Afrika Korps Oasis Battalion 300?

[Colin Wright]

I can find nothing on this unit beyond information that it appeared in Africa sometime between February and July 1941. Can anyone add anything to this?

[Stefan]

Tessin supplies the following info:
"Bataillonsstab z.b.V. 300, formed 10. April 1941 as staff for Oasenkompanien 1-13 ? (known are 2, 6, 10, 12, 13, the numbers indicate the forming Wehrkreise), 1942 disbanded"

[Colin Wright]

Tessin supplies the following info:
"Bataillonsstab z.b.V. 300, formed 10. April 1941 as staff for Oasenkompanien 1-13 ? (known are 2, 6, 10, 12, 13, the numbers indicate the forming Wehrkreise), 1942 disbanded"

Thanks. This suggests that 2, 6, 10, 12, 13 were actually formed and the rest envisaged but never established?

It might be illuminating to read that book on the Long Range Desert Groups. Presumably, some references to what Germans they ran into.

[Jason Pipes]

In April of 1941, a number of German Wehrkreis formed a series of Oasen-Kompanien (Oasis Companies), each of which was to be formed around men that had either worked or lived in Africa. The main task of these units was largely static occupation duties of isolated road junctions, oasis, wells, etc. A total of 13 such units of comany strenght were formed, and a controlling staff known as Bataillon-Stab zvB 300 was created to control them all. Each of the companies were specially trained and equiped, and could perform difficult water collection and were also able to make found-water drinkable.

In the summer of 1941, each German Infantry Regiment in North Africa received one Oasis Company. There were five left over after this, which were put under the direct control of DAK at the time. BtlStb zvB 300 was a very limited unit consisting of only about 10 officers to control the various companies. As well, BtlStab zvB 300 and all the various companies had limited motorization and no heavy weapons. BtlStb zvB 300 was absorbed by DAK in the fall of 1941, and was offically disbanded in mid-1942.

It appears that the individual companies were numbered 1-13.

Hope this helps!

[Colin Wright]

Hope this helps!

It does help. The conclusion I'm reaching is that these companies were rear area support elements formed to meet the anticipated conditions in Africa which were either found to be unnecessary or were superseded by some other rear echelon. More to the point, they were not intended as combat units to garrison the various Oases (Jiarabub, Jalo, etc.)

[David W]

Were they raised at Tripoli in April 41, or further West?

[David W]

Do we know?

[Leo Niehorster]

Watta ya mean "we", paleface?

[Leo Niehorster]

There were only five Oasis companies, all raised in Germany by an OKH order from the Gr IV: Az. 72/8900 M 41 g.Kdos. dated 05.04.1941; the company number corresponds to the raising Wehrkreis' number. (NARA H37/107 on Film T78/867)

The 2. Oasenkompanie arrived at Tripoli by air on 06.05.1941.
The 6. Oasenkompanie arrived at Tripoli by air on 04.05.1941.
The 10. Oasenkompanie arrived at Tripoli by air on 04.05.1941.
The 12. Oasenkompanie arrived at Tripoli by air in 1941. (date unknown)
The 13. Oasenkompanie arrived at Tripoli by air on 31.05.1941.

So there Kimosabe.

[David W]

Thank you kind sir.

[David W]

I see that below Jason quotes these Kompanies as having no heavy weapons. Would it be safe to assume that the heaviest would therefore have probably been a number of Light machine guns?

[Brad Hunter]

300. Oasis Battalion:

[Leo Niehorster]

I know the designation "Oasis" is a romantic one, but these units were designed as static guard units for isolated road junctions, oasis, wells, etc. They were also trained and equipped to perform difficult water collection duties, and then make the water drinkable. It is true they were formed with men who had lived or worked in North Africa before the war, but please do not consider them as the German equivalent to the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). That was usually performed by groups formed from the various recon battalions, occasionally the Brandenburgers, and even the paras.

Cheers
Leo

[David W]

Thanks Leo.


Brad, do those symbols read downwards as follows....

Light Machinegun.
Light Mortar.
Heavy Machinegun.

???

[Leo Niehorster]

12 light machine guns
3 light mortars
6 antitank rifles