German 125 Infantry Regiment Help Please

[Happy Hesian]

Hello,
Could some body help me out if the German 125 Infantry Regiment was involved in the Greece Campaign. I have some Photos and information I am trying to check out.
Thanks In Advance For Your Help.
Lorrie

[Gerdan]

This I found:

"Das Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 125 wurde am 10. November 1938 in Saarbrücken, im Wehrkreis XII, aufgestellt. Das Regiment wurde vorerst nur mit zwei Bataillonen aufgestellt. Das I. Bataillon vom Regiment wurde dabei in Trier, ebenfalls Wehrkreis XII, aufgestellt. Es sollte später nach Lebach, ebenfalls Wehrkreis XII, verlegt werden. Das II. Bataillon vom Regiment wurde auf dem Truppenübungsplatz Baumholder, ebenfalls Wehrkreis XII, aufgestellt. Dieses sollte später nach Merzig, ebenfalls Wehrkreis XII, verlegt werden. Mit der Aufstellung wurde das Regiment der Grenz-Kommandantur St. Wendel unterstellt. Bei der Mobilmachung erhielt das Regiment ein drittes Bataillon und wurde dabei zur Heerestruppe. Außerdem wurde das Regiment jetzt zum Infanterie-Regiment 125 umbenannt. Zuerst wurde das Regiment im Westen eingesetzt. Es wurde Anfang Mai noch ein Feldrekruten-Bataillon 125 beim Regiment gebildet. Am 1. Februar 1941 Abgabe des II. Bataillons an das Infanterie-Regiment 117. Das Bataillon wurde durch das Grenz-Infanterie-Bataillon 126 ersetzt. Im Frühjahr 1941 wurde das Regiment auf dem Balkan eingesetzt. Als Heerestruppe wurde das Regiment später auch noch motorisiert. Am 10. Oktober 1942 wurde das Regiment zum Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 125 umbenannt."


Gerdan

[Happy Hesian]

Hallo Gerdan,
vielen Dank für die Hilfe.
Lorrie

[Rudolf44]

Hello,

The Kommandeur of the Inf.Rgt.125 during the Greece campaign is Oberst Erich Petersen, future General der Flieger

Rudolf

[tigre]

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Hello to all ; as a little complement.....................

Metaxas Line - Break through the blocking position of the Strymon.

"The Rupel Pass, named for the throat forming by the Strymon as it passes through klidi (Rupel in Turkish) is the oldest and the main connection between Bulgaria and northern Greece. The task of Strymon Blocking Position was to prevent an advance along the valley of the river in the basin of Seres and beyond to Thessaloniki, Western Thrace and Eastern Macedonia.


The IR 125 crossing the Greek border by the valley of the Strymon - April 6, 1941. Here a battery of light infantry howitzers of 75 mm.

The XVIII. Geb. A.K. must attack the blocking position, with the 5 Mountain Division (GD), and the reinforced IR 125 . The area of attack of the 5 GD stretched from Rupesko (included) up to Paljurjones fortified Group (excluded), while the IR 125 (reinforced) astride (each side) of the Strymon must act against the forts groups of Paljurjones and Usita.


The defenses were not limited to closure of the Strymon valley, but were built in the mountains on both sides of it in a front of 25 kilometers

Sources: Wir Durchbrechen die Metaxas Linie. Geschichte der IR 125.
Ein Weiter Weg.
http://www.festungsbauten.de/metaxas3.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Hello to all ; more follows.....................

Metaxas Line - Break through the blocking position of the Strymon.

Attack on Paljurjones - Usita.

The reinforced I.R. 125 (Oberst Petersen) advancing astride of the Strymon crossed the Bistrica after a brief engagement. On the left bank of the Strymon, the I. / IR 125 reached the fortification group of Usita. Then the II. / IR 125, followed later by the III. / IR 125, crossed the Bistrica. Under cover of artillery, tank and Stukas, the II. / IR 125 advanced to Usita, Height 350 and Karatas. Here was the key ground and without conquest it, any attempt to take Usita from the northeast and east was impossible, so as a further progress towards Klidi. In the meanwhile the I / GJR 100, on the right bank of the Strymon, had conquered the Height 140 and from there went on the attack of the fortification of Paljurjones.


Attack on Paljurjones and Usita.

Sources: Wir Durchbrechen die Metaxas Linie. Geschichte der IR 125.
Ein Weiter Weg.
http://www.festungsbauten.de/metaxas3.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Hello to all ; more follows.....................

Metaxas Line - Break through the blocking position of the Strymon.

Attack on Paljurjones - Usita.

