SS-Polizei-Regiment
Most members of this regiment were taken from the ethnic Germans living in the mountainous region of Tirol ( Italy ) , and its main task is to fight local insurgents and security tasks in Repubblica Sociale Italiana border region ( RSI Italian Social Republic ) led by Benito Mussolini ) . Most of them are also veterans of the Italian Army who had served on the Eastern Front . First known as the " SS - Polizei - Regiment Südtirol " ( October 1943 ) , in November 1943 the name was changed to Polizeiregiment Bozen . During the period of its existence , which lasted for 1.5 years , this regiment based in Bolzano , Silandro and Gossensaß .
Bozen regiment consisted of three battalions and headquarters staff , with each battalion having one to five infantry company police . This unit has a light weapon and is classified as a type of system setting Panzergrenadier Wehrmacht battle . Regiment which is "related " to the SS - Polizei Bozen is - Regiment " Brixen " . At first , the regiment received orders directly from the Gauleiter ( Governor ) Tirol , Franz Hofer , but soon put the formations and units of the SS Polizei . Therefore , it is classed as a regiment and military formations under the command of the German military officials in the region . In the end , when given the task of securing the city (like Rome ) , the regiment is responsible directly to the head of the SS .
In 1944 , Bozen Regiment deployed around the city of Rome . Tasks are included to maintain security around the city as well as patrolling the border area to search for military deserters and prisoners of war were blurry . In the city of Rome itself , 11 . Kompanie ( under the command of Leutnant der Schutzpolizei Wolgasth ) daily patrols through the city streets . On March 23, 1944 , 11.Kompanie / III.Bataillon on patrol passing through Via Rasella hit by bombs insurgents shipment of Gruppi d' Azione Italian Patriótica ( GAP ) . Recorded 28 SS soldiers and 2 civilians were killed instantly in the event , and then following 4 people died of his injuries a few days later . German security forces in Rome , headed by SS - Obersturmbannführer Herbert Kappler , launched a retaliatory operation that became known as the Ardeatine Eccidio delle Fosse ( Fosse Ardeatine Massacre ) . In this operation , 335 Italian prisoners were executed and later his body was placed in a cave which was then blown up .
When Italy fell to the Allied advance , the members of the Regiment Bozen then put into combat units other German or released as the increasingly looming defeat . His unit itself officially " closed gates sigotaka " spring 1945.
Down the chain of command :
Regiment Commander : Oberst der Schutzpolizei Alois Menschik
Regimental Adjutant : Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei Ullbrich
Battalion Commander :
I. Bataillon ( 1-5 companies ) :
II . Bataillon ( companies 6-10 ) : Major der Schutzpolizei Schroder
III . Bataillon ( company 11-13 ) : Major der Schutzpolizei Hellmuth Dobbrick
Polizei Ersatz Bataillon Bozen
Polizei Panzer Zug ( Fian Ansaldo AB 41 )
Chain of command to the top :
Höchste SS - und Italien Polizeiführer - SS - Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff
SS - und Polizeiführer ( Mitteitalien - Verona ) - SS - Brigadeführer Wilhelm Harster
SS - und Polizei - Regiment 15 ( regular SS garrison in Rome ) - Oberstleutnant der Ludwig Buch Schutzpolizei
SS - Polizei - Regiment " Bozen " ( ethnic regiments SS )
SS - Polizei - Regiment " Brixen " ( ethnic regiments SS )
The entire chain of command that includes SS units that are in the same region are under 14 . Armee Wehrmacht Generaloberst Eberhard von Mackensen leadership . SS garrison troops in Rome under the command of the German occupation forces commander , Generalleutnant ( Luftwaffe ) Ing . Kurt Malzer . Von Mackensen and Malzer both are equally responsible for Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring which is the German supreme commander in Italy and the Mediterranean .