wehrmacht divisional signs 1938-1945

THEODOR HARTMANN

ALMARK PUBLICATIONS

Bebrmatbt1!\ibi~ional ~>ign~

1938=1945

by

Theodor Hartmann

ALMARK PUBLISHING co., LONDON

© 1970, Almark Publishing Co.

Text © Theodor Hartmann.

Art work © Brian L. Davis

All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced,stored in 8 retrieval system, ortransmitted by any means,electronic, mechanical, or by photocopying without prior permissionfrom the publishers.

First Published - October 1970Reprinted July 1971

ISBN 0 85524 006 7 (hard cover edition)ISBN 085524007 5 (paper covered edition)

FRONT COVER: An Sd Kfz 231 armoured car of the newly formed 24.Panzer-Division(ex-1.Kavallerie-Division) displays the famous 'jumping horse' sign on its hull

12 .Infanterie-Div., Brand enburg-Panzergrenadier-Div., and 71.lnfanterie-Div.

Printed in Great Britain byMartins Press Ltd., London EC1,for the publishers, Almark Publishing Co.,104-106 Watling Avenue, Edgware,Middlesex, England.

2

Introduction

SO far as is known virtually all German Divisions and Regimentsas well as many individual units, had or did have their own distinctiveemblem during the 1938-45 period regardless of whether or not it wasdisplayed in the fighting zone.

Prior to 1942 emblem design and allocations were closely controlledby the OKW (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht - High Command of theGerman Armed Forces) but by 1944-45 it was evident that the choiceand application of signs depended almost entirely on the decision ofDivisional Commanders, subject to approval by the OKW mainly inorder to avoid duplication.

Emblems formed a practical method of marking Divisional ve,hiclesand equipment and were often used to deny numerical identificationof units. Another important reason for the widespread use of em,blemsby German Divisions was their value as an element of morale, sincethey often took on the importance of citations and were frequentlyselected with regard to the tradition, exploits or home station of theunits. These signs were proudly displayed and Divisional names whichwere permitted to pass the censorship imposed on German newspapersand magazines had often been derived from particularly characteristicdesigns.

Appe'arance(a) Design: Emblems, in contrast to tactical symbols, were

individual designs allotted to specific units and represented almostanything that could be encountered in the way of pictorialrepresentation.

It was a pre-1943 rule that Panzer Divisions carried emblems basedon variations of simple geometrical designs or runic symbols whileInfantry and other divisions showed a more representative style.However, this ruling became confused after 1943 and it was no longerpossible to classify a Division solely by the appearance of its emblem.In the case of highly specialized Divisions, such as Fallschirmjager orGebirgsjager Divisions the emblem was likely to contain certain

CO,NTENTS

Section Page

IntrodLlction .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . .. .. 3Divisional Histories 9Colour Plates 33, 36, 37, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48Appendices:1. Operational Code Names 742. Glossary of Terms 763. Index (two part) 784. Important Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

3

ABOVE: Oberst Labonne, Commanding Officer of the LVF (French LegIOn) takingthe Oath-of-Allegiance to the Fahrer at the final parade of the 638.lnfantry Regimentat its training ground. Note the arm shield in French national colours. The regimentwas moved to the Russian Front and fought in front of Moscow under the command

of 7.lnfantry Division (Euro-Foto).

characteristics peculiar to their role, but even in these instances ageneral rule cannot be established.

Although all emblems were distinctly different, certain similaritiesbetween designs were unavoidable, an example of this being 'the bear'used by no less than eight different Divisions; the 24.lnf. Div,68.lnf Div, 69.lnf Div, 293.lnf Div, 359.lnf Div, 370.lnf Div, 143.ReserveDiv, and 233 Reserve Panzer Division. However, each emblem did differslightly in shape, style and colour.

(b) Colour: The original conception of many German divisionalemblems called for the use of specific shades or the combination ofvarious colours and this idea was carried out in certain cases right upto the end of the war. Generally, however, the shortage of paint reducedpractical application to a single colour within the range of the six basiccolours used (red, blue, green, yellow, white and black).

Yellow was the colour used for most Panzer Divisional emblems,green tended to be the favourite colour with Fallschirmjager (Paratroop) Divisions while white, red and black were predominently inuse with Waffen-SS, Infantry and other types of Divisions.

DisplayEmblems were not arbitrarily used, specific orders being issued from

4

Division Headquarters concerning their size, colours, positioning, etc.. They were usually displayed in the following places:

(a) On tQnks and AFVs, all types of motor vehicles, horse-drawnvehicles, motor-cycles and sometimes on bicycles.

(b) On directional signs used within Headquarters areas, indicatingrear area positions or designating routes of march, and oftenused in conjunction with the sub-units commander's initial.

(c) On Divisional newspapers, official correspondence of an unusualcharacter, and certificates, etc. Divisional exhibition displayplaques were also decorated with the Divisonal emblem, amongother miscellaneous examples.

Changes and VariationsThe identification of emblems has been rendered somewhat difficult

by the fact that they were changed from time to time with the objectof confusing Allied Intelligence. A widespread change of this kind wasmade at the end of 1942 and it is by no means certain that some ofthese emblems were not re-introduced, particularly in the case ofdivisions of famous standing. In other instances the change of emblemcoincided with the transfer of a division from one theatre to anotherand towards the end of the war with its conversion or change of unitcommander. In 1944-45 adaptation of new emblem designs were stillfrequent but not as widespread as they were prior to 1944.

A rather elaborate and varying system of colour and designapplication to denote different divisional sub-units by arm or branchof service, or numerical progression, was used, particularly by highlymobile divisions. This practice in most cases consisted of minor

A captured Sd Kfz 250/10 half-track from the 61.lnfantry-Division being inspectedby Soviet troops, August 1941. It displays a typical positioning for the divisional

emblem (Chamberlain Collection).

LEFT: A fine example of the divisional emblem of a Panzer division, in this case3.Panzer, showing typical position on a tank. Vehicle is a PzKpfw IV Ausf F1 (H.

