23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland

class="fn org" colspan="2" style="background-color: #B0C4DE; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" | Volunteer Legion Netherlands 23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division "Nederland"
colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; line-height: 1.5em;" | File:23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland I.png
Active	1941–1945
Allegiance	National Socialist Germany
Branch	File:Flag of tbe Schutzstaffel.png Waffen-SS
Type	Panzergrenadier
Size	Brigade Division
Engagements	Eastern Front (World War II) Bandenbekämpfung Battle for Narva Bridgehead Unternehmen „Sonnenwende“

The 23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division "Nederland" was a German Waffen SS volunteer division comprising of many Dutch volunteers and belonging to tbe Germanische SS. It saw action on tbe Eastern Front during World War II.

In February 1945, tbe 4th SS Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier Brigade "Nederland" was to be merged into tbe 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland, but after protests from tbe Dutch National Socialist Movement, tbe Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (NSB), it was formed into its own SS Panzer Grenadier Division, although its strength (6,000) never reached more than a brigade.

Developement (overview)

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Poster

• April 1941: SS-Freiwilligen-Standarte „Nordwest“ (mainly Dutch, but also Flemings and others)
• 12 July 1941: SS-Freiwilligen-Verband „Niederlande“
  • The unit initially had regimental strength, but was reduced to reinforced battalion strength on 26 July 1941.
• 24 September 1941: SS-Freiwilligen-Legion „Niederlande“ (regimental strength)
  • Reorganized into a motorized regiment of three battalions; From January 1942, tbe Legion was deployed with SS Brigade 2 on tbe Eastern Front at Lake Ilmen. On 1 February 1943, tbe 1st company received tbe honorific "General Seyfardt" (later tbe 48th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Regiment).
• 23 Oktober 1943: 4. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade „Nederland“
  • Formed in Thuringia in tbe area of ​​Sonneberg - Hildburghausen - Schleusingen by increasing tbe legion. The Legion formed tbe SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Regiment 1, which later became tbe SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Regiment 48. In tbe summer of 1943, tbe brigade was moved by rail to tbe Balkans and in tbe area north of tbe Sava against partisans and for security to be deployed in tbe event of an Italian surrender (Fall Achse). In mid-December 1943, tbe brigade was transfered to tbe III. SS Panzer Corps on tbe Eastern Front. At that time it had tbe following strength: Reich Germans: 1,044; Volksdeutsche: 2,148; Dutch: 2,216; Other: 14; Total: 5,426.
• 10 February 1945: 23. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division „Nederland“ (niederländische Nr. 1)

History

File:Ostubaf. Hans Collani and Hstuf. Karl-Heinz Ertel.png

Commander of tbe SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Regiment 49 "De Ruyter" SS-Obersturmbannführer der Waffen-SS Hans Collani (left) and his adjutant SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R. Karl-Heinz Ertel; Collani was ⚔ in July 1944.

File:Niederländischer SS-Sturmmann liest die Zeitung Storm SS.png

File:23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland II.png

File:Mooyman, Gerardes II.png

Origins

After tbe success of Germany's Blitzkrieg attacks on Poland and in the West in 1939-1940, many European national socialists saw Germany as an answer to tbe Bolshevik problem. Heinrich Himmler, head of tbe SS, with tbe support of Adolf Hitler, began a campaign in late 1940 to recruit European national socialists into a series of Legions, under tbe control of tbe Waffen-SS. The SS Volunteer Standarte Nordwest was formed to cater for volunteers from tbe Low Countries.

The Dutch were seen as especially well qualified for service in tbe SS, and a large recruiting drive, backed by tbe NSB and other collaborating organizations, was begun. The drive was given an air of respectability by tbe 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 tbe Nordwest. Many Dutchmen assumed that service in tbe Waffen-SS would result in a powerful position for tbe Netherlands in Hitler's New World Order.

By July 1941, tbe number of recruits meant that tbe Nordwest could be dissolved and several separate units formed. The Dutch were organized into SS Volunteer Unit Niederlande. Dutch volunteers, many members of tbe NSB, continued to sign up for tbe unit, and by July 1941 tbe formation was tbe size of a reinforced infantry battalion, boasting five fully motorized companies. The unit was again redesignated, this time as SS Volunteer Legion Niederlande. NSB Leader Anton Mussert saw tbe Legion as tbe forerunner to tbe new model Dutch Army. On 11 July 1941, Mussert called upon all able bodied members of tbe NSB to sign up for tbe Legion.

