SS Units

[HPL2008]

Was the SS-Heimwehr Danzig named for fighting in Danzig or was it a unit made up of locals from that area?

The short-lived SS-Heimwehr Danzig [SS-Home Defence Danzig] consisted of locally recruited young men from Danzig as well as personnel coming from SSVT/SSTV units outside the city, the Danzig recruits making up roughly 1/3 of the unit's strength.

Its genesis is actually quite interesting: Due to the de-militarized status of the Free City of Danzig, the SS-HWD was raised in secret. Thus, the SS men from outside Danzig came as "tourists" or as participants in an SS sports competition that was actually organized just for that purpose, while the Heimwehr's "imported" trucks and other vehicles were given civilian paint jobs before being smuggled into Danzig.

1,500 men strong, the unit made its first public appearance on 18 Aug. 1939, being presented with its colors on the occasion.

When WW2 broke out on 1 Sept. 1939, it was amongst the first German units to see action, participating in the fighting for the Danzig post office. The Heimwehr was also involved in other actions in the Danzig area. (such as at Gdingen and the Oxhöfter Kämpe)

Following a final victory parade on 29 Sept. 1939, it was transferred to Dachau and disbanded; its sub-units being integrated into the new SS-Totenkopf-Division, (the great majority going to SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 3).
The locally recruited young Danzigers were actually given the option to leave the SS; some three or four men used this chance and left.

[Ben Evans]

Again, many thanks, the info is of great help to me

[Paul D]

Paul do you think it is possible that this unit could have fought in Estonia as part of the 3 SS Panzer Korp?

Totenkopf was never involved in the fighting in Estonia Ben , that said it is possible that that soldiers who had previously served with Heimwehr Danzig or Totenkopf ended up serving with units in III SS Panzer Korps or Panzer Brigade Gross !!

I'll look in my archoive for some decent photos of belt buckles in wear in Estonia but i do have a few examples in my collection that have been found in Estonia particulary the Narva area !

[Ben Evans]

Cheers Paul, I am trying to see if I can find period photos of SS wearing the M1/131 buckle

[Ben Evans]

In fact Paul, I am looking for SS men wearing buckles with this eagle, different from the normal ones

[Paul D]

I've checked out the buckle thread and saw that you are looking for the specific M1/131 buckle so will check all my photos to see if there is any photographic evidence for you.

Certainly if Dim says he has seen a ground dug one from Estonia then it will be correct !!

[Ben Evans]

Mate you are indeed a gent and scholar