SS-Freiwilligen Standarte Nordwest
SS-Freiwilligen Verband Niederlande
SS-Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande
SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland
4. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland
23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nederland (niederlandische Nr. 1)

The 4. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland was a German Waffen SS volunteer brigade comprising volunteers of Dutch background. It saw action on the Eastern Front during World War II. Waffen-SS recruitment poster; Volunteer to the Waffen-SS The Waffen-SS was the operational military wing of the Schutzstaffel. ... The Eastern Front was the theatre of combat between Nazi Germany and its allies against the Soviet Union during World War II. It was somewhat separate from the other theatres of the war, not only geographically, but also for its scale and ferocity. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

In February 1945, the Panzergrenadier-Brigade was to be merged into the 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nordland, but after protests from the Dutch National Socialist Party, the Nationaal Socialistische Beweging (NSB) it was formed into it's own SS Panzergrenadier division, although it's strength never reached more than a brigade. Kampfverband Waräger Germanische-Freiwilligen-Division SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 11 (Germanische) 11. ... The Nazi party used a right-facing swastika as their symbol and the red and black colors were said to represent Blut und Boden (blood and soil). ...

The prinsevlag cuff shield worn by Dutch volunteers in the Heer and the Waffen-SS

History and Concept

After the success of Germany's blitzkreig attacks on Poland and in the West in 1939-1940, many European fascists saw Germany as an answer to the Bolshevik problem. Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS, with the support of Adolf Hitler, began a campaign in late 1940 to recruit those European fascists of sufficiently Aryan stock into a series of Legions, under the control of the Waffen-SS. The SS-Freiwilligen Standarte Nordwest was formed to cater for volunteers from the Low Countries. Blitzkrieg relied on close cooperation between infantry and panzers (tanks). ... In World War II, Battle of France or Case Yellow (Fall Gelb in German) was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, executed 10 May 1940 which ended the Phony War. ... Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler Fascism (in Italian, fascismo), capitalized, refers to the right-wing authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. ... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... Heinrich Himmler Heinrich Himmler (October 7, 1900 – May 23, 1945) was the commander of the German Schutzstaffel and one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany. ... For other uses of the abbreviation SS, see SS (disambiguation) The Schutzstaffel (Protective Squadron), or SS, was a large paramilitary organization that belonged to the Nazi party. ... Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889–April 30, 1945) was the Führer und Reichskanzler (Leader and Imperial chancellor) of Germany from 1933 to his death. ... Aryan is an English word derived from the Vedic Sanskrit and Avestan term arya, meaning noble or lord. In the 19th century, the term was often used to refer to what we now call the Proto-Indo-Europeans. ... Waffen-SS recruitment poster; Volunteer to the Waffen-SS The Waffen-SS was the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel. ... The Low Countries are the countries on low-lying land around the delta of the Rhine and Meuse rivers— usually used in modern context to mean the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg (an alternate modern term, more often used today, is Benelux). ...

The Dutch were seen as especially well qualified for service in the SS, and a large recruiting drive, backed by the NSB, was begun. The drive was given an air of respectability by the support of Dutch General Staff Officer Luitenant-Generaal Hendrik A. Seyffardt. The drive was very successful, and by April 1941, volunteers began arriving in Hamburg. They were quickly processed and signed up for service in the Nordwest. Many Netherlanders assumed that service in the Waffen-SS would result in a powerful position for Holland in Hitler's New World Order. Position of Hamburg in Germany Hamburgs central broadway Jungfernstieg at the Alster lake, between 1900 and 1914 This article is about the city in Germany. ... Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945, standard German pronunciation in the IPA) was the Führer (leader) of the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party) and of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. ...

By July 1941, the number of recruits meant that the Nordwest could be dissolved and several separate units formed. The Dutch were organised into SS-Freiwilligen Verband Niederlande. Dutch volunteers, many members of the NSB, continued to sign up for the unit, and by July 1941 the formation was the size of a reinforced infantry battalion, boasting five fully motorised companies. The unit was again redesignated, this time as SS-Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande. NSB Leader Anton Mussert saw the Legion as the forerunner to the new model Dutch Army. On July 11, 1941, Mussert called upon all able bodied members of the NSB to sign up for the Legion. Anton Adriaan Mussert (May 11, 1894_May 7, 1946) was a leader of the Dutch National Socialist (Nazi) government during the Second World War. ...

