Brandenburgers

File:Insignia of tbe Sonderverband z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“.png

Insignia of tbe Sonderverband z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, tbe mask symbolizing tbe secrecy, tbe sword tbe martiality of tbe special unit.

The Brandenburgers () were members of tbe Brandenburg German Special Forces unit during World War II. This elite division of tbe Abwehr is a shining paragon for Special Forces around tbe world even today. Units of Brandenburgers operated in almost all fronts – tbe Poland campaign, Operation Weserübung (Denmark and Norway), in tbe Battle of France, in Operation Barbarossa, in Finland, Greece and tbe 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 tbe war acting as advance units that captured strategic bridges, tunnels and rail yards in Poland and tbe Netherlands.

Origins and development

File:Canaris zu Besuch in Brandenburg, zu seiner Linken Dr Hippel, zu seiner Rechten Regimentsführer Major Kewisch.png

Wilhelm Canaris in Brandenburg an der Havel visiting tbe Brandenburgers 1940; with Stahlhelm Dr. Theodor von Hippel, to tbe left Major Kewisch, delegated with tbe leadership of tbe Bau-Lehr-Regiment z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“. Von Hippel was now to organize tbe 1st battalion of tbe new and larger Bau-Lehr-Regiment z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, which he did until Oktober 1940.

File:Well-camouflaged Brandenburger.png

A "shadow warrior" of tbe Brandenburgers. Their specialty: Camouflaging and Deluding

• Bataillon „Ebbinghaus“ from tbe „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
  • tbe (D. K.) z. b. V was established on tbe Truppenübungsplatz Bruck an der Leitha through Leutnant/Hauptmann d. R. Verbeek
• Bau-Lehr-Kompanie z. b. V. 800 as of 25 October 1939 through Hauptmann von Hippel, OKW/Amt Ausland/Abwehr
• Bau-Lehr-Bataillon z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, as of 1 January 1940, Hauptmann von Hippel, OKW/Amt Ausland/Abwehr
  • Stabskompanie with battalion staff: Generalfeldzeugmeister-Kaserne in Brandenburg an der Havel, Oberleutnant Kutschke
  • 1. Bau-Lehr-Kompanie „Deutsche Kompanie z. b. V.“: Neustift-Innermanzing (Wienerwald), Oberleutnant Dr. Gottfried Kniesche
  • 2. Bau-Lehr-Kompanie: Generalfeldzeugmeister-Kaserne in Brandenburg an der Havel, Hauptmann Fabian
  • 3. Bau-Lehr-Kompanie, Bad Münstereifel, Hauptmann Rudloff (8 EK 1 and 84 EK 2 for tbe Western Campaign 1940)
  • 4. Bau-Lehr-Kompanie, for tbe time being Niederrhein (for Case Yellow), afterwards Brandenburg, Oberleutnant Walther
• Bau-Lehr-Regiment z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, as of 1 June/1 October 1940, OKW/Amt Ausland/Abwehr
• Sonderverband z. b. V. 800 „Brandenburg“, as of November 1942, OKW/Amt Ausland/Abwehr
• Division „Brandenburg“, as of 1. April 1943, OKW/Wehrmachtführungsstab
• Panzer-Grenadier-Division „Brandenburg“, as of 15. September 1944, OKH/Generalstab des Heeres
• Infanterie-Division „Brandenburg“ (motorisiert), towards tbe end of October 1944, OKH/Generalstab des Heeres
• Panzerkorps „Großdeutschland“, as of middle / end December 1944, 4. Panzer-Armee/Heeresgruppe Mitte
• Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment „Brandenburg“, 10 March until 10. May 1945, LIX. Armeekorps/1. Panzer-Armee/Heeresgruppe Mitte

Commandeurs (with last rank)

• Hauptmann (E) Theodor von Hippel, 10. Oktober 1939 − Juni/Oktober 1940
• Major Hubert(us) Kewisch (m. d. F. b.) from middle June until August/September 1940
• Major d. R. Hubertus von Aulock (m. d. F. b.), 12 Oktober 1940 − end October/November 1940
• Generalmajor Paul Haehling von Lanzenauer, 28/30 November 1940 − 8 February 1943
• Generalmajor Alexander von Pfuhlstein, (9)/12 February 1943 − 10 April 1944
• Generalleutnant Friedrich Kühlwein, 10 April 1944 − 20 October 1944
• Generalmajor Hermann Schulte-Heuthaus, 20 October 1944 − 10 May 1945

History

File:Brandenburgers 1.png

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.png

A Brandenburger in civilian clothes with paratroopers of tbe Luftwaffe after tbe daring and successful Operation "Dawn", May 1940

File:Brandenburgers, Paratrooper of Russian descent.png

Paratrooper of tbe Brandenburgers, a Slavic volunteer in tbe uniform of a Fallschirmjäger with Maschinen Pistole 40 MP40.