Davies Collection).RIGHT: Another example of the use made of Divisional emblems: 'Supply CommandRamcke' combined with the unit emblem for the 2.Fallschirmjager on a directional

signboard in North Africa, 1942 (IWM-E20103).

additions to the original colour scheme and can, although of tacticalvalue, be disregarded from a divisional point of view since thevariations were usually not of a permanent character and did not changethe basic element of an individual emblem.

Security MeasuresPrior to March 1943 the German Army used emblems without any

but local restrictions. An OKW order of that time, however, directedthe painting out of emblems, either generally or in specific areas butthis order received only limited compliance by the individual divisions,particularly on the Eastern Front. This was apparently motivated bythe consideration that the elements of morale and of divisional controlover equipment outweighed that of security. The display of emblemswas re-instated by an order of the Chief of the General Staff datedMarch 1944. This order directed the display of emblems as outlinedon page 5, and divisional emblems (Divisionskennzeichen) were againin full use after the summer of 1944. During large-scale movementsemblems as well as unit numbers (Truppenteilbezichnungs) weretemporarily obliterated. Some divisions also carried out similar securitymeasures in combat zones but II divisions according to the order wererequired to mark their vehicles with emblems in the communicationszones -and rear areas.

It is doubtful whether large-scale ,deceptions using a fictitiousemblem or that of another Division were ever carried out. Possiblysuch disguises may have been used locally by smaller units but it is

6

not known if intelligence moves of this type were ever employed on adivisipnal scale.

Emblems and Tactical SymbolsThe most frequently encountered types of vehicle or sign post

markings aside from divisional or other unit emblems were tacticalsymbols to designate the arm or branch of service. In contrast toemblems, tactical symbols did not furnish clues towards divisionalidentifications as all units in the German Army employed uniformtactical symbols, beyond the scope of the present volume.

If used in conjunction with a divisional emblem the tactical symbolwas always distinctly separated from it and did not form part of thedesign. Only the colour of the symbol could have, under certainconditions (see 'Changes and Variations' above), furnished informationtowards the numerical designation of divisional sub-units.

Infantry RegimentsBy a special order of November 1942 in which Hitler revived the

tradition of Frederick the Great, all German Infantry Regiments, with theexception of Mountain Regiments (Gebirgsjager-Regiments) and RifleTroop Regiments (Jager-Regiments) were in future to be known as'Grenadier-Regi ments'.

By doing this Hitler had elevated his Infantry to the status enjoyedby Grenadiers of the 18th and 19th Centuries-hand-picked detachmentsof men who were both tall and skilled, thus implying that all his InfantryDivisions were picked men. Previously Hitler had decreed that InfantryRegiments of Armoured Divisions should be called 'Panzer-Grenadiere'.These changes meant that a private soldier - a Schutze (Marksman)was in future called a Grenadier. Throughout this book all InfantryDivisions are shown as containing Grenadier-Regiments.

High ranking German Officers inspect a parade which marked the occasion whenthe 199.Grenadier-Regiment, 57.lnfantry-Divlslon, was re-named 'Infantry Regiment

"List" '. For circumstances leading to this, see page 15 (Euro-Foto).

A captured PzKpiw /I from the 6.Panzer-Division. This photo gives a clear exampleof the most common positioning of the divisional emblem on tanks, though there

were plenty of exceptions-see page 71 for instance (IWM).

Shoulder and Head-dress BadgesIt should be noted that with a very few exceptions the practice carried

out in the British and United States Armies of wearing a divisionalemblem as a shoulder badge on the military uniform was not usedin the German Armed Forces.

The only definite exception to this rule was the late war introductionused by a limited number of superior German Divisions of a small metalbadge or cloth insignia based on the design of their Divisional emblem.These badges were worn either on the Field Service head-dress, notthe steel helmet, (metal and enamelled badges) or tunic sleeves (clothinsignia) by members of these elite divisions for reasons of divisionalpride and esprit-de-corps.

The national arm-shields worn by various non-German volunteerarmy units such as the French, the Spaniards, the Croats, etc, shouldnot be confused with divisional signs despite their similarity in designto certain divisional and unit emblems used by these volunteerformations. These badges were worn on the upper part of the sleevesof their German military uniforms and were meant to distinguish thesevarious national volunteer groups. The design of the shields was basedon national colours and/or emblems of the countries concerned.

In addition to these exceptions, but in no way connected directlywith the subject of Divisional Emblems was the practice in the GermanArmed Forces of wearing 'Cuff Titles'.

Amongst the five main groupings of types of cuff titles were thosewhich were worn bearing the name of the unit of the wearer.The German Army had a number of such cuff titles which were wornby combat formations such as, 'Inf.Regt.Grossdeutschland', 'Grossdeutschland', 'Brandenburg', 'Infanterie'-Regiment "List",' and 'Feldherrnhalle' .

8

Divisional Histories

l.1NFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 1.Grenadier-Regiment

22.Fiisilier -Regiment43.Grenadier-Regiment1.Artillerie-Regiment1.Aufklarungs-Abteilung1.Panzer jager-Abteilung1.Pioniere-Abteilung1.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Insterburg, Wehrkreis I.History: This Division was recruited in East Prussia and sawits first engagement in the 1939 Polish campaign when it formed partof Army Corps 'Wodrig', which in turn was part of General vonKUchler's 3rd Army under the command of von Bock's HeeresgruppeNord. The Division also saw service in France in 1940 and by June 1941was serving on the Eastern Front, fighting in the Lake Lagoda area.At this time it came under the control of 1 Army Corps fromHeeresgruppe Nord. It continued in this role until Sept-Oct 1943 whenit became part of XXXXVIII Panzer Corps which was at that timeengaged in the defence of the Dnieper River in the Ukraine.

By March 1944 this Division, still serving in Northern Russia, waspart of XXXXV Panzer Corps Schulz/Gollnick under the direct controlof the 1st Panzer Army 'Hube'.E'mblem : Because of the strong connection with Prussia thisDivision adopted an emblem based on the Prussian Hohlenzollen coatof-arms, a black and white quartered shield above which there appeareda black castellated bar. Black and white were the state colours ofPrussia. Fig 1

....

1.lnfanterie-Div.

2

12.lnfanterie-Div.

9

3

21.lnfanterie-Div.

