Wehrpass to Obergefrieter Karl Mast – St Nazaire Raid

[russg]

Wehrpass to Obergefrieter Karl Mast – St Nazaire Raid

Hi all,

I thought I would share with you my wehrpass to Obergefrieter Karl Mast who took part in the defence of the St. Nazaire dry dock.

On 28 March 1942, 'Operation Chariot' took place; the British raid to destroy the dry dock at St. Nazaire. Packed with tons of high explosives, the destroyer, HMS Campbeltown, was rammed into the gates of the only dry dock capable of servicing the German battleship Tirpitz. Due to the damage caused the dry dock was rendered unusable for the remainder of the war.

No extensive battle list has been completed but based on his units it is possible to conclude that Obergef. Mast fought at Normandy but any thoughts would be appreciated.

Just for added interest I’ve also added a page from an RAF logbook to Sgt Quested, (103 Squadron, Wellingtons) who took part in a diversionary attack but cloudy conditions prevented dropping any bombs.

Units:-
28/08/1939—1945??..2./Bau-Bataillon 59// 2./Bau-Pioneer-Bataillon 59.

Training:-
09/09/1942—21/08/1942..Infanterie Ausbuilung Lehrgang der Festungs-Pionierstab 17 (pioneer training).
05/11/1942—18/11/1942.. Armee-Pionier-Schule Angers AOK 7(Mine Training).
04/01/1943—23/01/1943..Infanterie Lehrgang Armee-Pionier-Schule Angers AOK 7(pioneer training).
28/08/1939—1945…

Active service:-

2./Bau-Bataillon 59// Bau-Pioneer-Bataillon 59.

‘Abwehr eines größeren britisch landungsversuches bei St Nazaire
In English:-
Defence against a major British landing attempt at St Nazaire’

The Bau-Bataillon 59 was mobilized on the 26th. August 1939 in the Wehrkreis V. The battalion was formed from the RAD departments 6/274 and 5/275 as an Heerestruppe . Initially the bataillon was deployed in the west. At the end of 1940 the battalion was on the Channel coast Occupation duty and Training. From 1941 the battalion was deployed on the Atlantic coast. In 1941 it was subordinate to the Festungs-Baustab Kanalküste (renamed Marinebefehlshaber Kanalküste) in Wimereux. The battalion was deployed in the area from Wimereux to Cape Gris Nez. In 1942 the battalion acted as an independent unit attached to the 7 Armee. The staff of the 7 Armee moved the headquarters to Angers in February 1942. The bataillon moved to St Nazaire in Febuary 1942 and was employed to strengthen the port and surrounding areas defences. There was an order to make St Nazaire a fortress town after the completion of the submarine complex, but also to protect the port and its shipyard from allied air and sea attacks. The town was fortified with 3 rings of concrete emplacements and naval emplacements both sides of the river. The construction was still on going when on 28/02/1942 operation “chariot” was launched by the British. The ramming of the Joubert dry dock by HMS Campbeltown and the commando raid on the port complex. This combat action is entered in the wehrpass.
On August 19, 1943, the battalion was in Renamed Bau-Pioneer-Bataillon 59. Remaining under the LIII. Armeekorps part of the 7. Armee.
On April 2, 1944 the bataillon was subordinate to LXXXIV. Armeekorps part of the 7. Armee.
The last entry in the wehrpass is on the 20/10/1943 it would be reasonable to assume that Bau-Pioneer-Bataillon 59 continued it’s relationship as an independent 7 Armee unit. Therefore the bataillon would have been transferred to Normandy to face the allied invasion of France.

