Heer, Infantry & Panzer-Pioneer :

Obergefreiter, Nachrichenzug, Pionier-Bataillon 49, 10. Panzer-Division Battle of France 1940:

Pionier Bataillon 49 was established in Oktober 1936 as Korps-Pionier-Bataillon in Wehrkreis IX from cadre and troops from Pionier Bataillons 5., 9. u. 29. The new unit was stationed at the newly built Gneisenau Kaserne in Niedersachsen. The Bataillon took part in the invasion of Czechoslovakia, briefly occupying Prague.  Deploying from Danzig in Ost Prussia the Bataillon supported 10. Panzer-Division in the Polish campaign providing a ferry service and then built a bridge to cross the Narew River.

The battalion was renamed Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 49 in April 1940 and then joined the division in the Battle of France fighting all the way to the coast taking part in the siege of the critical port city of Calais. After a bitter time in Russia the Bataillon, along with 10. Panzer was stationed in France for rest and refit.  Caught by surprise by the American landing in Afrika the OKW ordered the division to Afrika where it fought until it surrendered in Mai 1943.

Trained to operate at unit level communication equipment the Obergerfeiter wears the signal Blitz, in branch Waffenfarben, on his left shoulder.  He leads a radio team with the Bataillon’s forward element to ensure up-to-date information is being transmitted to unit headquarters and higher.  During his prewar service, he took part in the annexation of Czechoslovakia.  He has proven his leadership in combat, probably in France, and has been awarded the Eiserne Kreuz II. Klasse as well as the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen. The Bataillon affiliation is identified by black numerals outlined in white to stand out on the dark green Schulteklappen of the Dienstanzug Model 1936. 

Zugführer u. ‘Panzerknacker’, 142. Pionier Bataillon, 187. Jäger Division:

A late war formation the 142. Pionier Bataillon was formed near Vokovar,  Croatia in Februar 1945.  Cadre was drawn from Reserve-Pionier-Bataillon 86 with the remaining troops coming from 187. Reserve-Infanterie-Division’s Pionier element.  The battalion was placed into the 42. Jäger Division.  

Originally set up as Reserve-Infanterie-Licht-(light) Divison, a training command, in Croatia in the fall of 1942,  it was upgraded to a combat unit in the winter of 1943-44 as 187. Jäger Division.  Redesignated as 42. Jäger Division in Januar 1944 it took part in Operation Margarthe (the German occupation of Hungary) in Marz 1944 then returned to Yugoslavia in Mai then transferred to Italy in Juli 1944 where it fought as is it embroidered in bullion wire on late war Feldgrau wool.  The wire work was normally reserved for higher-ranking Individuals.  He wears the rare Feldbluse 1942 noted by the non-pleated pockets with scalloped flaps.  War period non-metallic tress has been applied locally to the collar and Schulterklappen.  Aufschiebeschlaufen or slip-on unit identification bands are chain-stitched in black thread to denote the Bataillon’s number, 142.  

As a combat leader, the Unteroffizier has been awarded the Eisern Kreuz I. u. II. Klasse.  He sustained at least one combat wound and displays the Allgemeine Sturmabzeichen earned for taking place in at least five combat actions.  Using techniques learned as a combat engineer with Teller anti-tank mines he has singlehandedly attacked two enemy tanks. Laying in wait as the enemy armor draws close he then springs and inserts the armed mine into the tracks where it will detonate when pressure is applied to the fuse. The mine is capable of destroying the track putting the tank out of combat and the crew in danger if they try to repair the damage.

The Sonderabzeichen für das Niederkämpfen von Panzerkampfwagen durch Einzelkämpfer or Award for Singlehanded Destruction of Tank was awarded to individuals who destroyed an enemy tank or an armored combat vehicle using a hand-held weapon such as a Teller mine, grenade bundle, Molotov cocktail, magnetic or sticky mine or Panzerfaust. The award was established on 9 Marz 1942 but could be awarded for actions dating back to 22 Juni 1941 (the start of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union). Before the introduction of this award, the soldier would be awarded the Allgemeine Sturmabzeichen or General Assault Badge for the action.

Hauptmann, Pioneer Bau Bataillon 12:

Bau Bataillon 12 was mobilized in August1939 in Wehrkreiss II. The battalion was made up of units of the RAD, deployed as part of the Heer. Initially, the Construction Bataillon was deployed in northern Poland. Renamed Brüke (Bridge)-Bau Bataillon 12 in July 1940 and then again renamed Eisenbahn (railroad)-Brüke Bau Bataillon 12 in September 1941. Parts of the Bataillon served in several areas of the Greater German Reich, the General Government, and Northern Italy until the end of the war.

The Eisenbahn was the prime method of transporting men and material long distances to the front and was critical to victory from the early Prussian wars to World War II.  As the Heer pushed towards the enemy Bau Bataillons worked to complete the roads and railroads to victory.  With the invasion of Russia rail lines moving east had to be rebuilt to the wider Western European gauge to facilitate the non-stop movement of men and equipment forward and the return of wounded to the rear all on and in German railroad cars. Retreating enemies destroyed rail lines and bridges, and Bau Bataillons was right on the heels of the combat troops widening and rebuilding the rail lines and repairing or replacing damaged bridges to advance supplies.

