35th SS and Police Grenadier Division
Encyclopedia
The 35th SS and Police Grenadier Division was one of the thirty-eight divisions
fielded by the Waffen-SS
during World War II
. It owes its unusual name to the fact that it was created from SS-Police
units transferred to the Waffen-SS. It was not formed until the spring of 1945, and its actual strength is not known. As part of the German Ninth Army
It was badly mauled defending the approaches to Berlin
during the Battle of the Seelow Heights
, and was destroyed during the Halbe Breakout
. Various remnants surrendered to the Americans or the Soviets near the demarcation line of the Elbe
.
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
fielded by the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It owes its unusual name to the fact that it was created from SS-Police
Ordnungspolizei
The Ordnungspolizei or Orpo were the uniformed regular police force in Nazi Germany between 1936 and 1945. It was increasingly absorbed into the Nazi police system. Owing to their green uniforms, they were also referred to as Grüne Polizei...
units transferred to the Waffen-SS. It was not formed until the spring of 1945, and its actual strength is not known. As part of the German Ninth Army
German Ninth Army
The 9th Army was a World War II field army.The 9th Army was activated on May 15, 1940 with General Johannes Blaskowitz in command.-1940:The 9th Army first saw service along the Siegfried Line when it was involved in the invasion of France...
It was badly mauled defending the approaches to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
during the Battle of the Seelow Heights
Battle of the Seelow Heights
The Battle of the Seelow Heights , was a part of the Seelow-Berlin Offensive Operation ; one of the last assaults on large entrenched defensive positions of World War II. It was fought over three days, from 16–19 April 1945...
, and was destroyed during the Halbe Breakout
Battle of Halbe
The Battle of Halbe lasted from April 24 - May 1, 1945 was a battle in which the German Ninth Army, under the command of Colonel General Theodor Busse was destroyed as a fighting force by the Red Army during the Battle for Berlin....
. Various remnants surrendered to the Americans or the Soviets near the demarcation line of the Elbe
Elbe
The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northwestern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia , then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 110 km northwest of Hamburg...
.
Commanders
- OberfuhrerOberführerOberführer was an early paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party dating back to 1921. Translated as “Senior Leader”, an Oberführer was typically a Nazi Party member in charge of a group of paramilitary units in a particular geographical region...
Johannes Wirth (February 1945 - March 1945) - StandartenführerStandartenführerStandartenführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in the so-called Nazi combat-organisations: SA, SS, NSKK and the NSFK...
Ruediger PipkornRuediger PipkornRüdiger Pipkorn was a Oberst , and a temporary Standartenführer in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was killed in action in 1945, while in command of the 35th SS and Police Grenadier Division....
(March 1945 - May 1945)
Order of battle
- 89.SS und Polizei-Grenadier-Regiment
- 90.SS und Polizei-Grenadier-Regiment
- 91.SS und Polizei-Grenadier-Regiment
- 35.SS und Polizei-Artillerie-Regiment
- 35.SS und Polizei-Panzerjäger-Abteilung
- 35.SS und Polizei-Fusilier-Abteilung
- 35.SS und Polizei-Pioneer-Abteilung
- 35.SS und Polizei-Nachrichten-Abteilung
- 35th SS Supply and Support units