The attack was successful and the enemy was thrown to the southeast. Taking advantage of this success, the II. / IR 125 reached the south of Usita heading towards Klidi despite the fire unleashed from the works of Karatas. At 07:04 hours it pushed to Height 520, near the southern entrance of the Rupel Pass. The height was retained, despite the strong Greek counterattacks until the surrender of East Macedonian Greek Army on April 10, 1941.


A group of the II. / IR 125 heading to Height 520.

Sources: Wir Durchbrechen die Metaxas Linie. Geschichte der IR 125.
Ein Weiter Weg.
http://www.festungsbauten.de/metaxas3.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Hello to all ; more follows.....................

Metaxas Line - Break through the blocking position of the Strymon.

Attack on Paljurjones - Usita.

After conquering the Height 350, the III. / IR 125 took its starting positions despite of the enemy fire; the assault guns could not proceed due to difficult terrain. At 08:25 hours, two assault groups supported by a heavy machine gun's Platoon, a mortars' Platoon and flamethrowers launched the assault on the fortress Usita (Work E), but hostile fire coming from the front and the left flank, slowed down the attack.


A German airplane overflying Height 520.

Sources: Wir Durchbrechen die Metaxas Linie. Geschichte der IR 125.
Ein Weiter Weg.
http://www.festungsbauten.de/metaxas3.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Hello to all ; more follows.....................

Metaxas Line - Break through the blocking position of the Strymon.

Attack on Paljurjones - Usita.

At 09:45 hours both groups renewed their attack under fire from machine guns and artillery up to reach the distance of pitching hand grenades, but the progress stalled again due to large losses. The flamethrowers failed in their mission and the most of them were destroyed by enemy fire. The line was maintained and was prepared a new assault at 18:00 hours with the arrival of reinforcements, 4 assault guns and 3 Paks of 37 mm. Two assault Platoons were organized by the 11. Company and one by the 13. Company.


An assault gun moving ahead to support the attack ... ... ... ... ... ... ..

Taking advantage of the artillery support and Stukas air raids, it was launched the third assault. Some bombs dropped by the Stukas fell in the middle of the German own troops, causing heavy casualties. The attackers came under heavy artillery fire just after leaving the readiness area and the attack was stopped. The battalion moved to the defense; after nightfall the 10. Company, which stayed in front of the enemy's barbed wire, carried out the withdrawal.


Stukas bombing on the Height 307 (Paljurjones).

Sources: Wir Durchbrechen die Metaxas Linie. Geschichte der IR 125.
Ein Weiter Weg.
http://www.festungsbauten.de/metaxas3.htm

Cheers. Raúl M :glasses.

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

[tigre]

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Hello to all ; more follows.....................

Metaxas Line - Break through the blocking position of the Strymon.

Attack on Paljurjones - Usita.

On April 7, 1941 were explored new avenues of approach from the northeast. During the afternoon intense hostile artillery and mortar fire had forced to withdraw some parts of the battalion.

On April 8, 1941 came the order to carry out the fourth assault. In the known ground on the southern slope of the Height 520 were assembled three assault teams and one of sappers; in support were assault guns, all the heavy weapons of the regiment, two Platoons of the 13. Company and one of the 14. Company of IR 125. As a prerequisite is required the elimination of the enemy's battery located on the left flank of Karatas, which had made it impossible the previous attacks. While the assault teams took their starting positions, broke the support of artillery fire, which ended with an airstrike.


The Commanding Officer of the IR 125 and his Adjutant............

Sources: Wir Durchbrechen die Metaxas Linie. Geschichte der IR 125.
Ein Weiter Weg.
http://www.festungsbauten.de/metaxas3.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

[tigre]

The IR 125 against the Metaxas Line - April 1941.

Hello to all ; more follows.....................

Metaxas Line - Break through the blocking position of the Strymon.

Attack on Paljurjones - Usita.

When the clock's hands marked 12:30 hours, the fourth assault began. The enemy's battery beat the German readiness area inflicting heavy casualties, especially among the assault guns and engineers. As the requirement to eliminate the enemy's battery had not been fulfilled, the assault was called off.

On April 9, 1941 in the morning, the III. / IR 125 reported on the situation of the enemy: the eastern slopes within the battalion sector are dominated by enemy artillery to the rear, western and northern slopes are dominated to some extent by the machine guns of the opponent and the valleys and canyons are subjected to mortar fire. The opponent's defenses remain almost unbeatable. The effective strength of the battalion reduced to 70 percent due to casualties.

Sources: Wir Durchbrechen die Metaxas Linie. Geschichte der IR 125.
Ein Weiter Weg.
http://www.festungsbauten.de/metaxas3.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo!!!

[Jim Merit]

125th Infantry Regiment

Tigre,

Thanks for your excellent pages on the 125th Infantry Regiment at the Mataxis Line.

