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Officers of the Handschar Division
Much was written so far about their deeds, however, a deeper treatise should be in order.
An interesting photograph of the division's German leadership. It shows that the infantry officers often opted to war the feldgrau version which was more tactical. Various camouflage caps, side caps and the SS Bergmutze were also worn instead of the fez.
Officer Ranks and Commands:
SS-Untersturmfuhrers (often brand new out of training) could be expected to lead platoons
SS-Obersturmfuhrers were company level officers in the division
SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer, rank of a company commander who was also capable and known to take over as a battalion commander.
SS-Sturmbannfuhrer, tradition rank of a battalion commander. Also appointed to the leadership of a kampfgruppe.
SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer, most often were regimental commanders
One exceptional company commander was Hans Konig, who as an Obersturmfuhrer had his own battalion (I/28 from 4 Oct 1944 to late Nov 1944). One action that must've lead to his battlefield promotion in command was his successful ambush at Vukosavci. His 9th Company annihilated the 17th Majevica Brigade. It's commander left in such a hurry that he forgot his own pack (in which were found maps and plans for future operations).
Although Sauberzweig was deeply admired by the men of the division, he was replaced as division commander by Desiderius Hampel on the 19th of June 1944. Born in Bosnia to German parents, he not only spoke the language, but shared many things in common with other WW1 officers that were now fighting their second world war. Starting as a platoon commander in the spring of 1915, he quickly rose to the positiopn of deputy battalion commander. From 1937, he served with the Hungarian and Croatian armies when eventually transferred over to the Waffen SS in the may of 1942. He assumed command of SS-Regt 27 at Neuhammer. Hampel would inherit the division on the 19th of june 1944, as Sauberzweig would be promoted to IX Waffen-Gebirgs Korps der SS (Kroatisches) leadership.
The Old Breed
An officer from the Aufklarungs Abteilung. A special camouflaged anorak and Gebirgs pack is seen here. Later in the war camouflaged uniform items were being made out of any material available, even Zeltbahns.
Aside from the Imams, who were also commissioned officers, there were atleast nine mountain infantry officers of the Bosnian background serving with the 13th Division. There was also a handful of SS officers of the Croatian descent in the beginning but their numbers fell through desertion. The highest ranking among the Bosnians was SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer Husein Beg-Biscevic. Like many of the officers and NCOs he was a soldier (and in any case, an officer) in the Austro-Hungarian Army during WW1. Serving in the famed BH KuK regiments that distinguished themselves so well on all fronts. Many things had changed however, they were no longer in the youths. Biscevic was in command of the Flak battalion 13 from August of '43 to March of '44 and eventually replaced for not being aggressive enough.
Muhamed Hadziefendic, the leader of the local Muslim anti partisan unit in Tuzla, was given the rank of Sturmbannfuhrer, and would've executed his duties with alot of experience if he had lived to see the day. He was killed in the months before the division finished training and returned. A number of the Imams and officers stayed with the division till the end, some were killed in the spring of 1945, weeks before the war's end.