WWII German Waffen SS Pocket Diary SS Soldatenfreund 1944 -SS Unterscharführer Spitzhüttl – SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 20 – 9th SS Panzer Division “Hohenstaufen” – (RESERVED)
SS Soldatenfreund 1944 Owned by SS Unterscharführer Spitzhüttl According to his address, he was living in Sudetenland (Czech Republic) and was of German decent. His Feldpost Number is: 25405 C Stab II u. 5.-8. Kompanie Panzergrenadier-Regiment 20 (9. SS-Division) In October 1943, the regiment was renamed SS Panzergrenadier Regiment 20. In April 1944, the first battle took place near Tarnopol. On July 23, SS Panzergrenadier Regiments 19 and 20 suffered heavy losses and merged to form SS Panzerergrenadier Regiment “H.” On September 27, 1944, the regiment, together with SS Panzerergrenadier Regiment 19, the only half-strength Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 9, the Divisional Escort Company of the 9th SS Panzer Division, SS Flak Battalion 9, elements of SS Pioneer Battalion 9, and a motorized artillery platoon, formed Kampfgruppe “Harzer,” led by SS Obersturmbannführer Walther Harzer. The KG’s troop strength was approximately 3,500 men. In November, the regiment was replenished and prepared for the Battle of the Bulge. On May 1, 1945, the regiment surrendered to US troops near Steyr along with the remnants of the division. More information: After the encirclement of General Hans-Valentin Hube’s 1st Panzer Army in the Kamenets-Podolsky pocket in Ukraine, Field Marshal Erich von Manstein requested that the Hohenstaufen and Frundsberg divisions be sent to attempt to link up with the encircled force. Arriving in late March 1944, the divisions were formed into the II SS Panzer Corps and were sent into the attack near the town of Tarnopol. In three days of combat, the Hohenstaufen destroyed 74 Soviet tanks, 84 self propelled assault guns, 21 anti tank guns, and 12 mortars. After heavy fighting in the season of rasputitsa (“roadlessness”), the division effected a link-up with Hube’s forces near the town of Buchach. The division’s actions helped prevent the encirclement of the 1st Panzer Army.[9] During these battles, Hohenstaufen had suffered 1,011 casualties. The II SS Panzer Corps was to act as reserve for Army Group North Ukraine. After the Allied invasion of northern France on 6 June 1944, the II SS Panzer Corps, including Hohenstaufen, was sent west on 12 June, to defend Caen in Normandy. Normandy Hohenstaufen suffered losses from Allied fighter bombers during its move to Normandy, delaying its arrival until 26 June 1944. Approximately 50% of the division’s tanks broke down during its movement to Normandy. The division’s armored forces would be reinforced by the newly attached 102nd SS Heavy Panzer Battalion. This would provide Hohenstaufen with 127 additional combat vehicles including 79 Panther tanks. The original plan for Hohenstaufen to attack towards the Allied beachhead was made impossible by a British offensive to take Caen. The II SS Panzer Corps was instead put into the line to support the weakened forces defending Caen, where Hohenstaufen suffered 1,891 casualties. On 10 July, the division was pulled back into reserve, to be replaced by the 277th Infantry Division. The division’s depleted Panzergrenadier regiments were eventually merged to form Panzergrenadier Regiment Hohenstaufen. The division saw much action defending against British armour during Operation Goodwood. During Operation Jupiter Hohenstaufen destroyed 58 British tanks with many of them being Churchill tanks. What we know from the entries, is that he was in Ukraine and in the battles, he earned a Panzer Badge in Bronze. It would also seem that he has made it out of there and by mid July is in France. Entries: there are scattered entries and notes taken the most interesting: Tactical Signs Journeys – naming every town/city and times he passed them. Award Entry – Panzerkampf Abzeichen – Panzer Badge in Bronze – 19.May.1944 Postal Record – Interestingly, he was recording when and from whom he was receiving post. With many entires in June 1944. Notes about places he was in 1943 till being sent to Lviv, Ukraine. Group Structure – Very detailed is the make up of the certain groups in the Company, this includes the names and dates. Basis for great research project. These entries shown in mid July 1944! Condition: Used, worn, and been there. It is in generally stable condition, with the map still inside, many have the maps missing. Final Comments: An interesting diary, with the potential for more research. Time could be invested into researching the individual soldiers. These are really rare with entries especially. It is unknown what happened to Spitzhüttl, it seems he is not on the VB Database as KIA and not on the Red Cross Missing Lists. He was most likely captured in France in the summer of 1944. Price includes World Wide Shipping!