Brandenburgers - Revision history

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𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "Category:Abwehr" to "Category:WWAC"

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	~~[[de:Die Brandenburger (Spezialeinheit)]]~~

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	[[File:Insignia of the Sonderverband z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Insignia of the Sonderverband z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, the mask symbolizing the secrecy, the sword the martiality of the special unit.]]		[[File:Insignia of the Sonderverband z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“.png\|thumb\|300px\|Insignia of the Sonderverband z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, the mask symbolizing the secrecy, the sword the martiality of the special unit.]]
	The '''Brandenburgers''' ({{lang-de\|Brandenburger}}) were members of the Brandenburg German Special Forces unit during [[World War II]]. This elite division of the [[Abwehr]] is a shining paragon for Special Forces around the world even today. Units of ''Brandenburger''s operated in almost all fronts – the [[Poland campaign]], [[Operation Weserübung]] ([[Denmark]] and [[Norway]]), in the [[Battle of France]], in [[Operation Barbarossa\|Operation ''Barbarossa'']], in [[Finland]], [[Greece]] and the [[Battle of Crete]], [[Romania]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Yugoslavia]]. Some units were sent to infiltrate [[India]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Middle East]] countries and [[South Africa]]. They also trained for Operation Felix (the planned seizure of [[Gibraltar]]), and Operation Sea Lion (the planned invasion of [[Great Britain]]). The unit had stunning successes early in the war acting as advance units that captured strategic bridges, tunnels and rail yards in [[Poland]] and the [[Netherlands]].		The '''Brandenburgers''' ({{lang-de\|Brandenburger}}) were members of the Brandenburg German Special Forces unit during [[World War II]]. This elite division of the [[Abwehr]] is a shining paragon for Special Forces around the world even today. Units of ''Brandenburger''s operated in almost all fronts – the [[Poland campaign]], [[Operation Weserübung]] ([[Denmark]] and [[Norway]]), in the [[Battle of France]], in [[Operation Barbarossa\|Operation ''Barbarossa'']], in [[Finland]], [[Greece]] and the [[Battle of Crete]], [[Romania]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Yugoslavia]]. Some units were sent to infiltrate [[India]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Middle East]] countries and [[South Africa]]. They also trained for Operation Felix (the planned seizure of [[Gibraltar]]), and Operation Sea Lion (the planned invasion of [[Great Britain]]). The unit had stunning successes early in the war acting as advance units that captured strategic bridges, tunnels and rail yards in [[Poland]] and the [[Netherlands]].

