Cavalry Regiment 18 (Wehrmacht)

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18th Cavalry Regiment

active December 18, 1919 as part of the Reichswehr  until August 25, 1939, reclassification upon mobilization
Country German EmpireGerman Empire Weimar Republic

German Reich NSGerman Reich (Nazi era) German Empire

Armed forces Reichswehr
Wehrmacht
Armed forces army
Branch of service cavalry
Type Cavalry Regiment
structure See outline
Location See garrisons
Commanders
Please refer: List of commanders

The 18th Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry association of the Wehrmacht , which was renamed the 18th Cavalry Regiment of the Reichswehr . The regiment was not disbanded when the cavalry divisions were dissolved in 1936, but only used as planned with the mobilization of the Wehrmacht on August 25, 1939 to set up reconnaissance units .

assignment

Because of their low combat strength, the Reichswehr cavalry could only be used for reconnaissance and security.

After the dissolution of the cavalry divisions of the Wehrmacht in 1936, the remaining cavalry regiments had the task of carrying out training with regard to the reconnaissance departments of the infantry divisions to be set up in the event of war .

history

18th Cavalry Regiment (1919–1934)

By order of the Reichswehr Ministry No. 2494 / 12.19 T2, the cavalry regiments of the Reichswehr were formed on December 18, 1919. The previous cavalry regiments 13 (Württemberg) and 113 (Baden) of the provisional Reichswehr left the 13th Reichswehr Brigade and were combined in the 18th Cavalry Regiment. It belonged to the 3rd Cavalry - Division in Weimar .

The regiment took over in 1921

the 1st squadron the tradition of the Uhlan regiment "King Wilhelm I." (2nd Württemberg) No. 20 and the dragoon regiment Queen Olga (1st Württemberg) No. 25 ,
the 2nd squadron that of the Uhlan Regiment "King Karl" (1st Württemberg) No. 19 ,
the 3rd squadron of the 1st Badisches Leib-Dragoons-Regiment No. 20 and the 2nd Badisches Dragoon-Regiment No. 21 ,
the 4th squadron of the 3rd Badisches Dragoon Regiment "Prinz Karl" No. 22 and the Dragoon Regiment No. 26 ,
the 5th squadron of the König Dragoon Regiment (2nd Württembergisches) No. 26 .
Structure of the 18th Cavalry Regiment

In 1923 the entire 3rd Squadron and a platoon of the 4th Squadron of the regiment were deployed against communist insurgents in Thuringia. The regiment's intelligence platoon was set up in January 1925 and in the autumn of the same year the 5th squadron was renamed the 2nd squadron, the 2nd squadron the 5th squadron and, at the same time, a heavy squadron with machine guns - platoon , cavalry gun platoon and messages - Train converted. In April 1934 a squadron of staff was set up, but this only existed for one year. In 1932 the regiment was divided into

  • Staff with message train
  • 4 cavalry squadrons (1st - 4th) with six light MG 13 each
  • 5th heavy squadron with
News train,
MG platoon with 8 heavy MG 08,
Mine thrower train with two light mine throwers 7.5 cm,
Anti-tank gun platoon with two guns.

In 1934 the 3rd squadron was transferred to the 1st Rifle Regiment. In the autumn of 1934 the 1st squadron gave almost its entire stock of non-commissioned officers and men without horses to the motor vehicle department 5 and was replenished by personnel from the other squadrons. At the same time, the 1st and 4th squadrons moved from Ludwigsburg to Bad Cannstatt. In May 1935 a squadron of the disbanded Reiter Regiment 7 became a new 3rd squadron.

Cavalry Regiment 18 (1934–1939)

Rider of the 18th Cavalry Regiment

In 1936, the three cavalry divisions of the Armed Forces were disbanded, renamed the cavalry regiments in cavalry regiments and reclassified, at the same time the name was squadron in squadron changed. The regiment was renamed Cavalry Regiment 18 on October 6, 1936. In the event of war, the reconnaissance departments of the infantry divisions were to be formed from the cavalry regiments. For this a 6th (cycling), 9th (motorized) and 10th (news) squadron were set up.

