GUIDES TO GERMAN RECORDS MICROFILMED AT ALEXANDRIA, VA. No. 71. Records of German Field Commands: Divisions (256th-291st), Part XI The National Archives National Archives and Records Service General Services Administration x. Washington: 1976 This finding aid has been prepared by the National Archives as part of its program of facilitating the use of records in its custody. The microfilm described in this guide may be consulted at the National Archives, where it is identified as Microfilm Publication T315. Those desiring to purchase microfilm should write to the Publications Sales Branch (NEPS), National Archives (GSA), Washington, DC 20408. Some of the papers reproduced on the microfilm referred to in this and other guides of the same series may have been of private origin. The fact of their seizure is not believed to divest their original owners of any literary property rights in them. Anyone, therefore, who publishes them in whole or in part without permission of their authors may be held liable for infringement of such literary property rights. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 58-9982 GUIDES TO GERMAN RECORDS MICROFILMED AT ALEXANDRIA, VA« No. 71. Records of German Field Commands: Divisions (256th-291st), Part XI The National Archives National Archives and Records Service General Services Administration Washington: 1976 I N T R O D U C T I ON Guides tp_ German Records Microfilmed at^ Alexandria, Va defense and operations against partisans in Yugoslavia in 1943; 0 constitute a series of finding aids to National Archives micro- and offensive and defensive operations in France and Germany, film of seized records of German central, regional, and local 1944-45. government agencies and of military commands and units, as well as of the Nazi Party, its formations, affiliated associa- The INDEX to Guide No. 71 can be found immediately following the tions, and supervised organizations. The records described in instructions for its use on page 204. It is primarily an archival the guides were created generally during the period 1920-45, index to this descriptive finding aid and only indirectly to the microfilmed documents it describes. Any attempt to index the The guide series was initiated by the microfilming project of massive contents of the documents themselves in the comprehensive the Committee for the Study of War Documents of the American manner of a book index would so encumber and bloat the index as Historical Association (AHA) in cooperation with the National to make it difficult to use. The master copy for this index was Archives and the Department of the Army. With the termination computer formated and printed from terms input simultaneously of AHA participation in July 1963, the National Archives with the descriptive material in the text of the guide, and was assumed sole responsibility for the reproduction of records supplemented with references, cross-references, and explanatory and the preparation of guides subheadings. The full edition was then reproduced from the 0 master copies by photographic offset printing. This guide is one of many in the series describing the records of the German Army field commands that have been arranged by The provenance to which each record item is attributed is the unit and filmed in discrete microfilm publications according unit headquarters that created or filed it, although a large to their military echelon as follows: Army Groups (NARS Micro- proportion of the items had in fact already been retired to de- film Publication T311), Armies (T312), Panzer Armies (T313), positories of the Heeresarchiv Potsdam, where accession numbers Corps (T314), Divisions (T315), and Rear Areas, Occupied were assigned and stamped or written on the covers in the order Territories, and Others (T501). received, and where the records were then cataloged by unit* The records reached the United States still roughly arranged by Guide No. 71 (designated Part XI of the Guides to German Army unit, since Allied intelligence officers retained this system, Divisions—Parts I-X being Guides 41, 45, and 63-70) describes taking advantage of the circumstance that the original Potsdam the records of divisions numbered 256 through 291 reproduced catalogs were acquired along with the seized field command records. on 123 rolls of NARS Microfilm Publication T315. The records The AHA and the National Archives also followed this arrangement include material on formation, training, and border security in their joint and separate microfilm projects, although some in Germany, 1939-43, in Belgium and Norway in 1943, and in record items appear out of sequence because they were still classi- France in 1944; occupation and security duty and training in fied or temporarily unavailable at the time the unit records were Poland, 1939-41, and in Czechoslovakia in 1939 and 1944; the filmed. This also accounts for the occasional break in continuity campaign in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France in 1940; of roll numbers in the guides where those unit records filmed later occupation and security duty and coastal defense in Denmark in on higher roll numbers appear out of item number sequence at the 1940 and in France, 1940-43; offensive engagements, training, end of the division entries. Record items not yet retired to the and security duty in Lithuania and Latvia in 1941; the cam- Heeresarchiv depositories at the time of capture were assigned paign against the Soviet Union, 1941-44; coastal defense, accession numbers above 75,000 by American custodians in extension training, and security duty in Norway, 1942-43; coastal of the original Potsdam numbering scheme. 