	== Origins and development ==		== Origins and development ==
	[[File:Canaris zu Besuch in Brandenburg, zu seiner Linken Dr Hippel, zu seiner Rechten Regimentsführer Major Kewisch.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|[[Wilhelm Canaris]] in Brandenburg an der Havel visiting the Brandenburgers 1940; with ''[[Stahlhelm]]'' Dr. Theodor von Hippel, to the left Major Kewisch, delegated with the leadership of the Bau-Lehr-Regiment z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“. Von Hippel was now to organize the 1st battalion of the new and larger Bau-Lehr-Regiment z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, which he did until Oktober 1940.]]		[[File:Canaris zu Besuch in Brandenburg, zu seiner Linken Dr Hippel, zu seiner Rechten Regimentsführer Major Kewisch.png\|thumb\|300px\|[[Wilhelm Canaris]] in Brandenburg an der Havel visiting the Brandenburgers 1940; with ''[[Stahlhelm]]'' Dr. Theodor von Hippel, to the left Major Kewisch, delegated with the leadership of the Bau-Lehr-Regiment z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“. Von Hippel was now to organize the 1st battalion of the new and larger Bau-Lehr-Regiment z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, which he did until Oktober 1940.]]
	[[File:Well-camouflaged Brandenburger.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|A "''shadow warrior''" of the Brandenburgers. Their specialty: ''Camouflaging and Deluding'']]		[[File:Well-camouflaged Brandenburger.png\|thumb\|300px\|A "''shadow warrior''" of the Brandenburgers. Their specialty: ''Camouflaging and Deluding'']]
	* Bataillon „Ebbinghaus“ from the „Industrieschutz-Oberschlesien“, 1939		* Bataillon „Ebbinghaus“ from the „Industrieschutz-Oberschlesien“, 1939
	* Bau-Lehr-Kompanie z. b. V. → Deutsche Kompanie z. b. V. → Bau-Lehr-Kompanie (D. K.) z. b. V. as of 15 October 1939		* Bau-Lehr-Kompanie z. b. V. → Deutsche Kompanie z. b. V. → Bau-Lehr-Kompanie (D. K.) z. b. V. as of 15 October 1939
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	==History==		==History==
	[[File:Brandenburgers 1.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Secret Unit of Brandenburgers--taking a break between missions]]		[[File:Brandenburgers 1.png\|thumb\|300px\|Secret Unit of Brandenburgers--taking a break between missions]]
	[[File:Ein Brandenburger in Zivil mit Fallschirmjägern nach dem verwegenen und erfolgreichen Unternehmen „Morgenröte“, Mai 1940.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|A Brandenburger in civilian clothes with [[German paratroopers\|paratroopers of the Luftwaffe]] after the daring and successful Operation "Dawn", May 1940]]		[[File:Ein Brandenburger in Zivil mit Fallschirmjägern nach dem verwegenen und erfolgreichen Unternehmen „Morgenröte“, Mai 1940.png\|thumb\|300px\|A Brandenburger in civilian clothes with [[German paratroopers\|paratroopers of the Luftwaffe]] after the daring and successful Operation "Dawn", May 1940]]
	[[File:Brandenburgers, Paratrooper of Russian descent.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Paratrooper of the Brandenburgers, a Slavic volunteer in the uniform of a [[Fallschirmjäger]] with Maschinen Pistole 40 [[MP40]].]]		[[File:Brandenburgers, Paratrooper of Russian descent.png\|thumb\|300px\|Paratrooper of the Brandenburgers, a Slavic volunteer in the uniform of a [[Fallschirmjäger]] with Maschinen Pistole 40 [[MP40]].]]
	During World War I, the legacy of German [[Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck\|General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck's]] superb guerrilla war in East Africa and [[T. E. Lawrence]]'s use of Arab hit-and-run tactics to fight the Turks in the Middle East made a profound mark upon one of Lettow-Vorbeck's junior officers, a young captain named Theodore von Hippel. The unit was the brainchild of Hauptmann (Captain) [[Theodor von Hippel]] who, after having his idea rejected by the traditionalist [[Reichswehr]], approached Admiral [[Wilhelm Canaris]], commander of the German Intelligence Service, the [[Abwehr]].		During World War I, the legacy of German [[Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck\|General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck's]] superb guerrilla war in East Africa and [[T. E. Lawrence]]'s use of Arab hit-and-run tactics to fight the Turks in the Middle East made a profound mark upon one of Lettow-Vorbeck's junior officers, a young captain named Theodore von Hippel. The unit was the brainchild of Hauptmann (Captain) [[Theodor von Hippel]] who, after having his idea rejected by the traditionalist [[Reichswehr]], approached Admiral [[Wilhelm Canaris]], commander of the German Intelligence Service, the [[Abwehr]].