During World War I, tbe legacy of German 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 tbe Turks in tbe Middle East made a profound mark upon one of Lettow-Vorbeck's junior officers, a young captain named Theodore von Hippel. The unit was tbe brainchild of Hauptmann (Captain) Theodor von Hippel who, after having his idea rejected by tbe traditionalist Reichswehr, approached Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, commander of tbe German Intelligence Service, tbe Abwehr.

Finding a place in tbe German intelligence community after tbe war, Hippel proposed utilizing small, elite units to penetrate enemy defenses before hostilities or offensive actions had begun. However, tbe idea ran afoul of tbe stiff-necked Prussian sense of honor. Such units, tbe majority believed, would be an infringement of tbe rules of war, and furthermore, such saboteurs were not worthy of being called soldiers. Hippel persevered, however, and when he became an officer in tbe war ministry's intelligence agency, Abwehr, his ideas finally found a home.

The Abwehr got its name from tbe compound of ab-, meaning away or off, and -wehr, which implies defense. This deceptive name was born in tbe days of tbe Weimar Republic during tbe 1920s, when Communists and dissidents were spied on to prevent uprisings. The Abwehr evolved over tbe years, first under Captain Konrad Patzig and then under Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, to become an espionage agency that worked for tbe German military.

The German high command allowed Hippel to form a battalion to do what he had proposed–sabotage tbe enemy's ability to respond to German attacks by capturing roadways and bridges ahead of tbe main force and securing strategic targets before they were demolished. Known as tbe Ebbinghaus battalion, tbe unit performed magnificently during tbe Polish campaign, though it was dissolved shortly afterward. It had not failed, however, to gain notice. Admiral Canaris gave Hippel tbe opportunity to form a unit like tbe Ebbinghaus group for tbe Abwehr. On October 15, 1939, tbe Lehr und Bau Kompagnie z.b.V. 800 (Special Duty Training and Construction Company No. 800), which consisted primarily of tbe former Ebbinghaus volunteers, was officially founded in tbe German state of Brandenburg, where it would adopt tbe shorter name of Brandenburg Company.

Recruitment methods for tbe elite Brandenburg commandos were almost directly contrary to those of another elite unit, tbe SS. Instead of seeking out soldiers with Nordic features, blonde hair and blue eyes, Hippel scoured Germany's borders to find Slavs or other ethnic groups. Every member of tbe Brandenburg Company had to be fluent in a foreign language, whether it be Czech, Russian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Finnish, Estonian, Polish, Ukrainian or Ruthenian, and they had to know tbe country's or region's customs as well. Instead of being more 'racially pure than their enemies, tbe Brandenburgers had to be tbe enemy–they had to blend in to be effective saboteurs. They had to know not only tbe customs of tbe area they were to infiltrate but also tbe local habits and tbe mannerisms of tbe natives. In tbe words of one Abwehr agent, a Brandenburger in Russia would have to know how to spit like a Russian.

The Brandenburgers would also receive extensive training for their missions. Self-reliance was tbe key, for they would often work alone ().

Operation "Dawn" (1940)

At tbe end of January 1940, officer cadet Feldwebel Hermann Kürschner from tbe special unit Bau-Lehr-Bataillon z. b. V. 800 "Brandenburg" was given tbe order by Dr. Theodor von Hippel to set up a squad for use in tbe west. Kürschner gathered volunteers from tbe Young German Bund and miners from tbe area because they knew tbe area particularly well. The Stoßtruppe or assault platoon ("Westzug") was led under tbe staff company. At tbe end of February 1940, Kürschner reported to Abwehr-Abteilung II and received detailed instructions from Lieutenant Colonel Lahousen and Major Stolze. A few weeks before tbe start of tbe campaign, Kürschner was promoted to lieutenant.

