Thanks John
The information about the Anti-Partisan "bandit" badge was taken from the ref book "Combat
Medals of the Third Reich" by Christopher Ailsby, page 180.

My appologies if the information is incorrect but unfortunately i can only refer to information
at my disposal.

Regards Peiper

_________________
"Schreite mit stolzer Geringschatzung durch den Pfuhl menschlicher Unzulassigkeit"
"Stride with proud disdain through the swamp of human inadmissibility" Jochen Peiper 1915-1976

SS-Gren/Heinrich Stohler, Second Battle Group

Handschar Operations

Part three: Operation Osterei.
This assault began on 12th Apr 1944 at approx 3am, this operation was planned with the goal
of clearing out the partisan forces from the Majevica mountain region, at this point the
Handschar units were now opposed against a much larger and better organised Partisan force
being led and controlled now by Marshal Tito and being supplied/armed by the British Govt.


Handschar Unit photo, taken prior to an operation

The 27th Handschar Regt moved into position and quickly captured the town of Janja then
advanced through the City of Donja-Trnora and reached an important objective, the Ugljevik
Mine.
At the end of this Operation the Handschar 27th reported 106 dead and 45 captured Partisan
troops with only 22 injured/killed from their own losses.

A Handschar Recon detatchment equipped with motorcycle combinations and amphibious VW's
linked up with the 1st Home Defence Mountain Brigade who were a pro-fascist Croatian-
Bosnian group and were met on the western slopes of Majevica.
The Handschar 28th Regt then moved across the area of Mackovac and after heavy fighting
around the City of Priboj managed to push the Partisan 38th group south, which caused them
(the partisan forces) to retreat.


Handschar recognaisance vehicles

Peiper

_________________
"Schreite mit stolzer Geringschatzung durch den Pfuhl menschlicher Unzulassigkeit"
"Stride with proud disdain through the swamp of human inadmissibility" Jochen Peiper 1915-1976

SS-Gren/Heinrich Stohler, Second Battle Group

There is a group that does 13th ss.

_________________

Handschar Operations

Part four: Operation Rubezahl.
The German assault on Sandzak was commanded by Obergruppenfuhrer Arthur Phleps who
formed a new group specially for this operation called "Group Kommando Sandschak" which
basically consisted of the 7th Freiwilligen Prinz Eugen Division, 21st Mountain Division Skanderberg,
and the Handschar Division.


A photo of the Handschar Div on parade in honour of Obergruppenfuhrer
Arthur Phleps, prior to the Units participation in Operation Rubezahl.

The Handschar Division took part in the initial stages of Operation Rubezahl before transfer to
the 2nd Corps in order to protect the crossing of the Drina river (in Eastern Bosnia) and linking
up with the Albanian 21st Skanderberg Division.

Peiper.

_________________
"Schreite mit stolzer Geringschatzung durch den Pfuhl menschlicher Unzulassigkeit"
"Stride with proud disdain through the swamp of human inadmissibility" Jochen Peiper 1915-1976

SS-Gren/Heinrich Stohler, Second Battle Group

The 85th Gebirgsjager have done the odd day

Thats it sorry. should have known. our display is always next to theirs

_________________

Handschar Operations

Part five: Operation Maibaum.
This was a very large operation and the main goal was to destroy the entire third Partisan
Army Corps, and was controlled by SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Arthur Phleps who was given
command of all the SS troops in the area by Reichfuhrer Heinrich Himmler.


Handschar troops with supplies prior to military operation.

Certain units of the attacking force which included the Prinz Eugen and the Handschar
Divisions along with units of the Security forces including the SD and local Bosnian/Croatian
Police Units which were used to control the local population etc.
These units were put near the river Drina to prevent the enemies retreat into Serbia and
Zvornik, the main German units were to surround and take Tuzla and Vlasenica.
On April 25th 1944, Zvornik fell with few casualties then on April 27th the SS Divisions went
into Kladanj and the next day took Vlasenica.