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	=== Evolution ===		=== Evolution ===
	[[File:2RgtBRzbV800.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Troop badge, 2nd Regiment "Brandenburg" Special Unit; The sword stands for ''battle'', the question mark stands for a secretive ''incognito'']]		[[File:2RgtBRzbV800.png\|thumb\|300px\|Troop badge, 2nd Regiment "Brandenburg" Special Unit; The sword stands for ''battle'', the question mark stands for a secretive ''incognito'']]
	[[File:Küstenjäger der Brandenburger in Dalmatien, Unternehmen Delphin 1943.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Coastal Raiders of the ''Meeres- und Küstenjägerabteilung'' during the Operation "Delphin", an anti-partisan operation ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Bandenbek%C3%A4mpfung ''Bandenbekämpfung'']) in Croatia from 15 November until 1 December 1943 together with the 114. Jäger-Division (main force) of the [[Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)\|Luftwaffe]], the 264. Infanterie-Division (elements) and [[Kriegsmarine]] (Flak-cruiser "Niobe", 1 destroyer, several gunboats, 2 armed steamers, 3 Siebel ferries and numerous smaller ships, boats and landing craft). Objective: To mop up partisan elements on the Dalmatian islands facing Zadar and Sibenik in Central Dalmatia (Ugljan, Pašman, Iž, Sestrunj, Kornat, Zut, Dugi Otok and Molat). The ''Küstenjäger'' were the first to land during the dark, killing the guards and conquering tactical positions. The amphibious operation ran according to plan but most of the partisans avoided battle with the German forces. Some of them fleeing to the island of Vis farther out into the Adriatic. The rest were all killed.]]		[[File:Küstenjäger der Brandenburger in Dalmatien, Unternehmen Delphin 1943.png\|thumb\|300px\|Coastal Raiders of the ''Meeres- und Küstenjägerabteilung'' during the Operation "Delphin", an anti-partisan operation ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Bandenbek%C3%A4mpfung ''Bandenbekämpfung'']) in Croatia from 15 November until 1 December 1943 together with the 114. Jäger-Division (main force) of the [[Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)\|Luftwaffe]], the 264. Infanterie-Division (elements) and [[Kriegsmarine]] (Flak-cruiser "Niobe", 1 destroyer, several gunboats, 2 armed steamers, 3 Siebel ferries and numerous smaller ships, boats and landing craft). Objective: To mop up partisan elements on the Dalmatian islands facing Zadar and Sibenik in Central Dalmatia (Ugljan, Pašman, Iž, Sestrunj, Kornat, Zut, Dugi Otok and Molat). The ''Küstenjäger'' were the first to land during the dark, killing the guards and conquering tactical positions. The amphibious operation ran according to plan but most of the partisans avoided battle with the German forces. Some of them fleeing to the island of Vis farther out into the Adriatic. The rest were all killed.]]
	[[Image:KC-w-OL.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves]]		[[Image:KC-w-OL.png\|thumb\|300px\|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves]]
	[[File:Jägerregiment 2, Panzergrenadier Division Brandenburg, 1944.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Sleeve stripe and ''Jägerregiment'' badge]]		[[File:Jägerregiment 2, Panzergrenadier Division Brandenburg, 1944.png\|thumb\|300px\|Sleeve stripe and ''Jägerregiment'' badge]]
	The original battalion consisted of four companies, organised along ethnic 'Front' lines, as shown below. The battalion also included a Motorcycle platoon and a ''Fallschirm''-platoon (Paratroopers).		The original battalion consisted of four companies, organised along ethnic 'Front' lines, as shown below. The battalion also included a Motorcycle platoon and a ''Fallschirm''-platoon (Paratroopers).

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	== Sub-Battalions==		== Sub-Battalions==
	[[File:Bergmann Battalion.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Bergmann Battalion]]		[[File:Bergmann Battalion.png\|thumb\|300px\|Bergmann Battalion]]
	===Bergmann Battalion===		===Bergmann Battalion===

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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	[[File:Spearhead 13 Brandenburgers.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|260px\|Ian Westwell: ''Brandenburgers - The Third Reich's Special Forces'']]		[[File:Spearhead 13 Brandenburgers.png\|thumb\|260px\|Ian Westwell: ''Brandenburgers - The Third Reich's Special Forces'']]
	* [[Otto Skorzeny]]		* [[Otto Skorzeny]]
	* [[SS-Jagdverband Mitte]]		* [[SS-Jagdverband Mitte]]

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "nationalist" to "fascist"

2024-02-15T18:49:33Z

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	On 8 May 1940 (two days before ''[[Fall Gelb]]''), commandos of the “Kürschner” unit were smuggled into France, Belgium and the Netherlands in half and full camouflage. With semi-camouflage, when approaching the object, enemy uniform parts or civilian clothes were worn over the German uniform. This camouflage was removed before the actual battle. One spoke of full camouflage when the enemy's complete uniform was also worn during combat. In the case of mixed camouflage, only some of the soldiers appeared in enemy uniforms, while the majority in German uniforms were escorted through enemy lines by the former, mostly as alleged German prisoners or deserters. The deportees then hid weapons and ammunition in or under their uniforms. Enemy weapons and vehicles were also used for camouflage purposes. How this equipment were used was left to the respective operational leaders, who were solely responsible for planning an operation. On 9 May 1940, the operational order of the XXVI. Army Corps (Army Group B, 18th Army) was received, whereupon camouflage clothing, weapons and equipment were issued to the task forces. At 11 p.m., all five squads began the march to their respective targets.		On 8 May 1940 (two days before ''[[Fall Gelb]]''), commandos of the “Kürschner” unit were smuggled into France, Belgium and the Netherlands in half and full camouflage. With semi-camouflage, when approaching the object, enemy uniform parts or civilian clothes were worn over the German uniform. This camouflage was removed before the actual battle. One spoke of full camouflage when the enemy's complete uniform was also worn during combat. In the case of mixed camouflage, only some of the soldiers appeared in enemy uniforms, while the majority in German uniforms were escorted through enemy lines by the former, mostly as alleged German prisoners or deserters. The deportees then hid weapons and ammunition in or under their uniforms. Enemy weapons and vehicles were also used for camouflage purposes. How this equipment were used was left to the respective operational leaders, who were solely responsible for planning an operation. On 9 May 1940, the operational order of the XXVI. Army Corps (Army Group B, 18th Army) was received, whereupon camouflage clothing, weapons and equipment were issued to the task forces. At 11 p.m., all five squads began the march to their respective targets.

