-
"Feuerwehr"?
Years ago, I knew a man who had served in Breslau during the closing days of the war when the city had been surrounded by the Soviets. He later spent a number of years in a Russian POW camp and ended up in the US having immigrated as a DP sponsored by a Catholic charity.
Needless to say he had some hair-raising stories of his time in Breslau as a 17 yr old machine gunner. He mentioned being part of a "Feuerwehr" unit that rushed to plug holes in the line. Is there any way of finding out what unit he might have belonged to? (He has passed away) I know the Grossdeutschland used the "Feuerwehr" name but did other units use it as well? Perhaps SS?
-
07-01-2009 07:12 PM
# ADS
Circuit advertisement
-
Re: "Feuerwehr"?
I'm not 100% sure but i think that the Feuerwehr soldiers were just that.....fire fighters sent to plug a gap (not literally fire-fighters)
It roughly equates to the British Army's QRF (Quick reaction Force) The boys that go and "look see"........Every unit in the front line would have them
-
Re: "Feuerwehr"?
I think the SS used a different term but i'm far from sure on it. Stewy S
-
Re: "Feuerwehr"?
Hi Guys,
Panzer regiment 'Grossdeutschland' were colloqually known as "The fire brigade" by other regiments in a jokey kind of way, because of the daring, even suicidal looking actions they were often called upon to perform by the General Staff during the Ostfront retreat.
Another regiment dubbed the same later in the war was SS Panzer Regiment 'Hohenstaufen' for similar actions performed during the retreat from Budapest back towards Berlin.
In the early 19th century, the British army often used bands of volunteers for particularly dangerous or likely fatal missions such as storming city/fort walls on ladders or breaches therein. There was, surprisingly, no shortage of officers and soldier volunteers for these hazardous operations because the oppurtunity of rich plunder and rapid promotion(if they survived) would never arise for many years of 'normal' service.These men were known throughout the army as 'The Folorn Hope'.
Regards, Ned.
'I do not think we can hope for any better thing now.
We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker of course, and the end cannot be far.
It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more. R. SCOTT.
Last Entry - For God's sake look after our people.'
In memory of Capt. Robert Falcon Scott, Edward Wilson, Henry Bowers, Lawrence Oates and Edgar Evans. South Pole Expedition, 30th March 1912.
-
Re: "Feuerwehr"?
Ned
Very interesting, and great information, I didn't know that was were the folorn hope originated from
Thanks
-
Re: "Feuerwehr"?
Forlorn Hope goes back to at least Napoleonic times. Probably further. Stewy S
-
Re: "Feuerwehr"?
Watch Sharpe and you'll learn all about the Forlorn Hope
The gates of hell were opened and we accepted the invitation to enter" 26/880 Lance Sgt, Edward Dyke. 26th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers , ( 3rd Tyneside Irish )
1st July 1916
Thought shall be the harder , heart the keener,
Courage the greater as our strength faileth.
Here lies our leader ,in the dust of his greatness.
Who leaves him now , be damned forever.
We who are old now shall not leave this Battle,
But lie at his feet , in the dust with our leader
House Carles at the Battle of Hastings
-
Re: "Feuerwehr"?
'I do not think we can hope for any better thing now.
We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker of course, and the end cannot be far.
It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more. R. SCOTT.
Last Entry - For God's sake look after our people.'
In memory of Capt. Robert Falcon Scott, Edward Wilson, Henry Bowers, Lawrence Oates and Edgar Evans. South Pole Expedition, 30th March 1912.
Bookmarks