SS Fischjägergruppen

SS Fischjägergruppen
Active	1 November 2019 – 30 November 2024
Allegiance	Tanoa Einsatzgruppen
Branch	Allgemeine SS
Role	Pursuit of Mark Hugerinus Paap and the Fish Collective
Size	c. 54,000 (2022)
Garrison/HQ	Tuvanaka, Tanoa
Commanders
Notable commanders	Carlos Gustavo Schweitzer (2019–2023)

The SS Fischjägergruppen was a formation of the Allgemeine SS established on 1 November 2019 by Eef Paap and based at Tuvanaka, Tanoa. It pursued Mark Hugerinus Paap and members of the Fish Collective during their resistance against the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. The formation was commanded by Carlos Gustavo Schweitzer from its establishment until his death in 2023. Its personnel carried out searches for fugitives and killed Indigenous Tanoans accused of helping Mark. The unit ceased operating with the collapse of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen in November 2024.

Formation

The Fischjägergruppen was formed after Mark attempted to enter Tanoa in 2019 while investigating the destruction of Air Fiji Flight 27. Tanoan patrols intercepted him and forced him to withdraw. Eef Paap subsequently selected Carlos Gustavo Schweitzer to command the new formation because he had previously taken part in searches for fugitives.

Schweitzer left his position as head of the Amt für Sicherheitsoperationen and was promoted to SS-Oberstgruppenführer. Under his command, Fischjägergruppen officers used intelligence reports to prepare ambushes. They also guarded roads and buildings identified during searches for Mark. Schweitzer frequently accompanied the search parties himself.

Operations

In spring 2020, Mark attacked an isolated security checkpoint near Vagalala. Schweitzer inspected the damaged checkpoint and ordered Fischjägergruppen personnel into a nearby Indigenous Tanoan settlement. They detained residents accused of speaking to Mark and killed them. Schweitzer accompanied the raid and personally killed at least one resident.

After recovering from a gunshot wound sustained in June 2020, Schweitzer returned to command in 2021. He publicly declared that anyone seen helping Mark would be shot on sight. During a search prompted by an unconfirmed sighting that year, Schweitzer entered an Indigenous village and killed five residents. Tanoan authorities subsequently described those killed as resistance members.

In 2021, Alberto Hartel was transferred from the Allgemeine SS to the Fischjägergruppen and promoted to SS-Standartenführer. After reviewing reports of fugitives escaping patrols in the Southern Jungles, he proposed a trapping device adapted from an animal trap. The Fischjägergruppen command authorized a trial of the device, which became known as the Fish Trap.

Although intended to capture Mark, the traps killed Indigenous Tanoans attempting to escape through the jungles. Hartel received reports of the deaths but refused to withdraw the devices. He authorized their continued use despite knowing that civilians were being killed. Mark was never caught in a Fish Trap.

Schweitzer continued commanding the Fischjägergruppen until 13 July 2023, when Mark ambushed his vehicle in the Tanoan countryside and killed him.

Dissolution

The Fischjägergruppen remained active during the final days of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen in November 2024. Following Eef Paap's death on 24 November, resistance fighters advanced against the remaining Tanoan military and security formations.

On 28 November, resistance fighters overran the defensive positions surrounding the Fischjägergruppen headquarters at Tuvanaka. Hartel ordered the surviving SS guards to attempt a breakout and joined them in the fighting outside the headquarters. He was killed during the attempt.

The remaining Tanoan central command surrendered on 30 November 2024. The Allgemeine SS was dissolved, ending the Fischjägergruppen's operations.

See also

• Fish Collective
• Fish Trap
• Carlos Gustavo Schweitzer
• Alberto Hartel