In 1938 the former cavalry and armored troops became the fast troops . With the mobilization of the Wehrmacht on August 25, 1939, the regiment was disbanded as planned and reconnaissance departments (partially motorized) for infantry divisions of the 1st wave and a replacement department were formed from it. In addition, the regiment provided personnel for the cavalry units of the infantry regiments of these divisions.

Subsequent units

Cenotaph for the fallen soldiers of the 18th Cavalry Regiment in Stuttgart

When mobilizing, the cavalry regiment 18 set up:

In the further course of the war, the cavalry replacement department 18 and / or by delivering the reconnaissance departments that had already been set up were set up

Mountain Reconnaissance Division 94
Reconnaissance Department 125
Cycling Department 335

organization

Association membership

Until the dissolution of the cavalry divisions, the regiment belonged to the 3rd Cavalry Division, then to the 5th Army Corps.

structure

When it was set up, the regiment consisted of five squadrons, all of which were stationed in what is now Baden-Württemberg .

unit garrison Compatriot Traditional troop
Rod Cannstatt
1st squadron Ludwigsburg Württemberg Drag.Rgt. 25 and Ulan.Rgt. 20 / XIII
2nd squadron Cannstatt Württemberg Ulan.Rgt. 19 / XIII
3rd Squadron Ludwigsburg Baden Drag.Rgt. 21 / XIV
4th Squadron Ludwigsburg Baden Drag.Rgt. 22 / XIV
5th (supplementary) squadron Cannstatt Württemberg Drag.Rgt. 26th
Outline Cavalry Regiment 18 1939

From the renaming in 1934, the regiment continued to consist of 5 squadrons. In 1936 it was enlarged and reclassified:

  • Regimental staff
  • I. Department
1-5 Rider squadron (with 3 rider platoons each)
  • II. Department
6-8 Cycling squadron (with 3 cyclist trains and 1 heavy train each)
9th anti-tank squadron
10th heavy squadron
11th news squad

Armament and equipment

Luggage on the horse

The rider's equipment was carried in the left rider's bag. When dismounted, it could also be carried on the back like a backpack.

In the right pocket pack horses luggage items needed for the horse (harrow, 2 horseshoe, 8 studs, nails 16, 1 cleat key Anbindering 1) were included.

weapons

In 1919 the regiment was equipped with a carbine 98a , pistol , saber , lance and four heavy MG 08 (sMG 08). The four heavy machine guns were combined in a machine gun platoon that was directly under the staff. As with the infantry, they were carried on a wagon with a limb , but were driven in six horses because of the better mobility with the cavalry. The outdated lance, a 3.20 m long steel tube with a lance flag, was carried on for reasons of tradition. Crews and NCOs carried the saber on the right side of the saddle. The pannier 26, later the pannier 34, was carried at the front of the saddle and the luggage behind the saddle.

In 1926 the squadrons were equipped with the light MG 08/15 , so that there was now one MG in each group. The machine gunner carried it with him on the left rear of the saddle, on the right side the weight was balanced by another cartridge box. In October 1927 the lance was abolished, whereby a greater firepower of the regiment was achieved. In autumn 1928 the more modern carbine K 98b was introduced. In 1935 the MG 08 was replaced by the MG 13 , in 1936 the MG 13 and MG 08 were replaced by the MG 34 .

Armpit flap of a NCO of the 2nd Squadron
Standard of the cavalry

When the war began, the cavalry regiment was not intended for closed use. However, it had the appropriate weapons and equipment to train the individual squadrons for the intended use. These were

uniform

The uniform corresponded to that of the Wehrmacht with the following differences for the mounted cavalry: instead of the normal cloth trousers they wore riding breeches , instead of the marching boots they had riding boots , instead of the steel helmet type M18 (later type M35 or type M1940) they wore the "Cavalry helmet" equipped. (The helmet of the cavalry and the helmet worn by the intelligence forces had cut-out ears in front of the side shield.)

banner

Like all cavalry and motorized units, the regiment received a standard in the basic color orange in 1936 .

