Oberfeldwebel Harri Schroeter

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=200 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="020c8c00dvldtc.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="back"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Heer"><U><B>BACK</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=60 BGCOLOR="#663300" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Oberfeldwebel Harri Schroeter</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=420 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#444444" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1367fa460.jpg" border=0 width="250" height="326" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Photo of Schroeter as a Feldwebel. ca. 1944</B></div> <div> <B>Under Construction</B></div> <div> <B>Description</B></div> <div> <B>LW Soldbuch for Oberfeldwebel Schroeter. Served in "Clausewitz" division at end of war (Pz. Gren.</B></div> <div> <B>Rgt. 42). Awarded Sudentenmedaille, KVK2, Ostmedaille, Bulgarian Soldatenkreuz IV class. Was in a</B></div> <div> <B>naval hospital in May 1945.</B></div> <div> <B>Born: </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Units:</B></div> <div> 00.00.00-00.00.00</div> <div> 00.00.00-00.00.00   Panzer Grenadier Regiment 42, </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1371d50f0.jpg" border=0 width="725" height="527" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="136fd5190.jpg" border=0 width="725" height="537" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Rank:</B></div> <div> 00.00.00   Gefreiter</div> <div> 00.00.00</div> <div> 00.00.00</div> <div> 00.00.00</div> <div> 00.00.00</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1373d50d0.jpg" border=0 width="725" height="525" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Awards:</B></div> <div> 00.00.00   Medaille Zur Erinnerung An Den 1. Oktober 1938 (Commemorative Medal of 1.10.38)</div> <div> 00.00.00   Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwerten (War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords)  </div> <div> 00.00.00   Medaille "Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42" (Winter War Medal 1941/42)</div> <div> 00.00.00   Bulgarisches Soldatenkruez 4. Klasse (Bulgarian Solduers Cross IV. Class)</div> <div> 00.00.00</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="136bd50f0.jpg" border=0 width="725" height="527" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>History:</B></div> <div> <B>1940</B></div> <div> <B>1941</B></div> <div> <B>1942</B></div> <div> <B>1944</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="136d6df80.jpg" border=0 width="365" height="504" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>1945</B></div> <div> <I><B>30 May 45</B></I></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1369d5170.jpg" border=0 width="725" height="535" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> The following information about "Clausewitz" is based on various reports which I found in BA-MA, Freiburg during one of my research trips there. I know that you've been researching various Panzer-topics for many years too, and I want to add this "article" (written by me) to your collection. You can feel free to use this info...</div> <bR> <div> 1 April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> The first indication of the activation of the Panzer Division “Clausewitz” 1,2 was its mention in a document of the German High Command issued on this day.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> 4 April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> The Panzer-Division "Clausewitz" is created in North Germany. It was the last Panzer-Division formed by the German Army and it was a division in name only. Except for its headquarters and its signals battalion it never had its own organic units.</div> <bR> <div> On 4 April 1945 an order (I./5440/45 gk) was issued to create Panzer-Division "Clausewitz" using the 1945 tables of organization and equipment for a "Panzer Division." It was to be formed from Panzer-Ausbildungs-Verband "Großdeutschland," Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" and elements of the 325. Infanterie-Division. It was to be stood up by 8 April 1945. Because Panzer-Ausbildungs-Verband "Großdeutschland" and the 325.Infanterie-Division were already involved in combat, a new order was cut on 6 April 1945 to create the division from other formations. The order contains the following instructions: - Headquarters of Panzer-Division "Clausewitz:" from the headquarters of Panzer-Division "Holstein" (on 6 April 1945 it was located east of Prenzlau where it was used as the headquarters for Panzer-Ausbildungs-Verband "Ostsee")</div> <div> - Versorgungstruppen (logistics elements): from the Versorgungtstruppen of Panzer-Division "Holstein" (a total of 223 men)</div> <div> - (Dismounted) Panzergrenadiere: from Panzergrenadier-Ersatz und Ausbildungs-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle" (Three battalions with a total of 3,321 men. On 6 April 1945 it was in process of movement from Emden to Bremen)</div> <div> - (Dismounted) Panzergrenadiere: from Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42 of the 233.Panzer-Division (on 6 April 1945 it was located in Hanover area)</div> <div> - Combat engineers: from the headquarters of Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 144 of Panzer-Division "Holstein"</div> <div> - SPW-Panzer-Grenadiere: from the