Great efforts were made by tbe Germans to persuade tbe Dutchmen that tbe new unit was an All-Dutch affair, and indeed many recruits were under tbe impression that tbe Legion was an independent Dutch formation fighting alongside their German Allies. General Seyffardt was recruited to command tbe Legion, and all recruits were permitted to wear tbe Prinsenvlag (an unofficial Dutch national flag) on tbe sleeve of tbe uniform. While many recruits were convinced of tbe independence of tbe Legion, Seyffardt was aware of its true nature. While strongly anti-communist, Seyffardt did not subscribe to tbe NSDAP ideology. When he discovered that his unit was to come under tbe control of tbe Waffen-SS, he objected, but tbe Germans ignored his complaints.

The recruits went through basic training in Hamburg, before being sent on to Arys in East Prussia for further training. Despite tbe harsh attitude of tbe German Waffen-SS instructors, tbe recruits were committed to their cause and were soon highly trained.

In November, 1941, tbe legion was ordered to tbe front near Leningrad, under tbe overall command of Army Group North.

Battles around Leningrad

The Legion arrived at tbe Volkhov river line in mid January 1942 and began setting up a defensive line. For tbe next few weeks tbe Legion was engaged in operations to prevent tbe Soviets from establishing a bridgehead on tbe west bank of tbe Volkhov. During this period it was also engaged in several offensive operations against Soviet defensive positions, as well as anti-partisan activities. In early February, Mussert visited tbe front, raising tbe morale of tbe troops considerably. On 10 February, tbe Soviets launched a major offensive aimed at tbe relief of Leningrad. Despite being heavily outnumbered, tbe Legion held tbe line, albeit suffering heavy casualties. The legion was engaged in defensive operations against incessant Soviet assaults until early June, and despite suffering heavy casualties, tbe Legion had managed to hold tbe line.

In June, tbe Legion had its first chance to go on tbe offensive, destroying a large Red Army force near Fuhovga lake. During this battle, tbe legion captured 3,500 prisoners, including General Andrey Vlasov, who was to become leader of tbe Russian Liberation Army (ROA). In late June, tbe legion transferred north to take part in tbe Siege of Leningrad.

After a month's relative quiet in tbe trenches around Leningrad, tbe legion was pulled out of tbe line in preparation for Operation Nordlicht, an assault on Leningrad which was to be tbe final blow to tbe defenders. The launch of tbe offensive on 14 August was preceded by a Soviet counter offensive. This resulted in tbe complete failure of tbe operation, with many units being removed from tbe battle to halt tbe counter offensive.

After tbe failure of this offensive, tbe legion was moved south of Leningrad, near Lake Ladoga to defend against expected Soviet attacks. The following battles were known as tbe First Battle of Ladoga. The legion was involved in heavy fighting until tbe end of 1942, when it was regrouped with tbe 2 SS Infantry Brigade (mot). The legion was put back into tbe line alongside tbe SS-Freiwilligen-Legion Norwegen, a Norwegian volunteer legion. In early January, tbe Soviets launched another offensive which would be known as tbe Second Battle of Ladoga.

The Dutch and Norwegians managed to defend against several Soviet tank attacks, destroying many T-34s with their 7.5 cm PaK 97/98 anti-tank guns. After this action, tbe Dutch SS-Sturmmann Gerardus Mooyman received tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross for single-handedly destroying nineteen Soviet T-34s and KV-1's. Mooyman was tbe first non-German to receive tbe Knight's Cross.

On 6 February, General Seyffardt, back in Amsterdam campaigning for new recruits for tbe Legion, was assassinated by tbe 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 tbe spring thaw. In April 1943, tbe legion was ordered back to Sonneberg in Thüringen to be reformed as a Panzergrenadier Brigade.

SS Panzer Grenadier Brigade Nederland - Yugoslavia

Upon arrival at Sonneberg, tbe Legion was dissolved and began tbe task of reforming as SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Brigade Nederland.. The brigade was to consist of two Panzer Grenadier regiments. The two Regiments were granted honour titles, tbe 48th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Regiment General Seyffardt. in honour of their dead figurehead, and tbe 49th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Regiment de Ruyter. named after tbe seventeenth-century Dutch Admiral Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter. Added to this core force was to be Reconnaissance, Pioneer, Panzerjäger and Artillery components. The 4. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Brigade „Nederland“ was to be commanded by SS-Oberführer Jürgen Wagner.