7.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONCom'p,osition: 19.Grenadier-Regiment

61.Grenadier-Regiment62.Grenadier-Regiment7 .Artil/erie-Regiment7.Aufklarungs-Abteilung7.Panzerjager-Abteilung7.Pioniere-Abteilung7.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Miinchen, Wehrkreis VI/.History: This Division saw service during the Sept-Oct 1939Polish campaign as part of General Kienitz's XVII Army Corps fromGeneral List's 14th Army under the command of von Runstedt'sHeeresgruppe SUd.

During the Russian campaigns the Division, commanded by Generalmajor Roppert, fought on the central front and had under its commandthe 638.lnfantry Regiment - the 638me Regiment Renforce d'infanterieFrangais - consisting of French Volunteers commanded by OberstRoger Labonne. This regi ment was better known as the 'Legion desVolontaires Frangais', the designation 638.lnfantry Regiment being theWehrmacht regimental registration number. These volunteer troopswere equipped and trained by the Germans and to distinguish themas Frenchmen they wore, sewn on to their German military uniforms, anarm-shield bearing the French tricolour (blue, white, red) with the word'FRANCE' along the top edge of the badge.E,mblem : The Division used as an emblem a solid bluerectangle. Fig 16

11.1NFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 2.Grenadier-Regiment

23.Grenadier-Regiment44.Grenadier-Regiment11.Artil/erie-Regiment11.Aufklarungs-Abteilung11.Panzerjager-Abteilung11.Pioniere-Abteilung11.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: AI/enstein, Wehrkreis I.History: This Division took part in the 1939 Polish campaignas part of I Army Corps from General von KUchler's 3rd Army, in vonBock's Heeresgruppe Nord. It saw action durjng the 1940 Frenchcampaign and was transferred in 1941 to the Eastern Front where it wassubsequently fightjng in the Lake Lagoda area. By 1943 it was in actionin Greece and at the end of the war in May 1945 it was one of thosedivisions fighting in the Kurland Pocket.Emblem: A solid blue spot within a white square. Fig 17Alternative A red and white elk's head on a diagonally dividedemblem: white and red shield. Fig 19

12JNFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 27.Fiisilier-Regiment

48.Grenadier-Regiment89.Grenadier-Regfment

10

12.Artillerie-Regiment12.Aufklarungs-Abteilung12.Panzerjager-Abteilung12.Pioniere-Abteilung12.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Schwerin, Wehrkreis II.History: Formed before the war in Pomerania, this Divisiontook part in the 1939 Polish campaign as part of Army Corps 'Wodrig'from Generalleutnant von KUchler's 3rd Army under the command ofGeneraloberst von Bock's Heeresgruppe Nord. It served in the 1940French campaign and was transferred to the east where it was in actionon the North Russian Front.

Later this Division took part in the 1944 German Ardennes offensive.On August 11, 1938, at a ceremony held on the Gross-Born parade

ground near Schwerin the honorary rank of 'Chef' of ArtilleryRegiment 12 was conferred by Adolf Hitler on Generaloberst Freiherrvon Fritsch. Fritsch had, in February 1937, been dismissed by Hitlerfrom his position as Commander-in-Chief of the German Army whenhe had been accused of conduct unbecoming of a German Officer withthe completely untrue allegations that he - Fritsch - was guilty ofhomosexual practices. The entire matter was subsequently proved tohave been engineered and as a gesture to rehabilitate the General inthe eyes of the Nation after the unfounded accusations had beendropped he was granted this title.

Only two other German generals before him had had this type oftitle bestowed upon them, Generals Seeckt and Mackensen. Thisappointment was intended as an honorary title only; however.Generaloberst Fritsch chose to use his new rank as a means of takingan active military role with his Regiment.

In September 1939 when the 12.lnfantry Division marched into Polandhe rejoined his Artillery Regiment and marched with them. On themorning of September 22, whilst leading a Stosstruppe which hadpenetrated into the outskirts of Warsaw he was struck down by Polishmachine-gun fire and died shortly afterwards.Emblem: An inverted shield-shaped emblem of three colouredbars, red, blue, yellow, arranged vertically over a white horizontal base.The colours of red, blue and yellow are the colours of the State ofMecklenburg-Schwerin. These colours signify the fact that this Divisionwas raised in the Mecklenburg Schwerin Wehrkreis province. Thisemblem was in use before 1943. Cover, leftAlternative A white bull about to charge with head lowered,emblem: snorting and pawing the ground with its front righthoof. Fig 2


24.Grenadier-Regiment45.Grenadier-Regiment21.Artillerie-Regiment21.Aufklarungs-Abteilung21.Panzer jager-Abteilung

11

21.Pioniere-Abteilung21.Nachrichten-Abteilung

(21.lnfanterie-Division-continued)

Home station: Mohrunger, Wehrkreis I.History: Raised jn East Prussia this Division first saw actionduring the German attack on Poland when it formed part of XXI ArmyCorps from General von Kuchler's 3rd Army under the command ofHeeresgruppe Nord. Transferred to the West it took part in the 1940French campaign and by 1941 it was moved east to the Russian Front,where it fought and served on the Northern Sector.Emblem: A large red spot on a white square. In use as adivisional emblem in 1943. Fig 20Alternative A black-edged white shield which shows a mailedemblem: Teutonic Knight in black with sword raised aboveits head, and a white shield on his right arm which bears the blackPrussian Teutonic Cross emblem. The emblem emphasized the stronglinks the Division had with East Prussia. Fig 3

30.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 6.Grenadier-Regiment

26.Fiisilier-Regiment46.Grenadier-Regiment3D.ArtilIerie-Regiment3D.Aufklarungs-Abteilung3D.Panzer jager-Abteilung3D.Pioniere-Abteilun93D.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Lubeck, Wehrkreis X.History: Raised and formed in and around the North Germanprovince of Schleswig-Holstein, this Division was moved in 1938 fromits home station at Lubeck eastwards, earmarked for the proposedattack on Prague, Czechoslovakia. The Division first saw action duringthe Sept-Oct 1939 Polish campaign. It was commanded by General vonBriesen and formed part of General Ulex's X Army Corps which waspart of General Blankowitz's 8th Army, coming under the control ofvon Rundstedfs Heeresgruppe Sud.

