Description
HEER SOLDBUCH – STURMGESCHÜTZ ABTEILUNG 232
Soldbuch issued to Unteroffizier Max LEMME. He served in STURMGESCHÜTZ ABTEILUNG 232. Soldbuch was issued Nov. 26, 1941. His ID photo shows him wearing Feldgrau StuG tunic. Awards entered include KVK2, Sturmabzeichen, and EK2. The So
ldbuch contains a list of 17 Sturmtagen for qualification for the Sturmabzeichen.
This Sturmgeschütz unit saw action on the Eastern Front throughout its entire existence. After a long period in the southern sector, it was transferred to the central sector in 1944. In January 1945, the unit was renamed Sturmgeschütz-Brigade “Samland” and the war in East Prussia also ended.
Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 232 was formed in Jüterbog on 10 November 1942. The Abteilung was equipped for deployment in North Africa and was therefore equipped with tropical equipment. In December 1942, training was completed, but in view of the situation on the Eastern Front, the Abteilung was directed to the southern Eastern Front. Unloaded in Salsk, the Abteilung took part in the relief attempt of the 6th Army and the subsequent defensive battles between the Don and Donets . In February, it took part in the recapture of Grishino and Molodejkoje. During this time, the Abteilung was also attached to the 7th Panzer Division . In March, bitter fighting was fought along the Mius . In July 1943, the Abteilung was the “fire brigade” of the 1st Panzer Army along the Middle Don. At the end of the summer of 1943, the severely battered Abteilung was moved to Patschkau to be refreshed. After that, the Abteilung returned to the Eastern Front.
In mid-July/early August, early September 1944 and early December the brigade was part of the 3rd Panzer Army . In early January 1945 the brigade reached Heiligenbeil where it was renamed Sturmgeschütz-Brigade “Samland”, after also absorbing the remains of Heeres-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 278 on 28 January 1945.
It took part in attacks on 7 January and 10 February to relieve the “Festung Königsberg” and together with the 5th Panzer Division the brigade was able to reopen the connection to this city. In April the brigade fought in the Königsberg – Fischhausen area and then had to withdraw to Pillau . From there the remains were transported by ship to Nickelswalde . Early on 8 May 1945 the last remains of the brigade were taken with ” Marinefährprähme ” to Hela and from there with torpedo boat T-23 to Kiel .
The remnants of the Sturmgeschütz-Brigade “Samland” surrendered to the British in Kiel on May 8, 1945.
