Beobachtungs-Abteilung 33, 1940

[Peter93]

Hi, i have some questions about this unit.

Beobachtungs-Abteilung 33 set up on 12 october 1937, in the Wehrkreis XII. It is part of the 33. Infanterie-Division, its mobilized in 1939 as part of the 1. Welle, and remains in Germany until May 1940.

This is the order of battle of the 33. Infanterie-Division in Sep 1939:

Stab
Infanterie-Regiment 104
- I. Bataillon , 1.-4.
- II. Bataillon , 5.-8.
- III. Bataillon , 9.-12.
- 13. Kp , 14. Kp
Infanterie-Regiment 110
- I. Bataillon , 1.-4.
- II. Bataillon , 5.-8.
- III. Bataillon , 9.-12.
- 13. Kp , 14. Kp
Infanterie-Regiment 115
- I. Bataillon , 1.-4.
- II. Bataillon , 5.-8.
- III. Bataillon , 9.-12.
- 13. Kp , 14. Kp
Artillerie-Regiment 33
- I. Abteilung , 1.-3.
- II. Abteilung , 4.-6.
- III. Abteilung , 7.-9.
- I./Art.Rgt 69 (schw. Abt) , 1.-3.
- Beobachtungs-Abteilung 33
Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 33
- 1.-3. Kp
- 4. Kp = 1. MG-Kp 66
Aufklärungs-Abteilung 33
- 1.(Reiter)Schwadron
- 2.(Radfahr)Schwadron
- 3.(schwere)Schwadron (mot)
-- Pz.Spähtrupp
-- Pak-Zug
-- Kavalleriegeschütz-Zug
Pionier-Bataillon 33
- 1.-3.
Inf.Div.Nachrichten-Abteilung 33
Inf.Div.Nachschubführer 33
Verwaltungsdienste 33
Sanitätsdienste 33
- 1./San-Kp 33
- 2./San-Kp 33
- 1./Krankenkraftwagenzug 33
- 2./Krankenkraftwagenzug 33
- Feldlazarett 33
Veterinär-Kp 33

And this is the order of battle in Apr 1940:

Stab
Infanterie-Regiment 104
- I. Bataillon , 1.-4.
- II. Bataillon , 5.-8.
- III. Bataillon , 9.-12.
- 13. Kp , 14. Kp
Infanterie-Regiment 110
- I. Bataillon , 1.-4.
- II. Bataillon , 5.-8.
- III. Bataillon , 9.-12.
- 13. Kp , 14. Kp
Infanterie-Regiment 115
- I. Bataillon , 1.-4.
- II. Bataillon , 5.-8.
- III. Bataillon , 9.-12.
- 13. Kp , 14. Kp
Artillerie-Regiment 33
- I. Abteilung , 1.-3.
- II. Abteilung , 4.-6.
- III. Abteilung , 7.-9.
- I./Art.Rgt 69 (schw. Abt) , 1.-3.
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 33
- 1. Kp = 1./Pz.Jäg.Abt 670 [4,7cm (Sfl)], attached
- 2., 3. Kp
Aufklärungs-Abteilung 33
- 1.(Reiter)Schwadron
- 2.(Radfahr)Schwadron
- 3.(schwere)Schwadron (mot)
-- Pz.Spähtrupp
-- Pak-Zug
-- Kavalleriegeschütz-Zug
Pionier-Bataillon 33
- 1.-3.
Inf.Div.Nachrichten-Abteilung 33
Inf.Div.Nachschubführer 33
Verwaltungsdienste 33
Sanitätsdienste 33
- 1./San-Kp 33
- 2./San-Kp 33
- 1./Krankenkraftwagenzug 33
- 2./Krankenkraftwagenzug 33
- Feldlazarett 33
Veterinär-Kp 33

As you can see, the Beobachtungs-Abteilung 33 doesn't appear.

So, my question is: Where was the Beobachtungs-Abteilung 33 between April 1940 and December 1940?

At the beginning of December 1939 it became an Abteilung zur Heerestruppe, What does it means?

Thanks.

Sources:
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...eobAbt33-R.htm
http://www.axishistory.com/various/1...terie-division

[Ian Jewison]

At the beginning of December 1939 the Abteilung became the Army Troops. In December 1940 the division was dissolved. The batteries formed Beobachtungs Batterien (Pz) 331, 332 and 330 in this order.

From December 1939 it became and independent Heerestruppen unit....it most probably came directly under Korps or Armee rather than a Division.

So from that date it was no longer under the command of 33 Infanterie Division.

/Ian

[Peter93]

At the beginning of December 1939 the Abteilung became the Army Troops. In December 1940 the division was dissolved. The batteries formed Beobachtungs Batterien (Pz) 331, 332 and 330 in this order.

From December 1939 it became and independent Heerestruppen unit....it most probably came directly under Korps or Armee rather than a Division.

So from that date it was no longer under the command of 33 Infanterie Division.

/Ian

Thanks! it's more clear now. So, i suppose that its not possible to know the destination of the Beobachtungs-Abteilung after became an independent Heerestruppen unit.

[Ian Jewison]

At the moment I can only find it for November 1940 when it was under XV Armee Korps:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...ps/XVKorps.htm

/Ian

[Stiles]

I know this is an old thread but hopefully I can get a response.

In 1939, it appears Beobachtungs-Abteilung 33 was attached to Artillerie-Regiment 33.

Artillerie-Regiment 33
- I. Abteilung , 1.-3.
- II. Abteilung , 4.-6.
- III. Abteilung , 7.-9.
- I./Art.Rgt 69 (schw. Abt) , 1.-3.
- Beobachtungs-Abteilung 33

It was said to be was dissolved December 1040 and the batteries formed Beobachtungs Batterien (Pz) 331, 332 and 330 in this order.

From 1940, Artillerie-Regiment 33 had the 326 (mot) Observation Company attached.

From November 1941, when the 15th Panzer Division which Artillerie-Regiment 33 was attached was split up into three Kampfgruppes and the observation company is not listed.

From March 1942 the 15th Panzer Division was reorganized and Artillerie-Regiment 33 has an un-named observation company attached.

From January 1942 Artillerie-Regiment 33 is listed has having an observation battery.

Would their shoulder boards be the following?

ß
33

[pauke]

Having numbers/letters on their straps and boards was not usual at this stage of the war, possibly slip-on loops, but not overly likely. B 33 is the theoretical strap/ board info.