Great efforts were made by the Germans to persuade the Dutchmen that the new unit was an All-Dutch affair, and indeed many recruits were under the impression that the Legion was an independent Dutch formation fighting alongside their German Allies. General Seyffardt was recruited to command the Legion, and all recruits were permitted to wear the prinsevlag (the dutch national flag) on the sleeve of the uniform. While many recruits were convinced of the independence of the Legion, Seyffardt was aware of its true nature. While strongly anti-communist, Seyffardt did not subscribe to the NSDAP ideology. When he discovered that his unit was to come under the control of the Waffen-SS, he objected, but the Germans ignored his complaints. The Nazi swastika The National Socialist German Workers Party (German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei), better known as the NSDAP or the Nazi Party was a political party that was led to power in Germany by Adolf Hitler in 1933. ...

The recruits went through basic training in Hamburg, before being sent on to Arys in East Prussia for further training. Despite the harsh attitude of the German Waffen-SS instructors, the recruits were committed to their cause and were soon highly trained. East Prussia (German: Ostpreu en; Polish: Prusy Wschodnie; Russian: Восточная Пруссия — Vostochnaya Prussiya) was a province of Kingdom of Prussia, situated on the territory of former Ducal Prussia. ...

In November, 1941, the legion was ordered to the front near Leningrad, under the overall command of Army Group North. Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. ... Army Group North (Heeresgruppe Nord in German) was a high level command grouping of military units operating for Germany during World War II. The army group coordinated the operations of attached army corps, reserve formations, and direct-reporting units. ...

Battles around Leningrad

The Legion arrived at the Volkhov river line in mid January 1942 and began setting up a defensive line. For the next few weeks the Legion was engaged in operations to prevent the Soviets from establishing a bridgehead on the west bank of the Volkhov. During this period it was also engaged in several offensive operations against Soviet defensive positions, as well as anti-partisan activites. In early February, Mussert visited the front, raising the morale of the troops considerably. On 10 February, the Soviets launced a major offensive aimed at the relief of Leningrad. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Legion held the line, albeit suffering heavy casualties. The legion was engaged in defensive operations against incessant Soviet assaults until early June, and despite suffering heavy casualties, the Legion had managed to hold the line. Volkhov may refer to Volkhov River in Russia, Volkhov, Russia, a city. ... Partisan may refer to: A member of a lightly-equipped irregular military force formed to oppose control of an area by a foreign power or by an army of occupation. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and Petrograd (Петрогра́д, 1914–1924), is a city located in Northwestern Russia on the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. ...

In June, the Legion had it's first chance to go on the offensive, destroying a large Red Army force near Fuhovga lake. During this battle, the legion captured 3,500 prisoners, including the famous General Andrey Vlasov, who was to become leader of the ROA. In late June, the legion transferred north to take part in the Siege of Leningrad. After a month's relative quiet in the trenches around Leningrad, the legion was pulled out of the line in preparation for Operation Nordlicht, an assault on Leningrad which was to be the final blow to the defenders. The launch of the offensive on 14 August was preceeded by a Soviet counteroffensive. This resulted in the complete failure of the operation, with many units being removed from the battle to halt the counteroffensive. Red Army flag The short forms Red Army and RKKA refer to the Workers and Peasants Red Army, (Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия - Raboche-Krestyanskaya Krasnaya Armiya in Russian), the armed forces organised by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War in 1918. ... General Andrey Andreyevich Vlasov (Russian: Андрей Андреевич Власов; alternative transliterations of his names appear as Andrei Andreievich and as Vlassov or (in German) Wlassow) (September 14 (September 1st O.S.), 1900, Lomakino, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast - August 2, 1946, Moscow) was a Soviet Army General who later worked for the Germans... A soldier of the Russian Liberation Army Russian Liberation Army or ROA (from Russkaya Osvoboditelnaya Armiya), also known as the Vlasov army, was a group of volunteer Russian forces allied with Nazi Germany during World War II. The ROA was organized by former Red Army general Andrey Vlasov, who... Siege of Leningrad Conflict World War II Date September 8, 1941 - January 18, 1944 Place Leningrad, USSR Result Soviet victory The Siege of Leningrad (today Saint Petersburg), during World War II, lasted from September 8, 1941, to January 18, 1944. ...

