None of the illustrations are mine.
Alot of the info is from Mr. Lepre's Himmler's Bosnian Division book.
Various sources, some translated.
Illustrations come from Stephen Andrew, Velimir Vuksic and Ron Volstad.
Where some of the pictures came from I dont know, some were just e-mailed to me.
First Chapter
Introduction to the SS-Gebirgsjager, Recruiting and Forming of the 13.SS-Frw.b.h. Gebirgs Division Handschar
The need for an SS Gebirgsjager
Following the Rohm Putsch in 1934, SS-Reichsfuhrer Himmler had great ambitions for his elite SS formations. The SA coup d-etat was the first step in SS taking over, second step was from SS-Verfugungstrupe to Waffen-SS in 1940. The Wehrmacht, despite difficulties, managed to deploy a succesful mountain troops on all fronts, from the Arctic to Monte Cassino and from the Western Alps to the Caucasus. The more succesful they were, the more determined Himmler was to make his own SS equivalent.
Mountain SS units would soon accompany their brothers in arms in the Wehrmacht on all fronts. Due to recruiting methods, they would always be stronger in manpower and their SS status would usually result in better equipment. Nonetheless, the cooperation was sometimes so strong that Wehrmacht units would be merged into SS battle groups under SS command. Only the coming events would bring to surface the differences between the professional Army mountain soldier and the Waffen-SS Mountaineer.
Terminology and History
Gebirgs-jager...literally Mountain Hunter, light infantry. Usually equipped with more subdued uniforms than regular troops, operating in smaller dispersed but coordinated teams to achieve maximum concealment and effectiveness. In the beginning, Jager troops from alpine areas were pressed into service as mountain troops to combat the enemy's equivalent such as the Italian Alpini and French Chausser Alpins of WW1. Austria-Hungary fared better than its allied German counterparts, and when Italy declared war on it in 1915 it was more than prepared with 14 Gebirgsbrigades. Since the empire posessed large territories of mountainous and Alpine regions it was more than a tradition to have well trained Gebirgstruppen. They would soon show their value in the Italian Alps. Many of the first men were by no means experienced climbers, they did however come from parts of the country where they had experienced rugged terrain and cold weather, whether through skiing, hiking or winter camping trips.
The Balkan SS-Mountain Corps
Early on, Himmler had plans for an SS-Mountain Corps in the South. That process began with the formation of 7th SS-Freiwilligen Gebirgsjager Prinz Eugen Division in march of 1942. It was made up of Volksdeutsche from the Yugoslavian, Romanian and Hungarian territories with a total of 21,500 members at it's peak. It became Handschar's sister division in early 1943, helped out with it's recruitment effort and provided alot of NCOs and officers for the nucleus of the newly established division.
Himmler and the Old Bosnian Tradition:
1895-Bosnian Infanterie of the Austrian Army
"I hope to reach out to a people who today stand apart from the Croatian State and have a long tradition and attachment to the Reich, which we can utilize militarily."
H.Himmler
Another publication stated:
“During the First World War, the Bosnian - Herzegovinian regiments achieved eternal glory. Their valor was proverbial…now the Fuhrer has provided them with the opportunity to fight in the ranks of the
Waffen-SS for a better future of our continent and our own homeland. They have voluntarily answered the Poglavnik’s call…and shall be armed and equipped to take their place as German soldiers among the other people’s of Europe.”
There were many Bosnians who looked at the era of Austrian rule with a sort of nostalgia, the friendly nature towards the Reich was revealed by the Bosnian Islamic population in 1941 when thousands of Bosnians volunteered for the eastern front, it can be said that most favored political autonomy under the protection of the Germans. Himmler believed the Islamic faith fostered fearless soldiers and was nonetheless fascinated by the religion and sought to create a division of these men. He also subscribed to the idea that Croats and therefore Bosnians were not Slavs, but descendants of 7th century Goths. Muslims autonomists backed this idea by bringing up the radical racial differences between them and the darker haired and darker skinned Serbs and even Croats. One of the many goals was to bring neutral Turkey and 350 million Muslims around the world into the war and to start rebellions and take-over’s in the countries of allied rule. The reason we will focus on in this study is Bosnia's Gebirgsjager tradition, and the revival of the old Bosnian mountain regiments that gained so much fame on the fronts of World War One. 13.SS-Frw.b.h. Gebirgs Division Handschar was probably one of the most political divisions of the Waffen SS, right up there with 1.SS-Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler. This study will focus on it's military aspect.
