Sonderabteilung (English: Special Unit) is a German word often used to refer to some special German military formations during World War II. This term was similar to a detachment or battalion. Several of the formations were created as penal military units composed of disgraced SS troops and criminals convicted of petty crimes. List of sonderabteilungen (incomplete) Sonderabteilung Altreich Sonderabteilung Hela Sonderabteilung Lola Sonderabteilung Nachlässe Sonderabteilung Reinhardt Sonderabteilung Stralsund Sonderabteilung U See also 36th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS 500th SS Parachute Battalion 999th Light Afrika Division (Germany) Military units and formations of Germany in World War II German words and phrases