Stalin's Nemesis

by Michael James Melnyk

  21See Personal-Akte NA A3343-SSO-246B. Wildner’s date of appointment is recorded as 21 August 1944.

  22For example a veteran of the Kampfgruppe related how on one occasion Wildner passed by in his Kubelwagen and dropped off two Ukrainian soldiers who had a history of dropping in Slovakian homes and getting themselves drunk on Slovakian spirit. On this occasion they were left behind about a kilometre from the marching column, but Wildner instructed that no charges were to be laid against them. Email to author Theo Andruszko, 24 April 2010.

  23The infantry company commanders were; 9 company—SS-Untersturmführer Lilinger (after he was wounded SS-Oberscharführer Mitzinger (later Waffen-Untersturmführer Zeniuk) 10 Company, Waffen-Hauptsturmführer Tatarsky, 11 Company Waffen-Obersturmführer Volodymyr Kosak, 12 Company SS-Obersturmführer Schneller.

  24Commanded by Waffen-Untersturmführer Volodymyr Vashkovych.

  25The fact that the Kampfgruppe was provided with some second rate equipment was confirmed by an officer and a former non-commissioned officer who served with the unit. Letter to author O. Kulchycky, 7 January 1997, and verbally R. Drazniowsky, 7 December 1996. As an example for the most part the infantry companies were armed with the old style MG 34 machine guns. Only the heavy company was equipped with the newer and more modern MG 42, however ammunition for the weapon was in such short supply that its usefulness was limited. Verbally to author M. Prymak, 28 November 1997.

  26Interview M. Klymchuk, London, 29 April 1997. Kampfgruppe Wildner (an unpublished paper) Roman Drazniowsky, p. 1. Heike, Eng. ed., op cit.; p. 73.

  27Email to author Theo Andruszko, 14 May 2010.

  28Interview M. Klymchuk, London, 29 April 1997. He was replaced by SS-Oberscharführer Mitzinger. Also letter to author Jurij Ferencevych, 17 May 2010.

  29Verbally to author O. Kulchycky, 24 December 1996. Letter to author R. Drazniowsky, 12 March 1997.

  30Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; p. 1.

  31Kormylo, Memoirs of a Forgotten ..., op cit.; p. 49.

  32Letter to author R. Drazniowsky, 29 June 1994.

  33Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; p. 1.

  34They were prevented from so doing by the quick thinking of Waffen-Unterscharführer Drazniowsky who led his platoon against the Slovak forces. Letter to author R. Drazniowsky, 1 April 1996.

  35Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; pp. 1-2. Letter to author Theo Andruszko, 14 May 2010. See also M. Matchak, Z boiv …, op cit.; pp. 3-5.

  36The dead were buried in Banska Stiavnica. Matchak, Z boiv …, op cit.

  37Email to author J. Ferencevych, 28 May 2010.

  38Kormylo, Memoirs of a Forgotten ..., op cit.; pp. 49-50.

  39Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; p. 2.

  40Email to author Theo Andruszko, 14 May 2010. Jurij Ferencevych wrote; ‘My I.G. platoon arrived at this village in the late afternoon and we stayed there all night. Next morning , before we left the village I heard the story about the pig from my soldiers. We left the village in the morning and took up defensive positions approx 1.5 kms away on the road to the village. Around noon I had to go back to the village and there I heard about the investigation into who had killed the pig. I rushed back to our position and asked the boys to wash their Kochgeschirre (mess tins) in a little creek alongside the road. They had some of the meat which they had cooked and I was afraid that if an inspection occurred they would be caught. They did it and I checked their Kochgeschirre, but nobody from battalion came to check’. Email to the author dated 15 May 2010.

  41Letter to author V. Keczun, 24 May 2010.

  42Letter to author M. Prymak, 6 April 1998.

  43Letter to author O. Kulchycky, 9 April 1997. See also Visti Kombatanta No. 4, 1990.

  44These had been dug by the Ukrainian refugees.

  45For example, by the time the 10 company approached the village it was nightfall and fighting was already in progress. Not knowing the distribution of friendly units the company commander requested and received an order not to approach or take part in the battle. Letter to author R. Drazniowsky, 29 June 1994.

  4627-year-old SS-Obersturmführer Hans Kettgen commanded the second battalion of KGr Schill.

  47Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; p. 3.

  48Kormylo, Memoirs of a Forgotten ..., op cit.; pp. 50-51.

  49Multi-barrelled towed rocket weapon which could fire high explosive projectiles at 1 second intervals. op cit.;

  50Letter to author T. Andruszko, 14 May 2010.

