1.Btl. Pz. Gren. Rgt. 2 "LSSAH"
Stab u. Stabskompanie

In July 1942 the SS-Leibstandarte "Adolf Hitler" was in the process of a full reorganization. During this reorganization, a second Panzer Grenadier Regiment was formed. This second Rgt. mirrored the first Rgt. in strength and number of Kompanies.

The first Kommandeur of Rgt. 2 was Standartenführer Theodor Wisch. Followed by Obersturmbannführer Krass in July 1943 through April 1944. Obersturmbannführer Sandig commanded the Rgt. from April 1944 until Dec. 1944. Oberstürmbannfuhrer Siebken was the final Rgt. Kommandeur.

 

Actions of the Leibstandarte

In Jan. 1943 the LSSAH Division was transported to Russia, west of Kharkov. For the next 2 months the LSSAH, Das Reich, and Totenkopf Divisions along with GD & the 4th & 1st Panzer Armies traded blows with an overwehlming occupying Soviet force. Finally by mid March the LSSAH occupied the city of Kharkov's Red Square, thus renaming it, "Platz der Leibstandarte". The stunning victory was ochestrated by Feldmarshall von Manstein. During the assault on Kharkov, the LSSAH was split into 3 battle groups, 1 Rgt. Commanded by Witt, 2 Rgt. Commanded by Wisch, and Kurt Meyer's recon Btl. This was the last major victory the German Military would celebrate in Russia.

In 1943 the Officer & NCO ranks were thinned in the division. These highly decorated men were moved to another new Panzer division to train its men and lead them to battle in the west. This new division 12. SS Hitlerjugend were led by men such as Witt, Meyer, Wunche, Bremer & von Ribbentrop. They gave the new division instant credability and rock solid leadership in the long hard months of constant combat beginning with the invasion of Normandy.

SS-Leibstandarte Soldaten received Panzer Grenadier training at the divisional training center at Berlin Lichterfelde.

The LSSAH fought with distinction on both fronts as well as in Italy & Greece. Where ever a gap needed to be filled or a major obstacle needed to be over come, "der Leibstandarte" was in the thick of things.

 

Aftermath

The men of the LSSAH suffered horrible losses on both fronts and near the end of the war constantly short on suplies and manpower. Battle groups were able to make their way west from Sowjet Armies and regroup befor surrendering to American forces in May 1945. Still pursued by the Sowjets after their surrender, Gen. Patton refused to turn over one LSSAH man to the Bolsheviks.

The Soldaten of the Waffen-SS then spent on the average of 2 years in prison camps for their service in the elite Waffen-SS. Their branch of service had been deemed a criminal organization by the victors. Men like Peiper & Dietrich were sentanced to death after being tortured in Allied prison camps. Only years after were their death sentances over turned. On the average, ranking Waffen-SS officers spent 10 years in prison before being released to a country that had turned its back on them. Unable to find work, many were forced to leave the home that they had suffered to defend.

 

Our reenacted unit

Why portray a Stabs (HQ) unit? We are proud members of Kampfgruppe Sonnenwende and dedicated to it's success. Being a small unit, we enjoy the diversity that a Stab unit provides. Currently the Stabs houses the following components: A Command section, a Funker, a Kopfjaeger (SS-Feldgendarmerie) section, and a Panzer Grenadier combat detatchment, for mission specific duties.

Currently, we are looking to add the following elements to our unit, a Sanitater (medical section) to treat both real and reenacted injuries, an SS-Helferin (female auxilarys) contingent to carry out communications tasks in the field or clerical duties when in barracks, and an SS-Kriegsberichter (combat photographer). We are also looking to build a full service Signals section

Portraying a Stabs unit gives unit members the freedon to switch back & forth between roles. It also provides a home for both new members as well as experienced reenactors to co exist. Experienced members that may have grown tired or no longer wish to engage in combat at events have the ability to use their knowledge on the Command staff and still remain active in the hobby. For members that wish to portray a "Combat Soldier" in tactical events, the Stabskompie has a "combat ready" unit to engage the enemyl!!

 

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