There is no entry of him on the Volksbund, Red Cross Vermisstenbildliste or Ancestry ((post war) this was restricted to UK, USA, Germany, France and Austria).
The Bau-Pioneer-Bataillon 59 is mentioned as being under the command of the Infanterie division 352 on Jun 10,1944 also with the 17 SS Panzer Grenadier Division on June 20,1944. Also it is designated on situation map as Armee-Pionier-Schule Angers between the Infanterie Division 352 and Panzer Lehr Division. The relationship between Bau-Pioneer- Bataillon 59 and Armee-Pionier-Schule Angers is both of these units are under the command directly from 7 Armee. Both unit are situated at Angers/St Nazaire area. Both of these unit are not listed as being part of the festung St Nazaire or Loirent, also as being destroyed in the fighting in Brittany or south west France.

Pioneer Bataillon Angers.

In the event of an Allied landing in the AOK 7 area, all possible forces should be made available for defence. Therefore, on January 17, 1944, AOK 7 ordered the formation of the “Armee-Sperrverbandes 700”. In the event of an Allied landing in Normandy, the Sperrverbandes was to be formed from the staff with Nachrichtenzug of the Armeewaffenschule, the Armee-Pionier-Schule AOK 7, the Sturm-Bataillon AOK 7 and also part or all of Bau-poineer-Bataillon 59. The commander of the army weapons school, Colonel Karl-Adolf von Bodecker, was also supposed to become the commander of Sperrverbandes 700. Furthermore, the Armee-Pionier-Schule AOK 7 should be renamed “Angers Pioneer Battalion”. The battalion should consist of a total of four companies (1st-4th company). For this purpose, the school staff was used as the staff of the engineer battalion. The commander remained Lieutenant Colonel Hans Scharfenorth. The 1st company consisted of the permanent staff and assistants, using tanks, S.W.G.41 and Chenilettes used for training purposes at the school. The 1st company was later renamed the Schwere Kompanie and consisted of a total of 58 soldiers and 48 HiWi (helpers, mainly ostervolk). The 2nd company was made up of the remaining permanent staff and HiWis. It was later renamed the Staff Company and consisted of a total of 54 soldiers. The 3rd and 4th companies were formed from platoons or companies commanded to the school, provided that there was no break in training in these units or that a return to the original units was not possible or intended. The 3rd company was later renamed the 1st company and had 90 soldiers and 43 assistants. The 4th company, however, was renamed the 2nd company and consisted of a total of 92 soldiers and 20 HiWis. In total, the Angers Pioneer Battalion consisted of 322 soldiers and 111 HiWis. However, since the Sturm-Bataillon AOK 7 was relocated to the Cotentin peninsula on May 8, 1944, the formation of the Sperrverbandes 700 was abandoned after the Allied landing began; instead, both battalions were deployed independently in the fighting.

Since the Allied landing began on June 6, 1944, the 352 Inf. Div. had very high losses of soldiers and material within the first few days. Therefore, on June 8, 1944, AOK 7 ordered the division to be reinforced by the “Armeesperrverband 700”. Due to the heavy fighting of the Strum-Bataillon AOK 7 near St. Mére-Eglise, it could not be pulled out of the front. Only the Armee Pioneer School AOK 7 was transferred to the front as the “Angers Pioneer Battalion” together with the Kampfgruppe Heintz (I. & II./Gren.Rgt.984, Füs.Btl.275) with various supply units. The Pioneer Battalion Angers itself became the KGr. Heintz (this can only be assumed). On June 10, 1944, the Angers Pioneer Battalion was initially assigned to the 352 Inf. Div. It was detached again and relocated from St. Lô to the area southwest of Carentan, as the front here was closed due to the fuel-related delay of the 17.SS-Pz.Gren.Div.

The front here had to be reinforced in order to support this point against the enemy who was pushing further west from Neuilly on the west bank of the Vire”. Kampfgruppe Heintz was brought in a short time later. After the arrival of the 17.SS-Pz.Gren.Div. The Angers Pioneer Battalion remained in the area southwest of Carentan, but remained with the 352 Inf. Div.

The Kampfgruppe Heintz was subordinated to the 17.SS-Pz.Gren.Div. north of St. Lô as the right border to 352.Inf.Div. The Angers Pioneer Battalion itself was Subordinate to the 352nd Inf. Div. used as a left border to secure the Vire Canal and was located north of Montmartin. The mission of both units was to defend the HKL and to prevent enemy advances over the St. Pellerin - Carentan line along the railway line.