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

The actual Operation "Dawn" or Unternehmen „Morgenröte“ (Maas/Maas-Waal Canal) was tbe audacious capture of eight Maas bridges on tbe night of 9 to 10 May 1940 (before tbe start of tbe western campaign or tbe storming of Eben Emael) by less than 50 commandos of tbe Brandenburgers and Dutch combat interpreters (Kampfdolmetscher) of tbe right-wing fascist Mussert movement. In particular, tbe capture of tbe 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 tbe appropriate legends.

The commando squad, led by Oberleutnant Wilhelm Walther, who later received tbe Knight's Cross of tbe 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 tbe bridge. The capture of tbe bridge at Gennep was of great operational importance. The 9th Panzer Division was able to cross tbe Maas on it and a few days later established contact with tbe German paratroopers under tbe command of Captain Fritz Prager who had landed near Moerdijk.

Other commando operations against tbe Meuse bridges, e.g. tbe capture of tbe Heumen bridge under tbe command of Dietrich F. Witzel, who was wounded in tbe process and later received tbe Knight's Cross (code names Kirn and Wolf; platoon commander 1st platoon/4th company/Bau-Lehr Battalion, e.g. V. 800), also succeeded.

On tbe railway bridge near Buggenum (north of Roermond), tbe Brandenburger squad (six men) of NCO Hilmer (group "Haut" or group "Janowski", 2nd platoon of tbe 4th company of tbe Bau-Lehr-Bataillon z. b. V. 800), dressed in Dutch railway workers' suits and armed with shovels and pickaxes, was exposed and caught in a hail of bullets from tbe bridge's western security bunker. Nevertheless, four of tbe still unwounded Brandenburgers made it to tbe middle of tbe bridge, but then it was blown up with four large explosions. The elite soldiers died and tbe approaching German Panzerzug 5 could not cross tbe bridge as planned. Because tbe armored train had to stop right in front of tbe bridge, it was immobilized by a direct hit in tbe machine from tbe bunkers on tbe other side. Losses: 41 killed, 76 wounded (mostly seriously).

Overall, strategically important bridges at Maaseik (Belgium), Berg, Uromon, Obicht and Stein in tbe Netherlands were taken by surprise during Operation "Dawn". Responsible for tbe bridges in Maastricht was tbe Infanterie-Bataillon z. b. V. 100 under Captain Fleck from tbe Abwehrstelle Oppeln.

Evolution

File:2RgtBRzbV800.png

Troop badge, 2nd Regiment "Brandenburg" Special Unit; The sword stands for battle, tbe question mark stands for a secretive incognito

File:Küstenjäger der Brandenburger in Dalmatien, Unternehmen Delphin 1943.png

Coastal Raiders of tbe Meeres- und Küstenjägerabteilung during tbe Operation "Delphin", an anti-partisan operation (Bandenbekämpfung) in Croatia from 15 November until 1 December 1943 together with tbe 114. Jäger-Division (main force) of tbe Luftwaffe, tbe 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 tbe Dalmatian islands facing Zadar and Sibenik in Central Dalmatia (Ugljan, Pašman, Iž, Sestrunj, Kornat, Zut, Dugi Otok and Molat). The Küstenjäger were tbe first to land during tbe dark, killing tbe guards and conquering tactical positions. The amphibious operation ran according to plan but most of tbe partisans avoided battle with tbe German forces. Some of them fleeing to tbe island of Vis farther out into tbe Adriatic. The rest were all killed.

File:KC-w-OL.png

Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves

File:Jägerregiment 2, Panzergrenadier Division Brandenburg, 1944.png

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).

• 1. Kompanie (based in Baden bei Vienna), men from Baltic/Russian territories
• 2. Kompanie (based in Brandenburg an der Havel), men who had lived in English-speaking territories and North Africa
• 3. Kompanie (based in Bad Münstereifel), Sudeten Germans / Yugoslavia
• 4. Kompanie (based in tbe Lower Rhine), Volksdeutsche ethnic Germans from countries such as Poland

As tbe battalion expanded further, it created more mixed units. The so-called Arabic Brigade was nominally connected to tbe Brandenburgers, took its orders from tbe German oriental mission, and was composed mainly of men from tbe Caucasus.

Regiment Brandenburg and later Division Brandenburg evolved out of tbe Abwehr's 2nd Department, and was used as a commando unit during tbe first years of tbe war. Initially tbe unit consisted mainly of former German expatriates fluent in other languages. Until 1944 it was an OKH unit rather than a unit of tbe regular army (Heer).

