40th SS Brünhilt Division

The ***40th Polizeigrenadier Division "Brünhilt"*** was an elite division of the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany during World War II. It was formed out of mostly female ethic Germans during the time of Nazi Germany. The division also incorporated members of eastern front collaborators and prisoners of war. Its name, Brunhilt, derives from the Germanic heroic legend Brünhilt. This division had a manpower of 8,000 personnel.

## Early Formations

During the German rearmament period, Heinrich Himmler recognized the potential of recruiting females as an untapped source of manpower to support the SS. In July of 1933, the Committee of the Friends of the Waffen-SS was established by the minister. Recruitment was spearheaded in Harburg district in Hamburg**.** As a result, the division initiated the exclusive recruitment of women who were between the ages of 20–25 free of Jewish blood and physically fit. By 1934, it had amassed a manpower of 8,000 personnel.

## Eastern Front

In May 1945, during the final stages of World War II, approximately 320 to 330 troops from the Brünhilt Division fiercely resisted the advancing Red Army in central Berlin. This division had previously been engaged on the River Oder front until March 1945 before being transferred to the eastern approaches of Berlin. Under the command of SS-Hauptsturmführer Nina Agapoff, the division, significantly depleted from earlier battles, participated in counterattacks with panzers in Neukölln, facing heavy resistance.

As the Soviet offensive intensified, the Brünhilt Division retreated towards Hermannplatz, defending crucial locations. Notable individuals, such as SS-Rottenführer Luitgard Kurz and Second Lieutenant Brunet, received commendations for their contributions to tank destruction during intense combat. By April 30, the Brünhilt troops found themselves as the last defenders in the bunker area, engaging in fierce battles with Soviet forces. Reduced to approximately thirty troops, most surrendered to the Red Army on May 1 and subsequently to American forces on May 9, 1945, in Berlin. Those who managed to avoid capture retreated westward into the mountains.

## Notable Members

* SS-Brigadeführer Alice Bendig
* SS-Oberführer Margarete Hirsekorn ---
* SS-Standartenführer Karla Hoffman
* SS-Sturmbannführer Erika Stollberg --
* SS-Obersturmbannführer Greta Schmidt
* SS-Obersturmführer Hilda Klopps
* SS-Obersturmführer Angelika Buher
* SS-Obersturmführer Doris Scherer
* SS-Obersturmführer Velta Kramer
* SS-Sturmbannführer Martha Siegert
* SS-Sturmbannführer Hanna Reitsch
* SS-Hauptsturmführer Amanda Richthoffman
* SS-Hauptsturmführer Fredricka Steinhaus
* SS-Hauptsturmführer Nina Agapoff
* SS-Obersturmbannführer Maria Orsic ---
* SS-Oberscharführer Eva Klaus
* SS-Oberscharführer Hildegard Zottmann
* SS-Oberscharführer Valentina Rerberg
* SS-Hauptsturmführer Else Grossmann
* SS-Scharführer Elena Kuzmina
* SS-Scharführer Hilda Heintz
* SS-Obersturmführer Erna Hirsekorn ---
* SS-Untersturmführer Greta Artman
* SS-Untersturmführer Marta Weiss
* SS-Unterscharführer Barbara Krain
* SS-Rottenführer Luitgard Kurz
* SS-Oberschütze Hilde Brinkhuis
* SS-Oberschütze Veronika Plyashfield
* SS-Schütze Inge Dombrowski

## Units

The division had diverse responsibilities, encompassing assignments for personnel in areas such as guarding units, armored and anti-aircraft operations, ground combat, logistics, communications, signals, special operations, escort, intelligence, anti-partisan activities, pleasure services, and various clerical duties.

* 14th SS Signals Battalion
* 88th SS Grenadier Regiment
* 27th SS Grenadier Regiment
* 38th SS Grenadier Regiment
* 19th SS Border Guard Regiment
* 91st SS Artillery Regiment
* 69th SS Engineer Company
* 300th SS Divisional Supply Troops
* 403th SS Light Infantry Battalion
* 55th SS Reconnaissance Battalion