Landesschützen units - Roles, organization, personnel
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:27 am
I am interested in Heer Landesschützen units and hope that this thread could be something of a reference on the subject. I have been looking for information on these formations with only limited success and I'm not even sure where to start. I am looking for any sources or references that may help provide a clearer picture of these formations.
I have been under the impression that Landesschützen-Bataillone were part of the Ersatzheer rather than the Feldheer. Recently I have found some conflicting information. Is there a source that can conclusively identify whether these units were Ersatzheer or Feldheer formations? Or is it true that among Landesschützen-Bataillonen there were some assigned to the Ersatzheer and some to the Feldheer?
I am also wondering how men were classed and assigned to Landesschützen units. Is there a way to determine what percentage of Landesschützen soldiers (if any) were classified as fit for front-line service?
When were Landesschützen units created, what was their original purpose? How were the units organized, how were the Kompanien distributed in each Bataillon? I couldn't find a KStN for these units and may not have been looking in the right places.
Is there an available period source that might shed more light on the roles of Landesschützen units, their duties, etc.? Were there different categories of Landesschützen units within the Heer? I am also interested in learning more about the role of Landesschuetzen units in guarding POW camps.
I have studied some personal ID documents of soldiers who served in Landesschützen units at various times but as of yet have not been able to put together a cohesive picture of these units and their personnel. I would be grateful for any input and especially for information on any references or sources that might be helpful. I am most interested in the role of these units in the 1942-1945 period. I do have some scans of some of the documents I have studied and can post them here if there is interest.
Thanks in advance for any assistance with this project, I am grateful for any information.
Sincerely,
Chris Pittman
I have been under the impression that Landesschützen-Bataillone were part of the Ersatzheer rather than the Feldheer. Recently I have found some conflicting information. Is there a source that can conclusively identify whether these units were Ersatzheer or Feldheer formations? Or is it true that among Landesschützen-Bataillonen there were some assigned to the Ersatzheer and some to the Feldheer?
I am also wondering how men were classed and assigned to Landesschützen units. Is there a way to determine what percentage of Landesschützen soldiers (if any) were classified as fit for front-line service?
When were Landesschützen units created, what was their original purpose? How were the units organized, how were the Kompanien distributed in each Bataillon? I couldn't find a KStN for these units and may not have been looking in the right places.
Is there an available period source that might shed more light on the roles of Landesschützen units, their duties, etc.? Were there different categories of Landesschützen units within the Heer? I am also interested in learning more about the role of Landesschuetzen units in guarding POW camps.
I have studied some personal ID documents of soldiers who served in Landesschützen units at various times but as of yet have not been able to put together a cohesive picture of these units and their personnel. I would be grateful for any input and especially for information on any references or sources that might be helpful. I am most interested in the role of these units in the 1942-1945 period. I do have some scans of some of the documents I have studied and can post them here if there is interest.
Thanks in advance for any assistance with this project, I am grateful for any information.
Sincerely,
Chris Pittman