On the 28th April 44 saw the most bitter fighting between the 13th Handschar Division and the
partisan forces which took place in and around the village of Sekovici, the battle lasted for
24 hours ending with a huge amount of human loss on both sides, as well as the German
forces capturing many enemy weapons and ammunition supplies.
(see related pic below)


SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Phleps viewing captured partisan Sten gun

Peiper.

_________________
"Schreite mit stolzer Geringschatzung durch den Pfuhl menschlicher Unzulassigkeit"
"Stride with proud disdain through the swamp of human inadmissibility" Jochen Peiper 1915-1976

SS-Gren/Heinrich Stohler, Second Battle Group

Handschar Operations

Part six: Operation Maiglockchen
On 17th May 1944 the Handschar Division advanced south in a defensive assault against a
major Partisan force which was moving towards the Bosnian border.

The 27th and 28th Handschar Regiments moved towards the attacking enemy partisans by
a circular route over the mountains then rejoined again near the City of Stolica where they
clashed with the 17th Partisan Majevica Brigade.

The battle lasted nearly 24 hours after each side refused to lose ground, eventually the
Majevica Brigade retreated after losing over 100 men injured, wounded and captured, the
Handschar Regts lost 16 dead and 60 men missing presumed captured or killed.



Peiper. (re-edited picture distortion)

_________________
"Schreite mit stolzer Geringschatzung durch den Pfuhl menschlicher Unzulassigkeit"
"Stride with proud disdain through the swamp of human inadmissibility" Jochen Peiper 1915-1976

SS-Gren/Heinrich Stohler, Second Battle Group

An interesting listing with names and units from Bandenkampfabzeichen holders, most are SS or Polizei some are Kozaken, Heer Jäger or Luftwaffe ground units.

Also to Luftwaffe pilots like this one, (mentioned on page 2)
Ofw. der Luftwaffe Hermann Scharge, received the Bandenkampfabzeichen in Silber on 20.September 1944, for 107 combat days (anti-partisan flights).


http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32772

Jan

In the book for Fuhrer and Fatherland it states that Luftwaffe personel could qualify for the badge and it also states that non-german soldiers fighting as volunteers in the Wehrmact could also qualify providing they met the requirements and sworn an oath allegiance to Hitler.

_________________
"I require able bodied men,with good horse and gun.
I wish none but those who desire to be actively engaged".
"Come on boys,if you want a heap of fun and to kill some yankees".
Nathan Bedford Forest.

Some more Handschar photo's


A Handschar parade viewed by Reichfuhrer Himmler and Gruppenfuhrer Sauberzweig


Handschar troops greet the Grand Mufti.


(re-edited due to picture distortion)

Peiper.

_________________
"Schreite mit stolzer Geringschatzung durch den Pfuhl menschlicher Unzulassigkeit"
"Stride with proud disdain through the swamp of human inadmissibility" Jochen Peiper 1915-1976

SS-Gren/Heinrich Stohler, Second Battle Group

That is not a Sten gun, that is a MP-3008 I believe This photo was taking Either late 1944 or sometime 1945.

It is a Sten gun, the code MP-3008 is the number the Germans gave captured sten guns.

The German's gave their own codes/serial numbers to a large number of captured weapons,
and the picture was taken in 1944 (as already stated) in Yugoslavia/Bosnia.

Peiper.

_________________
"Schreite mit stolzer Geringschatzung durch den Pfuhl menschlicher Unzulassigkeit"
"Stride with proud disdain through the swamp of human inadmissibility" Jochen Peiper 1915-1976

SS-Gren/Heinrich Stohler, Second Battle Group

Didnt know Sten guns had the mags down, like that. Maybe thats converted!

Though the Mp-3008 Was Based of a Stean gun but wasnt actually a sten gun ?

It was called "Peoples Sub Machine gun" during the last days of Berlin I have heard.

Basically made it because its cheaper than the MP40. Or?

Herr Peiper Your wrong and your right Ok yes its a sten but the MP 3008 is not the German for the sten ,the MP 3008 is a weapon in its own right
On the sten the mag the magazine port on the sten can be rotated down for storage or to stop dirt from getting into the action. You can't shoot it like that. If you look at the picture you can see the locking ring on the front of the magazine well.

_________________