After the failure of this offensive, the legion was moved south of Leningrad, near Lake Ladoga to defend against expected Soviet attacks. The following battles were known as the First Battle of Ladoga. The legion was involved in heavy fighting until the end of 1942, when it was regrouped with the 2nd SS (Motorised) Infantry Brigade. The legion was put back into the line alongside the SS-Freiwilligen-Legion Norwegen, a Norwegian volunteer legion. In early January, the Soviets launched another offensive which would be known as the Second Battle of Ladoga. The Dutch and Norwegians managed to defend against several Soviet tank attacks, destroying many T-34s with their 7.5cm PaK 97/98 anti-tank guns. After this action, the Dutch SS-Sturmmann Gerardus Mooyman received the Knight's Cross for single-handedly destroying nineteen Soviet T-34s and KV-1's. Mooyman was the first non-German to receive the Knight's Cross. Map of Scandinavia Lake Ladoga (Russian: Ладожское озеро, Finnish: Laatokka) is the largest lake in Europe, located in Karelia and Leningrad Oblast in northwestern Russia (since WWII), near the border to Finland. ... The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank first produced in 1940. ... The Iron Cross (German: Eisernes Kreuz) is a military decoration of Germany which was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and first awarded on 10 March 1813. ... K. 1 is a designation given to two works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the original Köchel Verzeichnis. ...

Troops of SS-Freiwilligen-Legion Niederlande in action, Winter 1942/43 in the Volkhov region.

On 6 February, General Seyffardt, back in Amsterdam campaigning for new recruits for the Legion, was assassinated by the Dutch Resistance group CS-6. The Legionnaires were stunned, however they had little time to mourn their lost figurehead. Soviet attacks resumed and continued throughout the spring thaw. Amsterdam Location Country The Netherlands Province North Holland Population 739. ... Preamble to the War During the period between the first and second World Wars the Netherlands, like other countries, suffered from the effects of the Great Depression after the Stock market crash of 1929. ...

In April 1943, the legion was ordered back to Sonneberg in Thüringen to be reformed as a Panzergrenadier Brigade. Sonneberg is a town in Thuringia, capital of the district Sonneberg. ... The Free State of Thuringia (German Freistaat Thüringen) lies in central Germany and is among the smaller of the countrys sixteen Bundesländer (federal states), with an area of 16,200 sq. ...

SS-Panzergrenadier Brigade Nederland - Croatia

Upon arrival at Sonneberg, the Legion was dissolved and began the task of reforming as SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland. The brigade was to consist of two Panzergrenadier regiments, equipped with SdKfz 251 series halftracks. The two Regiments were granted honour titles, the 48.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment General Seyffardt in honour of their dead figurehead, and the 49.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment de Ruyter named after the seventeenth-century Dutch Admiral Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter. Added to this core force was to be Reconnaissance, Pioneer, Panzerjäger and Artillery components. The brigade was to be commanded by SS-Oberführer Jürgen Wagner This article needs cleanup. ... A regiment is a military unit, larger than a company and smaller than a division. ... SdKfz 251 Ausf. ... M3 half-track A half-track is a civilian or military vehicle with regular wheels on the front for steering, and caterpillar tracks on the back to propel the vehicle and carry most of the load. ... Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter, 1607–1676, Lieutenant-Admiral-General of the United Provinces by Ferdinand Bol, painted 1667. ... Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... Pioneer is a company that produces consumer electronics, notably car stereos. ... Panzerjäger (tank-hunters) are German tank destroyers of World War II. Panzerjäger (PzJg) typically refers to designs based around mounting anti-tank guns on convenient chassis with light armour protection. ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ...

