Rare Waffen-SS Panzer SS-Obersturmbannführer shoulderboards to Karl Leiner SS Pz. Abt. 103

 

 

SS-Abt.Kdr.KARL LEINER s.SS-Pz.Abt. ‘TIGER’ 103 SHOULDER BOARDS

Karl Leiner was Eicke’s son-in-law, his career took him through…

SS-Heimwehr Danzig 1939

Kdr. SS-T.-Pz.Abw.Abt. 1940

Kdr. SS-Pz.Jg.Abt. “SS-Reich” 1941

Kdr. SS-Pz.Abt. 3 1942

Kdr. SS-Pz.Rgt. 3 1942-43

Kdr. s.SS-Pz.Abt. 103 1944

 

SS Obersturmbannfuhrer Leiner becomes the new battalion commander. Improvised training is conducted by using three Panzer 1s MODEL C. 25 Jan 45, battalion receives 13 Tiger 2 tanks. 26 jan 45 . Entrainment of 39 Tiger 2s in Lage for transport to the eastern front. The battalion is to report directly to Heeeresgruppe Weischel [army group Vistula]. One week prior , SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Herzig relieves the unpopular SS Obersturmbannfuhrer Leiner, the son in law of deceased SS Brigadfuhrer Eicke.SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Birnschein and SS Obersturmfuhrer Ther who sent reports against Leiner to the SS Main office ,are transferred for law , order and discipline reasons to schwere Panzer Abteilung 501. Also from the book on Wittman. In Nov 43 all elements of the battalion not involved in the east front deployment were transported by rail to Sennelager South , Augustdorf. SS Obersturmbannfuhrer Leiner had assumed command of the battalion a short time before [sSS Pz Abt 101]. The 38 year old Leiner had commanded the anti tank battalion of the Totenkopf div in the western campaign of 1940, and in 43 had led the same divisions panzer regiment during the Battle of Kharkov. Leiner was married to one of Eickes daughters, and he was a long serving member of Eickes Division ,where he was sure of the commanders goodwill. Leiner did not enjoy much popularity among members of the 101st. His cold unfriendly manner and his lack of understanding prevented any bonds from being established with the enlisted men, NCO s and officers. That’s all I have not even a photo, he sounds like your typical guy with his head up his behind. no reference for that just personal observation.

 

SS-number being 27.351

 

And between May and August 1940 he commanded SS-Totenkopf-Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung.

 

SS-Totenkopf-Division the following information:

SS-Totenkopf-Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung

SS-Sturmbannführer (although I believe this must be SS-Hstuf) Karl Leiner(CO 11-39). So after his service with the SS-Heimwehr ‘Danzig’ he became CO from this unit.

And when I look to what I’ve on SS-Totenkopf-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung I see this:

SS-Sturmbannführer Leiner (CO 8-40). So this could be correct as well since I first wrote he commanded SS-Totenkopf-Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilung till August 1940. I only don’t know if he was SS-Stubaf already at that time, only someone who has his promotions could tell us this…..

 

He served with the 15. Kp. from SS-Heimwehr ‘Danzig’ since the CO from that Kp. was an SS-Ostuf called Otto Leiner and Karl had a higher rank at that time when I’m correct. So he probably served with another unit from the SS-Heimwehr ‘Danzig’.

These shoulderboards were obtained direct from the family in Konstanz by a good friend by a picker/collector in Germany and then onto Martin Stiles at Hannahs Reich and have been in a single collection since. Unique offering which would be a prime piece in any SS-Panzer collection!