During this campaign the Division was positioned in the middle ofthe weakly defended flank of General Blaskowitz's Army and in a bitterstruggle against enormous odds this one division beat back a massbreak-out attempt by a cut-off Polish Army. General Briesen had ledhis last reserve battalion into action himself and in this desperatefighting his left forearm was shot away. Hitler with Feldmarschall Keitel(Chief of the High Command of the German Armed Forces) visitedthe Divisional headquarters shortly after the fighting and for his gallantryand drive in saving General Blaskowitz's Army the Fuhrer bestowedon General Briesen the first Knight's Cross of the war to be awardedto a divisional commander.

Hereafter the 30.lnfantry Division was often known and referred toas the 'Briesen Division'.

By September 11, 1939 the Division was situated west of Warsawon the River Szura. After the 1940 French armistice Genernl von Briesenwas appointed Commandant of Paris.

The Division was transferred to the East and by June 1941 it formedpart of X Army Corps from Heeresgruppe Nord. In June 1942 under

12

the divisional commana of Generalleutnant Emil von Wiekede it formedpart of II Army Corps from Heeresgruppe Nord and in June 1943 it wastransferred back to X Army Corps again from Heeresgruppe Nord. Itremained in this role until March 1945. In May 1945 at the end of thewar this Division was fighting in the Kurland Pocket.Emblem: A shield tilted on its point divided equally acrosswith alternating red and white bars. Fig 21

34.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: BO.Grenadier-Regiment

107.Grenadier-Regiment253.Grenadier-Regiment34.Arti//erie-Regiment34.Aufk/arungs-Abtei/ung34.Panzerjager-Abtei/ung34.Pioniere-Abtei/ung34.Nachrichten-Abtei/ung

Home station: Heide/burg, Wehrkreis XI/.History: In 1939 this Division was assigned to General EmilLeeb as part of the German force earmarked for the defence in theWest prior to the German invasion of Poland. It continued to serve onthe Westwall throughout 1939.

Moved to the Eastern Front it served in Russia in the summer of1941 as part of XII Army Corps from Heeresgruppe Mitte. The Divisiontook part in the bitter fighting in and around Kharkov and in January1943, still with Heeresgruppe Mitte, it formed part of XXXXIII ArmyCorps.Emblem: A white shield with a blue wavy line running fromtop right to bottom left. The blue line represented the River Neckarwhich flows through the medieval town of Heidelburg, the Division'shome base. Fig 18

35.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 34.FusiJier-Regiment

109.Grenadier-Regiment111.Grenadier-Regiment35.Artil/erie-Regiment35.Aufk/arungs-AbteiJung35.Panzer jager-AbteiJung35.Pioniere-Abtei/ung35.Nachrichten-AbteiJung

Ho'me station: Karlsruhe, Wehrkreis V.History: Composed mainly of Baden-WUrttemberger troops.the 35.lnfantry Division, like the 34.lnfantry Division, carried out garrisonduty on the Westwall throughout 1939.

It was employed on active service in the 1940 French campaign andin 1941 the Division, commanded by Generalmajor Ludwig Merker, wasin action on the Russian Front as part of the V Army Corps,Heeresgruppe Nord. By June of the following year it had becomesubordinate to IX Army Corps still part of Heeresgruppe Nord whereit remained until October 1944 when it formed part of XXXXI PanzerCorps. April 1945 found the Division as part of Army Command 'East

13

Prussia', part of the XXIII Army Corps.Emblem: A yellow outline representation of a fish.AlternativeEmblem: A more natural outlined fish, also in yellow.

Fig 13

Fig 14

44.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONREICHSGRENADIER-DIVISION "HOCH und DEUTSCHMEISTER"Composition: 131.Grenadier-Regiment

132.Grenadier-Regiment134.Grenadier-Regiment96.ArtiIIerie-Regiment44.Aufklarungs-Abteilung46.Panzer jager-AbteilungBO.Pioniere-Abteilung64.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wien, \/\!ehrkreis XVI/.History: Formed in Vienna in 1938 from Austrian troops, thisDivision was engaged in the Sept-Oct 1939 Polish campaign. Under thecommand of General Albrecht Schubert it formed part of GeneralKienitz's XVII Army Corps which came under General List's 14th Armyand was part of von Runstedfs Heeresgruppe SUd.

It took part in the French 1940 campaign and was transferred to theEastern Front in the spring of 1941 when in June this Division formedpart of the III Motorized Army Corps under Panzer Group I. Commandof the Division had by then passed to General Siebert. In May of 1942the Division was fighting in the Caucasus. In mid-November 1942 theDivision had attached to it the remnants of the 534, 535 and 536Grenadier Regiments from the virtually destroyed 384.lnfantry Division,and in December of the same year, as part of the 6th Army, it wasencircled by Russian forces at Stalingrad. January 1943 saw the finaldestruction and surrender of the remainder of these German formationsat Stalingrad. At that time the 44.lnfantry Division, commanded byGeneral Deboi formed part of the XI Army Corps.

The Division was re-recruited after Stalingrad and honoured in June

4

G1.lnfanterie-Oiv.

5

78.lnfanterie-O:v.

14

6

81.lnfanterie-Oiv.

1943 with the historic title 'Reichsgrenadier-division "Hoch undDeutschmeister" '. The new Division was sent to Italy in December 1943where it continued in action before being transferred to Hungary inFebruary 1945.

E'mblem: Before its destruction at Stalingrad from 1938 to 1943the Division used as an emblem a shield divided horizontally into threesections representing the Austrian national colours, red over white overred. Fig 34

After Stalingrad and up till the end of the war the Division adopteda more sombre insignia as an emblem-a black teutonic cross edgedin white. Fig 98


199.Grenadier-Regiment217.Grenadier-Regiment157.Artillerie-Regiment157.AufkUirungs-Abteilung157.Panzerjager-Abteilung157.Pi0 niere-AbteiIun9157.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Ho'me station: Bad Reichenhall, Wehrkreis VI/.History: This Division was raised and formed in 1939 and atthe time of the Polish ca:npaign it formed part of the OKH Reserve.It took part in the 1940 French campaign and was transferred to theEast in the summer of 1941. By June of that year the Division,commanded by General Blumm, formed part of XXXXVIII Army Corps(motorised) 'Kempf', from 1st Panzer Group. It came under the controlof Heeresgruppe SUd. By June 1942 command of the Division hadchanged to General Dostler and the formation formed part of LV ArmyCorps 'Vierow', again part of Heeresgruppe SUd.

