Unteroffizier HARDIES - Luxembourg

[ar90thSonlez]

Hello to all,

I know this one is kind of a long shot but why not try! Last weekend, I discovered the top of a German Essgeschirr or mess kit inside a barn in the village of Doncols, Luxembourg, Southeast of Bastogne. The mess kit is dated 1940 and bears the following markings: "UFFZ HARDIES" . The village of Doncols was occupied by the 5th Fallschirmjager-Division during the battle. There is a very large chance that this man was a FJ from that Division. Does anyone by any chance know that name? Or does anyone know anything about Unteroffizier Hardies? Unit? Photo?

Many thanks,

[Simon O.]

One small observation. FJ used the rank Oberjäger instead of unteroffizier.

[Admiraal]

The Führer-Grenadier-Brigade and 9.VGD also fought in the area.
Not sure if they had units in that exact town.

[ar90thSonlez]

Hello,

Thank you for your answers, very interesting. However, I have seen examples of Unteroffiziers in FJ units. Were there exceptions? And yes Rick, those two unkts both saw action in Doncols in January 1945, especially the bicycle battalion that was attached to the FGB. I know that a few guys from 36th VG Regiment were also captured in Doncols on January 11th 1945. Even a small group of men from a Panzerjager Regiment, I think it was the 657th, not sure. So there are a lot of possibilities unfortunately...

Best regards,

[Simon O.]

There's a difference between fallschirmjäger and fallschirm units, same as with gebirgsjäger and gebirgs.

Many possible variables, former non FJ LW soldier transferred in for example. But i think it would be fair to say that a soldier who had been in an FJ regiment through his career and had been promoted Oberjäger whilst in the unit would have used that rank and not unteroffizier.

He's certainly not listed on the volksbund database and Hardies is not a very common name, so i guess in theory it may be possible to trace him.

[Tom B]

There's a difference between fallschirmjäger and fallschirm units, same as with gebirgsjäger and gebirgs.

Many possible variables, former non FJ LW soldier transferred in for example. But i think it would be fair to say that a soldier who had been in an FJ regiment through his career and had been promoted Oberjäger whilst in the unit would have used that rank and not unteroffizier.

He's certainly not listed on the volksbund database and Hardies is not a very common name, so i guess in theory it may be possible to trace him.

I agree !