3./leichte Flakabteilung 861

[Christian Breuer]

Hi all,

I have a Wehrpass in my collection from an individual who served
with the 3. Batterie, leichte Flakabteilung 861 from 26.8.39 until 14.7.42, when he was missed in action about 6 KM to the southwest of Millerowo/Russia. Until 13.12.41, there are enough battle entries, but after this date there are no more entries. Could anybody please give me some information about this unit's actions from the 13.12.41 until the 14.7.42 when my man was MIA? I thank you very much in advance!!

All the best from Germany,

Christian

[Gary T]

Hi Christian,

It is sometimes difficult to trace the movements and operations of Flak units. You usually have to glean little bits of info from various sources...the werhpass itself, various orders of battle. the following is from http://www.ww2.dk/


leichte Flak-Abteilung 861 (mot.)

Formed 26.8.39 in Weimar from parts of le.Flak-Abteilung 86, with 1. - 3. Batterien.

Service:

1939/40 in Osnabrück
6.40 near Freiburg under Stab/Flak-Regiment 25
8.41 at Criuljeni/Romania
2.42 at Nikolajewka
5.42/7.42 at Uman & Millerowo
9.42/12.42 at Proloff & Kamenka
2.43 at Nowotscherkassk
1.11.43 under 17. Flak-Division (Stab/Flak-Regiment 17) [as le.861 (v)]
1.3.44 under 17. Flak-Division (Stab/Flak-Regiment 17)
1944 at Przemysl
1.45 at Ratibor

Cheers,
Gary.

[Christian Breuer]

Hi Gary,

thank you very much for the info! I had already visited Michael Holm's excellent website and did find the informations mentioned by you, too. But nevermind, I was just hoping that someone could give me some additional information to the entries in the Wehrpass and on Michael Holm's website. I believe you are right, researching Flak units seems to be very difficult! Nevertheless, I am still very thankful to you for looking up the information for me!

All the best,

Christian

[Akira Takiguchi]

Dear Christian, it is always encouraged to show what you already have with your question, thank you.

I am sorry, I've got nothing directly related to the period you need; looking at the OoB at the beginning of <i>Barbarossa</i> Rgt.Stab 42 was under A.O.K.17, is it correct from the information in your Wehrpa&szlig;?

The commanders of 861 (le mot) were: Major Kolb, Hauptmann Hering, Hauptmann Kiessel, Hauptmann Schmidt. Does any of these names appear in your pass?

[Christian Breuer]

Hi Akira,

i know, i know, i should have mentioned it, but somehow I just forgot to do so! My apologies for that!

Thank you for the names of the unit's commanders!Unfortunately none of them appear in my Wehrpass! The highest ranking officer from that unit whose signature can be found in my Wehrpass are Oberleutnante. They were also the man's Batterieführer.

Regarding the Rgt. Stab 42 and the A.O.K. 17, there are no entries pertaining to these units. Was the Rgt. Stab 42 in some way affiliated with my man's unit?

Cheers,

Christian

[Akira Takiguchi]

>My apologies for that!

You don't have to feel so sorry about it, now I understand that you do your homework! I just wrote that for OTHER readers who are future-posters!

Well,

Koch's <i>FLAK Die Geschichte der deutschen Flakartillerie und der Einsatz der Luftwaffenhelfer</i>, which is essential source of Flak-related stuff, says:

... dann Rum&auml;nien, Ru&szlig;land-S&uuml;d bei Rgt. 42, 17., 15. Flak-Div.; Rum&auml;nien, Galizien, Oberschlesien ...

[Frosch]

Another member of Flakabteilung 861

Hi Guys,

This is one of those happy coincidences that gives me a kick-start for researching a Wehrpass I have for Obergefreiter Aloysius Konrad who also served with Flakabteilung 861, although he didn't join the unit until March 1943 and was KIA in the Ukraine in January 1944. Some brief details on him can be seen at my Luftwaffe unit Wehrpass overview. Apart from the Tessin entries, I hadn't found out much about this unit so far.

Christian,

If I remember correctly, the Wehrpass to Schütze Lüder von Linden I bought from you some time ago is also listed on the infantry division Wehrpass page.

Gruss aus dem Ruhrpott,

David

[Akira Takiguchi]

Hello David, very nice pages you have!

Sorry for being off-topic, but the german police photos in your gallery page are from Polizei-Regiment Bozen. I have about 400 photographs from this unit. When you consider parting with them, please remember my name (actually, the entire nagatives of these photos are held in Bundesarchiv Koblenz, so if somebody wants to publish the photos, he can visit BA to get any of them... though not inexpensive!).

[Christian Breuer]

Hi David,

that's an interesting coincidence! Two different collectors have one Wehrpass each from the same unit (though different batteries)!

Your Wehrpass pages are great; I am looking forward to any additions you'll make to these pages!

Did you get the PM I sent you yesterday?

Cheers,

Christian