Garrisons

Memorial stone in the former dragoon barracks in Bruchsal
garrison Period unit barracks
Cannstatt 1919 to 1939 Staff, 2nd and 5th Squadron / Squadron Reiter barracks
1934 to 1939 1st and 4th squadron / squadron
1937 6th squadron Taubenheim barracks
1937 to 1938 9-11 squadron
Ludwigsburg 1919 to 1939 3rd squadron / squadron Queen Olga Barracks
1919 to 1934 1st and 4th squadrons
Münsingen military training area 1936 to 1937 6., 9. – 11. squadron
Stuttgart 1937 to 1939 6-8 squadron Moltke barracks
Bruchsal 1938 Staff II. Department, 9. – 11. squadron Dragoon barracks

Commanders

No. Surname Beginning of the appointment End of appointment
1. Major Friedrich Lauffer May 1, 1920 May 5, 1920
2. Lieutenant Colonel Otto Braun May 6, 1920 March 31, 1923
3. Lieutenant Colonel Egon von Kardorff April 1, 1923 January 31, 1928
4th Lieutenant Colonel Maximilian Freiherr von Weichs February 1, 1928 February 28, 1930
5. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Bernard March 1, 1930 January 31, 1933
6th Lieutenant Colonel, from December 1, 1933 Colonel Rudolf Veiel February 1, 1933 April 30, 1935
7th Colonel Adolf von Kleist May 1, 1935 September 30, 1937
8th. Colonel Hanns-Adolf Voigt October 1, 1937 September 30, 1939

Members of the regiment

January 1922 joined the 18th Cavalry Regiment as a lieutenant, 1st May 1924 first lieutenant, then general staff course.
October 1923 Rittmeister in the 18th Cavalry Regiment a. Committed to the Fiihrer's Assistant Course / Staff 5th Div., July 1, 1943 Commanding General of the 5th Army Corps, May 1, 1944 assigned to lead the 17th Army, replaced on July 25, 1944 and transferred to the Führerreserve.
1925 joined the 18th cavalry regiment as a flag boy , 1929 lieutenant, in November 1932 switched to the Braunschweig Aviation School for training as a pilot.
  • Horst Niemack , bearer of the swords for the Knight's Cross (* March 10, 1909, † April 7, 1992)
April 1, 1927 Entry as an officer candidate in the Rider Regiment 18, 1931 lieutenant, 1934 Golden Rider Badge, 1936 Cavalry School (training officer), 1939 Rittmeister and squadron chief in the Rider Regiment 18, April 1, 1940 Commander, Reconnaissance Department 5 (5th Inf.Div., June 1940 first German unit on the Marne), July 13, 1940 Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as the first cavalry officer, August 10, 1941 Oak leaves to the Knight's Cross as the first of an army front unit, February 1943 Commander of the 26th Panzer Grenadier Regiment, October 943 Commander of the Panzer Fusilier Regiment “Greater Germany”, June 4, 1944 Swords for Oak Leaves, January 24, 1945 Lieutenant General and Commander of the Panzer Lehr Division . Reserve officer in the Bundeswehr . Head of the Warendorf Riding School, 1952 Chairman of the German Olympic Committee for Equestrianism, 1955 President of the Order of Knight's Cross Bearers, President and Honorary President of the Ring of German Soldiers, 1968 Head of the German Equestrian Team at the Olympic Games in Mexico .
October 1, 1910 joined the Prussian army , 1914 lieutenant in the reserve, 1919 first lieutenant and adjutant in the 18 cavalry regiment, January 1, 1927 captain and squadron chief, November 10, 1938 commander of cavalry regiment 3, February 2, 1940 commander 2. Reiter Brigade, from July 1940 to July 1942 head of the German delegation to the Italo-French Armistice Commission in Turin, October 10, 1942 Commander 17th Panzer Division, June 1943 Wehrmacht Commander in Sicily, October 8, 1943 Commanding General of the XIV Panzer Corps in Italy. 1950 co-author of the Himmeroder memorandum .
  • Prince Ludwig Ferdinand Otto Ludolf zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Knight's Cross (April 4, 1910 - November 22, 1943)
Joined the 18 Cavalry Regiment in 1919. 1939 Commander of Reconnaissance Department 35. He fell as a lieutenant colonel (appointed the day before) and commander of the “South” cavalry regiment near Tschernjechoff / Zhitomir in the Soviet Union.
  • Hans Scholl , member of the White Rose resistance group (born September 22, 1918 - † February 22, 1943)
In autumn 1937 he volunteered as a recruit in the 9th squadron of Cavalry Regiment 18 in the Taubenheim barracks in Bad Cannstatt. Scholl's superiors were Major Rodt and Rittmeister Skubin. After his Gestapo detention in December 1937, Scholl stayed with the regiment until the harvest service in Masuria in the summer of 1939. At the end of June 1938, he took part in field maneuvers near Leonberg.

