Hptm Wenner, I.R.41 and I.R.85 (10. Inf.-Div.)

[Laurens Q-fin]

Hello guys,

Is someone able to shed a bit more light on this officer, please? He served in the 10. Infanterie-Division, first as Kompanieführer with 6./I.R.41 and later as Bataillonsfürher III./I.R.85. I would like to know his first name and what happened later...

Thank you,
Laurens

[Lionel H.]

Wenner was Coy leader from 6/41 during the polish Campaign and led the III/85 during the French campaign. I suggest you the excellent "Die Geschichte der 10.I.D." by A. Schmidt. This book has been reprinted by Doerffler and his very easy to find and must still be cheap. No more "Wenner" in the "Rangliste des Dt.Heeres" 1944. I assume this officer was an "old Guy", WW1-Veteran and liberated from Service after the Battle of France..... or was KIA in the early phase of the russian campaign.... Further researches are probably possible with the accurate Documentation. Lionel.

[Laurens Q-fin]

Goodafternoon Lionel,

Thank you for your reply and mentioning the book also. So far I'm puzzling a bit. I.R.85 was renamed after the French campaign and went to the 5. Gebirgsjäger-Division. I am clueless if this officer remained with the 10. Infanterie-Division or went to the Gebirgsjägers instead. The Volksbund lists one Oberst Richard Wilhelm Otto Wenner who died in a field hospital late 1943. But so far no certainty yet if the same officer...

Best regards,
Laurens

[Johnny R]

He was an "E" officer which means he was activated and assigned to combat units to help with shortages of qualified and experienced officers during the early part of the War. Some of these guys were put into retirement again but many continued to serve in training units and support positions during the War.

He probably has a service file in NARA and or at least a KIA card if he was killed. I would contact these guys-

http://www.westmorelandresearch.org/

[Johnny R]

So the KIA Oberst is the same man-he was killed and that is why he is not listed in the 1944 book. Too young for WWI but probably was in the Reichsheer and then put back on active duty for the War as an E officer and then the Army changed his status to Active officer.

Hauptmann (E) 01.08.36 WENNER Richard-Wilhelm 06.11.1902-08.12.1943 (Inf.Reg.41) Oberst (01.12.43)

[Laurens Q-fin]

I was getting more convinced this is the same man. My latest award document has the Ortsunterkunft in Neuburg, the birthplace from the officer in the Volksbund is Augsburg. Both cities are very close. Many soldiers and officers enlisted in cities and facilities close to their birthplace. Definately not decisive, but it was a clue in the good direction.

Thank you Johnny for adding a decisive answer and giving a more personal touch to a signature.

Best wishes,
Laurens

[Johnny R]

That is the same man, no question.