The SS-Kriegsberichter-Kompanie (SS War Reporter's Company) was
established in January 1940, it's original formation being four
platoons of war correspondents and their support staff. The
platoons were able to operate independent of each other, each
equipped with still and movie cameras to enable to units to
visually document the actions of Waffen-SS men in combat.
The company was placed under the command of ex-Allgemeine SS
Standartenführer Günter d'Alquen. Upon his transfer to the
Waffen-SS, d'Alquen was given the rank of Waffen-SS
Hauptsturmführer der Reserve. d'Alquen would command the unit
throughout its existence, ending the war as an Waffen-SS
Standartenführer der Reserve.
Soon after its formation, one platoon was attached to each of the
four Waffen-SS combat formations. These platoons were to remain
attached to their respective formations throughout the campaigns
in France and the Low Countries, reporting on the actions of the
SS combat formations during the campaign.
The platoons remained attached to the SS combat units during the
campaign in the Balkans, taking many famous photographs,
including that of SS-Standartenführer Kurt Meyer at the battle
for the Kleisoura Pass.
SS-Kreigsberichter-Kompanie photo depicting Kurt Panzermeyer
Meyer in action at Kleisoura Pass, 14 April 1941.By August 1941,
the number of Waffen-SS formations had increased, and so the
SS-Kreigsberichter-Kompanie was increased in size as well,
becoming the SS-Kreigsberichter-Abteilung. As an Abteilung, the
unit had several more war correspondent units attached to it,
enabling it to cover the actions of all the Waffen-SS formations
in the field.
As the number of SS combat formations increased, so did the
number of correspondents required. In December 1943, the unit was
enlarged to regimental size, and renamed SS-Standarte Kurt
Eggers. The honour title Kurt Eggers referred to the SS War
Correspondent and editor of the SS Magazine Das Schwarze Korps
who had been killed earlier in the year, while reporting on the
Wiking's battles near Kharkov.
Many of the Kurt Eggers photographers, movie cameramen, writers,
broadcaster and recorders were foreign volunteers, and most were
multilingual. Several formations within the Standarte were formed
to gather information for occupied or allied countries, and these
sub-units were generally staffed by volunteers of the relevant
nationality. At least two U.S. citizens, several British and a
New Zealander served with the Standarte throughout the war.
ITEMS REQUIRED : Standard uniform, basic field gear, side arm
SPECIAL ITEMS : Period cameras and any relative equipment
SPECIAL DUTIES : Help gather event photos for the newsletter and
website, and to interact with the public and
answer any question they might have.
established in January 1940, it's original formation being four
platoons of war correspondents and their support staff. The
platoons were able to operate independent of each other, each
equipped with still and movie cameras to enable to units to
visually document the actions of Waffen-SS men in combat.
The company was placed under the command of ex-Allgemeine SS
Standartenführer Günter d'Alquen. Upon his transfer to the
Waffen-SS, d'Alquen was given the rank of Waffen-SS
Hauptsturmführer der Reserve. d'Alquen would command the unit
throughout its existence, ending the war as an Waffen-SS
Standartenführer der Reserve.
Soon after its formation, one platoon was attached to each of the
four Waffen-SS combat formations. These platoons were to remain
attached to their respective formations throughout the campaigns
in France and the Low Countries, reporting on the actions of the
SS combat formations during the campaign.
The platoons remained attached to the SS combat units during the
campaign in the Balkans, taking many famous photographs,
including that of SS-Standartenführer Kurt Meyer at the battle
for the Kleisoura Pass.
SS-Kreigsberichter-Kompanie photo depicting Kurt Panzermeyer
Meyer in action at Kleisoura Pass, 14 April 1941.By August 1941,
the number of Waffen-SS formations had increased, and so the
SS-Kreigsberichter-Kompanie was increased in size as well,
becoming the SS-Kreigsberichter-Abteilung. As an Abteilung, the
unit had several more war correspondent units attached to it,
enabling it to cover the actions of all the Waffen-SS formations
in the field.
As the number of SS combat formations increased, so did the
number of correspondents required. In December 1943, the unit was
enlarged to regimental size, and renamed SS-Standarte Kurt
Eggers. The honour title Kurt Eggers referred to the SS War
Correspondent and editor of the SS Magazine Das Schwarze Korps
who had been killed earlier in the year, while reporting on the
Wiking's battles near Kharkov.
Many of the Kurt Eggers photographers, movie cameramen, writers,
broadcaster and recorders were foreign volunteers, and most were
multilingual. Several formations within the Standarte were formed
to gather information for occupied or allied countries, and these
sub-units were generally staffed by volunteers of the relevant
nationality. At least two U.S. citizens, several British and a
New Zealander served with the Standarte throughout the war.
ITEMS REQUIRED : Standard uniform, basic field gear, side arm
SPECIAL ITEMS : Period cameras and any relative equipment
SPECIAL DUTIES : Help gather event photos for the newsletter and
website, and to interact with the public and
answer any question they might have.
