This division was set up very late in 1945. It achieved therefore only a very small operational
ability and was only up to regimental strength during its service.
The division was mostly formed by cadets from the SS Junkerschule Bad Tölz
and the personal guards of Reichsführer Himmler. It only served briefly
during the last days of the war in Bavaria where it also surrendered.
Commanders*:
- SS-Standartenführer Hans Kempin
- SS-Obersturmbannführer Richard Schulze-Kossens
- SS-Gruppenführer Karl Reichritter von Oberkamp (only appointed but never
actually took up command!)
- SS-Gruppenführer Heinz Lammerding
- SS-Standartenführer Martin Stange
* Note:
In the last days of the war it became important for some officers, to recieve rapid
promotions and commanding positions changed very quickly for one interesting
reason:
Nearly everybody knew that the war would soon be lost. Many soldiers were therefore concerned about their pensions within an after-war social network. Laws in Nazi-Germany provided pensions for former German soldiers (including the SS), depending on their rank and last command positions. But this consideration of some SS-Officers failed because of the results at the Nuremburg War Crimes Trials, stating the SS as a criminal organisation.
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Jagdpanzer 38(t) "Hetzer"