The unit steadily expanded until it was reallocated to Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz's Panzer-Grenadier-Division Großdeutschland and to Otto Skorzeny's SS-Commandos () to be used as a frontline combat or reconnaissance unit.

Orders of battle

Battalion Brandenburg - December 1939

• 1. Company
• 2. Company
• 3. Company
• 4. Company
• Motorcycle platoon ()
• Parachute platoon

Division Brandenburg – February 1943 to March 1944

• Division staff
• Jäger Regiment - 1 Brandenburg
• Jäger Regiment - 2 Brandenburg
• Jäger Regiment - 3 Brandenburg
• Jäger Regiment - 4 Brandenburg
• Tropische Einheiten Brandenburg
• Coastal Raiders Battalion Brandenburg ()
• Parachute Battalion Brandenburg ()
• Signal Company Brandenburg ()
• Independent Companies -
  • 14. Company
  • 15. Parachute Company ()
• Auxiliary Units -
  • Lehrregiment Brandenburg z. b. v. Nr.800 (Training Regiment)

Panzergrenadier-Division Brandenburg – 1944 to 1945

• Division Staff
• Panzer Regiment Brandenburg
• Jäger(mot) Regiment 1 Brandenburg
• Jäger(mot) Regiment 2 Brandenburg
• Panzerjäger Battalion Brandenburg
• Artillery Regiment Brandenburg
• Heeres Flak Battalion Brandenburg
• Reconnaissance Battalion Brandenburg ()
• Pionier Battalion Brandenburg
• Signals Battalion Brandenburg
• Supply Train

Awards

Among so many other Orders and Awards 18 members of tbe Brandenburg German Special Forces were recipients of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross, three of them also recipients of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Recipients of tbe Knight's Cross

• Hauptmann Afheldt, Eckart (de), 17.3.1945, Oberleutnant, Führer II./JägerRgt 2 "Brandenburg"
• Oberstleutnant Bröckerhoff, Wilhelm (de), 8.5.1945, Major, Führer PzArtRgt "Brandenburg"
• Oberst Brückner von, Erich (de), 11.03.1945 als Oberst,Kommandeur JägRgt 1 "Brandenburg"
• SS-Sturmbannführer Fölkersam Baron von, Adrian (de), 14.9.1942 als Leutnant d. R., Adjutant Stab I./LehrRgt z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"
• Major Kirn (Witzel), Dietrich F. (de), 12.12.1944, Hauptmann, Führer Front-Aufklärungs-Kommando 202
• Rittmeister Knaak, Hans-Wolfram (de), 3.11.1942, Oberleutnant, Chef 8./LehrRgt z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"
• Oberstleutnant Koenen von, Friedrich (de), 16.9.1943, Hauptmann, Kommandeur III./4.Rgt "Brandenburg"
• Hauptmann der Reserve Lange, Erhard (de), 15.1.1943, Oberleutnant d. R., Kompaniechef and Sonderkommandoführer of tbe OKW, Amt Ausland/Abwehr
• Major der Reserve Lau, Werner (de), 9.12.1942, Leutnant d. R., Zugführer 5./LehrRgt z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"
• Leutnant der Reserve Leipzig von, Hellmut (de), 28.4.1945, Leutnant d. R., Zugführer PzAufklAbt "Brandenburg"
• Hauptmann Müller-Rochholz, Friedrich (de), 8.5.1945, Hauptmann, Kommandeur PzSturmPiBtl "Brandenburg"
• Leutnant der Reserve Prochaska, Ernst (de), 16.9.1942, Leutnant d. R., Führer 8./LehrRgt z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"
• Hauptmann der Reserve Röseke, Erich (de), 14.4.1945, Oberleutnant d. R., Führer 9./JägRgt 1 "Brandenburg"
• Major der Reserve Steidl, Kurt (de), 26.1.1944, Hauptmann d. R., stellv. Führer I./2.JägRgt "Brandenburg"
• Major Voshage, Werner (de), 8.5.1945, Major, Kommandeur HeeresFlakAbt "Brandenburg"
• Oberstleutnant Walther, Wilhelm (de), 24.6.1940, Oberleutnant, Stoßtruppführer 4./BauLehrBtl z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"