References

swell

  • Main State Archives Stuttgart, inventory M 433/2 Bü 924 Ranking list of the Reichswehr Cavalry Regiment 18,
Inventory M 433/2 Bü 925 ranking list of the Reichswehr Cavalry Regiment 13, from May 1920 of the Reichswehr Reiter Regiment 18

Web links

See also

literature

  • Friedrich Hiller von Gaertringen : Cavalry Regiment 18th. Comradeship meeting on 8./9. October 1983 . Franckh, Stuttgart 1983.
  • Klaus Christian Richter, The history of the German cavalry 1919-1945 , Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart, 1st edition 1978, ISBN 3-87943-603-7
  • Klaus Christian Richter, Weapons and Equipment of the German Cavalry 1935 - 1945 , special volume S-33 of the magazine Waffenarsenal, Podzun-Pallas-Verlag Wölfersheim-Berstadt, 1994, ISBN 3-7909-0499-6
  • Klaus Christian Richter, Die feldgrauen Reiter The mounted and horse troops in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht , Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart, 1986, ISBN 3-613-01100-X
  • Georg Tessin : German associations and troops, 1918–1939. Old army. Volunteer associations. Reichswehr. Army. Air force. National Police . Edited on the basis of the documents of the Federal Archives-Military Archives; published with the support of the Federal Archives and the Defense Research Working Group . Biblio-Verlag, Osnabrück 1974, ISBN 3-7648-1000-9 , p. 199 ( limited preview in Google Book search).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Richter, Die feldgrauen Reiter, p. 31f: “Now, in the dismounted battle, a horse keeper could take over 4 horses and remained mobile. Previously, with the lances, only 2 horses could be held, and mobility was restricted, as the horse owner had to carry two 3.20 m long tubular steel lances with him. "
  2. ^ J. Lindner, " Taubenheim-Kaserne ", Kavallerie Regiment 18, 2008, accessed May 9, 2010
  3. ↑ J. Lindner, “ Königin-Olga-Kaserne ”, Kavallerie Regiment 18, 2008, accessed December 13, 2008
  4. ^ J. Lindner, “ Moltke-Kaserne ”, Kavallerie Regiment 18, 2008, accessed December 13, 2008
  5. ↑ J. Lindner, " Dragoner-Kaserne ", Kavallerie Regiment 18, 2008, accessed December 13, 2008
  6. ↑ Ruth Hanna Sachs: White Rose History, Volume I [Academic Version]: Coming Together (January 31, 1933 - April 30, 1942) . Exclamation! Publishers, Phoenixville, Pa. 2003, ISBN 0-9710541-9-3 , pp. 199, 217 (English, 649 pp., Limited preview in Google Book Search).
  7. ↑ Ruth Hanna Sachs: The Buendische Trials: Scholl / Reden, 1937-1938 . Exclamation! Publishers, Phoenixville, Pa. 2003, ISBN 0-9710541-2-6 , pp. 7 (English, 61 p., Limited preview in Google book search).
  8. ↑ Ruth Hanna Sachs: White Rose History, Volume I [Academic Version]: Coming Together (January 31, 1933 - April 30, 1942) . Exclamation! Publishers, Phoenixville, Pa. 2003, ISBN 0-9710541-9-3 , pp. 231 (English, 649 p., Limited preview in Google Book search).

Remarks

  1. ↑ For the Reichswehr , the maintenance of tradition was decreed for all units of the Reichswehr by the then Chief of Army Command, Colonel General von Seeckt, with effect from August 24, 1921 .
  2. ^ The identically constructed light infantry gun used by the cavalry
  3. ↑ on October 1, 1934, the designation squadron was replaced by squadron.
  4. ↑ Together with this, it formed the reconnaissance department 5 (mot) in Zuffenhausen in the course of setting up the 2nd Panzer Division
  5. ↑ At off-duty traditional or sporting events, however, the lance was continued for a long time.