3 Kompanie History

What became known as the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler began life on the 17th of March 1933, when 117 hand picked men were sent to Berlin from all over Germany. Initially called the Stabswache Berlin, they were later renamed Sonderkommando Berlin. Sonderkommando Zossen was formed soon after as a training unit. Sonderkommando Juterbog were formed also during the first few months. In July/August 1933 the Zossen and Berlin units were amalgamated and became the first 2 Sturms (Kompanies) of the future LAH. In mid-August 1933 the 3^rd Strum (Kompanie) was added - this is the birth of the 3^rd Kompanie. The Sonderkommando Juterbog was incorporated soon after and that gave the LAH its' first Battalion of 4 Sturm's.

They were given the Adolf Hitler title for the first time in September 1933 at the annual Party Day Rally. Growth continued before the war with further Kompanies being added and by 1935 the LAH could boast 2500 men. Guard duties and parades were the norm up until the war. It is worth noting that the following people Heinrich Schuldt, Martin Gross, Albert Stenwedel, Wilhlem Mohnke and Harry Polewacz all served within the ranks of the 3rd Kompanie before the war. All of these men were later Knights Cross holders and also Battalion, Regimental and Divisional Commanders and assisted in forging the reputation of the LAH in it's early days.

The start of the Second World War would see the 3^rd Kompanie involved in the advance through Poland. Initially towards Warsaw, but then moving slightly North and finishing at the Modlin forts. They then had a brief lull over winter before going into action again in the West. Holland, Belgium and Northern France would be their route of advance. They also took part in the fighting around Dunkirk. Once this campaign was over, they were sent South to finish the conquest of France. They lost around 10 people during the campaign in the West, compared to 30 people in Poland! It was clear that they had learnt some valuable lessons since then.

Greece 1941 was next where they fought some very hard battles - platoon leader Franz Witt (Fritz Witt's brother) was among the 3rd Kompanie dead of this campaign. It was in this campaign that the LAH fought against New Zealand and Australian troops. They then moved into Russia as part of Army Group South fighting through Uman, Taganrog and onto the prize of Rostov. Heinrich Springer was in charge then and he successfully captured the huge bridge across the Don River with 60 men of the 3^rd Kompanie - this action earned him the Knights Cross. Weather stopped all fighting over the dreadful winter and then the LAH were sent to France for a re-fit in 1942.

1943 would see them back in the South around Kharkov where the 3^rd Kompanie earned their second and final Knights Cross holder, but suffered heavy losses in officers, and then Kursk, from Kursk straight to Italy to help disarm the Italian Army. Then it was back to Russia to the Shitomir area and the heavy fighting that saw the Germans pushed back in all areas. April 1944 saw them moved back to Western Europe for another re-fit. This was just in time for Normandy and they were sent to that area at the end of June, fighting alongside the HJ Division. The Falaise pocket was a disaster for the German Army during August 1944 and the 3^rd Kompanie failed to show up again until October 1944, assuming therefore that they were wiped out during the Normandy fighting. They fought under KG Hansen during the fighting in the Ardennes. They were present at the noted battles in Poteaux and also the river crossings at the Ambleve river. They also fought near Bastogne in the closing stages of operation Wacht am Rhein.