The Albanians generally retained their traditional blood feuds and code of vengeance which greatly hindered their combat efficiency. They also proved to be less than enthusiatic at this late date and desertions were common. When the division moved into Macedonia in early September a thousand men from Waffen-Gebirgsjäger-Rgt. 50 deserted, complete with personal weapons and equipment. The third battalion, those men transferred from Handschar, accounted for some 697 of that total.
As the Soviets drew nearer, the Partisans grew bolder and initiated attacks in August on Skanderbeg's positions in the Kosovo area. This cost it some 300 casualties during the month. Not so curiously, the missing accounted for about half of that total, which leads me to suspect that many took the opportunity to desert.
By October, it was clear that that the Albanians were more trouble than they were worth and the division was reduced to a more sustainable regimentgruppe based on Waffen-Gebirgsjäger-Rgt. 51. The list below details the Division's losses through October:
| Equipment | Auth | On-hand | Lost to Desertions | Given | Captured |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayonets | 12,919 | 2969 | 877 | 100 | 100 |
| 98 kar rifles | 12,919 | 8897 | 1386 | 1923 | 18 |
| P 08 pistols | 2599 | 1275 | 590 | 47 | |
| MP 40 SMGs | 4229 | 267 | 151 | 1 | |
| MG 34 machine guns | 619 | 127 | 57 | 53 | |
| MG 42 machine guns | 116 | 18 | 10 | ||
| 81mm mortars | 58 | 66 | 24 | 4 | |
| 120mm mortars | 36 | ||||
| Pak 38 50mm AT guns | 1 | 5 | 4 | ||
| Pak 40 75mm AT guns | 22 | ||||
| leIG 18 75mm infantry guns | 17 | 7 | |||
| Flak 30/38 20mm AA guns | 13 | ||||
| Flakvierling 38 20mm quad AA guns | 4 | ||||
| GebG 36 75mm mtn guns | 25 | ||||
| GebH 40 105mm mtn guns | 12 | ||||
| sFH 18 150mm howitzers | 8 | ||||
| K 18 105mm cannon | 4 | ||||
| Bicycles | 637 | 100 | 12 | 15 |
As the regimentgruppe retreated north through Yugoslavia, it was paired with Prinz Eugen and was mostly incorporated into that unit's 14. Freiwilligen-Gebirgsjäger-Rgt. in January 45. It is unclear if any remnants continued as independent units after this time. Several sources mention that elements were absorbed by 32. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 30 Januar on the Oder Front, but it seems unlikely that more than a few individuals that might have accompanied the transfer of V. SS-Gebirgskorps in the winter of '45.
Commanders:
Brigf. Josef Fitzhum (17 Apr 44-Jun 44)
Oberf. August Schmidhuber (Jun-Aug 44)
Ostubaf. Alfred Graf (Aug 44-? 45)
Strength:
| 30/6/44 | 6156 |
| 1/10/44 | 86/467/887 (excluding 3504 recruits) |
Return to Panzerkeil.