The 90th leichte Afrika Division had the 900. Pionier-Bataillon while in North Africa until its destruction in May 1943.
The (new) 90th Panzergrenadier Division was raised in July 1943, and now had the 190. Pionier-Battalion. The 190. Pionier-Battalion did not exist before this time.
Is the 90th PanzerGrenadier Division refered to the same one which was stationed in Sardinia before the invasion of Italy?
I'm trying to track down info on that unit. Could you possibly put me in the right direction?
Thanking you in advance.
Scruffy.
Authorised composition of Pi.Btl. 900 (mot.) until mid 1942 was
Stab
1. Kp.
2. Kp.
le.Pi.Kolonne
My copy of that particular sheet from the official 'Kriegsgliederungen des Feldheeres' is not what I would call top quality, but as far as I can make it out a 'Sturm-Pi.Kp. 850' was remamed and added as 3.(Sturm)/900 by an order dated 25.9.1942 (could also be 29.9.1942 or something, can't read properly).
Anyway, from then on until the end authorised organisation was
The Division Sardinien was given the number "90" on 6.07.1943, and thenceforth known as the 90. Panzergrenadier-Division, in memory of the former Afrika Korps 90. Afrika-Division which had been destroyed in North Africa in May 1943. It was a new division formed from personnel and units originally destined for the Axis forces which had been stranded in Italy when those Axis forces capitulated in North Africa.
The 850. Sturm-Pionier-Kompanie (a GHQ unit) is shown as the 3rd company of the PionBtl 900 (mot) on 27.10.42, which normally had only two companies. It was not there in May 1942 or earlier.
Cheers
Leo
Addendum
Ahh, I see Martin has found the order converting the 850. Sturm-Pion.Kp to the 3./Pion-Btl 900 (mot). As indicated, 27.10.42 Kriegsgliederung indeed shows it as the 3rd Company, still with the prefix Sturm.
In some place I've seen that during 1943 the 90th light division changed its pioner battalion, and get the 200 pionier battalion instead. Is this right?
If its so were did it go the 900 battalion?, maybe to 164th light division?
Palao
No, not as far as I know. The Pionier-Bataillon (mot) 900 was still attached to the 90th Light Division when this division was destroyed in May 1943 in Tunesia, and was not raised again. Note that the 900th Engineer Battalion remained officially GHQ Troops during its subordination to the 90th.
The 200th Engineer Battalion was assigned to the 21. PzDiv. (It was never part of the 90th Light Division.) On 26.02.1943 the 21. Panzer-Division and the 164. leichte Afrika-Division exchanged engineer battalions, that is, the 200th went to the 164. Afrika-Div, and the 220th went to the 21. PzDiv.
Concerning the Pionier Bataillon (motorisiert) 900, could one of you guys tell me when it was officially subordinated to 90. Leichte Division (or whatever name this unit had at this time) ?
I found that the main part of the battalion was airlanded between May 21st and May 26th 1941, and that the remaining elements were shipped off in Tripoli on June 22nd 1941).
Leo told that it was always considered as a Heerestruppen unit, which served also under DAK and Panzergruppe "Afrika" HQ, so when did 90. Leichte Division take control of it ?
Thanks !
Loïc
"On ne relève pas Picardie !" (Picardie Regiment is not relieved !)
Been a while guys, so I was wondering if anyone had managed to find anything about the heavy weapons present in 850th Sturm Kompanie of the latter part of 1942?
David.
