Geb.Jg.Rgt. 139???

[Sigurd Helge]

I have made contact with a volunteer platoon commander veteran on the Norwegian side who participated in the battles around Narvik (Grasvatnet, Raudvatnet, Naeverfjell, Kuberget and Holmvattnet) between 11 of May and 9th of June 1940.

I would be very interested to find out anything concerning their prime enemy during these battles; Geb.Jg.Rgt. 139.
Especially anything concerning 1st Company (?). From this veteran I have learned about two German individuals that he claims are related to this unit but due to the natural lack of precision in this old gentlemans memory he is still a bit unsure. If possible I would like to find out more about: Kp.Chef Müller (?) and Zug.Fhr. E Trautner (who supposedly died on hill 794).

Any help would be much appreciated!

[Simon O.]

The book you're looking for is "Fjellkrigen 1940: Lapphaugen-Bj******248;rnfjell" by Olav Vollan and Johan Helge Berg. Published in 1999. ISBN 82-995412-0-4. It's the very detailed account of IR 16 during the Narvik campaign. The fighting on hill 794 is well recorded from both the Norwegian and German sides. Lt.Trautner is mentioned as commander of the platoon holding the position as is his death on the 16th May. After Trautner's death Hans Rohr (who would later be awarded the RK for actions during the campaign), took over the men holding 794. This is where there's a connection to me, or rather my wife. The account, written by Rohr himself, mentiones several times how deadly effective the Norwegian snipers were around this position. One of these snipers was my wife's grandfather, a korporal in the 1.Kp. of IR16.

chef of the 1Kp. GJR 139 was Hans von Schlebr******252;gge, who also received the RK at Narvik, later promoted Oberst and was to be regarded as the father of the German Skij******228;ger of WWII.

There is a M******252;ller, he's mentioned as an oberfeldwebel but his grave gives his rank as leutnant. He died on the 17th around 794, again the victim of a sniper.


You say a volunteer, so guess you talking of a Swede? Is it Fenrik Jan Danielsen of 2Kp. IR16?

[Sigurd Helge]

Simon,

Very interesting. I will get the book you mention.