Eastern battalions in the Battle of the Scheldt or the capture of Antwerp?

Hi folks,

during my research into the Battle of the Scheldt, I have repeatedly come across references suggesting that so-called ‘Eastern Battalions’ (German: Ost-Bataillone) were also deployed on the Wehrmacht side, particularly during the capture of Antwerp on 4–5 September (by the British 11th Armoured Division). The fighting at the Kruisschans Lock is highlighted in particular.
Despite extensive research, I keep finding only general references to such deployments of the Eastern Battalions near Antwerp in September 1944, but no specific information (which units, where exactly they were deployed, source references).

Can any of the experts here help me out with further information on this?

Best regards,
Dirk

 

Dirk,

Have you tried this site: https://forum.axishistory.com/index.php?sid=78448955d6857046ed822d2aac959a70

 

davidbfpo,
thanks for your reply and sorry for my late response.
I will take a look there...

 

Given the amount of unit movement from 6 June through early September, it is hard to track what Ost unit was where at the latter date. Plus, there were a LOT of them in France and the Benelux. As of ca. 1 June 1944, in the area of 15. Armee, there were:

Ost-Btl. 618 (Russiches) at Valenciennes
Ost-Btl. 600 (Russiches) at Antwerp
I./Gren.-Regt. 745 (Ost-Btl. 628 (Russiches)) at Nieuwvliet
III./Gren.-Regt. 128 (Ost-Btl. 809 (Armenisches)) at Koksijde
Ost-Btl. 570 (Kossack) at Saint-Venant
III./Gren.-Regt. 854 (Ost-Btl. 624 (Kossack)) at Fort Mahon-Berck
III./Gren.-Regt. 863 (Ost-Btl. 813 (Armenisches)) at Cayeux-Le Treport
III./Gren/-Regt. 864 (Ost-Btl. ???) at Cayeux-Le Treport