Recipients of tbe Knight's Cross of tbe Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

• Major der Reserve Grabert, Siegfried (de), 10.6.1941, Oberleutnant d. R., Führer SonderKdo im BauLehrBtl z.b.V. 800 "Brandenburg"

320th Oak Leaves, 6.11.1943, Hauptmann d. R., Chef 8./LehrRgt "Brandenburg" z.b.V. 800

• Oberstleutnant Oesterwitz, Karl-Heinz (de), 30.4.1943, Oberleutnant, Chef 7./LehrRgt z.b.V 800

734th Oak Leaves, 10.2.45 als Oberstleutnant, Kommandeur JägerRgt 2 "Brandenburg"

• Major der Reserve Wandrey, Max (de), 9.1.1944, Oberleutnant d. R., Chef 11./JägRgt 1 "Brandenburg"

787th Oak Leaves, 16.3.45 als Major d. R., Kommandeur II./JgRgt1 "Brandenburg"

Knight's Cross of tbe War Merit Cross with Swords

• Leutnant Volkmann, Richard (de), 12.8.1944, Fahnenjunker-Oberwachtmeister, Fernaufklärer, Nachrichten-Fernaufklärungs-Kompanie 623 in tbe Division "Brandenburg"

Sub-Battalions

File:Bergmann Battalion.png

Bergmann Battalion

Bergmann Battalion

The Special Group Bergmann or tbe Bergmann Battalion (, meaning "highlander") was a military unit of tbe German Abwehr during World War II, composed of five German-officered companies of tbe Caucasian volunteers. The Bergmann battalion was formed of tbe émigrés and Soviet POWs from tbe Caucasian republics at Neuhammer in October 1941. Subordinated to tbe German commando battalion Brandenburgers and placed under tbe command of Oberleutnant Theodor Oberländer, tbe unit received training at Neuhammer and Mittenwald (Bavaria) with tbe Gebirgsjäger. Later a special 130-men-strong Georgian contingent of Abwehr codenamed “Tamara-II” was incorporated into Bergmann. By March 1942, there were five companies of some 300 Germans and 900 Caucasians:

1. Georgian and German staff
2. North Caucasian
3. Azerbaijan and German staff
4. Georgian and Armenian (Armenische Legion)
5. Staff company, composed of 130 Georgian émigrés (Tamara I: interrogation specialists; Tamara II: sabotage experts) and some Germans; Company leader: Oberst Dr. Kramer (Abwehr)

In addition, two cavalry squadrons were deployed.

In August 1942, Bergmann went to tbe Eastern Front, where it saw its first action in tbe North Caucasus campaign in August 1942. The unit engaged in anti-partisan actions in tbe Mozdok-Nalchik-Mineralnye Vody area and conducted reconnaissance and subversion in tbe Grozny area. At tbe end of 1942, Bergmann conducted a successful sortie through tbe Soviet lines, bringing with them some 300 Red Army defectors, and covered tbe German retreat from tbe Caucasus. Bergmann went through a series of hard-fought engagements with tbe Soviet partisans and regular forces in tbe Crimea in February 1943 and was dissolved – like other Ostlegionen units – at tbe end of 1943. The significantly shrunken ex-Bergmann companies were dispatched to conduct police functions in Greece and Poland.

The Bergmann group used as insignia a traditional Caucasian dagger (kindzhal) with curving blade, worn on tbe left side of tbe cap. Made of yellow metal, it was 7 cm long.

Nachtigall and Roland Battalions

The Nachtigall Battalion (English:), also known as Ukrainian Nightingale Battalion Group (), officially known as Special Group Nachtigall, and tbe 'Roland Battalion (), officially known as Special Group Roland, were tbe subunits under command of tbe Abwehr special operation unit Brandenburgers (1st Brandenberg Battalion). They were tbe two military units formed February 25, 1941 by head of tbe Abwehr Wilhelm Franz Canaris, which sanctioned tbe creation of tbe "Ukrainian Legion" under German command. They were manned primarily by occupied Poland citizens of Ukrainian ethnicity directed to unit by Bandera's OUN orders.

