Sturmbrigade Reichsführer SS

=Sturmbrigade Reichsführer-SS =

In February 1943 Hitler ordered the Begleit-Bataillon Reichsführer-SS (Himler's escort battalion ), having proved itself in battle, be upgraded to the status of an assault brigade or Sturmbrigade thus Sturmbrigade Reichsführer SS was established.

It was upgraded in France and remained stationed there until the invasion of Italy in September 1943 when it was sent south with the 505. Artillerie Batallion (sf).

The brigade was stationed in Corsica where it served as part of the garrison until 15 September 1943. At that point it was sent to Italy and reorganized into the 16th SS Panzergrenadier Division Reichsführer-SS.

Composition

Sturmbrigade Reichsführer SS - SS-Ostubaf. Karl Gesele

I. SS-Grenadier Batallion - SS-Stubaf. Max Dallinger:
#Schützen Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Hatz
#Schützen Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Diesenreitter
#Schützen Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Danner
#Maschinen Gewehr Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Rosenberger
#Infantrie Geschütz Kompanie - SS-Ostuf. Haider

II. Grenadier Batallion (Heer) - Hptm. Meyer (absorbed - former 356.Infantrie Division, III./IR 870):
#Schützen Kompanie - (typical)
#Schützen Kompanie - (typical)
#Schützen Kompanie - (typical)
#Maschinen Gewehr Kompanie - (typical)
#Infantrie Geschütz Kompanie - (typical)

SS-Panzer Jäger Abtielung - SS-Hstuf. Subkleve:
#Panzerjäger Kompanie
#Panzerjäger Kompanie

SS-Sturmgeschütz Abteilung - SS-Hstuf. Krauß:
#Sturmgeschütz Batterie
#Sturmgeschütz Batterie
#Sturmgeschütz Batterie

SS-Flak Abteilung - SS-Hstuf. Hieber:
#Flak Kompanie [2,0 cm]
#Flak Kompanie [8,8 cm]
#Flak Kompanie [8,8 cm]
#Flak Kompanie [8,8 cm]

Tanks & Assault Guns

RFSS trained on PzKfw IV's but were issued with Sturmgeschütz III in the spring and summer of 1943.

*Apr 43 RFSS-Sturmgeschütz Batterie was formed with 10x Sturmgeschütz III.
*Jul 43 RFSS-Sturmgeschütz Abteilung was formed with 10x Sturmgeschütz III in each Sturmgeschütz Batterie (1.-3.Batterie).

Source: Sturmgeschutz & Its Variants, Spielberger (Spielberger German Armor & Military Vehicles Series, Vol 2)

Lineage

*Begleit-Bataillon Reichsführer-SS May 1941 - Feb 1943)
*Sturmbrigade Reichsführer-SS (Feb 1943 - Oct 1943)
*16th SS Panzergrenadier Division Reichsführer-SS (Oct 1943 - May 1945)

ources

[http://home.fuse.net/nafziger/WW2_ARMY.HTM German Order of Battle in WWII, Waffen SS, Fallschirmjägers & Foreign Troops in German Service] , Nafziger (2006)
Waffen SS Uniforms Organization History, Volume 4, R.J. Bender(1975)
Im Gleichen Schritt und Tritt
Sturmgeschutz & Its Variants, Spielberger (Spielberger German Armor & Military Vehicles Series, Vol 2) )