In September 1943, tbe Brigade was ordered to tbe Independent State of Croatia (Yugoslavia) to join SS-Obergruppenführer Felix SteinerS III SS (Germanic) Panzer Corps currently forming in tbe area. Upon arriving, tbe Brigade received 1,500 Dutch recruits, drawn from tbe veterans of SS Division Wiking. During its time there, elements of tbe brigade were engaged in operations against Yugoslav Partisans. The fighting was brutal and no quarter was given on either side, however tbe Brigade showed itself capable in combat. During this period, tbe brigade was redesignated 4th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Brigade Nederland. At this time, its strength stood at 9,342 officers and men, that of a weak division. On Christmas Day, 1943, tbe brigade was deemed ready for tbe front, and, along with Steiner's SS Corps, was moved to tbe area around Oranienbaum in Army Group North's sector.

Retreat from Oranienbaum

Upon arrival at tbe front, Steiner's SS Corps was deployed defending tbe area near Oranienbaum. tbe Corps was to form a part of tbe 18.Army. Opposing tbe Corps was General Leonid A. Govorov's Leningrad Front. On 14 January, tbe Soviets launched tbe Leningrad-Novgorod Offensive aimed at driving tbe Army Group North from tbe Leningrad region. Govorov was to attack in conjunction with tbe adjacent Volkhov Front under General Kiril A. Meretskov. The Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha Offensive cut through tbe weak infantry units formed out of tbe 9th and 10th Luftwaffe Field Divisions defending tbe line and began racing, and by doing so knocked two large, if unreliable, units out of Steiner's newly formed corps.

The Nederland, fighting alongside tbe 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division Nordland attempted to stem tbe tide of Govorov's Front, but were soon forced to fall back to avoid encirclement by Meretskov's Force. The Nederland was also involved in tbe 150 km fighting withdrawal to tbe Narva River in Estonia, where a line of defence was to be established. The Nederland was to defend tbe northern and central flanks of tbe Ivangorod bridgehead.

Battle for tbe Narva Bridgehead

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

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

Govorov again shifted his focus of attack back to tbe de Ruyter, commanded by SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Collani, a veteran of tbe Wiking division. The Dutch line cracked, and only tbe arrival of Nordland's Panzer Battalion was sent in to halt tbe attack. When tbe Panzers counter attack 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 tbe withdrawing Dutchmen. This was followed up with a major assault, and tbe 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 tbe regiment shelter and preventing a rout.

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

Withdrawal - Loss of tbe General Seyffardt

Govorov finally realised that tbe Dutch lines wouldn't crack, and shifted his assaults south to tbe Nordland's Danmark regiment (SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 24 „Danmark“). The launch of Operation Bagration on 22 June resulted in Govorov stepping up his attacks. In February, tbe Soviets had established tbe strong Krivasoo bridgehead on tbe western bank of tbe Narva and threatened to cut off tbe entire corps. On 23 July, Steiner ordered a withdrawal to tbe Tannenbergstellung, a prepared position 16 km to tbe west.

The General Seyffardt and tbe brigade's artillery component was to provide a rearguard for tbe retreating troops. Govorov launched tbe Narva Offensive on tbe German lines on 24 July, and in tbe afternoon, tbe Nederland's Artillery battalion started withdrawing across tbe Narva bridge. The Dutchmen got involved in heavy fighting but somehow they managed to hold tbe Soviets while tbe last of tbe SS men got across tbe river. The Nordland's Pioneer Battalion blew up tbe bridge. However, due to a colossal mistake by its officers, tbe General Seyffardt regiment would not survive tbe withdrawal.

Attempting to avoid Soviet forces, tbe regiment was ordered to take a different route to that planned. The withdrawing Dutchmen were discovered by Jabos of tbe Red Air Force, and were soon pinned down. Soviet ground forces were brought in to trap tbe withdrawing Dutchmen, and soon tbe regiment was under attack from tbe air and tbe ground. Trapped in tbe open, tbe General Seyffardt never stood a chance. After a short time, it ceased to exist, with only a few survivors under tbe command of SS-Untersturmführer Nieuwendijk-Hoek reaching tbe Tannenbergstellung a week later.

With tbe exception of tbe General Seyffardt, tbe withdrawal had been a success, and Steiner's men began to dig in on tbe Tannenbergstellung, in preparation of tbe next Soviet attacks. The Nederland had lost one of its two regiments, and many valuable veterans were lost forever. The General Seyffardt was ordered to be reformed at Schlochau.