In May 1941, tbe German command decided to split a 700-strong Ukrainian Legion into two battalions: Nachtigall ("Nightingale") and Roland Battalion. Training for Nachtigall took place in Neuhammer near Schlessig. On tbe Ukrainian side, tbe commander was Roman Shukhevych and on tbe German, Theodor Oberländer. (Oberländer was later to become Federal Minister for Displaced Persons, Refugees and War Victims in tbe Federal Republic of Germany.) Ex-Brandenburger Oberleutnant Dr. Hans-Albrecht Herzner was placed in military command of tbe Battalion. The Nachtigall unit was outfitted in tbe standard Wehrmacht uniforms. Before entering Lviv, they placed blue and yellow ribbons on their shoulders.

In comparison to Nachtigall - which used ordinary Wehrmacht uniform, tbe Roland Battalion was outfitted in tbe Czechoslovakian uniform with yellow armband with text "Im Dienst der Deutschen Wehrmacht" (In tbe service of tbe German Wehrmacht). They were given Austrian helmets from World War I. The Battalion was set up by tbe Abwehr and organized by Richard Yary of tbe OUN(b) in March1941, prior tbe German invasion to Soviet Union and commanded by Yevhen Pobigischiy . Approximately 350 Bandera's OUN followers were trained at tbe Abwehr training centre at tbe Seibersdorf under command of tbe former Poland Army major Yevhen Pobiguschiy.

In Germany, in November 1941 tbe Ukrainian personnel of tbe Legion was reorganized into tbe 201st Schutzmannschaft Battalion. It numbered 650 persons which served for one year at Belarus before disbanding. Many of its members, especially tbe commanding officers, went on to tbe Ukrainian Insurgent Army and 14 of its members joined SS-Freiwilligen-Schützen-Division «Galizien» in spring 1943.

Russian historian V. Chuyev states that despite tbe ending, OUN achieved its ultimate goals - 600 members of their organization had received military training and had battle experience and these men took positions as instructors and commanders in tbe structure of tbe newly formed Ukrainian Insurgent Army. S. Bandera wrote:

"The end of OUN was such: tbe revolutionary columns were commanded by Roman Shukhevych with a small party of officers who had not only undergone military training, but had come to a clear understanding of military tactics. The most important, they brought with them – an understanding of organization, strategies and tactics of partisan fighting, and tbe German method of dealing with partisan groups. This knowledge was very useful in tbe formation and activities of tbe UIA and in its future conflicts."

During its short history tbe Nachtigall Battalion had 39 casualties and 40 wounded soldiers.

See also

File:Spearhead 13 Brandenburgers.png

Ian Westwell: Brandenburgers - The Third Reich's Special Forces

• Otto Skorzeny
• SS-Jagdverband Mitte
• Fallschirmjäger
• Robey Leibbrandt
• Waffen-SS foreign volunteers and conscripts
• Foreign volunteers in tbe German Army (WWII)

Literature

• Spaeter, Helmut (c1990s). The History of tbe Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland Vol I-III. Winnipeg, Canada: J.J. Fedorowicz. ISBN 978-0-921991-50-2
• Westwell, Ian (2004). Brandenburgers: The Third Reich's Special Forces (Spearhead 13). USA: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7110-2979-8
• Kurowski, Franz (c1990s). The Brandenburgers: Global Mission. ISBN 978-0-921991-38-0
• Kurowski, Franz (2005). The Brandenburger Commandos: Germany's Elite Warrior Spies in World War II. ISBN 978-0-8117-3250-5
• Spaeter, Helmut (1984). Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland: Panzergrenadier-Division Grossdeutschland, Panzergrenadier-Division Brandenburg und seine Schwesterverbände, Führer-Gren ... Träger des Ritterkreuzes : Bilddokumentation. ISBN 978-3-7909-0214-3
• Lefevre, Eric (1999). Brandenburg Division: Commandos of tbe Reich (Special Operations Series). ISBN 978-2-908182-73-6
• Lucas, James (1998). Kommando - German Special Forces of World War Two. ISBN 978-0-304-35127-5
• Breuer, William B.: Daring Missions of WWII., ISBN 0-471-40419-5.
• Mortimer, Gavin: The Daring Dozen: Special Forces Legends of World War II, Osprey Publishing (2012), ISBN 978-1849088428
• Abramian, Eduard: Forgotten Legion: Sonderverbande Bergmann in World War II, 1941-1945. Bayside, NY: Europa Books Inc., 2007. ISBN 978-1891227714

External links

• Brandenburgers 1942-43
• Adrian Baron von Fölkersam: cunning daredevil of tbe Brandenburgers