In September 1943, the Brigade was ordered to Croatia to join SS-Obergruppenführer Felix Steiner's III SS (Germanic) Panzer Corps currently forming in the area. Upon arriving, the Brigade received 1,500 Dutch recruits, drawn from the veterans of 5.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Wiking. During it's time in Croatia, elements of the brigade were engaged in anti-partisan operations against Josip Broz Tito's forces. The fighting was brutal and no quarter was given on either side, however the Brigade showed itself capable in combat. During this period, the brigade was redesignated 4.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland. At this time, it's strength stood at 9,342 officers and men, that of a weak division. Felix Martin Julius Steiner (1896 – 1966) General in the SS Promotions Started World War II as SS Oberführer November 9, 1940 promoted SS Brigadeführer and Major-General of the Waffen-SS January 1, 1942 promoted SS Gruppenführer and Leutnant-General of the Waffen-SS July 1, 1943 promoted SS Obergruppenführer... SS Division Germania SS Division Wiking SS Panzergrenadier Division Wiking 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking Formed around SS Regiment Germania as SS Division Germania in late 1940, and renamed SS Division Wiking in early 1941. ... Josip Broz Tito (May 7, 1892 - May 4, 1980) was the ruler of Yugoslavia between the end of World War II and his death in 1980. ...

On Christmas Day, 1943, the brigade was deemed ready for the front, and, along with Steiner's SS Corps, was moved to the area around Oranienbaum in Army Group North's sector. Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus, at the first Christmas Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... For the town adjacent to Oranienbaum that formerly shared this name, see Lomonosov, Russia. ... Army Group North (Heeresgruppe Nord in German) was a high level command grouping of military units operating for Germany during World War II. The army group coordinated the operations of attached army corps, reserve formations, and direct-reporting units. ...

Retreat from Oranienbaum

Upon arrival at the front, Steiner's SS Corps was deployed defending the area near Oranienbaum. the Corps was to form a part of the 18.Army. Opposing the Corps was General Leonid A. Govorov's Leningrad Front. On 14 January, the Soviets launched a massive offensive aimed at driving the Germans from Russian territory and into the Baltic States. Govorov was to attack in conjunction with the adjacent Volkhov Front under General Kiril A. Meretskov. Baltic states and the Baltic Sea The Baltic states or the Baltic countries is a term which nowadays refers to three countries in Northern Europe: Estonia Latvia Lithuania Prior to World War II, Finland was sometimes considered, particularly by the Soviet Union, a fourth Baltic state. ...

The initial assault cut through the two weak Luftwaffe Feld Divisions defending the line and began racing, and by doing so knocked two large, if unreliable, units out of Steiner's newly formed corps. The Luftwaffe (literally, air weapon, pronounced looft-vaaf-feh) is the air force of Germany. ...

The Nederland, fighting alongside the 4.SS-Polizei-Division and the 4.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nordland attempted to stem the tide of Govorov's Front, but were soon forced to fall back to avoid encirclement by Meretskov's Force. Kampfverband Waräger Germanische-Freiwilligen-Division SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 11 (Germanische) 11. ...

The Nederland was involved in the 150km fighting withdrawal to the Narva River in Estonia, where a line of defence was to be established. The Nederland was to defend the northern and central flanks of the Narva Bridgehead. Narva river is a river which flows at the eastern border of Estonia. ... Battle of Narva Conflict {{{conflict}}} Date {{{date}}} Place {{{place}}} Result {{{result}}} The Battle of Narva took place in the first half of 1944. ...

Battle for the Narva Bridgehead

Steiner's men had little time to dig in, with the first Soviet attacks beginning on February 3. Despite the ferocity of the Soviet attacks, the Nederland maintained the bridgehead over the Narva. In early march the main focus of the Soviet attacks were directed at the de Ruyter regiment, defending the down of Lilienbach on the Northern flank. In fierce hand-to-hand combat, the Dutchmen repulsed the Soviet attacks, forcing Govorov to look elsewhere for his breakthrough.

After a feint attack towards Nordland's positions, Govorov directed his forces at the General Seyffardt regiment, holding the centre of the line. The regiment was forced from it's positions, but a counterattack led by regimental commander SS-Standartenführer Wolfgang Jörchel retook the defensive works and averted a Soviet breakthrough.

Govorov again shifted his focus of attack back to the de Ruyter, commanded by SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Collani, a Finnish veteran of the Wiking division. The Dutch line cracked, and only the arrival of Nordland's Panzer Abt was sent in to halt the attack. When the Panzers counterattack bogged down, Collani ordered his men to fall back to positions closer to Lilienbach. The Soviets saw this, and began laying heavy artillery fire on the withdrawing Dutchmen. This was followed up with a major assault, and the de Ruyter suffered heavily. Company leader SS-Untersturmführer Helmut Scholz gathered a group of men and went into action, retaking de Ruyter's original positions, giving the regiment shelter and preventing a rout. Tiger II, perhaps the most advanced Panzer Panzer is an abbreviation of Panzerkampfwagen, a German compound noun which translates as Armoured Combat Vehicle. It became synonymous with German tanks during the 1930s, and is usually shortened to become PzKpfw. ... Abteilung (shortened Abt) is a German language word often used when referring to German military formations. ...

