Gebirgsjaeger KIA near Ssinjawino, Russia 9/3/42 - possible unit affiliation?

[landsknechte]

From this little bit of information, an entry in the Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels that someone was kind enough to scan for me...



...and the information pulled from a volksbund.de grave search:

Nachname: Freiherr von Berchem

Vorname: Adalbert

Dienstgrad: Hauptmann

Geburtsdatum: 08.08.1919

Geburtsort: Wörth

Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 03.09.1942

Todesort: 4 km westl. Ssinjawino

...does anyone have any guess what unit AvB might have been associated with, given the place and date of his death?

Thanks in advance,
--Chris

[Gary T]

From this little bit of information, an entry in the Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels that someone was kind enough to scan for me...

...and the information pulled from a volksbund.de grave search:

Nachname: Freiherr von Berchem

Vorname: Adalbert

Dienstgrad: Hauptmann

Geburtsdatum: 08.08.1919

Geburtsort: Wörth

Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 03.09.1942

Todesort: 4 km westl. Ssinjawino

...does anyone have any guess what unit AvB might have been associated with, given the place and date of his death?

Thanks in advance,
--Chris

It would be aunit of 5. Gebirgsdivision - either GJR100 or 85. I'll see if I've any detailed maps for that time period.

[Akira Takiguchi]

27.8 - 3.9.1942

[Akira Takiguchi]

4.9-20.9.1942

[Akira Takiguchi]

According to the history of 28.Jäger-Division, the GJ-Regiment here on Sept. 3rd was GJR100. I know he's not from 2.Kp. because he's not on 2.Kp. book.

Narrowed down (only) a bit...

[Chris Stewart]

Akira,

Out of curiousity - what level of unit is labeled on those maps? Reg.?

[landsknechte]

First of all, thanks for the detailed response!

Found a photo on one website that identified the soldier with the bandage on his head as a Lt. Freiherr von Berchem (no first name, of course). The photo was taken in 1939 of soldiers from IR41.



I've contacted the webmaster to see if I can get a larger scan. Am I just being overly optimistic, or does this look like the same guy?

--Chris

[Akira Takiguchi]

(This message has been edited to remove typos etc)
A Frhr von Berchem is found in the ranks of IR41 in 3.Kp as of Sep.1, 1939.

As of May 10, 1940 he was the batallion adjutant of II./IR41.

not listed thereafter.

[landsknechte]

A Frhr von Berchem is found in the ranks of IR21 in 3.Kp as of Sep.1, 1939.

As of May 10, 1940 he was the batallion adjutant of II./IR21.

not listed thereafter.

by the way, he is the guy with the white bandage around the head.

Do you mean IR41, or are we talking about different people / units?

I know there were at least a few Freiherr von Berchem active in the German military in WWII, but Adalbert is the only one that I've found thus far that isn't Luftwaffe.

[Akira Takiguchi]

Of course IR41, sorry, I shouldn't be posting just before leaving for the office

[landsknechte]

Of course IR41, sorry, I shouldn't be posting just before leaving for the office

No worries... I'm easily confused.

[landsknechte]

A Frhr von Berchem is found in the ranks of IR21 in 3.Kp as of Sep.1, 1939.

As of May 10, 1940 he was the batallion adjutant of II./IR21.

not listed thereafter.

Interesting tidbit, the 5th Gebirgs-Div. was apparently raised in October of 1940.

[lohengrin]

Here is another Austrian GJ that died in the same area a week later...

His name was Georg Pfürstinger and perhaps he also belonged to the 5. GJ Div.

Info from Volksbund:


Nachname:Pfürstinger
Vorname:Georg
Dienstgrad:Unteroffizier
Geburtsdatum:20.02.1915
Geburtsort:Neu-Gmain-Eggenfeld
Todes-/Vermisstendatum:15.09.1942
Todes-/Vermisstenort: Ssinjawino

and photo...

[jmark]

Oberleutnant Adalbert Freiherr von Berchem was part of Geb.Jäg.Rgt.85 when killed west of Sinyavino on 3. September 1942.
Oblt. RDA 01.10.41 (32).
Last peacetime unit was Inf.Rgt.41.

Jason