111 Considerable information on the fate of German military archives D.C., March 1945) which were filmed at the beginning of every during World War II, including documentation of efforts to recon- roll reproducing the records of each unit. A data card describing struct records destroyed in several wartime fires, may be found each record item was also microfilmed immediately preceding the in the files of the Chef des Heeresarchivs, OKH, filmed as Micro- folder it describes, and the cards for all folders on one roll film Publication T78, rolls 1-38, and described in Guide No 12 of film were again filmed as a finding aid at the beginning of a of this series* that roll. The information contained on these cards was used as a reference in compiling descriptive entries for the guide, Although the records of these divisions have been filmed selec- but considerable revision was undertaken because so many of tively, the war journals (Kriegstagebuecher) and activity reports these card descriptions were prepared hastily to keep pace with (Taetigkeitsberichte) and their annexes (Anlagen) of the opera- the filming and restitution schedules a tions (la) and intelligence (Ic) staff sections, wherever avail- able, were filmed in their entirety A few records of the supply, The CONTENTS column on the pages containing records descriptions 0 administrative, medical, personnel, and judge advocate staff provides (a) the abbreviation of the staff section that originated sections assigned to division headquarters were filmed for those the document, (b) the title appearing on the folder cover, and units whose operations and intelligence files were incomplete (c) additional information providing a general description of the or missing. For security divisions (Sicherungs-Divisionen), all contents The inclusive dates of the file item are given under a 0 available records have been filmed. Map annexes (Kartenanlagen), DATE column; the ITEM N0 is the identification symbol given on 0 consisting exclusively of large maps difficult to put on microfilm, the original folder; the ROLL refers to the sequence of the film were generally omitted; maps interspersed among and integrated with in Microfilm Publication T315; and 1ST FRAME gives the frame the textual records were filmed in several overlapping sections, number of the first page of the file item. which, along with the loss of color markings, detracts considerably from their value and ease of use. The original records, filmed and unfilmed, have been returned to the Federal Republic of Germany for deposit in the Bundesarchiv- A unit history in tabular form precedes the file item listing for Militaerarchiv in Freiburg. The master negatives of Microfilm each division,, The DATE column gives the opening date or first Publication T315 have been deposited with the Publications Sales date on a pertinent document for the LOCATION and ACTIVITY given Branch (NEPS), National Archives (GSA), Washington, DC 20408, from in the next two columns, and the timespan extends to the next which copies of specific rolls may be purchased. Reference copies date given. The CHAIN OF COMMAND column gives the names of the may be consulted in the microfilm reading room of the National commanding officers and superior units, with timespans for each, Archives. For suggestions for citing microfilm, see page xiv a where available. The descriptions in this guide were prepared by Anton F. Grassl, These unit histories are based on information found in the records, Petronilla Hawes, and Donald E, Spencer, Mrs. Hawes also pre- in the Potsdam catalog, on contemporary German daily situation pared the input data for the computer. The computer-input scheme, maps, and in manuscripts of the Foreign Military Studies series. a modification of the SPINDEX program, was devised by the under- They supplement or correct the brief histories, based on the signed. Order o£ Battle of_ the German Army (War Department, Washington, ROBERT WOLFE Chief, Modern Military Branch Military Archives Division IV TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction o o . o . . « o . . « o o . » o o o . o o» ill German Military Symbols and Abbreviations • . . o * o * * « * o o » *o vii Organization of German Army Staffs . . . . • • . . . • • Q Q * *« x O Published Guides to German Records Microfilmed at Alexandria, Va • • • • • e o e* xii 0 Suggestions f or citing microfilm «„ o * * o . o . . «« xv Records: 256. Infanterie-Division (Volksgrenadier) . . . • . • . « . • • •« 1 257. Infanterie-Division (Volksgrenadier) . . . . , « . . . „ «. 