LW Field Divisons and Army Officers

[Johnny R]

I am trying to follow the service of a heer officer. He appears to have been transfered or assigned to LFDs in 1942. Does anyone know if Army offciers were allowed to transfer or were they assigned. This man was an Army Oberleutnant in early 1941 and promoted to Major in the LW by the end of 1942. Does anyone know if these quick promotions were typical and a reason men may have transfered

[Zauberflöte]

Johnny,

It is a fact that the LFD had an inadequate number of Army officers and NCO's to lead them in battle and with insufficient equipment and training most divisions were destroyed or shattered as soon as they commited to battle in 1942. For the Heer the establishment of the LFD was not only an affront to it's authority but also a waste of resources they could use themselves very well.
Therefore an official assignment as you describe is not very likely, a transfer with promotion like that could happened IMO since the experience of this Army Ltnt would be hard needed.

Regards
Frederik

[Johnny R]

Thanks, he was Light Artillery and commisioned at a Lt. in 1937, making Major in late 1942 was not that odd but on a tailor-tag he was named as an Lt. in 41. I do not have the tunic in hand and it may be a typo.

Would transfered Army officers wear LW uniforms prior to the Heer taking control in 43?

[PaulR]

I am under the mindset that they would have kept their Heer uniforms.

[Johnny R]

I am under the mindset that they would have kept their Heer uniforms.

I have requested his service file but will not have it until next week . Frigin' MJC had to go on vacation and ignore my personal needs. This was the Artillery Waffenrock that was for sale on the Estand for "Engel", he was with the 28th AR and then there is a OKH KIA sheet for being killed in Narwa early 1944 with the 10th LFD.

[Erik]

I would guess that early in the war transferred Heer officers would change their uniforms for Luftwaffe ones, but later on they did not. Also because from end of 1943 the LFD were equipped by Heer and no longer by the Luftwaffe and more and more LFD men wore Heer uniforms (or a mixture of both or with LW breas eagles etc). It is known that many Heer officers dreaded their transfer and it is suggested that some even removed the LW breasteagles of their smocks in protest of their transfer.

Erik

[Johnny R]

I am waiting to get his service file. It will be awhile. I think he transfered directly in 1942 and wore LW uniforms after that. I can document there was a call for Heer officers in Non-LW areas, panzer, artillery, infantry etc. . Not sure on the mechanics but I suspect fast promotions were on the table.

[Adam S.]

Johnny,

It is a fact that the LFD had an inadequate number of Army officers and NCO's to lead them in battle and with insufficient equipment and training most divisions were destroyed or shattered as soon as they commited to battle in 1942. For the Heer the establishment of the LFD was not only an affront to it's authority but also a waste of resources they could use themselves very well.
Therefore an official assignment as you describe is not very likely, a transfer with promotion like that could happened IMO since the experience of this Army Ltnt would be hard needed.

Regards
Frederik

Not only was it an affront it was a flat out strategic failure.

[PaulR]

I have requested his service file but will not have it until next week . Frigin' MJC had to go on vacation and ignore my personal needs. This was the Artillery Waffenrock that was for sale on the Estand for "Engel", he was with the 28th AR and then there is a OKH KIA sheet for being killed in Narwa early 1944 with the 10th LFD.

MJC is the best!! He helped me to find information on a relative of mine... actually, his entire service record. He is even looking into his post war interogations(for his involvement in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising). He is very throrough and is extremely courteous and professional. Highly recommended researcher.

[Homer Hodge]

I second that; mjc is an absolute gentleman - personable, helpful, and an excellent researcher! He "introduced" me to NARA in College Park, helped me get my research credentials there, and gave me the "grand tour" so I could do my own research.
Many Heer officers were transferred into the LW HG division, once it became a Panzer unit, including Wilhelm Schmalz who rose rapidly through the ranks and eventually commanded the division and the HG Pz corps. For obvious reasons, he wore LW uniforms.