After this action, most of the Nederland's armour was transferred to the Nordland's Panzer Abt, leaving the brigade with only two Panthers and ten StuGs. Panther painted in one of many camouflage patterns. ... StuG III Ausf G The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun was one of Germanys most produced AFVs during World War II. It was built on the chassis of the Panzer III. Initially intended as a mobile, armoured light gun for infantry support, the StuG was continually modified...

On 22 March another assault hit de Ruyter, this time cutting through the lines on 5 Company's front and threating to anihilate the regiment. Battalion commander SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinz Frühauf formed an assault group from his headquarters personnel and assaulted the 150 man Soviet force wreaking havoc in the regiments rear. After destroying the Soviet force in heavy fighting, he then reformed his men and cleared the regiment's trenches of enemy troops.

Steiner complimented the Dutchmen for their courage in the following corps communique.

The fantastic attitude of the troops and the self-assured leadership of the commanders of Brigade 'Nederland' deserve unlimited recognition. I thank both for the brave attitude they have displayed so far.

Withdrawal - Loss of the General Seyffardt

Govorov finally realised that the Dutch lines wouldn't crack, and shifted his assaults south to the Nordland's Danmark regiment. The launch of Operation Bagration on June 22 resulted in Govorov stepping up his attacks. By early July the Soviets had established a strong bridgehead on the western bank of the Narva, and now threatened to cut off the entire corps. On 23 July, against Hitler's orders, Steiner ordered a withdrawal to the Tannenbergstellung, a prepared position 15 km west. During World War II, Operation Bagration was the general attack by Soviet forces to clear the Nazis from Belarus which resulted in the destruction of the German Army Group Centre, possibly the greatest defeat for the Wehrmacht during the war. ...

A Propaganda poster urging Netherlanders to join the SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland.

The General Seyffardt and the brigade's artillery component was to provide a rearguard for the retreating troops. Realising that the enemy were escaping, Govorov launched an all out attack on the German lines, and the Dutchmen were involved in heavy fighting. Somehow, they managed to hold the Soviets while the last of the SS men withdrew across the Bridge. However, due to a colossal mistake by it's officers, the General Seyffardt regiment would not survive the withdrawal.

Attempting to avoid Soviet forces, the regiment was ordered to take a different route to that planned. The withdrawing Dutchmen were discovered by Jabos of the Red Air Force, and were soon pinned down. Soviet ground forces were brought in to trap the withdrawing Dutchmen, and soon the regiment was under attack from the air and the ground. Trapped in the open, the General Seyffardt never stood a chance. After a short time, it ceased to exist, with only a few survivors under the command of SS-Untersturmführer Nieuwendijk-Hoek reaching the Tannenbergstellung a week later. Soviet Air Force, also known under the abbreviation VVS, transliterated from Russian: ВВС, Военно-воздушные силы (Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily), formed the official designation of the airforce of the Soviet Union. ...

On the afternoon of the 24 July, the Nederland's Artillery battalion withdrew across the Narva bridge, and Pioneers from the Nordland's Pioneer Battalion blew the bridge. With the exception of the General Seyffardt, the withdrawal had been a success, and Steiner's men began to dig in on the Tannenbergstellung, in preparation of the next Soviet attacks. The Nederland had lost one of it's two regiments, and many valuable veterans were lost forever. The General Seyffardt was ordered to be reformed at Schlochau. ...

Retreat Into Kurland

During the withdrawal to the Tannenbergstellung defensive line, the Nederland was involved in rearguard actions. SS-Rottenführer Derk Elsko Bruins of the Panzerjäger Abt destroyed 12 enemy tanks in one engagement, earning himself the Knight's Cross. When the new defensive line was established, the Nederland was pulled out of combat to act as reserve, allowing the exhausted Brigade a little rest and time to recuperate.

