Bataillon Krampnitz under the Fallschirm-Pz.Div. "HG" / Grouping

[Lionel H.]

Hi Guys. Just gotten this Group, matching with my Research Thematic. It seems that this Btl Krampnitz, probably issued from Panzertruppenschule II Krampnitz, saw combat under control of the Fj.Pz.Div."H.G." in August 1944.

The documentation I am currently stapling concerning "Krampnitz" (former named "Cavalry School" and later "Schule für schnelle Truppen") contains nothing for this Period...

I assume that 300-400 Men - a bataillon - were detached from the school to reinforce the div.H.G. As far as I know, the Officer Formations lasted in Krampnitz until the very end of the War.... The fact that the Bataillon was commanded by an Oberleutnant, instead of a Major or at least a captain, probably signifies they suffered heavy Losses...

ANY INFO OR OPINION IS WELCOME !

I ignore, as I never collected the HG Division, if there is a divisional history... Is this "Bataillon Krampnitz" mentioned somewhere ?

one more time : any Comment § Help is appreciated !! Thanks. Lionel.

[Lionel H.]

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[Alanmccoubrey]

Did the Luftwaffe not use the Luftwaffe Eagle on their stamps then ?

[Lionel H.]

No, most of the Lw-Stamps are in the "Hoheitsadler"-Form...

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...rmann+G%F6ring

[Archi]

Hello Lionel !

Interesting group and unit !

When Panzertruppenschule Krampnitz was closed resp. merged with Panzertruppenschule Bergen (end of July 1944),
from the Lehrtruppe a Btl. Krampnitz was formed and transported to the East on 27. July, 1944.

It was sent to the area S of Warschau and attached to Fallschirm-Pz.Div. HG.
In the following heavy battles the bataillon was largely smashed. The Btl.Kdr. Major Nagel fell on 9. Aug. 1944.
The remnants of the battalion were withdrawn and formed a "Kampfschule Krampnitz" under command of HG division.

Presumably already in Oct./November these remnants were used to form I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 147 of 25.Pz.Div. (see scans).

Best regards,

Archi

[Lionel H.]

Hi Uwe. Always Using great original Documentation. Bravo Archi...

The FPnr.29521 mention on the BWB is confirming your Infos...

14.8.44 : Stab u. Einheit Pz-Truppenschule Krampnitz
6.11.44 : Stab.I., Versorg. u. 1-4.Kp/G.R.147

Nevertheless, I have Items in my Collection proving that the Krampnitzer-Schule continued to exist after the Date you Mentioned (27.7.44).... The Question is for me : do they stop a part of the school ?? Who were the Guys from this "Btl.Krampnitz". Personal of the School ? Officer-Candidates ??

Like very often in such complicated Matters, resolving a Question creates 2 or 3 others !! But that is a very good start. Thanks my Friend !

[Archi]

Hello Lionel !

>> resolving a Question creates 2 or 3 others !! But that is a very good start. <<
As always ... I agree, but that makes things interesting !

1.) Regarding the Bataillon Krampnitz :
As said, it was formed from the Lehrtruppe (demonstration unit) of the school, which consisted
of 3 Pz.Gren-Kp. (1.-3.), a Pz.Aufkl.Kp. (4.), and a schw.Kp. (heavy weapons co.) (5.).
The 4. Pz.Aufkl.Kp. was merged with the Lehrtruppe in Bergen, the other 4 companies formed
the Btl. Krampnitz and an additional Versorgungs-Kp. (supply co.) was formed from most
members of the Kommandostab.

I have no numbers, but the unit should be well equipped with vehicles and heavy weapons
(but no tanks or artillery).

2.) What happened to Pz.Truppenschule Krampnitz in July 44 :
I'll attach a scan of the last known organisation in 1944 and some further info:
- Lehrtruppe and many members of the Kommandostab were sent to the front (see above)
- Takt. Lehrgänge and Techn. Inspektion were sent to Bergen (still existing for some time under Oberst Glaesemer)
and from ~Oct. 44 onward, these were merged with the Bergen school
(- exception : Lehrgruppe III formed the Panzeraufklärungs-Lehrgänge at Luschtinietz (Prag))

Since 1. Aug. 1944, the quarters at Krampnitz were used for "Lehrgänge für höhere Adjutantur".
End of August also the Oberfähnrichschule 1 der Panzertruppen moved from Gross-Glienicke to Krampnitz.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Not all of this must be 100% correct.
If your documents show different, please show. (I strongly believe that personal docs often provide
more/better info, than what is written in the literature !)

Best regards,

Archi