Craig, then we will rule out the theory with "Luftgaukommando 5" because it doesn't make sense for several reasons. Two important theories remain, which could be plausible.
The LK markings has something to do with unknown rework facilities
I always have to think about it again, but some things give me a headache and in my opinion it speak against this theory.
- Many French and German rifles show signs of rework, but not all of them. Why should the Germans mark these original and not reworked rifles with a rework facility stamp?
- We all know the common style of depot inspection stamps. Why the Germans should suddenly switch to such a extraordinary inspection stamp?
The LK markings has something to do with auxiliary units, in this case the Milice Française accordingly their armed forces Franc-Garde
I have nothing that speaks against this theory, quite the contrary, many things speak for it. Please look at it again and comment if there is something which speaks against it.
- They served the Waffen-SS as a useful auxiliary force, from January 1944 the Milice was armed and allowed also to operate in the northern zone, not only the southern zone
- The HSSPF (Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer - Higher SS and Police Leader) was responsible for the Milice
- There was a strong connection of the SS, SiPo, SD, Gestapo to the Milice française and Franc-Garde, in joint operations they fought together with the Wehrmacht the French Resistance.
- It seems like the hotspot of these LK5 marked rifles is Southern France
- Southern France is practically the birthplace of Milice Française and Franc-Garde
- The majority of the known LK5 marked rifles was captured in Southern France, in the near of Lyon, practically the heartland with many Milice operations
- The first two units were engaged experimentally in cities, Lyon and Annecy
- The Milice was very active in the Département Hautes-Alpes and the surounding departments. The Département Hautes-Alpes is the 5th Département and the most common LK marking is LK5
LK5 rifle captured close to Major General Elster column
One K98k rifle, a byf 41, was captured close to the Major General Elster column between Châteauroux and Issoudun. There they surrendered and then they marched to Beaugency for the formal surrender. In this area the Milice Française was quite active, in Bourges they had a headquarter. In early summer 1944 Milice Française leader and men from Bourges was send to Southern France to take part in anti Resistance operations, later in summer they was send back to Bourges.
LK5 M98 rifle attic find in Bavaria
This M98 rifles marked with LK5 falls out of the pattern, it's from Bavaria and allegedly the rifle was found near Pfaffenhofen in an attic. At first I did not see any connection, only that it could come from retreating troops. Now the distance to Stuttgart was closer and at first I thought it could support again the theory with "Luftgau Kommando 5". But we know, the time frame doesn't suit at all because "Luftgau Kommando 5" was created on September 6, 1944 and the majority of LK5 rifles was already captured in August in Southern France. After reading two more books and searching in French sources, I found something very interesting.
Milice française and Franc-Garde withdraw to Germany
After the liberation by the Allies, a lot Milice française and Franc-Garde men withdraw with German troops to Germany. Around 2.000 men withdraw with their leader to North Italy and around 6.000 Milice française and Franc-Garde men withdraw and arrived Germany. Now it gets interesting, these men were gathered in Bavaria. The Germans integrated them in different units, mostly SS and one example is the 33rd Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, the well known Charlemagne. Certainly you know Henri Joseph Fenet. He was a former member of the Service d'ordre légionnaire (SOL), in November 1942 Fenet joined the Milice française and became a leader before he joined the Waffen-SS. Fenet was commander of a battalion, which he led until April 1945 and for the combat actions of the battalion during the Battle of Berlin, Fenet was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on April 29, 1945.
Meanwhile I have read the biography of many Milice française and Franc-Garde leaders and men and almost all were sent to Bavaria, the meeting center for them was Ulm and a lot was send to the military training ground Wildflecken. From some leaders I even have the exact route to Bavaria and how they was divided in the different units, which is very interesting.
Now back to Wolfgang's rifle which was allegedly found near Pfaffenhofen in an attic. The 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen" was deployed in Southern France and also a lot French men served in the unit. On a side note, this unit was close to the same area where General Elster surrendered. In April 1945 a lot soldiers of this unit surrendered in Bavaria. On April 28, 1945 many soldiers of this unit surrendered as example in Eberstetten at various places and American soldiers shot them. Eberstetten is only 1,5 miles away from Pfaffenhofen, where Wolfgang's rifle was allegedly found in an attic.
Certainly I forgot again something important, but there are so many informations.
Regards,
Stephan