14 0 258 Infanterie-Division . . . • « • • « • • • • • . • •• 26 U 260 Infanterie-Division . » . . » < , . „ .. » . . « «, 41 0 0 0 262. Infanterie-Division . . « . « « , ». . „ • . . • «• 48 e 263. Infanterie-Division • . . . « • • . • . « • • • • «• 61 264« Infanterie-Division • . . . • o Q * «o « « « . .« 69 a 265. Infanterie-Division • • • • • . « • • . • » • . • .« 72 266« Infanterie-Division . . • • « • • « • • • • . . . .« 74 267« Infanterie-Division • • • • • • • • • • •• 76 268. Infanterie-Division • • • • « • • . . . • • « • « .• 86 269. Infanterie-Division „ . . „ „ • . „ . • • . . . « •• 1 03 270» Infanterie-Division • • « . .. . « , < . • « « • • . «• 1 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont'd.) Page 274. Infanterie-Division . ... . o. o . „ . . . • . .. 117 276. Infanterie-Division (Volksgrenadier) . . . . . .. . 0 0 . 0. 119 277. Infanterie-Division (Volksgrenadier) . . , . . . . • • • • •• 122 280. Infanterie-Division . . . . . . .. . 0 0 0 0 0 * 0. 1 25 281. Sicherungs-Division . . . . . . . . . o o o « » o oo 1 27 282. Infanterie-Division o . o » o o « o . o o o . o . »o 1 35 285. Sicherungs-Division • • • » . . « « o o » « « e *» 1 40 0 286. Sicherungs-Division • • • • . • . . • • • „ • • • •• 154 290. Infanterie-Division • » • • • • • •• o . . . . oo 1 62 O 291. Infanterie-Division . • • • • • • • . « « • « « »• 1 85 0 Instructions for Ordering Microfilm o . » o . . . o . « o o o .. 316 0 VI GERMAN MILITARY SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS la Operationsabteilung Baupi Baupioniere Ic Fe indnachri chtenabte ilung Bd." Band Tc/A.O. Feindnachrichtenwesen u. Abwehroffizier Beob. Beobachtung Id Ausbildungsoffizier bes. besondere I la 1. Adjutant betr, betreffend lib 2. Adjutant Betr.St. Betriebastoff III Richter Brig. Brigade IVa Intendant Bt. Bataillon IVb Arzt B.V. Betriebsstoffversorgung IVc Veterin'ar Bv.T.O. Bevollmachtigter Transportoffiz ier IVd Gruppe Seelsorge bzw. beziehungsweise IVd/Ev. Evangel!scher Kriegspfarrer Ch.d.C-en.St. Chef des Generalstabes IVd/Kath. Katholischer Kriegspfarrer Div. Division V Kraftfahrwesenoffizier Eisenb. Eisenbahn VI Nationalsozialistischer Fuhrungsoffizier (NSFO) Fahrtr. Fahrtruppen VII Chef der Zivilverwaltung Eallsch. Fallschirm feindl. feindliche Abt. Abteilung Feldgend. FeIdgendarmerie Abw. Abwehr Feldkdtr. Feldkommandantur A.K. Armeekorps Feldlaz. Feldlazarett allg. allgeinein Feld.V.St. Feldvorschriftenstelle A.Na.FU. Armeenachrichtenfuhrer Fest. Festung Anl. Anlage FK Feldkommandantur Anordn. Anordnung Fl. Flieger A.O. Abwehroffizier Flak Fliegerabwehrkanone AOK Arme eoberkommando Flivo Fliegerverbindungsoffizier A.O.Kraft Abwehroffizier des Kraftfahrwesens FPM Feldpostmeister A.Pi.Fu. Armeepionierfiihrer freivr. freiwillig Arfii. Artilleriefiihrer Fu. Fuhrer Arko Artilleriekommandeur Gabo Gasabwehroffi2 ier Arraeegeb. Armeegebiet Geb. Gebirgs- Art., Artl. Artillerie Gen.d.Inf. General der Infanterie Aufkl. Aufklarung Gen.Kdo. Generalkommando A.V.L. Arme ever pflegungslager Genlt. Generalleutnant Batl. Bataillon Genmaj. Generalmaj or Battr. Batterie Genobst, Generaloberst vii GERMAN MILITARY SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont'd.) Genstb.d,H. Generalstab des Heeres Kps. Korps G. F. P. Geheime Feldpolizei Krad Kraftfahrrad Grenztr. Grenztruppen KTB, Ktb. Kriegstagebuch grdlg. grundlegend Lkw. Lastkraftwagen Grz.Tr. Grenztruppen Lt. Leutnant Harko Hbherer Artilleriekommandeur Lw. Luftv/affe H.Gr. Heeresgruppe Mess, Karten- u. Vermessungswesen H.Gr.Xdo. Heeres gruppenkoimaando M.G. Mas chinengewehr H.Mot. Keeresmotorisierung mil. milit'arische Hbh. Hbherer Mob. Mobilmachung Hoh.Art.Kdr. Hbherer Artilleriekomrnandeur mot. motorisiert H.O.Kraft. Hbherer Offizier des Kraftfahrwesens Mun. Munition Hptm. Hauptmann MVO Marineverbindungsoffizier H.Qu. Hauptquartier Nachr . Nachrichten H.Streif.Dst. Heeresstreifendienst Nachsch. Nachschub I.D. Infanterie Division Nahaufkl.Gr. Nahaufklarungsgruppe Inf. Infanterie ND Nachrichtendienst Ins p. Inspektion norweg. norvegisch I.R. Infanterie Regiment NSFO Nationalsozialistischer Fiihrungsoffizier I. u. A.G. Infanterie u. Artillerie Gerat NT Nachschubtransport Karapfw. Kampfwagen 01 1. Ordonnanzoffizier des Stabes Kan. Kanone OB Oberbefehlshaber Kav. Kavallerie Ob.d.K. Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres Kdo. Kommando Obit. Oberleutnant Kdr. Kcirunandeur Obst. Oberst Kdt.d.H.Qu. Koinmandant des Hauptquartiers Obstlt. Ober s tleutnant Kdtr. Kommandantur Offz. Offizier Kfz. Kraftfahrzeug OKH Oberkomroando des Heeres Kgf. Kriegsgefangener OKL Oberkommando der Luftwaffe Kodeis. Kommandeur der Eisenbahntruppen OKM Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine Kofeld. Kommandeur der Feldgendarinerie Oberkoimnando der Wehrmacht Kogend. Korcmandeur der Gendarmerie O.Qu. Versorgungsabteilung Kol. Kolonne O.Qu./Qu.l Allgemeiner Versorgungsoffizier Koluft. Kommandeur der Luftwaffe O.Qu./Qu.2 S icher ungs of f iz ier Komp. Kompanie O.Cu./IV Vi. Armeewirtschaftsfuhrer Koriick. Konnnandant des ruckwartigen Armeegebietes O.Qu. AH Militarverwaltung O.QU./QU.L. Kp. Kompanie Oberauartiermeister der Luftwaffe viii