SS-Wach-Bataillon 6
- Details
- Published: 26 December 2010 26 December 2010
- Last Updated: 16 November 2013 16 November 2013
In the spring of 1942 the Hirdvaktbataljonen (”Guard Battalion of the Hird” sometimes listed as Den Væpnede Hirdbataljon and Våpenhirden) was formed, it was manned by volunteers from the Hird who wanted to make an active contribution to the ”cause” but were unwilling or unable to serve of the front lines. They were issued Norwegian uniforms and weapons and the training was handled by Norwegian police offices with the exception of the arms training which was handled by German officers. After training the first batch were sent to northern Norway to guard prison camps. They were regarded as brutal guards and were responsible for the deaths of many men from Yugoslavia who had been placed in work camps in Norway.
In late 1942 or 1943 it became officially part of the Waffen-SS and was renamed SS-Wach-Bataillon 6 (known as SS Vaktbataljon 6 or SS Vaktbataljon Norge in Norwegian, sometimes listed as SS-Wach-Bataillon Oslo or SS-Wach-Bataillon Norwegen) but continued with the same service.
Commanders
SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Benno Hüttig
SS-Obersturmbannführer Willi Bettenhauser
Order of battle
Stab
4 x Kompanie
Sources used
Dr. K-G Klietmann - Die Waffen-SS: eine Dokumentation
Kurt Mehner - Die Waffen-SS und Polizei 1939-1945
Timm C. Richter (ed.) - Krieg und Verbrechen, Situation und Intention: Fallbeispiele
Sigurd Bakke Styrvold - ”Heil og Sæl. Jeg er utdannet morder!” Den norske SS Vaktbataljon 1942–45 (thesis, Oslo university 2009)
Reference material on this unit
Erik Veum - Hirden 1933–1945