II./gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle" (SPW-Bataillon of Panzer-Division "Feldherrnhalle". On 6 April 1945 it was in the Fallingbostel Training Area)</div> <div> - Panzer-Grenadiere: the remnants of Panzergrenadier-Bataillon 2106 of Panzer-Brigade 106 "Feldherrnhalle" (a total of 54 men)*</div> <div> - Armor: the armored elements of Panzer-Brigade 106 "Feldherrnhalle" (a total of 436 men and 25 tanks of various types in different operating conditions*)</div> <div> - The remnants of the 1./Panzerjäger-Abteilung 93 (a total of 29 men)* * - These three formations together formed Panzer-Brigade 106 "Feldherrnhalle"</div> <bR> <div> - Antitank elements: from Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" of Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland" (two companies and one company of Panzer-Abteilung "Potsdam" - a total of 31 assault guns)</div> <div> - Artillery: The personal of Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung 144 of Panzer-Division "Holstein" (on 6 April 1945 it was located in the rear area of Heeresgruppe "Weichsel")</div> <div> - Artillery: The personal of one battery of a towed light field-howitzer battalion of of the 233. Panzer-Division (on 6 April 1945 it was located in the Hanover area as part of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42)</div> <div> - Signals elements: one Nachrichten-Kompanie was to be formed using personal and equipment detailed from of Heeresgruppe "H"</div> <bR> <div> 9 April 1945</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The "Clausewitz Division" had under its control only the headquarters and remnants of Panzer-Brigade 106. The following elements were enroute to the division's assembly area:</div> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42</div> <div> Panzergrenadier Ersatz und Ausbildungs-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle"</div> <div> Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland" (on 8 April 1945 it was in Döberitz)</div> <div> II./gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle" (on 8 April 1945 it was in Fallingbostel)</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> On this day Panzer-Division "Clausewitz" reported the following organization:</div> <bR> <div> Headquarters, Panzer-Division "Clausewitz" with Begleit-Kompanie (mot.) "Clausewitz"</div> <div> Gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Clausewitz" (ad-hoc): - Headquarters, Panzer-Brigade 106 with Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <div> Panzer-Abteilung 2106: Headquarters, Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (mot.), Panzer-Kompanie (Panzer V), Panzer-Kompanie (Panzer IV/70), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <div> II./Gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle": Headquarters, three Panzergrenadier-Kompanien (gep.), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42: - Headquarters with Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (dismounted) and Panzerjäger-Kompanie (mot Z) (= towed AT company)</div> <div> I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42: Headquarters, Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (dismounted) four dismounted Panzergrenadier-Kompanien</div> <div> II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42: Headquarters, Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (dismounted) four dismounted Panzergrenadier-KompanienBataillon</div> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment (probably Panzergrenadier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle"): - Headquarters</div> <div> I./Panzergrenadier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle": Headquarters, Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (dismounted) four dismounted Panzergrenadier-Kompanien</div> <div> II./Panzergrenadier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle": Headquarters, Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (dismounted) four dismounted Panzergrenadier-Kompanien</div> <div> III./Panzergrenadier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle": Headquarters, Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (dismounted) four dismounted Panzergrenadier-Kompanien</div> <bR> <div> Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung (probably Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung 144) with Headquaters Battery, three batteries of towed light field howitzers and one battery of light field howitzers (without prime movers?)</div> <div> Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland": Headquarters, three Jagdpanzer-Kompanien (StuG), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <div> Panzerjäger-Abteilung 661: Headquarters, Stabsbegleitkompanie (mot.), three Panzerjäger-Kompanie (mot Z)</div> <div> Nachrichten-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <div> Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon (probably Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 144): Headquarters and Stabsbegleitkompanie (mot.) only</div> <div> Versorgungstruppen: Not available</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> 12 April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> The "Clausewitz Division" reported the following organization:</div> <bR> <div> Headquarters, /Panzer-Division "Clausewitz" with BegleitKompanie (mot.) "Clausewitz"</div> <div> Gepanzerte Gruppe: - Headquarters, Panzer-Brigade 106 with Headquarters, Panzer-Abteilung 2106 and Headquarters, Panzerjäger-Abteilung " ? "</div> <div> II./gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle": Headquarters, Stabsbegleit-Kompanie (gep.), three Panzeregrenadier-Kompanien (gep.)