A year later in July 1943 the Division took part in the 'Zitadelle'fighting when it formed part of LII Army Corps 'Ott'. The Division bythen was commanded by General Fretter-Pico and went to form partof Panzer Army Oberkommand 4 from Heeresgruppe SUd.*Emblem: Because of its strong links with Bavaria this Divisionadopted the State colours of Bayern, a white shield covered with bluediamonds. Fig 29


127.Gr,enadier-Regiment128.Grenadier-Regimentplus other units

Home station: Not verified.History: This Division was created in February 1944 from171.Reserve Division.Emblem: A blue and white diagonally halved shield. This wasthe emblem of the 171 Reserve Division prior to its conversion. Fig 28

• The 199.Grenadier-regiment of this Division was honoured in 1944 with thetitle • Infanterie-Regiment "List'" to commemorate the World War 1 regimentthat Hitler had served in as a gefreiter.

15


162.Grenadier-Regiment176.Grenadier-Regiment161.Artillerie-Regiment161.Aufklarungs-Abteilung161.Panzerjager-Abteilung161.Pioniere-Abteilung161.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home- station: Konigsberg, Wehrkr1eis I.History: Raised in East Prussia and commanded by General-leutnant Siegfried Haenicke this Division took part in the Germaninvasion of Poland in September 1939 when it formed part of I ArmyCorps from General von KOehler's 3rd Army, part of von Bock'sHeeresgruppe Nord. The Division was engaged in the French campaignand like so many other German divisions by the spring of 1941 it wasswitched to the Eastern Front for the war on Russia. In June of 1941this Division was part of XXVI Army Corps from Heeresgruppe Nord.The next year saw a transfer to XXVIII Army Corps, still under thecontrol of Heeresgruppe Nord but by June 1943 it was back in therole that it had in June 1941, and was now commanded by Generalleutnant Gunther Krappe. In October of 1944 the Division went to makeup part of XXXIX Panzer Corps.Emblem: The emblem this Division adopted had, in commonwith other divisions raised and formed in East Prussia, a symbol peculiarto its home territory. The 51.lnfantry Division chose a white shieldinside which appeared a black-edged white shield bearing a thin blackcross, an emblem that expressed close links with the Prussian TeutonicKnights of Medieval Germany. Fig 4



Home station: Glatz, W,ehrkreis VIII.History: At the time of the 1939 Polis:' campaign this Divisionwas part of General von Schobert's VII Army Corps which formed partof Heeresgruppe Reserve (SOd). It was transferred to the West whereit took part in the German attack on France in 1940 and was againswitched in the spring of 1941 to the East in preparation for the forthcoming invasion on Russia. June 1941 saw the Division, commandedby General Keiner, forming part of XVII Army Corps 'Kienitz' fromHeeresgruppe SOd. In June 1942 the Division, still with its samecommander, formed part of the XXXXIV Army Corps 'Angelis' also fromHeeresgruppe SOd and by July 1943 the Division, now commanded byGeneral Gruner, went to make up XXX Army Corps 'Fretter-Pico' alsofrom Heeresgruppe SOd. It was at this time that the Division took part

16

lying on its back out ofemblem this Division wasDivision' - the Moonshine

Fig 15upright on its pointalongside. In use

"Fig 31

in 'Operation Zitadelle' in the Kursk salient, with its massive anddestructive tank battles.Emblem: A yellow crescent moonwhich rises a yellow cross. Because of itssometimes referred to as the 'MondscheinDivision. This emblem was in use pre-1943.Alternative A yellow crescent moon standingemblem: with a yellow diamond shapeJune 1944.


194.Grenadier-Regiment211.Grenadier-Regiment171.Artillerie-Regiment171.Aufk/arungs-Abtei/ung171.Panzerjager-Abtei/ung171.Pioniere-Abtei/ung171.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Hildesheim, Wehrkreis XI.History: This Division was formed in 1939 and saw its firstaction during the 1940 French campaign. In June 1941 it was moved Eastand took part in Operation Barbarossa - the German invasion of Russia.It was commanded by General von Hartmann and formed part ofIV Army Corps from Heeresgruppe SOd. In June 1942 still commandedby von Hartmann the Division formed part of XVII Army Corps'Hollidt' from Heeresgruppe SOd, and by November-December 1942it was, as part of the German 6th Army, one of those German divisionsand units trapped in the Stalingrad encirclement. By January 1943 theDivision ceased to exist, but later this year another Division bearingthe same divisional number was formed in Denmark and sent to Istriain Slovenia on Garrison duties.

In September 1943 this new Division, commanded by GeneralleutnantRapke, was moved to Northern Italy and by January 1944 was engagedin the Cassino fighting. It was still on active service in Italy till theend of the war.Emblem: Two white stylized horses heads crossed on a greenfour leaf clover all with an orange border. Cover, right

A wrecked Marder /II (7.5cm Pak 40/3 L/43 aufGW38(t)) from the 71.lnfantry Division isinspected by Free French troops. Italy, 1944. Thisshows a typical positioning for SP guns of thedivisional emblem on the front shield. Belowand to the right is the unit tactical sign, aseparate series of markings not connected with

divisional emblems (IWM-NA 15192).

17


124.Grenadier-Regiment266.Grenadier-Regiment172.Artillerie-Regiment172.Autklarungs-Abteilung172.Panzerjager-Abteilung172.Pioniere-Abteilung172.Nachrichten-Abteilung

H'ome station: Trier, Wehrkreis XI/.History: This Division was originally named 'Grenzkommando-Trier' and was formed in 1939 from Frontier Garrison troops in the Trierarea. It took part in the 1940 French campaign when it was in actionon the Saar Front.

