Friday, January 12, 2024

Three Interesting Stories about Ferdinand Schörner in Norway

Here's some stories of "Ferdinand the bull" Schörner when he was in Lapland as a Commander of 6. Gebirgs-Division. Stories are from 'Kansa Taisteli' magazine and told by Finn Leo Lahdenperä who served at Finnish navy:

Just before Chrismas in 1941, German ship was sunk in Kirkenes. It's cargo was christmas rations, including beer. Next spring part of its cargo was raised and beer with other stuff was transported to Kirkenas and Liinahamari. In Liinahamari local commandant gave permission to give some beer to cantines. German supply Unteroffizier made fatal error and gave his friends a sausage and beer that evening. Night was a success, no drunks and no brawl. When the Unteroffizer woke up in next morning, military police did came. He was taken to Schörner and then to courtmarshal. In the afternoon he was shot.

In the summer 1942 German merchant ship was anchored in Liinahamari. It's Captain had invited German and Finnish naval officers to the ship for afternoon coffee. A German Major, who was in charge of Northern supply traffic, was also present. Suddenly Schörner enters to cabin. He greets the Captain who was also a Kriegsmarine officer. Then he turns to Major: "you are not a Major anymore. You are now a Private. You will report to me after one hour in my HQ!".Then he went to the ex-Major, ripped off his shoulder boards and shouted "Hinaus!". The Captain said: "General, you are in my ship and she's in my command. You can take disciplinary actions in your own territory". Schörner bowed and marched out. It's 14.00 and the poor Major was actually in his "dienst" (duty) time and should not be having coffee! When he did came to Lapland, Schörner ordered "luxury" furnitures removed from the officer's quarters and collected cars and motorcycles away from the ex-Major. They could only use them in service matters and not on their free time. He then send some fat supply personel to frontline or ordered them on diet, while leaner men were send to kitchen duties!

In autum 1942 war exercise was ordered between Germans and the Finns. 30 Finnish naval personel "fought" against 2 companies of Germans. In the end, the Finns won. In after evolution, Schörner yelled to his men: "these Finns could have wiped out all of you. Shame on you! After this is over, every day is 'mehr übung'!" Then he asked commander of the Finnish team how did they win?.The Finn get mixed up in German language and said: "Herr General, wir scheissen so gut (we shit so well)." He obviously meant to say "wir schiessen so gut (we shoot so well)." Then even Schörner smiled.



Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6813&hilit=ferdinand+sch%C3%B6rner

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