</div> <div> Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland": Headquarters, Stabsbegleitkompanie (mot.), three JgPanzer-Kompanie(StuG), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <bR> <div> Ausbildungs-Verband "Feldherrnhalle": - Headquarters, Panzergrenadier-Brigade</div> <div> Panzergrenadier-Bataillon "Feldherrnhalle": Headquarters, three ec</div> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 1": - Headquarters</div> <div> I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 1": Headquarters, four dismounted Panzergrenadier-Kompanien</div> <div> II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 1": same as above</div> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 2": same as a "F 1"</div> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42: - Headquarters with dismounted Stabsbegleitkompanie</div> <div> I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42: Headquarters, dismounted Stabsbegleitkompanie, four four dismounted Panzergrenadier-Kompanien</div> <div> II.Bataillon: same as above</div> <bR> <div> Panzer-Nachrichten-Kompanie "Clausewitz"</div> <div> Headquarters, Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung</div> <div> Headquarters, Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon with dismounted Stabsbegleitkompanie</div> <div> Headquarters, Heeres-Flak-Artillerie-Abteilung 321</div> <div> Versorgungstruppen</div> <bR> <div> During its short existence the division saw action mainly in the Uelzen area, southeast of Hamburg. On 12 April 1945, only the following elements were mentioned as operationally ready: Stab and Begleikompanie of Panzer-Division "Clausewitz"</div> <bR> <div> Gepanzerte Gruppe</div> <bR> <div> I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42</div> <bR> <div> and approximately 1/2 of the Versorgungstruppen.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> 13 April 1945</div> <bR> <bR> <div> On this day Hitler orders Kampfgruppe Putlos, which had been created using personal and equipment from the gunnery school at Putlos in northern Germany, to join the division. On the same day an order was cut directing Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung "Döring" to join the division. The battalion moved out from the Altengrabow training area the same day. Likewise on the same day, Hitler ordered 2,300 men, who had been trained as replacements for Panzergrenadier-Division "Großdeutschland" to join Panzer-Division "Clausewitz."</div> <bR> <div> 14 April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> An order was cut for Panzergrenadier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Brigade "Großdeutschland" to form two dismounted Panzergrenadier regiments for the division.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> A report shows the same organization as on 9 April 1945 with two more formations: * Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Elbe," consisting of a battalion headquarters, a Headquarters Compan, a motorized Headquarters Escort Company, a Panzerspäh-Kompanie and a Panzer-Aufklärungs-Kompanie</div> <div> Kampfgruppe "Putlos" (Gunery School at Putlos): Headquarters, two gemischte Panzer-Kompanien, two Panzergrenadier-Kompanien (gep.) and a Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> On this day Panzer-Abteilung "Putlos" (Kampfgruppe "Putlos") reported the following strength: 12 Panzer V's and VI's, 7 Panzer IV's, 4 Panzer IV/L70's, 1 Jagdpanzer IV and 1 Sturmgeschütz.</div> <bR> <div> Days after its formation the Division is pressed in action and the following units were involved in combat, Stab and BeglKp/Panzer-Division "Clausewitz", Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland", II./gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle", I./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42 and part of VersTruppen. On the same day the rest of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42 (from Danemark ?) and I./Panzergrenadier-.E.u.Ausb.Reg "Feldherrnhalle" (Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 1" ?, a total of 730 men) had arrived in division's assembly area. The following units were on the road to the division's assembly area: Panzergrenadier-.E.u.Ausb.Reg "Feldherrnhalle"(w/o I.Bataillon), KGr "Putlos", PzAufklAbt "Doering", Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung 144, part of NaAbt 18 of 18.Panzergrenadier-Div, one Nachrichten-Kompanie("Clausewitz" ?) and two PiKp of Pi.E.u.Ausb.Reg "Fredericia"</div> <bR> <div> 17 April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> Panzer Division "Clausewitz" reports the following organization:</div> <bR> <div> Headquarters, Panzer-Division "Clausewitz" with BeglKp(mot)"Clausewitz"</div> <div> gemischtes Panzer-Regiment(ad-hoc):</div> <div> Headquarters, Panzer-Brigade 106 with Stabsbegleitkompanie (mot.)