  51Email to author W. Keczun, 26 May 2010.

  52Himmler actually arrived in the Slovakian capital of Pressburg [Bratislava] in person on 4 October 1944.

  53This Soviet offensive was undertaken by the armies which formed part of the 4 Ukrainian Front.

  54SS-Sonder-Regiment Dirlewanger arrived in Slovakia from Poland fresh from its participation in the suppression of the Warsaw rising. For details see Stein, The Waffen-SS …, pp. 264-270.

  55The figures for the strength of those two units are quoted in Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, op cit.; Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 12.10.44, Feindlageoffizier Betr.; Eigene Kräftegliederung in der Slowakei. For further details and comparative strengths of other reserve and security units see Venohr, Aufstand …, op cit.; pp. 272-273.

  56The order stated that with effect from the 1.10.44, the SS-Gren.Ausb.u.Ers.Rgt.14 was to come directly under the Division’s command. The transfer of officers, NCOs and men of the staff personnel to the Division remained prohibited.

  57Secret telegram from SS-Standartenführer Ruoff, FS SS-FHA/Amt II Org.Abt. Ia/II/Tgb.Nr.3411/44 g.Kdos. v. 28.9.1944, Betr.: 14. W.-Gren.Div. d. SS, NA T175 roll 141, frames 2669143–2669144.

  58Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 12.10.44.

  59Heike, Eng. ed., op cit.; p. 76.

  60Ibid.

  61The movement of WGR 30 to Slovakia ahead of the remainder of the Division was confirmed to the author verbally by P. Jacyna 27 January 1997 and V. Veryha 31 January 1997.

  62Heike, Eng. ed., op cit.; p. 75.

  63The Training and Reserve Regiment took a full two weeks to transfer to Slovakia beginning on 1 October until 15 October 1944, SS-Grenadier-Ausbildungs-und Ersatz-Regiment 14 (ukrain. Ausbildungs-Regiment 1), SA.

  64Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, op cit.; Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 12.10.44.

  65The strength return as of 20.9.44, listed a required compliment of 480 officers. See T175 roll 141 frame 2668949.

  66The command appointments within the Artillery Regiment were as follows:

  Commander F. Beyersdorff SS-Stadtf.

  Adjutant B. Möller SS-Ustuf.

  Reg.Arzt R. Dziubanowsky Waffen-Ostuf.

  Reg.Vet V. Kiszko Waffen-Ostuf.

  Reg. Chaplain Rev. E. Korduba Waffen-Ostuf.

  Abtl. Fhr: I. (HQ: Rajecke Teplice) O. Glaess SS-Ostuf.

  II. (HQ: Rajec) M. Dliaboha Waffen-Ustuf.

  III. (HQ: Rajec) E.J. Schlesinger SS-Haupstf.

  IV. (HQ: Lietavska Lucka) G. Sparsam SS-Haupstf.

  Hawirko, The Structure, Organisation …, AA.

  67In Vrutky the Pioneer Battalion occupied the barracks of the former Slovakian

  Army. Its staff at the time were as follows:

  Commander Remberger, Josef (Sepp) SS-Stubaf.

  Adjutant Glöckner, Horst SS-Ostuf.

  z.b.V. Balzarek, Walter SS-Ustuf.

  1.Verw.Fhr. Zaborowski, Paul SS-Ostuf.

  2. -’- Martiniuk, Jaroslav Waffen-Ustuf.

  Btl. Arzt Cehelsky, Mychailo Waffen-Standartenoberjunker

  Kp.Fhr. 1.KP Krause, Heinz SS-Ostuf.

  2. Dzillum, Wilhelm SS-Ostuf.

  3. Dombrowskyi, Alfred von, SS-Ostuf.

  681 company was stationed in Varin, 2 company in Krasnany, 3 company in Bela and 4 in Terchova. The Battalion HQ was based in a former castle of Hungarian nobility in Krasnany. Letter to author Dr W. Krywulak, 31 January 1997.

  69SS-Grenadier-Ausbildungs-und
Ersatz-Regiment 14 (ukrain. Ausbildungs-Regiment 1), SA. I./Btl. was quartered in Cierney, II./Btl. in Turzovka, III in Oscadnica and the Reserve-Ersatz-Bataillion in Cadca.

  70Letter to author Jaroslav Hunka, 7 October 2015.

  71Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, op cit.; Nr.1703/44 geh. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 16.10.44, Betr.; Lage in der Slowakei. Abendmeldung des Dtsch. Befehlshabers Slowakei vom 15.10.44.