The reaction of the brigade to the 20th July Plot on Hitler's life had been one of shock and anger, and several letters of sympathy and support were sent to Hitler by men from the Nederland. Despite the horrors of the front, most men of the brigade were still firmly holding to their NSB pro-Nazi ideology. On 24 August, SS-Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler sent a letter to the Brigade, praising its fighting spirit. Heinrich Himmler Heinrich Himmler (October 7, 1900 – May 23, 1945) was the commander of the German Schutzstaffel and one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany. ...

In September, Leon Degrelle's Kampfgruppe from 5.SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade Wallonien was placed under the command of the Nederland, bolstering it's strength. When Hitler authorised the withdrawal of German troops from Estonia, the Nederland found itself with another problem on it's hands. Besides the Russians, bands of Estonian soldiers, unwilling to abandon their country and furious at the Germans for abandoning them, had turned to brigandry. Nederland's commander, Wagner, was forced to keep a company in reserve to deal with any attacks by the Estonians. Apart from a few skirmishes, the brigade was spared a large scale fight against it's former allies. Léon Degrelle Léon Degrelle (June 15, 1906-April 1, 1994) was a founder of Belgian Rexism who joined the Waffen SS (becoming a leader of its Wallon contingent) and, after the war, became a prominent figure in the neo-fascist and Holocaust revisionist movements. ... The Kampfgruppe was a common combat formation used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. ... Corps Franc Wallonie Wallonische Legion 373. ...

Battles in Kurland - Withdrawal to Germany

Nederland began the retreat into Kurland on 23 September, executing a fighting withdrawal and arriving in the area near Gumi-Wolmar in mid October. The brigade was almost immediately attacked by a large Soviet combined arms force, and suffered heavy casualties in just a few days fighting. The Soviets managed to cut off Army Group North in the Kurland area, creating what was to be known as the Kurland Pocket. Stationed alongside the Nordland, the brigade was involved in fierce fighting protecting the stragtegically vital city of Libau, one of the embarkation points for troops to be withdrawn to Germany. Courland, Kurland, Couronia, or Curonia, a former Baltic province of the Teutonic Order state in Livonia (ca. ... Liepāja (Polish Lipawa, German Libau, Russian Либава Libava or Лиепая Liyepaya, Yiddish ליבאַװע Libave; population 89,448 in 2000 census) is a city in Latvia, on the Baltic sea. ...

During the fighting in Kurland, the brigade was subject to heavy partisan attacks, and after a number of attacks, Wagner ordered the reprisal executions of an unknown number of civilians.

The second Kurland offensive was launched by the Soviets on 27th October, and the de Ruyter regiment saw heavy fighting, repelling two large infantry attacks. Under almost constant air attack, the Nederland began digging in. The next two major offensives to crush the pocket were not in Nederland's sector, and so besides minor skirmishes, the brigade was left in relative peace for the remainder of 1944. On January 26, the brigade received orders to evacuate the pocket by sea and report to the Swinemünde-Stettin area to participate in the defense of the Oder line. The evacuation, through the port of Libau, began immediately. The voyage across the Baltic was dangerous, with the Red Air Force sinking many evacuation ships. The brigade arrived in German territory on 4 February, 1945. Świnoujście (pronounce: [,ɕvinɔujɕtɕȋe], German Swinemünde) is a town in Pomerania, north-western Poland, situated on the islands of Uznam and Wolin with about 41,000 inhabitants (2004). ... Motto: none Voivodship West Pomeranian Municipal government Rada miasta Szczecina Mayor Marian Jurczyk Area 301,3 km² Population  - city  - urban  - density 413 600 1372/km² Founded City rights 8th century 1243 Latitude Longitude 14°34E 53°26N Area code +48 91 Car plates ZS Twin towns Berlin-Kreuzberg... The Oder (or Odra) River (German: Oder, Polish/Czech: Odra, Ancient Latin: Viadua, Viadrus, Medieval Latin: Odera, Oddera) is a river in Central Europe (mostly in Poland). ...

Final Battles

The Waffen-SS command presented the idea of merging the Nederland into the Nordland division, but the NSB would not permit the formation to be disbanded. On 10 February, the brigade was redesignated 23.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nederland, although it's strength at the time was barely 1,000 men. the new division was attached to Steiner's XI. SS Army, defending the Northern Oder region. Despite it's weak strength, the Nederland took part in the abortive Operation Sonnenwende, and the battles near Altdamm in February 1945.

