The SS-Polizei Regiment 19 was formed in July 1942 in France. It was sent to Slovenia where it fought the partisans until March 1944 when it was sent back to France. It was first stationed at Langres and took part in anti-partisan operations in Dauphiné-Savoie, Limousin and Auvergne but transferred to Belfort in September 1944 where it would protect the Vichy government headed by Marshal Petain.
It withdrew towards Colmar in late 1944 but its fate is unknown.

Known war crimes

The unit suffered 10 dead due to a road mine near Ugine 5 June 1944 and 28 civilians were killed in the village as reprisal. (1)

In Ruynes-en-Margeride 26 civilians (including two women and one child) and in Clavières 10 civilians were killed by soldiers from this unit 10-11 June 1944. (1)

Soldiers from this regiment were among the 80 German POWs killed by French partisans at Vieugy and Habère-Lullin 29 August and 2 September 1944 in retaliation of the killing of French POWs. (1)

Commanders

Oberstleutnant der Polizei Bernhard Griese (9th July 1942 - April 1943)
Oberstleutnant der Polizei Hubert Koelbinger (April 1943 - 15 July 1944)
Major der Schutzpolizei Alois Bartscht (15 July 1944 - ?)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Knight's Cross (1)
- Engelbrecht, Wilhelm 11.12.1944 SS-Hauptsturmführer und Hauptmann der Schupo Fhr II./SS-Pol.Rgt 19 / HSSPF beim Mil.Befh. Frankreich / OB West

Order of battle

I/SS-Polizei Regiment 19
II/SS-Polizei Regiment 19
III/SS-Polizei Regiment 19

Known war crimes

1. "Konventioneller Krieg oder NS-Weltanschauungskrieg?: Kriegführung und Partisanenbekämpfung in Frankreich 1943/44" by Peter Lieb.

Sources used

Peter Lieb - Konventioneller Krieg oder NS-Weltanschauungskrieg?: Kriegführung und Partisanenbekämpfung in Frankreich 1943/44
Phil Nix & George Jerome - The Uniformed Police Forces of the Third Reich 1933-1945
Georg Tessin, Hans-Adolf Neufeldt & Jürgen Huck - Zur Geschichte der Ordnungspolizei 1936-1945

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -