Description
This is a very interesting and completely untouched short M38 gasmask + canister. It is dark grey overpaint with thick paint over the original green paint, giving it an amazing look. It is on the inside marked and named to Uffizier Pfeiffer. W., and shows also Feldpostnummer 04816 D.
This Feldpostnummer was for: Sicherungs-Bataillon (Magen) 1216, which was stationed since january 1944 in Denmark (Esbjerg) and was subject to the 160 Infantry Division. ( https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/SichBat/Gliederung.htm ). 04816 D was in use for the 3. Kompanie of Sicherungs-Bataillon 1216 (M).
Sicherungs-Bataillon 1216 (M)
Feldpostnummern from 21. March 1944 (the unit was never deleted in the fieldpost overview):
Unit Feldpostnummer:
Stab 04816 A
1. Kompanie 04816 B
2. Kompanie 04816 C
3. Kompanie 04816 D
4. Kompanie 04816 E
The Sicherungs-Bataillon 1216 (M) was set up on March 5, 1944 in Wuppertal, in military district VI. The battalion was made up of 4 companies due to it’s soldiers suffering from “Magenkranken” (stomach disorder patients). The battalion was stationed after formation in Denmark. The battalion was placed under the 160th Reserve Division and deployed at Esbjerg. The Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Bataillon (M) 276 was responsible for providing the battalion with replacements.
There is curiously the remains of a Heer decal visible on the inside, just under the written name and Feldpostnumber. Pfeiffer must have added the decal to the inside of his gasmask canister, instead of to his helmet and then wrote his personal information over it after removing the decal again.
The gasmask has since 1945 never been in any collectorshands before and remains completely untouched. It has only recently been offered to us and comes directly from the Dänish family that kept it since the war. It has an amazing dark painted surface with only minor typical age damage, the long strap is missing, as are the filter and spring. It is on the outside marked in black with “519”.
More historical background to the 3.Kompanie of Sicherungs-Bataillon 1216 (M) can be found here: https://bunkermuseumhanstholm.dk/media/2438/ktb-wb-da-n-1943-44-oversaettelse.pdf google translate tells regarding Sicherungs-Bataillon 1216 the following:
13.3.1944:
As a result of the exchange between 361. Inf.Div. and 363rd Inf. Div. the defense in the Esbjerg Fanø section is significantly weakened, as the entire 361st Inf.Div.’s section had to be taken over by the 160th Res.Div., which on that occasion has been assigned a regiment from the 20th Lw.Feld-Div. WBD. and has therefore requested that a further weakening of the forces in Jutland be put on hold – including a possible transport away of the 416th Inf.Div. OKH has ordered the transfer to Denmark of Sicherungsbataillon M 1208 and M 1216.3 These battalions will be transferred to Aalborg and to Grove, where, after completion of equipment, they will take care of security and guard duties. Subject to the local division. When the security battalion has arrived in Grove, it is expected to place Res.Gren.Btl. 216 back to the 166th Res.Div.’s area.
According to the Volksbund there is no W. Pfeiffer listed, so it is likely Pfeiffer survided the war.
A very good looking and interesting gasmask!!!
