IX Waffen Alpine Corps of the SS (Croatian)
Encyclopedia
The IX Waffen Mountain Corps of the SS (Croatian) (German
: IX. Waffen-Gebirgskorps der SS (Kroatisches)) was a German
Waffen-SS
alpine corps
which saw action on the Eastern Front
during World War II
.
, Hungary
as a command formation for the 13th SS Mountain Division Handschar
and the 23rd SS Mountain Division Kama. The corps was moved to the Backa
region in Hungary to complete formation and training. The Handschar was not initially transferred to the corps, being involved in fighting against Tito's partisan
forces in occupied Yugoslavia
.
By September 1944, the Red Army
had advanced to the border of Hungary, which placed the corps training area dangerously close to the front lines. When it was realised that the Kama would not be ready for combat, the division was disbanded and its volunteers went to strengthen the Handschar and the 31st SS Panzergrenadier Division
. In mid-September, the corps was strengthened by several combat divisions, including the Handschar and went into action against Tito's forces.
In October, the corps was moved into the line in Hungary, where it took command of four new combat divisions, the 13th Panzer Division, 60th Panzergrenadier Division Feldherrnhalle, 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer
and the 22nd SS Cavalry Division Maria Theresa
. All these divisions had been involved in the recent heavy fighting around Debrecen
, and were badly in need of a rest. Between them, the divisions could barely muster 60 Panzers.
As all subordinate units were now Germanic, the corps was redesignated as IX SS Mountain Corps. The renamed corps was ordered to form a part of the 6th Army, defending the approaches to Budapest
.
On 24 November, 1944, the corps staff arrived in Budapest, the combat divisions already in action against the advancing Soviets. After a month's ferocious fighting, the corps was encircled in the city. The corps was placed in command of all encircled German units, and SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch
was placed in command. Having spent his career as a police commander, Pfeffer-Wildenbruch lacked even a basic military understanding, and as the 6.Armee commander, General der Panzertruppen Hermann Balck
said,
Pfeffer-Wildenbruch established his corps command centre on Castle Hill
, in the centre of the Hungarian Government District, and began ordering the encircled forces to attempt breakouts. After only a few weeks, the corps had exhausted itself in its efforts to escape the encirclement. A rescue effort was being assembled by Balck's Armeegruppe.
On 1 January, 1945, the IV SS Panzer Corps
launched Operation Konrad I
, the first in a series of relief attempts. After initial gains, the assault stalled. Konrad II followed, which reached to within sight of the city before being halted by stubborn Soviet defence.
By 17 January, the remainder of the corps along with the Hungarian I Corps, commanded by General Iván Hindy
, were evacuated across the Danube
to Buda
. The final relief effort, Konrad III, was halted on 28 January. By this stage, the axis forces in Buda had been pushed into a one square kilometer kessel. On 11 February 1945, the corps was ordered to attempt a breakout. While over 5,000 men managed to break through the Soviet cordon, only 785 finally were able to reach German lines. Only 170 Waffen-SS men escaped. On 12 February, the remainder of the corps was annihilated in the fighting, with small groups of men, including Pfeffer-Wildenbruch and his staff, surrendering to the Soviets.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: IX. Waffen-Gebirgskorps der SS (Kroatisches)) was a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
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...
alpine corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
which saw action on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
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...
.
History
The corps was raised on 21 June 1944 in BácsalmásBácsalmás
Bácsalmás is a small town in southern Hungary in the region of Bácska close to the border with the Vojvodina region of Serbia, with a population of 7,694 people.- History :In the Middle Ages, the region came under the control of the Magyars who absorbed the Slavic and the...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
as a command formation for the 13th SS Mountain Division Handschar
13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar (1st Croatian)
The 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar was one of the thirty-eight divisions fielded as part of the Waffen-SS during World War II. Its recruits were composed of Muslim Bosniaks. The Handschar division was a mountain infantry formation, the equivalent of the German "Gebirgsjäger" ...
and the 23rd SS Mountain Division Kama. The corps was moved to the Backa
Backa
Bačka is a geographical area within the Pannonian plain bordered by the river Danube to the west and south, and by the river Tisza to the east of which confluence is located near Titel...
region in Hungary to complete formation and training. The Handschar was not initially transferred to the corps, being involved in fighting against Tito's partisan
Partisans (Yugoslavia)
The Yugoslav Partisans, or simply the Partisans were a Communist-led World War II anti-fascist resistance movement in Yugoslavia...
forces in occupied Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
.
