Schiff Stamm Abteilung

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 1:44 am

What is a Schiff Stamm Abteilung? It seems that most of them were not even placed near to a harbour... Was it a basic infantry training for the Kriegsmarine and some kind of holding unit at the same time?

M.S.Laarman · Post by **M.S.Laarman** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:51 am

Peter,

All ratings started their career with one of the Schiffstammabteilungen. They received basic training, cilivians were made soldiers. This lasted 3 months, most ot the time. Sometimes shorter or longer. After this they moved on to another (training)unit. SStA were also found in Belgium and the Netherlands, were they more or less acted as occupationforces. They didn't have any duties in that direction, but sometimes were the largest German unit present.
They also acted as alarm unit, in case of an invasion they were to be transported to the front.

Kind regards,

Maurice

Tom Houlihan · Post by **Tom Houlihan** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:16 am

Okay, I basically understand Maurice's explanation, but how would you explain Schiffs Stammdivision? Ships don't need basic training, or would this be considered further training for crewmen?