Wehrmacht Special Forces

[Herroberst]

This thread will be a discussion of The various military or combat Special Forces of the Wehrmacht and the SS. This will not include anything to do with Einsatzgruppen or the camps. It will deal with Luftgruppen KG-200, The Brandenburg Division, Units of the Kriegsmarine involving frogmen, mini subs and speedboats packed with explosives, The Abwehr, The Reichsicherheitshauptamt, SD operatives, The Wehrwolves and finally Gerbirgsjager and Fallschirmjager truppen.

[Gage]

I found these today. From KG200, amazing photos.

[Gage]

A good site to check out for KG200.
WWW.Kg200.org/default.html

[von Poop]

Cheers for the German B17 pics Gage. They're marvellous!
Where from?
Were these used solely as Jhor9 has described elsewhere as sneaky spotters or ever in a more offensive manner? The Markings imply to me that they were??

[Gage]

This large fleet of aircraft included Ar-232s, B-17s, B-24s, Bv-138s, Bv-222s, Ju-52s, Ju-88s, Ju-188s, Ju-352s, Ju-290s, Ju390s, He-111s, He-177s, Pe-2s (Soviet), and Sb-2s (Soviet) to name a few... These aircraft used operationally on all fronts carrying out a great variety of missions ranging from reconnaissance, to cargo transport, to the covert ferrying of agents in and out of enemy territory, to bombing and missile attacks! Many a German agent was dropped in Allied territory by this unit, what better disguise than a B-17? These aircraft were also used to shadow 8th Air Force bomber formations sending out a constant stream of radio updates of the air battle with up to the minute altitude and heading of the big bomber boxes; and this, without fear of attack from Allied fighters. Some of these aircraft were re-designated so as to not attract attention, for example, the B-17s in Luftwaffe service were referred to as the Dernier 200.

From the above site.
Russian aircraft were also used.

[Herroberst]

One of the principle problems KG-200 faced when running their bus service was friendly fire from their own Luftwaffe Flak Batteries.

Besides KG-200 using American equipment, Panzer Brigade 150, a special forces unit under Otto Skorzeny, had about 50+ jeeps and light cars, over 70 trucks and two Shermans. They fleshed out the rest of the group with German equipment made to look like American. However, this was to have the effect of only deceiving Green troops at night over a great distance.

His make up of the unit consisted of about

800 men from the Luftwaffe Battle Group 200

175 men from SS Jagdverband Mitte

380 men from SS Para Abt 600

590 men of the Panzertruppen

200 men from Heers Mortar troops

200 men from an AT Kompanie

and 375 signals, engineer and repair men.

Out of these men 10 spoke fluent english with no idioms and 40 had a good command of the language. The rest about 150 could understand english and the others were out of luck.

Panzer Brigade 150 operated between Baughez and Stavelot to capture Malmedy.

The Fallschirmjager under Oberst Baron von der Heydte were to block reinforcements sent by the Americans to prevent the crossing of the Meuse by Sixth SS Panzer Armee.

The basic accomplishments of these units were strictly psychological. Although ammo dumps, road signs, and telephone lines were put out of action. Units were held up and a great paranoia spread with Americans realizing the infiltration behind their lines.

The incursion of the special forces were paid for with the highest price paid by the men as those captured were executed since they were wearing American uniforms.

[Gage]

Originally Posted by Herroberst

One of the principle problems KG-200 faced when running their bus service was friendly fire from their own Luftwaffe Flak Batteries.

Besides KG-200 using American equipment, Panzer Brigade 150, a special forces unit under Otto Skorzeny, had about 50+ jeeps and light cars, over 70 trucks and two Shermans. They fleshed out the rest of the group with German equipment made to look like American. However, this was to have the effect of only deceiving Green troops at night over a great distance.

His make up of the unit consisted of about

800 men from the Luftwaffe Battle Group 200

175 men from SS Jagdverband Mitte

380 men from SS Para Abt 600

590 men of the Panzertruppen

200 men from Heers Mortar troops

200 men from an AT Kompanie

and 375 signals, engineer and repair men.

Out of these men 10 spoke fluent english with no idioms and 40 had a good command of the language. The rest about 150 could understand english and the others were out of luck.

Panzer Brigade 150 operated between Baughez and Stavelot to capture Malmedy.

The Fallschirmjager under Oberst Baron von der Heydte were to block reinforcements sent by the Americans to prevent the crossing of the Meuse by Sixth SS Panzer Armee.

The basic accomplishments of these units were strictly psychological. Although ammo dumps, road signs, and telephone lines were put out of action. Units were held up and a great paranoia spread with Americans realizing the infiltration behind their lines.

The incursion of the special forces were paid for with the highest price paid by the men as those captured were executed since they were wearing American uniforms.

Thanks Herrmeister, some good info there.

[lancesergeant]

To Herr Oberst - weren't the werewolves some sort of undercover force used for causing disruption in allied occupied German towns and villages. The name sounds familiar can you expand on what their role was.

[Herroberst]

They were simply guerillas fighting behind the lines. Also known as partisans. Individuals usually ardent Nazis who were given about 1/2 the basic training of Heers infantry along with some basic training on how to blow things up.
Many of them were 14, 15 and not fully aware that they would be shot if they surrendered.

[lancesergeant]

Originally Posted by Herroberst

They were simply guerillas fighting behind the lines. Also known as partisans. Individuals usually ardent Nazis who were given about 1/2 the basic training of Heers infantry along with some basic training on how to blow things up.
Many of them were 14, 15 and not fully aware that they would be shot if they surrendered.

Thanks for the input Herr Oberst, I am much obliged.