In 1941 it was in action again, this time in the Balkans when, underthe command of General Mattenklott it was part of General Schubert's11th Army Reserve from Heeresgruppe SOd. It took part in the Germansiege and capture of Sevastapol in the Crimea in June 1941 and bySept-Oct 1941 it had once again changed its role and now formedpart of Generalleutnant von Salmuth's XXX Army Corps from vonManstein's 11th Army.

By June 1942 General Muller had taken over as Divisional Commanderand the Division now formed part of LIV Army Corps 'Hansen' fromHeeresgruppe SOd. Six months later in January 1943 the Divisionunderwent yet another change, a new Commander, General Dr Hahn,took over and the Division went to form part of XVII Army Corps fromHeeresgruppe Mitte.

By April 1945 the Division, now commanded by General Beisswangerwent to form part of the LVII Panzer Corps 'Kirchner' from HeeresgruppeMitte.Emblem: A thick yellow cross, all arms of equal length.Because of its emblem this Division was referred to as the 'GelbkreuzDivision' (Yellow-cross Division). Fig 32


186.Grenadier-Regiment213.Grenadier-Regiment173.Artillerie-Regiment173.Autklarungs-Abteilung173.Panzer jager-Abteilung173.Pioniere-Abteilung173.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: WiJrtzburg, Wehrkreis XIII.History: Employed in the 1939 German attack on Poland thisDivision was part of the Heeresgruppe Reserve. By 1941 it had beentransferred to the Balkans where it formed part of General Stumme'sXXXX (mot) Army Corps coming under the control of General List's12th Army. The Division took part in the German siege of Sevastapolin the Crimea in June of 1942 when under the command of Generalleutnant Rudolf von Bunau it formed part of the XXXXIX Gebirgs Corps'Conrad'. By July 1943 command of the Division had passed to General

18

Boh'me and the Division was fighting in the Kursk salient (OperationZitadelle) as part of V Army Corps 'Allmendinger'.

In September 1944 the Division was employed as part of the Germanforces engaged in crushing the Polish Home Army uprising in Warsaw.Emblem: A shield divided into two halves by a zig-zag centralline, bottom half red, top half white. Fig 3S

78.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 14.Sturmregiment

195.Sturmregiment215.Sturmregiment178.Artillerie-Regiment178.Fusilierbataillone178.Pioniere-Abteilung178.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Ulm, Wehrkreis XIII.History: This Division was recruited in 1939 in and a~ound

Wurttemburg. It served in Russia in June 1941 as part of XIII ArmyCorps from Heeresgruppe Mitte. In the summer of 1942 it formed. partof the IX Army Corps under the control of Heeresgruppe Mitte andby June 1944 was part of XXVII Army Corps again from HeeresgruppeMitte.

Because of its fine fighting record this Infantry Division was ho'nouredin 1942 with the title of 'Sturm Division' and from that time on wasknown and referred to as the ~78.Sturm-Division'.

By April 1945 the Sturm Division, commanded by General Nagel.formed part of XXIV Panzer Corps 'Hartmann' and its designation hadbeen changed to that of a 'Volkssturm Division'.Emblem: When this unit was an Infantry Division it used asan emblem a black-edged white shield inside which appeared a trianglewith a black stylized design representing Ulm cathedral showing itsthree spires (Ulm Cathedral's central spire is 529 feet high, the tallestGothic spire in the world). Fig S

After 1942 when this Infantry Division was designated an AssaultDivision the emblem was changed to show a representation of theiron fist of Gotz von Berlichingen in red all within a red bordered whiteshield. Fig 36



Home station: Wehrkreis VII/.History: This Division was in action during the 1940 Frenchcampaign and in 1941 was transferred to the East. By June 1942 itformed part of X Army Corps from Heeresgruppe Nord. In June 1943it was placed under the command of XXVI Army Corps, also fromHeeresgruppe Nord and in October 1944 formed part of Army Detsch-

19

ment 'Grasser'. In the final stages of the war this Division in March1945 was part of XVI Army Corps.

Emblem: A white figure similar to the numeral '1', but facingthe other way, set inside a red spot. Fig 40Alternativeemblem: A reversed numeral '1' in white on its own. Fig 6

87.INFANTERIE-DIVISIO'NCom'position : 173.Grenadier-Regiment

185.Grenadier-Regiment187.Grenadier-Regiment187.F{jsiIier-A bteiIun9187.ArtiUerie-Regiment187.Pioniere-Abteilung187.Nachrichten-Abt,eilung

Home station : Wehrkreis IV.History: This Division first saw active service in France in1940. It was transferred to Russia and in 1942 was serving on theCentral Russian Front. May 1945 found this Division fighting in theKurland Pocket.Emblem: A green heart within a white circle. Coming fromThuringen this Division had adopted an emblem representing the 'GreenHeart of Germany'. The Division was sometimes referred to as the'Grunes Herz Division'. Fig 49


271.Grenadier-Regiment, ,Feldherrnhalle'272.Grenadier-Regiment193.Artillerie-Regiment193.Aufklarungs-Abteilung193.Panzerjager-Abteilung193.Pioniere-Abteilung193.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Berlin, Wehrkreis III.History: Formed in 1939, this Division took part in the 1940German offensive on France when it attacked and broke through theMaginot Line defensive fortifications at Saarbrucken. In 1941, underthe command of Generalleutnant Otto Tiemann it was transferred tothe East. It served on the North Russian Front until the spring of 1943,when it was transferred to Poland for rest and refitting.

In the summer of 1943 the 271.Grenadier-Regiment, 'Feldherrnhalle'consisting in the main of troops who had been members of the SAwas withdrawn from this Division, sent to France, and used as thenucleus around which a new formation - the '60.Panzer-GrenadierDivision "Feldherrnhalle'" - was formed. This new unit replaced theoriginal 60.lnfanterie-Division which had been destroyed at Stalingrad.Emblem: A shield showing a portion of a map in redrepresenting the French border - with a white bayonet thrusting acrossthe map representing the breakthrough this Division made through theMaginot Line near Saarbrucken in May 1940. Fig 41

20

111.1NFANTERIE-DIVISIONCom'position : 50.Grenadier-Regiment

70.Grenadier-Regiment117.Grenadier-Regiment117.Artillerie-Regiment117.Aufklarungs-Abteilung111.Panzerjager-Abteilung111.Pioniere-Abteilung111.Nachrichten-AbteiJung

Home station: Wehrkreis XI.History: This Division saw most of its active service in Russiawhen in June 1941, commanded by General Stapf, it formed part ofXXIX Army Corps under General von Obstfelder from General vonKleist's 1st Panzer Group. In July 1942 the Division was commandedby Generalleutnant Hermann Recknegel and made up part ofHeeresgruppe Reserve.

