Waffen SS - Wiking - Germania Regiment

Hello all

Would the Mods redirect this post if it is in the wrong category.

I have been given a beautifully framed set of medals and other items by the son of a chap who was in the above Regiment on the Russian Front.

I don't have the first name (hoping that someone will be able to provide it) but Feldwebel Schuttler was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd and then 1st Class as well as the Wound Badge. I also have his armbands marked Wiking and Germania respectively.

With the lot came several books all of which are in German (mine is decidedly rusty) which makes reading difficult. His son says his dad is mentioned in one or more of the books but they don't have an Index or Reference section at the back.

Question is - can any one point me in the direction of where I can find out more about this soldier and what he got up to?

Regards

Rory

 

Many books have been written about the Wiking Division although i'm not sure that i can remember one that concentrates on Germania alone.

His rank will not be Feldwebel but either SS Unterscharfuher or SS Oberscharfuhrer.

If you have been given them you have doine very well as the cuff titles alone are worth £2000.

Surely the son can tell you his fathers first name ????

If you can post some photos and give the names of the books that would be helpful.

 

Hi Rory,

Sounds like you've hit gold there and as KS say's some pictures would be great !

Here's a few SS-Wiking shots:

1.


3.

2.


4.


Some more shots below:
Search results for "bundesarchiv ss wiking" - Wikimedia Commons

 

Thank you for the reply Corps Steiner

I can get the chaps name from his son tomorrow - it would be impolite to rouse him at this hour in South Africa.

The books are:

Rollbahn in die Holle - Der wandernde Kessel von Tscherkassy - Korsun by Anton Ostry
Waffen SS in Einsatz by Paul Hausser
Division Das Reich 1934 -1939 by Weidinger and
Europaische Freiwillige - Die 5.SS Panzerdivision - Wiking.

There are also 2 large photo books (bild) covering the Regiment Germania and the Waffen SS in general.

I am amazed at what these things are worth!! I will try and post a photo tomorrow.

Regards

Rory

 

I had another look and the following books were also in the box:

- Wenn alle Bruder Schweigen - Grosser Bildband uber die Waffen SS
- Soldaten wie andere auch - Paul Hausser
- Division das Reich 1940-1941 - Otto Wendinger
- Panzer grenadiers - die Panzer Division "Wiking" im Bild

Regards

Rory

 

If you have been given them you have doine very well as the cuff titles alone are worth £2000.
Be careful there. I know a lot of Leibstandarte veterans and many of them have a framed collection of awards, cufftitles and collartabs on their wall. BUT these are all post-war reproductions since they lost the originals following their surrender to the American army in May 1945. It is very likely that Wiking veterans also lost their original pieces when they became prisoners of war.

 

Herewith 2 photos. I apologise for the quality it is under artificial light.

 

I have spoken with the son. The soldiers names were Erich Justus Schuttler. Is there any one who knows where to find out more about him as POW ?

Regards

Rory

 

When you look at Himmler it almost makes you sick , how he loved to play at soldiers.

 

Hi Rory,

Thanks for the additional info and the photos looks like a nice set including his HIAG Badge. Nice set of books as well , i';ll do some research on him and come back to you,

regards

Paul

 

When you look at Himmler it almost makes you sick , how he loved to play at soldiers.


Chicken Farmer, so I'm given to believe? Staggering, isn't it? Mind you, James, my work has taught me one thing; Chickens and Rats are just about inseparable! Seems par for the course then?

What I'd like to know is who the people in the third photo are. The happy smile on that girls face?

Maybe the lack of armed guards means they really are innocent souls, being guided out of a combat zone? It's just that I find so little record of civilians, meeting with the SS, ending up smiling.

 

I say, you are being offensive to rats!

 

Hi all

I have now obtained a photo album of Schuttler.

Please refer to the attached - he was wounded outside Moscow on 17 February 1944 - what was the action that was taking place on that day?

Also, could someone confirm what his rank was from the insignia on his uniform.

Regards

Rory

 

Rory, this is all fabulous stuff and well done for posting. Two things strike me about these posts:

1. Drews photos - That Self-propelled gun. anyone have any info on it. That looks like a Tiger Chassis that its on (but given that I'm no tank expert I may well be wrong!!)

2. Rory, as regards Schuttler being wounded outside Moscow on 17th February 1944,The Germans had long left the area around Moscow at this time. In 1943 for example the line was nearer Smolensk which is about 360 kms or so from Moscow. I'd check the references for that piece of info for that looks to be wrong.

 

Both SPATGs appear to be variants of the LaS 762 (SdKfz.132 - Captured Soviet guns mounted on Pz.II chassis).
Pz II Chassis? Dear God how wrong could I be????? Right, back to the books for me!!

 

Adam,

Spot on with the rank. Equivalent to a Heers Feldwebel.

Regards
Tom

 

Thank you all for the heads up on the rank. Here is another photo of Schuttler with other medals etc. adorning his tunic.

Rory

 

Rory looks to be 1st and 2nd Class Iron Crosses.

Regards
Tom

 

Hi Rory,

Many thanks for posting the pictures-I bet he could tell a tale or two if he was still around today.

What an interesting thread this is turning into !

Cheers
Andy