The Hauptmann wears a Feldbluse für Offizier Model 1936 with Litzen u. Schulterklappen piped in the braun Waffenfarben of the Bau units.  For security in the field, the numeral cipher is chain-stitched on Feldgrau Aufschiebeschlaufen that can be removed or rolled face down when needed. His ribbon bar shows the EisernesKreuz II award. Klasse from the 1914-18 war as well as Kriegsverdienst Kreuz mit Schwerten for that conflict and the 1939 award. Additionally, he has been awarded the KVKI. Klasse mit Schwerten.  When not wearing a Stahlhelm he has his Feldmutz.

Ritterkreuztrager, Major Leopold Bartl, Pioneer ‘Waffenrock’:

Leopold Bartl was born on 31/03/1902 in Rehberg, in the district of Krems / Austria-Hungary. Enlisting in 1925 he served as a soldier in the Pioneer Battalion of the First Austrian Army. He obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to the Annexation of Austria into the German Reich. Bartl joined the German Heer (Army) at the rank of Sergeant and was sent to officers school, becoming a Leutnant in the 86th Pioneer Battalion.

During the Polish Campaign Bartl took Command of the 2nd Company of Pioneer Battalion 70. In the Western Campaign, he earned the Iron Cross First Class for actions at a river crossing. In the Summer of 1944, he found himself as the commander of Pioneer Regiment 516, of the 3rd Panzer Army, of Army Group Center. Working, until November building up defenses, for the fighting that came in Poland.

In November was put in command of the Pioneer Regiment 677, the Engineer Battalion 42, and began teaching them, they were a part of the 9th Army. May found his unit defending the Halbe Pocket, which resulted in the complete destruction of the German Forces there, Bartl was one of the few, lucky ones. Having survived, he became a Russian, Prisoner of War.

He was released from Russian Captivity in 1947 and returned to his native Austria, where he went to work in a tool factory until he could rejoin the Austrian Army in 1956. He served as a Civil Officer in procurement and inspection, he retired in 1966. He Passed Away in 1980.

Bartl’s Waffenrock, as it was last modified in late 1943 for wear upon returning from the Eastern Front. He wears both grades of the Iron Crosses and has the “German Cross in Gold”. He has been wound 4 times at this point and wears the Wound Badge in Silver. His time in Crimea is marked by the KRM shield on his left sleeve. He carries the ribbons of 2 very long service awards as well as the General Assault Badge. He would have had nice black riding boots to wear with the breaches, He wears the dress Aggulet and has a Brocade Belt to finish off, he may have worn his parade dagger, or sword with it.

Unteroffizier, Panzer Pioneer, 1st Kompanie. Bataillon 38:

Attached to the 2nd Panzer Division, this Unteroffizier has seen service on all the fronts of the conflict. Tasked with making sure all the paths ahead of the division are clear of obstructions, and mines and securing blown-up bridges, making them possible again, and if possible, making them capable of moving tanks across rivers, etc. This NCO has some long service under his belt, with prior time back to the days of the Reichswehr, shown by his blue ling service ribbon with the gold eagle on it (12 + years). He served during the first Winter of the Invasion of Russia, during which he earned the Iron Cross 2nd Class. He has been in a number of engagements with the enemy as well, earning him the General Assult Badge in Silver, clearly showing he has been in the thick of it on the front lines.

His uniform is that of the “Special uniform for Armored Troops” but is piped in twisted white & black cord of the Armored Pioneers. The normal black piping disappears against the black uniform, hence the white, it remedied this problem. His regiment is shown here using the NCO metal style # 38 ciphers. the uniform is completed with Black panzer cut trousers, black boots, and an overseas or “side-cap” with the panzer pioneer piping on it.

Haumptmann, Panzer-Pioneer Battalion 27, 1st Panzer Division:

This Hauptmann ensures that the pi Panzer's tanks can pass over rivers, damaged roads, or obstacles as they bring the battle to the enemy. Fighting with the division he has seen action in Austrian, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Luxemburg, Belgium, and France pushing the British to Dunkirk. In 1941 the division was part of the attack on Russia where the division took part in the drive on Moscow. Seriously depleted the division rested and refit in France and Greece in 1943 returning to Russia in the late summer of 43.

The division fought in the east, gaining a reputation for breaking Russian encirclements and rescuing other trapped divisions, until the end of the war. The black-white cording sewn at the collar, around collar insignia, and shoulder boards shows the Panzer-Pioneer role. The numbers on the shoulder board identify the battalion.

This officer's combat leadership is shown by his Iron Cross 1 and 2nd Class, his bravery backed up by the Wound Badge in Black. He has been awarded the Panzer Battle Badge as well as awards for campaigns in Russia, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. He wears a standard officer cap piped with black-white cord and standard black wool panzer trousers

Shovels and picks are what first come to mind with the term pioneer, but in the military, maybe earth moving, bridge-laying, or even using explosives to destroy bridges and enemy equipment, but there is a lot more for them to do, using rafts, and barges to build a river, or beach fortifications, power boats, moving of equipment, laying mines, and digging them up, or looking for booby traps, these troops were called in to use satchel charges and various demolition means. like bombs on sticks threw bunker window slits, and the use of social ceramic, and glass had grenades, and winged grenade, to rifle grenades, they used remote remote-controlled demolition vehicles to take out bunkers, and flamethrowers as well, have this Flame-Thrower / Pioneer suit, I have to locate it again and reshoot it somehow.