly fills a huge hole in my research. And once again, you are the one to bail me out. Thank you!

I think that I have been assuming that the Eismeerkuste referrred to Uncle Erwin's Wehrpass was in Finland when, based on your reply, it would have been in Kirkenes, Norway. (see below)



Can you recommend any books or references for me to peruse to further my efforts with regard to MG Bat 13 (mot)?

[Simon O.]

There you go, the entries show exactly what i was talking about in regard to unit rotation. The eismeerküste is the stretch of coast runs along the very Northern part of Norway and in fact into Russia. That small Finnish corridor to the sea that the wehrpass refers to is now part of Russia, it included the small town of Petsamo now called Pechenga and is where your uncle is buried. Strictly speaking though the frontline was actually in Russia itself.