The unit was raised on 12 October 1944 in
Brixen, Italy, from local conscripts (ethnically Germans) with a cadre of Germans; its training was completed in December. The previous month it reported a strength of 1,335 men in three
battalions. When the men learned that it might be transferred to the front lines in early 1945, many deserted. In February, the two remaining battalions were used to rebuild SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiment 80 of the
31st SS Volunteer Grenadier Division. ==Citations==