16 ID(mot.) & Invasion Of Yugoslavia 1941 Question

[hucks216]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone can help provide me with some background information. I have a Wehrpass to a member of Kradschutzen Btl 165 of 16 Inf.Div (mot.) who was killed on 14th April 1941 at Zvornik during the invasion of Yugoslavia and I was wondering if anyone can tell me what resistance was faced at Zvornik in terms of what units did the 16 ID face at this location? I have seen a breakdown of 16 ID's casualties for the campaign and it lists a total of 8 members of Kradschtz.Btl 165 as being KIA (1 Officer & 7 Soldiers) and was just wondering if all 8 were killed at Zvornik? And does anyone know of any English language publications that covers the Yugoslavian Invasion of 1941 well?

[tigre]

Hello hucks216 ; this is what I could find............

Battle report of the 2./Kradsch Btl 165:

,,. . . Without big loss in time the spearhead Platoon, had reached the target at Zvornik. The narrow valley expanded on the west bank of the Drina to a marshy lowlands with scattered groups of trees. From the enemy nothing could be seen and heard. Only on the curves the spearhead Platoon reduced its speed a short time, when suddenly the vehicles wrapped in the heavy clouds of dust, fell under well-aimed artillery fire. The whole length of the column was wrapped in the high spraying of the impacts. The company drove through the direct fire of enemy anti-aircraft batteries deployed in front of Zvornik on the west bank of the Drina. A hold means certain death. So it! With increased speed the motorcycles went ahead, wrapped in dense clouds of dust between the oncoming shells. Due to this short but heavy bombardment some of the vehicles of the IG and Pak train got in flames. The motor-cycles proceeded, up to the very narrow valley about 600-700 m before Zvornik. A shell striking among the Machines brought the movement to a halt.

Apart from the vehicles of the leading group, under Uffz Trippler which reached the first houses at top speed in front of the destroyed bridge, large parts of the company took cover in the ditch, while some of the motorcicles went to steep slopes in the forest. After one hour and a half suddenly, a Serbian officer
with a white flag, appeared by the river bank and asked for a truce. The company took advantage of this time to rescue the large number of wounded, while the leading group advanced towards the bridge. The bridge was blown up.

The assault by Loznica to Zvornik resulted in the following losses:

9 KIA
31 WIA,
Three motor-cycles with sidecar and 3 single motor-cycles destroyed by the bombardment.

Source: DIE KRIEGSGESCHICHTE DER WINDHUND-DIVISION.
16. Infanterie-Division (mot.) 6. 8. 1940 - 22. 6. 1943
16. Panzer-Grenadier-Division. 23. 6. 1943 - 19. 4. 1944
116. Panzer-Division. 20. 4. 1944 - 16. 4. 1945

Herausgegeben vom Familienverband ehemaliger Angehöriger der Windhund-Division (116. Pz.-Div.) e. V. Verfaßt unter Mitarbeit zahlreicher Kameraden aller Dienstgrade von Fritz Memminger, Hauptmann a. D. Druck und Verlag: Heinrich Pöppinghaus, Bochum-Langendreer.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[hucks216]

Thanks very much Raul as that is absolutely great

[tigre]

Hello hucks216 , you're welcome. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more...............

OoB of the 2./ Kradsch. Btl 165 (reinforced):

2./K. 165 - Oblt. Voigtmann,
1 Zug 13./IR. (mot) 60 (Lt. Roettger),
1 Zug 14./IR. (mot) 60 (Lt. Lang),
1 Pz.-Spähtrupp AA. (mot) 341 (Lt. Mayer),
Detachment CO: Oblt. Voigtmann.

Source: DIE KRIEGSGESCHICHTE DER WINDHUND-DIVISION.
16. Infanterie-Division (mot.) 6. 8. 1940 - 22. 6. 1943
16. Panzer-Grenadier-Division. 23. 6. 1943 - 19. 4. 1944
116. Panzer-Division. 20. 4. 1944 - 16. 4. 1945

Herausgegeben vom Familienverband ehemaliger Angehöriger der Windhund-Division (116. Pz.-Div.) e. V. Verfaßt unter Mitarbeit zahlreicher Kameraden aller Dienstgrade von Fritz Memminger, Hauptmann a. D. Druck und Verlag: Heinrich Pöppinghaus, Bochum-Langendreer.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[hucks216]

Thanks for the additional information, that helps in identifying the signature of Voigtmann in the Wehrpass.

- KEViN

[tigre]

Hello Kev ; glad it was useful. Cheers. Raúl M .