By September 1944, the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
had advanced to the border of Hungary, which placed the corps training area dangerously close to the front lines. When it was realised that the Kama would not be ready for combat, the division was disbanded and its volunteers went to strengthen the Handschar and the 31st SS Panzergrenadier Division
31st SS Volunteer Grenadier Division
The 31st SS Volunteer Grenadier Division was formed from Germans, Hungarians and Volksdeutsche, mostly from the Bačka in September 1944. The division is sometimes given the title Batschka...
. In mid-September, the corps was strengthened by several combat divisions, including the Handschar and went into action against Tito's forces.
In October, the corps was moved into the line in Hungary, where it took command of four new combat divisions, the 13th Panzer Division, 60th Panzergrenadier Division Feldherrnhalle, 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer
8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer
The 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer was a Waffen-SS cavalry Division during World War II. It was formed in 1942 from a cadre of the SS Cavalry Brigade which was involved in anti partisan operations behind the front line and was responsible for the extermination of tens of thousands of the...
and the 22nd SS Cavalry Division Maria Theresa
22nd SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Maria Theresia
The 22nd SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Maria Theresia. was a German Waffen SS cavalry division which saw action on the Eastern Front during the Second World War...
. All these divisions had been involved in the recent heavy fighting around Debrecen
Battle of Debrecen
The Battle of Debrecen, called by the Red Army the Debrecen Offensive Operation, was conducted by the 2nd Ukrainian Front on the Eastern Front of World War II...
, and were badly in need of a rest. Between them, the divisions could barely muster 60 Panzers.
As all subordinate units were now Germanic, the corps was redesignated as IX SS Mountain Corps. The renamed corps was ordered to form a part of the 6th Army, defending the approaches to Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
.
On 24 November, 1944, the corps staff arrived in Budapest, the combat divisions already in action against the advancing Soviets. After a month's ferocious fighting, the corps was encircled in the city. The corps was placed in command of all encircled German units, and SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch
Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch
Karl Pfeffer Wildenbruch was a staff officer of the German General Staff during World War I and a Obergruppenführer General der Waffen-SS und der Polizei, during World War II, he commanded the 4th SS Polizei Division and the VI SS Army Corps and the IX SS Mountain Corps, he was awarded the...
was placed in command. Having spent his career as a police commander, Pfeffer-Wildenbruch lacked even a basic military understanding, and as the 6.Armee commander, General der Panzertruppen Hermann Balck
Hermann Balck
Hermann Balck was a career German army officer who served in both World War I and World War II, rising to the rank of General der Panzertruppe. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds...
said,
- At best, one could say that Budapest was being led by a politician.
Pfeffer-Wildenbruch established his corps command centre on Castle Hill
Buda Castle
Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, first completed in 1265. In the past, it was also called Royal Palace and Royal Castle ....
, in the centre of the Hungarian Government District, and began ordering the encircled forces to attempt breakouts. After only a few weeks, the corps had exhausted itself in its efforts to escape the encirclement. A rescue effort was being assembled by Balck's Armeegruppe.
On 1 January, 1945, the IV SS Panzer Corps
IV SS Panzer Corps
The IV.SS-Panzerkorps was a German Waffen-SS armoured corps which saw action on the Eastern Front and in the Balkans during World War II.The Panzerkorps was formed in August, 1943 in Poitiers, France...
launched Operation Konrad I
Operation Konrad
Operation Konrad was the German-Hungarian effort to relieve the encircled garrison of Budapest during the Battle of Budapest in January 1945. The operation was divided into three parts:...
