Theodor Wisch

[Helmut]

Servus,
I am confused about when Wisch assumed command of the LAH. In Lehmann's Divisional History, it says he assumed Command in the spring but Sepp Dietrich hung around until just before Kursk ( 2 or 3 July, if memory serves). Other sources say Wisch assumed command in early July, and others again say April. Which is correct?

Thanks for all your help

Helmut

[Abteilung]

I have copies of two documents. One reads:

Generalkommando I. SS-Panzer-Korps
Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler
K.H.Qu., den 4. Juli 1943

Sonderbefehl

Ich ernenne den

SS-Oberführer Theodor W i s c h

zum Kommandeur der

Panzer-Grenadier-Division
"Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler"

signature is Dietrich
SS-Obergruppenführer und
General der Waffen-SS

The other document deals with promotion of Witt and Wisch to SS-Oberführer on that same day, also signed by Dietrich

I think the confusion originates from the fact that Wisch was acting commander since April 1943, after Dietrich left for the I. SS-Panzer-Korps.

/Abteilung

[Abteilung]

Helmut, is this what you wanted to known?

/Abteilung

[Wolfkin]

Hello!

Interesting. This quote from Lehmann gives a different date, it says this:

"Even though the official transfer of command for the Division from Obergruppenfuhrer Sepp Dietrich to Standartenfuhrer Theodor Wisch was not to take place until June 4 1943, the Division's new commander and the officers of his Stab arrived by the end of May to begin the transition."

This seems to suggest that Wisch took command on June 4, 1943.

Cheers,

Wolfkin

[Helmut]

Servus,
Thank you all for the info. The dates in Lehmann is what confused me too. I guess I'll have to go back and do a little more research also.

Abteilung, what is the source of your documents?

Thanks to all again

Regards,

Helmut

[Abteilung]

Helmut,

The documents are xerox copies from a Leibstandarte war diary in the collection of a Belgian collector.

/Abteilung

[Helmut]

Thanks!!

Regards,
Helmut