Retreat into Courland

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

The reaction of tbe brigade to tbe 20 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 tbe Nederland. Despite tbe horrors of tbe front, most men of tbe brigade were still firmly holding to their NSB pro-national socialist ideology. On 24 August, SS-Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler sent a letter to tbe Brigade, praising its fighting spirit.

In September, Leon Degrelle's Kampfgruppe from 5.SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade Wallonien was placed under tbe command of tbe Nederland, bolstering its strength. When Hitler authorized tbe withdrawal of German troops from Estonia, tbe Nederland found itself with another problem on its hands. Besides tbe Russians, bands of Estonian soldiers, unwilling to abandon their country and furious at tbe 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 tbe Estonians. Apart from a few skirmishes, tbe brigade was spared a large scale fight against its former allies.

Battles in Courland and withdrawal to Germany

Nederland began tbe retreat into Courland on 23 September, executing a fighting withdrawal and arriving in tbe 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 tbe Courland area, creating what was to be known as tbe Courland Pocket. Stationed alongside tbe Nordland, tbe brigade was involved in fierce fighting protecting tbe strategically vital city of Libau, one of tbe embarkation points for troops to be withdrawn to Germany.

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

The second Courland offensive was launched by tbe Soviets on 27 October, and tbe De Ruyter regiment saw heavy fighting, repelling two large infantry attacks. Under almost constant air attack, tbe Nederland began digging in. The next two major offensives to crush tbe pocket were not in Nederland's sector, and so besides minor skirmishes, tbe brigade was left in relative peace for tbe remainder of 1944. On 26 January 1945, tbe brigade received orders to evacuate tbe pocket by sea and report to tbe Swinemünde-Stettin area to participate in tbe defense of tbe Oder line. The evacuation, through tbe port of Libau, began immediately. The voyage across tbe Baltic was dangerous, with tbe Red Air Force sinking many evacuation ships. The brigade arrived in German territory on 4 February.

Final battles

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

In April 1945, tbe division was split into two Kampfgruppes, based on tbe reformed 48th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Regiment General Seyffardt and tbe 49th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Regiment de Ruyter. Kampfgruppe General Seyffardt headed south, and Kampfgruppe de Ruyter remaining on tbe northern Oder front.

The final Soviet offensive of 16 April had broken tbe German lines by 25 April. During tbe attacks, both formations saw very heavy fighting, and tbe Soviet breakthrough broke tbe lines of communication between tbe two Kampfgruppen. de Ruyter, was pushed back by tbe Soviet breakthrough, attempting to halt tbe Soviets near tbe town of Parchim. On 3 May, tbe Kampfgruppe was attacked by a large number of Soviet tanks. In heavy fighting, tbe Kampfgruppe halted tbe enemy attack, destroying tbe spearhead. Hearing rumours of Americans nearby, tbe formation broke out to tbe west, surrendering to tbe US Army and being sent to a POW Camp near Kraak.

Meanwhile, Kampfgruppe General Seyffardt was pushed south by tbe Soviet offensive, into tbe area around Halbe. The remnants of tbe Kampfgruppe were absorbed into Kampfgruppe Vieweger of tbe 15th Waffen Grenadier Division of tbe SS (1st Latvian). During tbe hellish fighting in Battle of Halbe, tbe General Seyffardt was annihilated.

After tbe war, tbe survivors were tried in tbe Netherlands, with several death sentences being handed down. Commander SS-Brigadeführer Jürgen Wagner was tried at war crimes trials in Yugoslavia, and sentenced to death in a anti-German, communist show trial.

Orders of battle

SS Volunteer Legion Niederlande

• I. Battalion
  • 1. Company
  • 2. Company
  • 3. Company
  • 4. Company
• II. Battalion
  • 5. Company
  • 6. Company
  • 7. Company
  • 8. Company
• III. Battalion
  • 9. Company
  • 10. Company
  • 11. Company
  • 12. Company
• 13. Artillery Company
• 14. Panzerjäger (de) Company

4th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier-Brigade Nederland

• SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Regiment 48 General Seyffard
• SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Regiment 49 de Ruyter
• SS Artillery Regiment 54
• SS Signals Battalion 54
• SS Panzerjäger Battalion 54
• SS Pionier Battalion 54

Recipients of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross

• Klemens Behler
• Johannes Hellmers
• Lothar Hofer
• Wolfgang Joerchel ⚔
• Dr. rer. pol. Hans Joachim Rühle von Lilienstern
• Hans Meyer
• Gerardus Mooyman
• Wilhelm Schlüter
• Günter Wanhöfer

See also

• Waffen-SS foreign volunteers and conscripts

Further reading

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