Turkmenians
Moderator: George Lepre
Turkmenians
Which turkmenian Bataillon was formed from a Russian camp of POW in Stalinskaja/Ukraine in Autumn 1943 and took part in the Stalingrad struggle? The original German staff then was taken to Georg. Feld- Btl. 1/9
295th Infanterie Division
There was a turkmenisches Reservebattalion in the 295th in Stalingrad.
Wolfgang Kirstein, in his monumental division history, notes a report on it for August 1942 p. 727, (overall positive, but problems with equipment & personel). Also noted from official reports on p. 779 and p. 836 (still a problem training translators in early Sept. 1942), 884 (on Sept. 30, they are expected ready for field duty in Spring 1943).
A longer official review of the 3 Ukrainian units in the 295th might be interesting, (p. 864-865), from 25 Sept 1942 (by Major Menzel), as it showed the good experience with ex-Soviet soldiers. The report attests the Ukrainian Wachkompanie, created 30 June 1942, excellent service. The Ukrainian Repair Unit (Spezialistenzug), created 29 May 1942, also did good service, "Gesinnung ist einwandfrei," but problem in lack of training repairing German trucks. The Ukrainische Baukompanie (assigned to the Pioneers) "auch im feindlichen feuer sehr gut bewaehrt." All 3 units were fully armed with rifles, the Baumkompanie had also 4 light machine guns.
Wolfgang Kirstein, in his monumental division history, notes a report on it for August 1942 p. 727, (overall positive, but problems with equipment & personel). Also noted from official reports on p. 779 and p. 836 (still a problem training translators in early Sept. 1942), 884 (on Sept. 30, they are expected ready for field duty in Spring 1943).
A longer official review of the 3 Ukrainian units in the 295th might be interesting, (p. 864-865), from 25 Sept 1942 (by Major Menzel), as it showed the good experience with ex-Soviet soldiers. The report attests the Ukrainian Wachkompanie, created 30 June 1942, excellent service. The Ukrainian Repair Unit (Spezialistenzug), created 29 May 1942, also did good service, "Gesinnung ist einwandfrei," but problem in lack of training repairing German trucks. The Ukrainische Baukompanie (assigned to the Pioneers) "auch im feindlichen feuer sehr gut bewaehrt." All 3 units were fully armed with rifles, the Baumkompanie had also 4 light machine guns.
Honny soit qui mal y pense!