  72Ibid., Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 12.10.44, Feindlageoffizier Betr.; Eigene Kräftegliederung in der Slowakei.

  73Herasymowycz, The Formation …, op cit.; pp. 1-2.

  74These included several individuals who graduated from SS-Panzer-Grenadier Schule Kienschlag with outstanding scores such as Ivan Sarytzky, 297 points (see Personal-Akte Ivan Sarytzky NA A3343-SSO-062B), Myron Scharko and Roman Hawrylak both of whom scored 294 points in their final assessments. (See Personal-Akt, Roman Hawrylak, Personal-Akte NA A3343-SSO-072A and Personal-Akte Myron Scharko, NA A3343-SSO-070B).

  75Letter from Otto Wächter to General Josef Freiherr von Wächter dated November 1944. HWA.

  76Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, op cit.; Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 12.10.44.

  77Ibid,; Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 15/10/44.

  78Ibid.; Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 16/10.

  79Ibid.; Nr.207/44 geh. Kdos. Prag, den 17/10.44.

  80Ibid.; Nr.1719/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 18.10.44.

  81Ibid.; Nr.1725/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 19.10.44.

  82Ibid.; Nr.1719/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 18.10.44.

  83Ibid.; Nr.1759/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 24.10.44, Betr.; Lage in der Slowakei. Abendmeldung des Dtsch. Befehlshabers Slowakei vom 23.10.44.

  84In view of the earlier instruction that any additional combat groups and their deployment against partisans was to take place only with the express authorisation of the head of the SS-FHA, it is likely that the order originated from Höfle.

  85Heike, Eng. ed., op cit.; pp. 78-79.

  86Letter to author W. Maziar, 24 March 1997.

  87Ibid.

  88Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, op cit.; Nr.1766/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 25.10.44, Betr.; Lage in der Slowakei. Abendmeldung des Dtsch. Befehlshabers Slowakei vom 24.10.44.

  89Ibid., Nr.1780/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 27.10.44, Betr.; Lage in der Slowakei. Abendmeldung des Dtsch. Befehlshabers Slowakei vom 26.10.44.

  90Ibid., Nr.1798/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 29.10.44, Betr.; Lage in der Slowakei, Abendmeldung des Dtsch. Befehlshabers Slowakei vom 28.10.44.

  91Verbally to author M. Scharko, 6 October 2014.

  92Heike, Eng. ed., op cit.; p. 79.

  93Letter to author W. Maziar, (via E. Shypailo) 24 March,1997.

  94Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; p. 3.

  95Letter to author T. Andruszko, 14 May 2010.

  96Kormylo, Memoirs of a Forgotten ..., op cit.; p. 51.

  97Email to author W. Keczun, 31 May 2010. The Slovak preference to surrender to the Ukrainians is confirmed in many accounts, for example interview M. Klymchuk, London, 7 October 1990, and Myron Matchak, Z boiv ..., op cit.; pp. 3-5.

  98Letter to author J. Ferencevych, 17 May 2010.

  99Letter to author O. Kulchycky, 5 March 1997.

  100Email to author T. Andruszko, 14 May 2010.

  101A former member of ‘KGr. Wittenmeyer’ serving with the 1 platoon of the 13./WGR 31, recounted how his platoon took more than one company of Slovak partisans as prisoners amongst which were two American airmen. Letter to author W. Maziar, (via E. Shypailo) 24 March 1997. Roman Chomicky also relates an incident during which two American airmen were captured. In this instance they were well looked after and fed before being escorted to battalion command. See also Chomicky, Memoir, op cit.; pp. 4-5.

  102Amongst the weaponry obtained in addition to the rifles were the much-prized Soviet made Finka machine pistols and some Czech-made light machine guns. Letter to author O. Kulchycky, 7 January 1997 and letter to author W. Popadynec, 25 March 1998.

  103Letter to author M. Prymak, 6 April 1998.

  104Letter to author W. Popadynec, 11 March 1998.

  105Kormylo, Memoirs of a Forgotten ..., op cit.; pp. 51-52.

  106 Tieke and Rebstock im Letzten …, op cit.; pp. 93-94.

  107 See ‘Grenzbote’ 1 November 1944, SA. The article incorrectly refers to the ‘den verbanden der ’14.SS Panzerdivision’.

  108The actual wording was of the announcement dated 8 November 1944, ‘Die organisierte Aufstandbewegung in der Slowakei ist zusammengebrochen und zerschlagen...’.

  109Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; pp. 2-3, letter to author 6 October 1997, verbally to author, 21 November 1997.

  110Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; p. 5.