On June 22, 1944, the Angers Pioneer Battalion of the 17.SS-Pz.Gren.Div. (assumed), the division's daily order stated the new right-hand border of the division extends to the Vire and thus also took over the area of the Pioneer battalion. A clear change in the subordination relationship of the Angers Pioneer Battalion to the 17 SS Pz.Gren.Div. between June 22nd and 28th, 1944. This cannot be determined with certainty, since even in the wartime structure of the AOK 7 the pioneer battalion was once with the 17.SS-Pz.Gren.Div. as Sperrverband 700 and with the 352nd Inf. Div also. On June 28, 1944, the Angers pioneer battalion was already heavily depleted, as it was included in the daily orders of the 17.SS-Pz.Gren.Div. it was only labelled with remains. On the night of June 28th to 29th, 1944, the KGr. Heintz inserted to seal off a breakthrough at I./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt.38 west of Graignes, the Pi.Btl. Angers remained on the Vire Canal near St. Fromond to provide security. From mid-July 1944, the remnants of the Angers Pioneer Battalion from the 17.SS-Pz.Gren.Div. separated again and were directly subordinate to the LXXXIV. Armeekorps. The Angers Pioneer School was probably disbanded by AOK 7 in mid or late July 1944, as no replacements were provided due to the battle-related losses. In November 1944, the “Army Pioneer School AOK 7” was officially dissolved.

Thanks for looking,
Russ



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[Willmore]

Hi Russ.

Really interesting Wehrpaß with great research, thank you for sharing it with us.

The RAF log book is a great addition to the story too.

On the 6th of June 1944 7./Kompanie Bau Pioneer Battalion 59 was located in the Meuvaines sector of 352. Infanterie Division. This means that Karl was likely stationed close to this area.

Bau Bataillon 59, danach Bau Pionier Bataillon 59 - Einheiten des Heeres - Forum der Wehrmacht

Meuvaines, France -

Meuvaines - Wikipedia

Randomly I have been researching the St Nazaire Raid/Operation Chariot for a death card and the three links below have some great information.

The story of the raid

Operation Chariot - St. Nazaire, 28th March 1942

The St. Nazaire Raid - Warfare History Network

Kind regards,

Will.

[russg]

A great reply, thanks Will!!

[hucks216]

Here is another Wehrpass to a soldier caught up in the Op Chariot raid - it has a very similar entry for the raid in the campaign pages:
Wehrpass: Caught Up In 'The Greatest Raid Of All'

[Paul D]

Hi Russ.

Really interesting Wehrpaß with great research, thank you for sharing it with us.

The RAF log book is a great addition to the story too.

On the 6th of June 1944 7./Kompanie Bau Pioneer Battalion 59 was located in the Meuvaines sector of 352. Infanterie Division. This means that Karl was likely stationed close to this area.

Bau Bataillon 59, danach Bau Pionier Bataillon 59 - Einheiten des Heeres - Forum der Wehrmacht

Meuvaines, France -

Meuvaines - Wikipedia

Randomly I have been researching the St Nazaire Raid/Operation Chariot for a death card and the three links below have some great information.

The story of the raid

Operation Chariot - St. Nazaire, 28th March 1942

The St. Nazaire Raid - Warfare History Network

Kind regards,

Will.

Just to add the village of Meuvaines and the ridge it stands on were the initial Assembly areas of 151 Brigade part of the 50th TT Infantry Division , they were the reserve Brigade who landed on King Sector of Gold Beach at around 10.30am on D Day . As the infantry moved southwards inland the area was taken over by British Artillery units . I'll hceck the War diaries to see if they mention any POW's from Bau Pioneer Btl 59 .

[russg]

Thanks Paul,

I did wonder if Mast was taken prisoner, he doesn't show as killed on the Volksbund.

Thanks for your help,

Russ