July 1943 saw this Division in action taking part in OperationZitadelle, when, still commanded by General Recknegel, it reverted backto form part of XXIX Army Corps under General von Obstfelder,controlled by Heeresgruppe SUd.Emble'm : A yellow diamond on a black rectangle. Fig 33


256.Grenadier-Regiment258.Grenadier-Regiment86.ArtiIIerie-Regiment120.Aufklarungs-Abteilung112.Panzerjager-Abteilung112.Pioniere-Abteilung112.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Darmstadt, Wehrkreis XI/.History: This Division served its time on the Eastern Front.In July 1942 it was commanded by Generalleutnant Meith and formedpart of General Ottenbacker's XIII Army Corps from General vonWeich's 2nd Army part of Heeresgruppe SUd.Emblem: A white shield with a broad brown diagonal barrunning from top right side to bottom left across the shield. Fig SO

125.1NFANTERIE-DIVISIONCom'position : 419.Grenadier-Regiment


Home station: Wehrkreis V.History: Made up of troops from Baden-WUrttemberg thisDivision saw service in the Balkans in 1941 and formed part of the LIArmy Corps which came under General von Weich's 2nd Army. In July

21

8 9

Fig 7

218.lnfanterie-Div.

Prof Dr Oskar Ritter

a green-edged white border.Fig 51

A device in the shape of a broken black circle witha black semi-circle like the letter 'C' set inside the

Fig 8

Home station:H1istory:

Alternativeemblem:ring to the left.


314.Grenadier-Regiment329.Grenadier-Regiment236.Artillerie-Regiment236.Aufklarungs-Abteilung236.Panzerjager-Abteilung236.Pioniere-Abteilung236.Nachrichten-AbteilungRostock, Wehrkreis II.Commanded by Generalmajor

134.lnfa nterie-D iv.(alternative)

1942 the Divi,sion, commanded by General Schneckenberger formedpart of V Army Corps 'Wetzel' from General Ruoff's 17th Army, allpart of Heeresgruppe SOd.E'mblem: A black rearing weasel.


445.Grenadier-Regiment446.Grenadier-Regiment134.ArtiIIerie-Regiment134.Aufklarungs-Abteilung134.Panzerjager-Abteilung134.Pioniere-Abteilung134.Nachrichten-Abteilung

H,ome station: Wehrkreis IV.History: In June 1941 this Division was engaged on almostcontinuous active service on the central sector of the Russian Front.Under the command of Generalleutnant Dipl Ing Hans Schlemmer itformed part of the XXXXIII Army Corps from General Kubler's 4thArmy. By June of 1942 it had been transferred to LIII Army Corps partof the 2nd Panzer Army 'Schmidt' from Heeresgruppe Mitte. Itcontinued in this role until the summer of 1944 when it became partof XXXV Army Corps from General Jordan's 9th Army under thecommand of Heeresgruppe Mitte.Emblem: A green heart within

125 .Infanterie-Div.

22

A young Caucasian Volunteer of 162.lnfanterieDivision is decorated by hisDivisional Commander.Eastern Front, July 1944.The man is typical of theRussian troops trained bythis u nit (Transocean-

Europa press).

von Niedermayer this Division saw service in Russia in June 1941 aspart of the German X Army Corps from General Strauss's 9th Army,under the control of Heeresgruppe M itte.

This formation was also stationed in Slovenia where, under theguidance of Generalmajor von Niedermayer, a well-known Germanspecialist in Middle Eastern affairs, the Division's personnel were usedto train contingents of ex-Russian POWs into combat prepared battalionsand Foreign Volunteer Legions.

These Ostlegions, established by order of the German HighCommand on December 30, 1941 were training centres where nationalunits were organized and indoctrinated. The commanding officers ofthese Legions had the disciplinary authority of a Commander of anindependent battalion. They were subordinate to the Commander ofthe 162.lnfantry-Division.

The Legions received POWs from collecting camps and were chargedwith training them into future combat battalions. Each Legion headquarters had a permanent cadre of German Military personnel and thenecessary number of Turks selected by the Legion Commander. Aftercompletion of their training and political indoctrination the combatbattalions left the 162.lnfantry-Division for attachment to different activeGerman Divisions.

The German military authorities called all these national groups'Turks' but in fact they came from many parts of Russia and Asia Minorsuch as Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazak, Turkistan, Persia,Afghanistan, etc.Emblem: A red letter 'T' superimposed over a blue arrowpointing to the right. This emblem was discontinued in June 1944.

Fig 84

A Georgian volunteer officer explainingthe details of a military map capturedwith him to US Officers, NorthernFrance, June 11, 1944. He wears theGeorgia volunteer Ostlegion arm badge-a red shield with white and black

bars in the top le:t quarter (IWM).

23

168.1NFANTERIE..DIVISIONComposition: 417.Grenadier-Regiment

429.Grenadier-Regiment442.Grenadier-Regiment248.Artillerie-Regiment248.Aufk/arungs-Abtei/ung24B.Panzer jager-Abtei/ung24B.Pioniere-Abtei/ung248.Nachrichten-Abtei/ung

Home station: Wehrkreis VII/.History: This Division served in Russia on the Southern Sectorand in 1944 was part of General Nehring's XXIV Panzer Corps from1st Panzer Army 'Hube'.Emblem: A white maltese cross on a green shield. Fig 22

183.1NFANiTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 330.Grenadier-Regiment

343.Grenadier-Regiment351.Grenadier-Regiment219.Artillerie-Regiment219.Aufk/arungs-Abteilung219.Pioniere-Abteilung219.Nachrichten-Abtei/ung

Home station: Wehrkreis XII/.History: This Division under the command of GeneralleutnantDettling saw service in the Balkans in 1941 and formed part of theLII Army Corps which came under the control of General von Weichs's2nd Army. It continued its active service in Southern Russia, when inJune 1942 it was part of XX Army Corps from the 3rd Panzer Army'Reinhardt' under Heeresgruppe Mitte.

