HJ Panzervernichtungsbrigade (Tank/Armour Destruction units 1945)

[Garry]

I had some files in a batch of NARA documents so I thought I would translate them. They might be of interest to some of you. Here's the first one of three:

Representative of the Reichsjugendführer with Chief of Command West

22.4.1945​

To: Wehrkreis Command XIII

Subject: The raising of Tank Destruction Brigades
Reference: your letter dated 18.4.1945

The Reichsjugendführer appointed me as his representative for the raising of tank destruction units. In that regard I ask that all questions be directed to my office and not to the Gebiet headquarters. The office is located in Schloß Wörth an der Donau, telephone nimber 74.

The following tank destruction units are currently in training or in the process of being raised:

1) Tank Destruction Brigade Bayrische Ostmark with 5 battalions. Strength 2750 men. Billeted in Cham, Reichenbach and Roding and consisting of personnel from the HJ-Gebiete (areas) Bayreuth and Mainfranken.

2) Tank Destruction Brigade Hessen-Nassau with four battalions and a strength of 1600 men. One of the battalions is currently conducting operatiions in the area to the south of Eger.

3) Tank Destruction Brigade Westmark with four battalions and a strength of 2000 men. Billeted at Dingolfing.

4) Tank Destruction Battalion Moselland with a strength of 600 men. Currently en route to the Fichtelgebirge in the area around Cham.

5) Tank destruction units from the HJ-Gebiete Düsseldorf and Mittelland are currently en route to the area around Cham. Strength not yet known as it is expected that enemy action will deplete the force.

6) Tank Destruction Battalion of HJ-Gebiet Franken with a strength of 1200 men is currently in action around Nürnberg. Its complete destruction is expected.

50% of weapons and equipment has been secured.

By the beginning of May and if the remaining stocks of weapons and equipment can be sourced there will be a battle-ready contingent of 3000 men.

Discussions regarding the deployment of the tank destruction units will be between the Commander in Chief West and the Heer Group as the units are, according to an order from Commander in Chief West, subordinate to the Heer Group (Heeresgruppe).

There have been no clear reports regarding the raising of tank destruction units in the Sudetenland.

Overbeck Hauptbannführer​

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[Garry]

Number two. This from Oberbannführer Helmut Eiffert, the leader of HJ-Gebiet Ost-Hannover and explains, among other things, how the tank destruction units were to be organised and armed:

NSDAP/Hitler-Jugend, Gebiet Ost-Hannover (41)	Lüneburg 23.3.1945​
The leader of the Gebiet	SECRET!​

To:
Leaders and provisional leaders of the Banne
Leaders of the paramilitary training camps
Leaders of the Gebiet leadership schools

Subject: The raising and training of close-quarter tank destruction units and reconnaiscance units.

Stationary close-quarter anti-tank and mobile armour reconnaiscance units are to be raised as part of the German Volkssturm 1st contingent, the Volkssturm second contingent and the third contingent Hitler Youth. The areas where close-quarter anti-tank and mobile armour reconnaiscance units are to be deployed were marked on the 1:100000 map handed out at the meeting of the leaders of the Bann training camps. Deployment areas were designated by the Staff Officer for close-quarter armour destruction in X.A.K.

a) Stationary units:
The units are made up of boys in their home area. They are to set up positions with a clear view of the enemy or at points at risk from armoured attack. In case of alarm they are to defend these points. Leaving a designated position is forbidden.

b) Structure of close-quarter anti-armour units. The unit is divided into two sections : close-quarter and protection in a ratio of 1:3. Each boy will receive 2 x Panzerfaust, spade and munitions (smoke grenades, flammables, mines and bundled charges). The protection section will receive small arms weapons. If the alarm is called, the Panzerfaust will be supplied by the Volkssturm Kreisstabsführer at pre-determined locations. Small arms will be supplied by the Bannführer and the leader of the Bann training camp.

c)The task of the anti-armour close-quarter units:
To defend positions and barriers consisting of prepared positions, trenches etc. The protection unit is also to prepare positions in defence of the close-quarter unit and is to defend against mounted infantry, dismounting infantry and covering the close-quarter unit during any evasive manoeuvers. Both unit types will be supplied by the 3rd Volkssturm (HJ). Volkssturm 1 and 2 are to raise their own anti-armour close-quarter units.


As the Führer has ordered that those born in 1928/9 are not be directly involved in combat, it is recommended that no more than 15-20% of the youth born in 1929 can be called up for service in these units. All other youths fall under the provisions of the order "R Measures". Boys are to be instructed to make their own way back to their lines after completion of their objective.

Areas ordered to raise anti-armour units but who have insufficient numbers of boys are to gather boys from neighbouring areas where there is no requirement to raise units. Units are only to be raised according the sketches.

The units trained and deployed by the 3rd Volkssturm (HJ) are to provided to the Kreis Staff Leaders, the Volkssturm and the KSB. The deployment of our units is to be coordinated with those of the 1st and 2nd Volkssturm.

All boys who are to go into action must be trained in tank recognition. They are also to be trained in recognising german tanks

3. Tank alert duty.
The Bann leaders, the KBS or the Kreis Staff leaders are to make boys born in 1930 available as runners for this duty. The activities of the runners are to be cordinated with the KBS and Kreis Staff. Runners are to be trained on reporting, preparation of sketches etc in the Bann training camps. This training should particularly concentrate on the boys making accurate reports without any exaggeration that may unnecessarily upset the local community. Every report is to go to the military leader and is not meant for the civilian community. The leaders of the Banne are directly responsible to me for ensuring that reports are able to move from one Bann territory into the next.

The pre-condition for the success of of close-quarter armour combat is that the war volunteers be instructed such that they are fully committed to attack and destroy the tanks.

Bläsig Oberstammführer

Eiffert Oberbannführer​

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[bertl59]

incredible documents that testify to the last forces engaged by the REICH to stop the enemy and which unfortunately ended with the mass death of many young men.
I had already read testimonies but I had never seen such documents
thanks Garry