Beobachtungs-Abteilung 4
Campaigns
HistoryBeobachtungs-Abteilung 4 was formed on October 6th, 1936 from parts of Beobachtungs-Abteilung1 and the Beobachtungs-Lehr-Abteilung. Beobachtungs-Abteilungen, or Observation Artillery Battalions, were the ears and eyes of the German artillery branch. They served largely as sound and light ranging units but also as general range finding and long range tactical observation units for artillery spotting. These units even used medium sized ballons in the role of artillery observation. After Decemeber of 1939, all of these units served as Heerestruppen. Most of these units were renamed as leicht Beobachtungs-Abteilung (mot.) at some point during the latter part of WWII. The arm of service color used by these units, like all other artillery units, was bright red. Organization
The 4.Ballon-Batterie was removed from the organization of most all Beobachtungs-Abteilungenafter 1942, during the conversion into leicht Beobachtungs-Abteilungen (mot.). Their Flak-Zug waslikewise removed. CommandersOberstlt. Otto Bauer Knights Cross HoldersNo KC holders for this unit War ServiceBeobachtungs-Abteilung 4 was originally subordinated to the 4.Infanterie-Division until December of 1939 when all Beobachtungs-Abteilungen were designated as Heerestruppen. On October20th, 1943 the unit was subordinated to the 18.Artillerie-Division untilthe Division was destroyed in the summer of 1944, after which the unit was once more designated asHeerestruppe. German Bibliography
English Bibliography (Available on Amazon) |