Recruiting
One of the first recruiting posters, it shows a German SS-Schutze standing alongside a Bosnian Muslim SS-Rottenfuhrer. Most likely an early 1943 painting, the Schachbrett is incorrectly painted under the chevron.
It reads: “Bosnians! Step into the ranks of the Waffen-SS, protect your beautiful homeland, your wives and children.”
First volunteers arrive at Aufstellungsstab HQ at Savska Cesta 77, Zagreb.
Bosnian volunteers. Notice the Croatian Army deserters at the front of the line.
First meal as SS recruits.
By April 14 1943, 8,000 men had already stepped forward to fill the division's ranks. Recruiting became tougher, different tactics were adopted, and in the end, around 2,800 Croatian Catholics made it into the division, much to Himmler's chagrin. The Croats had their own idea of the Division's name and mission, and have been known to interfere with the recruiting. Ustasa members were reported tearing down recruiting posters at night when the curfew was in effect. The Croats were going to name the Division, "SS Ustasa Division," whose regiments would have Croatian names and would be subjugated under Ustasa command. However the Germans had other plans.
Erich Braun:
..some of these men arrived in clothing that was simply indescribable. When they received their new SS uniforms, they were overjoyed. This caused some problems, for their new appearance in the new uniforms in (Zagreb) left such an impression that troops from Pavelic's own bodyguard began to come in (seeking admission to the division), some even leaving their posts. Eventually, several Ustasa officers arrived to pick them up"
The first recruits would be issued the SS M43 field jacket/tunic. In the forming stages they would not be issued collar tabs, just shoulder boards and the SS eagle on the left sleeve. NCOs with prior experience did get the rank tab and collar piping by early May. The actual M43 Fez was a later issue.
First volunteers putting on their uniforms. Notice the SS M40 side cap on the recruit second from right.
During training and field operations many of the recruits would wear the side cap.
Before and After- new military footwear, Bergschuhe, heavy mountain boots.
one officer commented on the uniform issue:
"Some of the men took their newly issued uniforms and sold them on the black market. They would then report in again the next day as if they were new. Volunteers who had achieved a particular rank in another service were inducted at one grade lower, but it came apparent that for a few thousand kuna, the inductees could obtain certificates from the Ustasa stating that they had served as NCOs in their forces. The men would then be awarded appropriate ranks in the division, altough they have never been soldiers. We eventually learned of these "Balkanism," but it took time."
Prinz Eugen and other SS Divisions now had to provide more non-commissioned officers and officers due to the fact that before the war Muslims occupied very little high military positions, primarily because Serbs dominated most of them, it was their country...same thing would happen in NDH Croatia, Croats would fill the positions of officials and governance. Alot of the would-be high ranking Bosnian SS officers would be the WW1 veterans of the Bosnian regiments with prior experience. The Imams also held an officer position.
May 12 1943, a ceremony was held in Zagreb's Festival Square as a solemn induction of the Bosnians into the Waffen SS. The actual oath was not taken that day as it was not ready. The Germans were confused as to which dictator the Bosnians should swear to, Pavelic or Hitler like the rest of the SS. The enlisted men wore steel helmets, new uniforms without any collar tabs. The officers wore Sig Runes and red fezzes for the first time. Footage of this actual event is actually available.
Von Obwurzer (current commander, transferred from 6. SS-Division Nord) ended the ceremony labeling the volunteers as "the sons of a people who were soldierly and battle-proven through the centuries."