  111Ibid.

  112Kaktsap, (literally ‘like a Billy Goat’) a Ukrainian derogatory term for Russians who wore their beards resembling those of a Billy goat.

  113Kormylo, Memoirs of a Forgotten ..., op cit.; pp. 52-56.

  114During one such engagement a platoon of the 12 company together with a platoon of pioneers was assigned the task of surrounding the village of Turcek and capturing a group of two hundred partisans who were reported to be hiding there. In the early morning hours the Ukrainian group formed a ring around the village and entered it only to discover that most of the partisans had fled the day before. During the subsequent house search around thirty partisans were captured including a Soviet colonel commissar, who subsequently betrayed the hiding places of Generals Jan Golian and Rudolf Viest during his interrogation. The Ukrainian commander was awarded the Iron Cross 2 Class. O. Kulchycky, Visti Kombatanta, Nr.4, 1990 and letter to the author, 7 January 1997.

  115The date of the Kampfgruppe’s return is given by Matchak as 30 November (see Z boiv …, op cit.;) whilst Tatarsky gives the date as 28 November see Tatarsky, Volodymyr, Pid Chotyrma Praporamy (Under Four Flags), p. 165. Drazniowsky gives the date as being 29 November Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner op cit.; p. 3. As Drazniowsky’s date is based on a diary entry the author has adopted it.

  116Letter to author O. Kulchycky, 3 March 1997 and W. Popadynec, 25 March 1998.

  117Letter to author T. Andruszko, 14 May 2010.

  118Drazniowsky, Kampfgruppe Wildner, op cit.; pp. 2-3.

  119Keczun, Memoir, op cit.; p. 20.

  120Ferkuniak, Spomyny …, op cit.; p. 15.

  121Letter to author W. Popadynec, 11 March 1998 and 25 March 1998. During the campaign twenty soldiers were sent as reinforcements to the Kampfgruppe to replace losses and a further eleven men were killed outright or seriously wounded as the result of a direct hit on a platoon by a mortar shell. Letters to author O. Kulchycky, 7 January 1997, 20 January 1997 and 5 March 1997. A few desertions also occurred amongst the enlisted men, who in all probability deserted in the hope of returning to UPA. Interview M. Klymchuk, 7 October 1990, and verbally to author R. Drazniowsky, 7 December 1996.

  122Typical of the other combat awards given on this occasion to both Germans and Ukrainians were the Infantrie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge) and the Verwundetenabzeichen (wound badge).

  123Ukrainian officer recipients of Iron Cross II. Class included Waffen-Untersturmführer O. Kulchycky, (12 co.) Waffen-Hauptsturmführer W. Tatarsky (10 co.) and Waffen-Untersturmführer E. Korczak.

  124Seven outright, ten for bravery in the field and fifteen for being wounded in battle. Letters to author W. Popadynec, 11 March 1998 and 25 March 1998.

  1252.1.2. Eisernes Kreuz, RH7/2485 Juli 44.-Jan 45. RH7A/1362. 2.1.2. Eisernes Kreuz, RH7/2485 Juli 44.-Jan 45. RH7A/1362.

  126Heike, Eng. ed.; op cit.; p. 79.

  127Secret teletext from SS-Standartenführer Ruoff SS-Führungshauptamt, Amt II Org.Abt.Ia/II, Tgb.Nr.5218/44 g.Kdos. 31.12.44. NA T175 roll 14, frames 2668967–2668968.

  128Heike, Eng. ed., op cit.; p. 77. The list of spoils and their distribution to the German units involved stated that
‘In the fighting in west and middle of Slovakia, the enemy lost over 4,000 counted dead and 15,000 prisoners. Taken or destroyed were 2 armoured trains, 267 aircraft (63 of them usable) 104 tanks (almost all destroyed in battle), 309 cannons (from this number the SS 13[sic] Pz.Gren.Div (Gal.Nr.1)’s heavy artillery detachment was fully equipped)’. See Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, op cit.; Nr.1878/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 7.11.44, Betr.; Lage in der Slowakei.

  129Ibid., p. 79.

  130Letter to author O. Sokolsky, 23 June 1992. WGR 29 received over twenty vehicles of all types.

  131Der Wehrmachtbevollmächtigte …, op cit.; Nr.1878/44 geheim. Feindlageoffizer. Prag, den 7.11.44, Betr.; Lage in der Slowakei.

  132When he realised that further organised resistance was impossible, on 29 October General Rudolph Viest issued his last order dissolving the 1 Czechoslovak Army and directing that all remaining units change over to partisan methods.