1./Fest. - Inf. Batl. 1008

[Brian R]

I posted this on feldgrau.com but have received no replies...

I'm looking for some help on the following unit:

1./Fest. - Inf. Batl. 1008


I picked up an EK2 document on the estand to a feldwebel in this unit dating from December 16, 1944. It is signed by Generalleutnant Friebe, Commander of the 22 Infantry Division. I am assuming this unit was in the Balkans at the time. Can anyone provide any specific information?

Thanks in advance!!

Brian

[Simon O.]

I take it you saw what little the Lexikon has on the unit?
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...ne/FIB1008.htm

[Brian R]

Simon-

Many thanks for the link.

I was curious if the recipient of this doc could have been awarded for actions against partisans. Maybe he fought against the Yugoslavians around Skopje in November, or even against the Russians around Belgrade in October.

I wonder if there was a specific Festung in Greece that this unit was initially formed to protect/occupy/defend.

Brian

[Larry deZeng]

Festungs-Inf.Btl. 1008 was on the Peloponnes in southern Greece under Fest.Inf.Rgt. 938/41. Fest.Div. on 15.7.1944. It withdrew north through Macedonia, western Serbia and Montenegro during October, November and December as a component of Fest.Inf.Brig. 966. On 31.12.44 it was located in Prijepolje/Montenegro near the border with Bosnia helping to keep the roads open in that area for the forces that were still withdrawing. There was a lot of fighting along the route of withdrawal with Tito's partisan divisions and the Germans lost a lot of men. The EKII could have been awarded for participation in defending against frequent ambushes along the winding valleys and narrow roads in this quite mountainous terrain. From January 1945 on, the Battalion's history is indistinguishable from that of 22. Inf.Div.

--BHS1956

[Brian R]

Festungs-Inf.Btl. 1008 was on the Peloponnes in southern Greece under Fest.Inf.Rgt. 938/41. Fest.Div. on 15.7.1944. It withdrew north through Macedonia, western Serbia and Montenegro during October, November and December as a component of Fest.Inf.Brig. 966. On 31.12.44 it was located in Prijepolje/Montenegro near the border with Bosnia helping to keep the roads open in that area for the forces that were still withdrawing. There was a lot of fighting along the route of withdrawal with Tito's partisan divisions and the Germans lost a lot of men. The EKII could have been awarded for participation in defending against frequent ambushes along the winding valleys and narrow roads in this quite mountainous terrain. From January 1945 on, the Battalion's history is indistinguishable from that of 22. Inf.Div.

--BHS1956

This info is a tremendous help!!!
Thanks so much. This period and area of the war is certainly not my expertise. This info really makes me want to learn more.

Thanks again!