, the first in a series of relief attempts. After initial gains, the assault stalled. Konrad II followed, which reached to within sight of the city before being halted by stubborn Soviet defence.
By 17 January, the remainder of the corps along with the Hungarian I Corps, commanded by General Iván Hindy
Iván Hindy
"Vitéz" is a Hungarian title given to members of the Knightly Order of Vitéz, not a first or middle name.Iván vitéz Hindy de Kishind or vitéz kishindi Hindy Iván was an officer in the Royal Hungarian Army during World War II.Colonel-General Hindy commanded the Hungarian I Corps from 16 October...
, were evacuated across the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
to Buda
Buda
For detailed information see: History of Buda CastleBuda is the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest on the west bank of the Danube. The name Buda takes its name from the name of Bleda the Hun ruler, whose name is also Buda in Hungarian.Buda comprises about one-third of Budapest's...
. The final relief effort, Konrad III, was halted on 28 January. By this stage, the axis forces in Buda had been pushed into a one square kilometer kessel. On 11 February 1945, the corps was ordered to attempt a breakout. While over 5,000 men managed to break through the Soviet cordon, only 785 finally were able to reach German lines. Only 170 Waffen-SS men escaped. On 12 February, the remainder of the corps was annihilated in the fighting, with small groups of men, including Pfeffer-Wildenbruch and his staff, surrendering to the Soviets.
Commanders
- SS-Gruppenführer Karl-Gustav Sauberzeig (21 June 1944 - ? Dec 1944)
- SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Pfeffer-WildenbruchKarl Pfeffer-WildenbruchKarl Pfeffer Wildenbruch was a staff officer of the German General Staff during World War I and a Obergruppenführer General der Waffen-SS und der Polizei, during World War II, he commanded the 4th SS Polizei Division and the VI SS Army Corps and the IX SS Mountain Corps, he was awarded the...
(24 Dec 1944 - 12 Feb 1945)
16 September 1944 - Croatia
- Corps Staff
- 109th SS Corps Signals Battalion
- 509th SS Mountain Artillery Regiment
- 509th SS Observation Battery
- 509th SS Flak Battalion
- 509th SS Military Police Troop
- SS KampfgruppeKampfgruppeIn military history and military slang, the German term Kampfgruppe can refer to a combat formation of any kind, but most usually to that employed by the German Wehrmacht and its allies during World War II and, to a lesser extent, in World War I...
Dörner
- 118th Jäger Division118th Jäger DivisionThe 118th Jäger Division was a German Infantry Division of World War II. The division was formed in April 1943, by the redesignation of the 718th Infantry Division which had itself been formed in April 1941. It was transferred to Yugoslavia in May 1941, to conduct anti partisan and Internal...
- 7th SS Mountain Division Prinz Eugen7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz EugenThe 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen. was formed on March 1942 from Volksdeutsche volunteers from Vojvodina, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, it was initially called the SS-Freiwilligen-Division Prinz Eugen....
- 369th Infantry Division
- 13th SS Mountain Division Handschar13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar (1st Croatian)The 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar was one of the thirty-eight divisions fielded as part of the Waffen-SS during World War II. Its recruits were composed of Muslim Bosniaks. The Handschar division was a mountain infantry formation, the equivalent of the German "Gebirgsjäger" ...
26 December 1944 - Budapest
- Korps Staff
- 509th SS Mountain Artillery Regiment
- 509 SS Heavy Observation Battalion
- 509th SS Flak Battalion
- 509th SS Military Police Troop
- 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer
- 22nd SS Cavalry Division Maria Theresa
- 13th Panzer Division
- 60th Panzergrenadier Division Feldherrnhalle
- 271st Infantry Division
- 12th Flaksturm Regiment
- 4th SS Polizei Regiment
- 4 x ad-hoc Infantry battalions (comprising surviving elements from other units)