Development of the Waffen-SS Cavalry Formations 1940-1945

Published in „Siegrunen“ Magazine - Number 60, Winter 1995-1996

  

Above: Members of the SS-Totenkopf Reiterstandarten, 1940.

 

EARLY 1940: SS-Totenkopf Reiterstandarten 1 and 2 are formed from members of the Allgemeine-SS and SS-Totenkopfverbände. Each Reiterstandarte consisted of a Staff, 1st-4th Cavalry Squadrons, 5th Heavy Weapons Squadron, 6th Mixed Squadron (Signals and Support Troops), 7th Bicycle Reconnaissance Squadron and a Reserve and Replacement Squadron. The death’s-head collar patch was utilized.

 

1941: The Totenkopf Reiterstandarten become the SS Reiter Regiments 1 and 2, and the death’s-head collar patch was replaced with the SS runes. The 6th and 7th Squadrons are dissolved and the personnel are attached directly to the regimental staffs.

 

APRIL 1942: The SS Reiter Regiments are combined to form the SS Cavalry Brigade. Regimental structure remains the same. However, a two-battery artillery detachment was added to the brigade. Assigned to the Brigade Staff were engineer, signals, Flak, veterinary and medical companies along with the bicycle recce detachment (upgraded from a squadron).

 

MID-AUGUST 1942: The SS Cavalry Brigade was reformed into the SS Cavalry Division at the Debica Training Camp in Poland. The following unit structure was now implemented: Staff, SS Cavalry Rgts. 1, 2 and 3, (later renumbered 15, 16, 17 and 18, the latter being added in 1943), SS Bicycle Recce Detachment 8 (later motorized and partially armoured and renamed SS Reconnaissance Det. 8), SS Anti-tank Detachment 8, SS Assault Gun Battery 8 (later incorporated into SS Anti-tank Det.8), SS Motorized Artillery Rgt.8, SS Flak Detachment 8, SS Motorized Engineer Btl.8, SS Signals Detachment 8 (With two Radio and Field Telephone Companies), SS Field Replacement Btl.8, and Veterinary and Medical „Detachments“.

 

22 OCTOBER 1942: The division becomes the 8th SS Cavalry Division. 19 MARCH 1944: The division becomes the 8th SS Cavalry Division „Florian Geyer“, and members received a cuff-title bearing that name.

 

Above: Vehicle column from the „Florian Geyer“ Division in 1944. The divisional emblem is on the right fender.

 

29 APRIL 1944: Formation of the 22nd SS Volunteer Cavalry Division „Maria Theresia“ commences using mostly Hungarian ethnic-German manpower. SS Cavalry Rgt. 17 is detached from the 8th SS Cavalry Division to serve as the nucleus for the 22nd Division. The new division, is formed around SS Cavalry Regiments 17 and the new SS Cavalry Regiments 52 and 53. All other units parallel those in the „Florian Geyer“ Division but are identified by the number 22, (i.e. SS Artillery Rgt.22).

 

11/12 FEBRUARY 1945:     Both of the SS Cavalry Divisions are annihilated trying to escape from the Budapest Cauldron.

 

19 FEBRUARY 1945: Formation of the 37th SS Cavalry Division „Lützow“ commences using survivors, trainees and recovered wounded from the destroyed divisions, begins. The „Lützow“ Division was never fully formed and its troops fought in battle-groups but its overall format looked like this:         Staff, SS Cavalry Rgt. 92 (l.,ll. Detachments), SS Cavalry Rgt. 93 (III., IV. Detachments), SS Artillery Detachment 37, SS Engineer Battalion 37 and SS Field Replacement Btl. 37 (with 4 companies).

 

5 MAY 1945: The „Lützow” Division surrendered to the Americans in Austria and the story of the SS Cavalry formations came to a conclusion. For the detailed combat histories of the SS Cavalry troops see SIEGRUNEN #37 and other back issues.

 

ID Signs, Left to Right: 8. SS „FG”, 22. SS „MT“, 37.SS „L“.

 

WAFFEN-SS CAVALRY DIVISION COMMANDERS:

 

Staf. Hermann Fegelein, SS Cav. Bgde., April 1941 - May 1942.

Brigfhr. Wilhelm Bittrich, 8.SS, May 1942 - February 1943.

Staf. Fritz Freitag, 8.SS, February 1943 - April 1943.

Brigfhr. Hermann Fegelein, 8.SS, April 1943 - December 1943.

Gruf. Bruno Streckenbach, 8.SS, January 1944 - April 1944.

Brigfhr. Joachim Rumohr, 8.SS, April 1944 - February 1945. KIA

Brifghr. August Zehender, 22.SS, May 1944 - February 1945. KIA

Staf. Kari Gesele, 37.SS, February 1945 - May 1945.

Ostubaf. Anton Ameiser, 37.SS KGr., February 1945 - May 1945.