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I have just tried to attach a picture for the first time I hope it works. My mum top row second from the left.

 

Jim alright here we go

your mother and the other gals Female Auxiliaries or Marinehelferinnen (that is one word) are wearing the one piece coveralls with yellow breast eagle-warm months. this is called the general work suit/Kombination.

the gals were not permitted to man any guns or weapons but were used for searchlight and balloon units. As she was in a Marine flak Batterie most probably searchlight and as a funker helping to report incoming aircraft via radio communication.

they could also be involved in signals, A/C reporting service, air warning (most likely) and weather capabilities.

Issue uniforms were given in the summer of 1944 for Auxiliaries with Flak units and trainees within the Flak Batterie. these may have been old stocks of men's tunics with 4 pockets and of course the regulation field service cap - navy blue possibly with Batterie/Battalion insignia on the left side if the Flak units was so inclined.

so Jim some material to work with and include this for you, please note the units including the one your Mutti was part of out of Kiel

[SIZE=+1]I. Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung[/SIZE]

Formed 1920 in Kiel. Disbanded 8.26.39 and was divided into the following units:

1. Ersatz-Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung (Bülk bei Kiel)
Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 121 (Laboe)
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 211 (Eckernförde)
-------------- Marine-Flak-Abteilung 221 (Kiel-Friedrichsort) --------------
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 231 (Rendsburg)
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 241 (Kiel-Elmschenhagen)
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 251 (Kiel-Schönwohlde)
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 261 (Kiel-Röbsdorf)
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 271 (Kiel-Jägersberg)

221 which later turned into this :

[SIZE=+1]Marine-Flak-Abteilung 221[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]
[/SIZE]
Formed 8.26.39 in Kiel-Friedrichsort (later Kiel-Dehnhöft) with 5 companies. 1939 had 9 companies. In 1942 part 221 was used to form Marine-Flak-Abteilung 281. 1943 11 batteries.
Subordinated to 1. Marine-Flak-Regiment/I. Marine-Flak-Brigade.


the unit used the 10.5cm Flak in 1941 onward with the possible use of single 12.8cm cannon ~ and also here and use the left side bar links for the individual Batteries :

http://www.bunker-kiel.com/flugabwehr/marine-flak-abteilung-221-friedrichsort/

 

just too a peek more thoroughly at the last link I posted, if you go to the left side and punch up each Batterie slowly you will find a searchlight and light 2cm Flak component ............ maybe just maybe ........ ?

 

Thank you Erich for bringing the photo to life. I passed on your information to my sister who then said "Oh by the way mum said that she was called up for the Marine Helferin in 1944 at Flensborg and was stationed at Fehmarn and Swinemunde" I have a lot to look up and see where all the locations are on the map so thank you for that. My last thought for the night will be, did my German Marine Helferin mother sit in bed discussing the war with my Black Watch sergeant father???? even this forum can't answer that one!

 

Jim

I have the Batteries and locations in and around Swinemünde if your interested just give me a Number from your sister if your Mutti was still helping in a Marine Flak unit ? ask away .........

Fehmarn of course is close to Denmark somewhat opposite of Kiel

[SIZE=+1]3. Marine-Flak-Regiment[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]
[/SIZE]
Formed 3.45 in Swinemünde with:


Marine-Flak-Abteilung 233 (Swinemünde)
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 711 (Swinemünde)
Marine-Flak-Abteilung 713 (Swinemünde)
Subordinated to Seekdt. Pommern.

 

I will be in touch on Sunday Erich regarding Swinemunde, thank you for the above information. I have just been looking at the bunkers and made me remember that mum had a 60-cm scar on her right arm just above her wrist that she said had been trapped by some concrete. As usual a snippet of information and what is so frustrating is all I had to do was ask one questions for the information to make sense. I have been looking at the old photos to find mums arm where the scar was. I looked at your information and the bunkers and thought was she at that bunker or that one. Does the German Government keep all the details in a central point for all the armed forces during the last War, places of engagement injuries,etc. I was thinking maybe trying to get the information that way.

 

no they do not and in part the problem is that Swinemünde is under another countries privy-protection files are missing for 45 as the town and area were pretty much torn up by the invading Soviet forces naturally

 

Welcome,

I am sorry your mother had to endure such a horrific experience

 

Thanks for the welcome Steve and your sentiment. My dad said once that he did not feel poor when he was young as everyone was in the same boat so to speak and I wonder if my mums situation was the same that everyone was in the same situation that you just had to pick yourself up and get on with it. Maybe it's only when you look back you wonder how you managed to get through the horrific experience? I don't know as I had a good and safe upbringing thanks to my parents. The only sign I can say that showed from mums ordeal in the war was the scar on her arm.

 

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I found the picture, taken many years ago. Scar to right arm.

Thanks for the above information Erich, one door closes another will open I'm sure.

 

Hello Erich and Forum. My sister has just gone back to Germany and left me with paperwork treasure that I have never seen before. I took a blown up copy of my mums Personal Ausweis book. When I look at the stamp and it says Flensburg where mum signed up to the Marine Helferinnen was that 2 Companie or was 2 Companie stationed somewhere else. I think what I am trying to fathom out how my mum ended up in Gotenhafen on the Wilhelm Gustloff. Is this the information to put on the link you gave me Erich for the Kriegsmarine site?

 

can you post scans of the booklet here on this site ?

and yes I would go ahead to the marinearchiv forum and post there. your mother was moved around continuously which is not surprising in 1945 until to Gotenhafen and the sailing back at least that was hopeful to Germany/Denmark

 

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Is it better to post the full page or just the stamps and signatures as above?

 

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Just sent the one to see how it works out to read.

 

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Any help please on the 29-8-44 Unterschrift what the stamp says.

The clothing list shows under-ware on the 17-1-45 given and at that time my mum was still in M Flak A.221.

 

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I am lost on this one, not sure what it says next to each stamp and is the top and middle batteriechef the same batterie as on the clothing list Marine flak A.221 17-1-45????

 

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I would really like your comment on this one Erich as with the rest. My thought was when I read it each day is accounted for till the 25.1-1945 then a gap left and nothing till the 27-2-1945. So could I presume that if mum was on the retreat the 221 Batterie finished on the 25-1-45 and moved to Gotenhafen and the Wilhelm Gustloff and resumed on the 27-2-45?
Why a gap? is this normal in a Ausweis Book? The Urlaub page nine shows her on holiday 19-5-1945?