	The actual Operation "Dawn" or [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Unternehmen_%E2%80%9EMorgenr%C3%B6te%E2%80%9C ''Unternehmen „Morgenröte“''] (Maas/Maas-Waal Canal) was the audacious capture of eight Maas bridges on the night of 9 to 10 May 1940 (before the start of the western campaign or the [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Sturm_auf_die_Festung_Eben-Emael storming of Eben Emael]) by less than 50 commandos of the Brandenburgers and [[Dutch]] combat interpreters (''Kampfdolmetscher'') of the right-wing ~~nationalist~~ [[Anton Mussert\|Mussert movement]]. In particular, the capture of the railway bridge at Gennep was of immense importance. This bridge was taken by only seven men (five German "deserteurs" and two Dutch "gendarmes") in mixed camouflage and equipped with the appropriate legends.		The actual Operation "Dawn" or [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Unternehmen_%E2%80%9EMorgenr%C3%B6te%E2%80%9C ''Unternehmen „Morgenröte“''] (Maas/Maas-Waal Canal) was the audacious capture of eight Maas bridges on the night of 9 to 10 May 1940 (before the start of the western campaign or the [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Sturm_auf_die_Festung_Eben-Emael storming of Eben Emael]) by less than 50 commandos of the Brandenburgers and [[Dutch]] combat interpreters (''Kampfdolmetscher'') of the right-wing fascist [[Anton Mussert\|Mussert movement]]. In particular, the capture of the railway bridge at Gennep was of immense importance. This bridge was taken by only seven men (five German "deserteurs" and two Dutch "gendarmes") in mixed camouflage and equipped with the appropriate legends.

	The commando squad, led by Oberleutnant [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Walther,_Wilhelm Wilhelm Walther], who later received the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]], succeeded in first eliminating or capturing a Dutch guard and then an entire platoon of Dutchmen and destroying three bunkers. Shortly thereafter, a German armored train appeared to finally secure the bridge. The capture of the bridge at Gennep was of great operational importance. The 9th Panzer Division was able to cross the Maas on it and a few days later established contact with the German paratroopers under the command of Captain [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Prager,_Fritz Fritz Prager] who had landed near Moerdijk.		The commando squad, led by Oberleutnant [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Walther,_Wilhelm Wilhelm Walther], who later received the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]], succeeded in first eliminating or capturing a Dutch guard and then an entire platoon of Dutchmen and destroying three bunkers. Shortly thereafter, a German armored train appeared to finally secure the bridge. The capture of the bridge at Gennep was of great operational importance. The 9th Panzer Division was able to cross the Maas on it and a few days later established contact with the German paratroopers under the command of Captain [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Prager,_Fritz Fritz Prager] who had landed near Moerdijk.

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "\[\[Cat(.)Military(.)\]\]" to ""

2024-02-13T09:19:33Z

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	~~[[Category:Military]]~~
	[[Category:Luftwaffe]]		[[Category:Luftwaffe]]
	[[Category:Wehrmacht]]		[[Category:Wehrmacht]]

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	~~[[Category:German]]~~
	[[Category:Military]]		[[Category:Military]]
	[[Category:Luftwaffe]]		[[Category:Luftwaffe]]
	[[Category:Wehrmacht]]		[[Category:Wehrmacht]]
	[[Category:European history]]		[[Category:European history]]
	~~[[Category:Germany]]~~
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	[[Category:WWII operations]]		[[Category:WWII operations]]
	~~[[Category:Military units and formations of Germany in World War II]]~~
	[[de:Die Brandenburger (Spezialeinheit)]]		[[de:Die Brandenburger (Spezialeinheit)]]

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "Category:German " to "Category:"

2024-02-08T07:07:29Z

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	[[Category:~~German~~ espionage]]		[[Category:espionage]]
	[[Category:~~German~~ WWII operations]]		[[Category:WWII operations]]
	[[Category:Military units and formations of Germany in World War II]]		[[Category:Military units and formations of Germany in World War II]]
	[[de:Die Brandenburger (Spezialeinheit)]]		[[de:Die Brandenburger (Spezialeinheit)]]