In April 1945, the division was split into two kampfgruppes, based on the reformed 48.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment General Seyffardt and the 49.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment de Ruyter. KG General Seyffardt headed south, and KG de Ruyter remaining on the northern Oder front.

The final soviet offensive of 16 April had broken the German lines by the 25 April. During the attacks, both formations saw very heavy fighting, and the soviet breakthrough broke the lines of communication between the two Kampfgruppes. KG de Ruyter, was pushed back by the soviet breakthrough, attempting to halt the Soviets near the town of Parchim. On May 3rd, the Kampfgruppe was attacked by a large number of Soviet tanks. In heavy fighting, the Kampfgruppe halted the enemy attack, destroying the spearhead. Hearing rumours of Americans nearby, the formation broke out to the west, surrendering to the US Army and being sent to a POW Camp near Kraak. Parchim is a town located in the German Bundesland of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...

Meanwhile, KG General Seyffardt was pushed south by the Soviet offensive, into the area around Halbe. The remnants of the KG were absorbed into KG Vieweger of the 15.SS-Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr.1). During the hellish fighting in Battle of Halbe, the General Seyffardt was anihilated. Battle of Halbe Conflict World War II Date April, 1945 Place Halbe, Germany Result Soviet victory The Battle of Halbe occurred during the last days of April 1945 in the Spree Forest near the village of Halbe, south-east of Berlin. ...

After the war, the survivors were tried in The Netherlands, with several death sentences being handed down. Wagner was tried at war crimes trials in Yugoslavia, and sentenced to death for his actions against civilian populations. Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in all south Slavic languages) is a term used for three separate but successive political entities that existed during most of the 20th century on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe. ...

Commanders

• SS-Sturmbannführer Herbert Garthe (? Nov 1941 - ? Feb 1942)
• SS-Oberführer Otto Reich (? Feb 1942 - 1 Apr 1942)
• SS-Obersturmbannführer Arved Theuermann (1 Apr 1942 - ?)
• SS-Standartenführer Josef Fitzthum (? - ?)
• SS-Brigadeführer Jürgen Wagner (20 Apr 1944 - 1 May 1945)

Otto Reich Otto Juan Reich (b. ...

Orders of Battle

SS-Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande

• I. Bataillon
  • 1. Kompanie
  • 2. Kompanie
  • 3. Kompanie
  • 4. Kompanie
• II. Bataillon
  • 5. Kompanie
  • 6. Kompanie
  • 7. Kompanie
  • 8. Kompanie
• III. Bataillon
  • 9. Kompanie
  • 10. Kompanie
  • 11. Kompanie
  • 12. Kompanie
• 13. Kompanie (Atillerie)
• 14. Kompanie (Panzerjäger)

4.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland

• 48. Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment General Seyffard
• 49. Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment de Ruyter
• SS-Artillerie-Regiment 54
• SS-Nachrichten-Abteilung 54
• SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 54
• SS-Pionier-Bataillon 54

References

• Pierik, Perry - From Leningrad to Berlin: Dutch Volunteers in the German Waffen-SS
• Viccx, Jan / Schotanius, Viktor - Nederlandse vrijwilligers in Europese krijgsdienst 1940-1945 (Vol 3: Vrijw. Pantsergrenadier Brigade Nederland)
• Tieke, Wilhelm - Tragedy of the Faithful: A History of III. (Germanisches) SS-Panzer-Korps
• Netherlanders in the Waffen SS (http://www.waffen-ss.nl/nedgesch-e.php)
• Steiner, Felix - Waffen-SS im Einsatz

See Also

• Panzergrenadier, Panzer Division, Waffen-SS
• Division (military), Military unit
• Wehrmacht, List of German military units of World War II

This article needs cleanup. ... Panzer Division is the German term for armored division. ... Waffen-SS recruitment poster; Volunteer to the Waffen-SS The Waffen-SS was the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel. ... A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around 10,000 soldiers. ... A military unit is an organisation within an armed force. ... Wehrmacht was the name of the armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945. ... Listing of German divisions and division-sized units operational during World War II. Formation dates are provided where known. ...