</div> <div> Panzer-Abteilung 2106: Headquarters, StbKp, Panzer-Kompanie(StuG IV), gemischtes Panzer-Kompanie(PzV and JgPzV),</div> <div> Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <div> II./gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle": Headquarters, three Panzeregrenadier-Kompanien (gep.),</div> <div> Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 1":</div> <div> Stab with StbKp(Fuß) and PzG.Pi.Kp(Fuß)</div> <bR> <div> I.Bataillon: Headquarters, StbKp(Fuß), four PzGKp(Fuß)</div> <div> II.Bataillon: same as above</div> <div> III.Bataillon: same as above</div> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 2":</div> <div> Stab</div> <bR> <div> I.Battaillon: Stab and five PzGKp(Fuß)</div> <div> II.Bataillon: same as above</div> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42:</div> <div> Stab with StbKp(Fuß) and Panzerjäger-Kompanie(mot Z)</div> <div> I.Bataillon: Headquarters, StbKp(Fuß), four PzGKp(radf)</div> <div> II.Bataillon: Headquarters, StbKp(Fuß), four PzGKp(Fuß)</div> <bR> <div> Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung 144 with StbBtr(mot), three Btr leFH(mot Z) and one Btr sFH(mot Z)</div> <bR> <div> Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland": Headquarters, Stabsbegleitkompanie (mot.), three JgPanzer-Kompanie(StuG), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <bR> <div> Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon with Headquarters, Stabsbegleitkompanie (mot.) and two PiKp(mot)</div> <bR> <div> Nachrichten-Kompanie "Cl."</div> <bR> <div> * KGr(Panzer-Abteilung) "Putlos"(SchSchule "Putlos"): Headquarters, StbKp(tgep), two gemischtes Panzer-Kompanie, Panzeregrenadier-Kompanien (gep.), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <bR> <div> * PzAufkl.Abt "Elbe": Headquarters, Stabsbegleitkompanie (mot.), PzSpKp/with SPW,</div> <div> PzAufkl.Kp(gep)</div> <bR> <div> On mid-day 17.4.45(12.00 h) the division's HQ reported that the following units were involved in combat: Stab and BeglKp/Panzer-Division "Clausewitz", Panzer-Abteilung 2106(w/o StbKp and Panzer-Kompanie/StuG IV/), II./gemischtes Panzer-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle", Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 1"(w/o III.Bataillon), Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42, Panzerjäger-Abteilung "Großdeutschland", KGr "Putlos", PzAufkl.Abt "Elbe" and 1/2 of Nachrichten-Kompanie "Clausewitz".</div> <bR> <div> According to the same report Panzer-Kompanie(StuG IV)/Panzer-Abteilung 2106 was moved on 15.4.45 from Dresden. Panzer-Artillerie-Abteilung 144 was on the road to the division's assembly area(from Heeresgruppe "Weichsel"). Both PiKp of the Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon were shipped on 14.4.45 from Fredericia and part of NaAbt 18, which was to be used to reinforce Nachrichten-Kompanie "Clausewitz", was shipped on 15.4.45 from Swinemuende.</div> <bR> <div> On 17.4.45 PzAufkl.Abt "Elbe" reported the following strength:</div> <bR> <div> 29 leSPW(4 SdKfz 250/8, 24 SdKfz 250/9) and 12 PzSpWg( 6 SdKfz 221, 2 SdKfz 222, 2 SdKfz 234/1, 2 SdKfz 234/4. On the same the a PzKGr "von Benningsen" was created using KGr "Putlos". The new KGr was to consist of Headquarters, two Panzer-Kompanie and one Panzeregrenadier-Kompanien (gep.). It reported the following strenght: 7 PzIV, 12 PzV, 2 PzVI, 4 PzIV/70, 1 JgPzIV, 1 StuG, 2 15-cm sIG(Sfl), 3 sPak(mot Z), 9 leSPW and 10 mSPW. This KGr became the main striking force of the division.</div> <bR> <div> Late April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> In the beginning of the last week of April the division was destroyed. From the remnants of "Clausewitz" XXXIX.PzK was able to form a provisional Panzergrenadier-Brig "Clausewitz". The main portion of this unit saw action south of Elbe, but one Bataillon of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42, numbering a total of 133 men, was in action in Hagenow area on 28 April 1945.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> 26 April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> Both Panzergrenadier-Regiment's, which were created by Panzergrenadier-.E.u.Ausb.Br "Großdeutschland" according to Hitler's order/14.4.45, were moved towards the front line.</div> <bR> <div> 28 April 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> On this day  Panzergrenadier-Brig "Clausewitz" reported the following organization:</div> <bR> <div> Headquarters, Panzergrenadier-Brig "Clausewitz" with BeglKp(Fuß)"Clausewitz"</div> <div> Panzer-Abteilung 2106: Headquarters, gemischtes Panzer-Kompanie, Panzeregrenadier-Kompanien (gep.), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Feldherrnhalle 1"(Panzergrenadier-.E.u.Ausb.Reg "Feldherrnhalle"):</div> <div> Stab with StbKp(Fuß) and PzG.Pi.Kp(Fuß)</div> <div> I.Bataillon: Headquarters, four PzGKp(Fuß), sPzGKp(Fuß), Versorgungs-Kompanie (mot.)</div> <div> II.Bataillon: same as above</div> <div> FErsz.Bataillon(III./Panzergrenadier-.E.u.Ausb.Reg "Feldherrnhalle"): Headquarters, four PzGKp(Fuß) and the remnants of one Bataillon of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 42(Stab and two PzGKp)</div> <bR> <div> Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon(probably w/o Stab): two PiKp(Fuß)</div> <div> Two Btr leFH (shipped from Luebeck)</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> 4 May 1945</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> At the time of surrender by Gen ???? what remained of the formerly designated Panzer Division “Clausewitz” largely consisted of a mixed bag of understrength units. Panzer Grenadier Regiment 42 is indicated as being located at wars end in ???. 3</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sources</div> <bR> <div> "Die Panzertruppen" hosted by Bob Edwards (e-mail is redwards@townsqr.com).</div> <div> Data obtained from the BA-MA, Freiburg</div> <div> Tessin ???</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>