I am seeking more info including:
Details of the regiment's organization and tactics
The regiment's battles
The regiment's WW2 history.

In your research did you run into any of the above type information?

Thanks,

Jim

[tigre]

125th Infantry Regiment..........

Hello Jim ; glad to greet you here............

Details of the regiment's organization and tactics
The regiment's battles

Only this..................

http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...t-125-grz.html

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...er/IR125-R.htm

The regiment's WW2 history.

In short................

Winter of 1939/1940.

Battles in the advance posts (Westwall) between the Moselle and Rhine.
Offensive actions between Saar and Hornbach.

Rupture battles through the Maginot Line (14 till 16 Jun 1940).

Attack over the Seille and the Rhine-Marne Canal (17 till 20 Jun 1940).

Then destruction battles in the High Moselle and the Vosges.

On Aug 01, 1940 back at the barracks located at Saarbrücken, Trier, Merzig and Lebach.

Then on April 1941 it took part in the Balkans Campaign.

Later the regiment served with the 164 Le. ID and fought in El Alamein.......

The fighting of the 164th Le. ID in El Alamein - October and November of 1942.

Brief description of the defensive line.

El Alamein line stretched between the sea and the Qattara Depression, which was impossible to overcome for vehicles, as claimed by the Axis aerial observation, and thus except the position Akarit it could not be surrounded by its end. The situation of this line then eliminated the possibility of surprise, as long as of course, it was held firmly by the infantry.

However, the Italo-German Force could no longer risk to put the full weight of its defense on open ground mobile operations because:

- The elements of both sides were very unequal. The adversary received a constant reinforcement of their means while those of the Axis were fixed and useless in open terrain.

- The British had air superiority, creating severe limitations on the tactical use of motorized forces.

- The Axis forces were short of fuel.

For the foregoing reasons, they should base its defense on a fortified line and defended by infantry. The British would have to try the break.

The Axis must at all costs prevent a rupture of that line, because they could not accept a battle of movement. Therefore had to:

- Resist at all costs.

- Any penetration should be removed immediately by counterattacks.


Unvergessenes Nordafrika. Auf Rommel Spuren. Photo Book North Africa, DAK Rommel's Footsteps Africac - eBay (item 370328434373 end time Feb-07-10 055009 PST).

Source: Ein weiter weg. Aus der Chronik des Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 125
Deutsches Afrika-Korps View topic - Kämpfe der 164_ le_ Afrika Division. http://www.afrika-korps.co.uk/forum/...asc&highlight=
“Memorias del Mariscal Rommel”. Tomo II. B.H. Lidell Hart. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. Marzo 1955.
“Rommel y el Afrika Korps”. H.G. von Esebeck. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. Abril 1955.
“El Ejército Alemán bajo Hitler”. S. Westphal. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. Marzo 1953.

More follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

125th Infantry Regiment..........

Hello to all ; more follows........................

The fighting of the 164th Le. ID in El Alamein - October and November of 1942.

Brief description of the defensive line.

The defenses were erected so that the minefields in the no man's land were defended by outposts; the MLR (200 to 300 meters deep) extend to about 1,000 or 2,000 meters west of the first minefield. The armored divisions were deployed behind, so that its weapons could act on the intermediate zone. If the attack was concentrated on a certain point, the motorized and armored divisions would come to this place from the north and south.

We used a large number of mines reaching the amount of 500,000, including those taken from the British (1). The static positions were prepared in order to be defended in 360 º. The Italian troops were intercalated with German troops and were utilized dogs in the outposts as early warning measure. We wanted to ensure that the task of opening gaps were slowly, but unfortunately many were anti-tank mines and could be removed easily. Yet the adversary enjoyed a vast superiority in resources.

(1) For example in front of the 164 Le. ID were used:

10,300 anti-tank mines.
11,400 anti-personnel mines.
The ratio was a mine per meter of front.
6000 rolls of barbed wire for each rifle company in order to build defenses to the front and flanks of the position.
In addition there were 10 controlled mines every 100 meters of front (I guess that could be activated remotely.)

Source: Ein weiter weg. Aus der Chronik des Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 125
Deutsches Afrika-Korps View topic - Kämpfe der 164_ le_ Afrika Division. http://www.afrika-korps.co.uk/forum/...asc&highlight=
“Memorias del Mariscal Rommel”. Tomo II. B.H. Lidell Hart. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. Marzo 1955.
“Rommel y el Afrika Korps”. H.G. von Esebeck. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. Abril 1955.
“El Ejército Alemán bajo Hitler”. S. Westphal. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. Marzo 1953.

More follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

[enorepap]

Hallo Raul

I've already seen your excellent research.

Keep it up.