The Division continued in this role until the spring of 1944 when itwas moved west to France and by April 1945 after many months ofcontinuous bitter fighting the remnants of this Division were encircledand trapped in the Ruhr pocket at Gummersbach where on 15th ofApril they finally surrendered to superior American forces.Emblem: A small black inverted triangle placed on a largerred triangle. It is interesting to note that this emblem is the oppositein colour but the same design as the British Army's 3rd Infantry Divisionemblem. Fig 42

20S.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 335.Grenadier-Regiment

353.Grenadier-Regiment358.Grenadier-Regiment205.Artillerie-Regiment205.Fusi/iere-Abtei/ung205.Pioniere-Abtei/ung205.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis V.History: This Division was employed during the 1940 Fr.enchcampaign and during 1941 was transferred to North Russia. The endof the war found it fighting in the Kurland Pocket forming part

24

On the occasion of the triumphant completion of the 1940 French campaign a massivevictory parade was staged in Berlin. Men of the 218.lnfanterie-Division pass throughthe Brandenburg Gate, which they subsequently adopted as their divisional emblem

(Euro-Foto) .

of Heeresgruppe Kurland.Emblem: This Division chose a white toadstool with red spotsas its emblem. Because of this it was often referred to as the 'PilzDivision' - the Toadstool Division. Fig 52


386.Grenadier-Regiment397.Grenadier-Regiment218.Artillerie-Regiment218.Fiisiliere-Abteilung218.Pioniere-Abteilung218 .Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Spandau, Berlin, Wehrkreis Ifl.History: Formed in Berlin before the war, this Division tookpart in the German invasion of Poland as part of the Army Reservefrom von Bock's Heeresgruppe Nord. It was employed in the 1940French campaign and by 1941 had been transferred to the RussianFront where it served in the Northern Sector. It finished the war in theKurland Pocket as part of Heeresgruppe Kurland.Emblem: This Division chose as its emblem a design that serveda dual purpose. The white emblem, sometimes shown against a blackrectangular background represented the Berlin-Brandenburg Gate thussymbolising the fact that this Division was raised in Berlin and at thesame time the emblem served as a permanent reminder of the Division'spart in the victory parade held in Berlin - which passed through thisgate - on June 18, 1940, at the end of the ·war with France. Fig 9

25

223.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONCo'mposition : 344.Grenadier-Regiment

385.Grenadier-Regiment425.Grenadier-Regiment323.Artillerie-Regiment223.Fiisiliere-Abteilung223.Pioniere-Abteilung223.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Dresden, Wehrkreis IV.History: The Division took part in the German invasion ofFrance and was transferred to the Eastern Front in 1941, where in June1942 it formed part of XXVI Army Corps from General Lindemann's18th Army, part of Heeresgruppe Nord.

In June 1943 the Division was transferred to General Busch's XVIArmy Reserve which was also part of Heeresgruppe Nord.Emblem: Two black short-thrusting swords crossed on a blueshield. Fig 85

232.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONC·omposition: 1043.Grenadier-Regiment

1044.Grenadier-Regiment1045.Grenadier-Regiment

Home station: Not known.History: This Division was formed very late in the war in 1944.Emblem: A blue trident with a small blue crescent shape onthe handle of the trident. Fig 30

A black fleur-de-Iys on a red bordered white shield.Fig 53

C'olmposition :246.INFANTERIE-DIVISION

352.Grenadier-Regiment404.Grenadier-Regiment689.Grenadier-Regiment246.Fiisilier-Abteilung246.Pioniere-Abteilung246.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Trier, Wehrkreis XI/.History: This Division served mostly on the Russian Front. InJune 1942 it was part of Kampfgruppe 'Esebeck' from General Model's9th Army, under the direct control of Heeresgruppe Mitte. By January1943 the Division was fighting near Smolensk and at that time it formedpart of XXXXI Panzer Corps also from General Model's 9th Army,Heeresgruppe Mitte.

In June 1944, the Division, still on the Eastern Front, now formedpart of LIII Army Corps from General Reinhardt's 3rd Panzer Armyand once again part of Heeresgruppe Mitte.

The Division was withdrawn during the summer of 1944 and usedthat same winter in the German Ardennes Offensive.

Prior to its transfer to Russia in January 1942 the Division exchangedits 313.lnfantry Regiment for Infantry Regiment 689 from the 337.Infantry Division.Emblem:

26

A Spanish stabsfeldw.ebel of 250.(Blue) Divisiontalking to aGerman Unter-offizer (seated).Note the'ESPANA' arm-shield. This wasa rare instancewhere the d ivi-sional emblemclosely matchedthe Volunteerarm - shield

(Euro-Foto) .

250.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONC'o'mposition: 262.Grenadier-Regiment

263.Grenadier-Regiment269.Grenadier-Regiment250.Artillerie-Regiment

Home station: Graffenwoh/, Wehrkreis XII/.History: Formed in August 1941 at Graffenw6hl from Spanishvolunteers. This Division was equipped and trained by the Germansand was under the command of a Spanish officer, Generalmajor MunozGrandes. Its strength was about 14,000, all ranks. It was sent to theNorth Russian Front where in October 1941 it fought in the NovrogrodLeningrad-Lake limen areas.

The 'Blue Division' (as it was known) suffered heavy casualties notonly in the fighting but from the cold, and by the early part of 1942had over 8,000 killed and wounded, many of the wounded sufferingfrom frost-bite. These casualties and losses were made up by Spainwith additional volunteer replacement troops and the Division continuedfighting in Russia. However, by the late spring of 1943 Spain decided,in the light of the way military events were going against the Germans,to withdraw its volunteer troops.

The last contingent of Spanish troops trained and equippedcompletely by the Germans left Spain in July 1943 for the EasternFront but was recalled and returned to Spain on Franco's orders onAugust 10, 1943 much to the anger of the German military authorities.Emblem: As a divisional emblem this formation adopted a shieldbearing the National Colours of Franco's Spain, red over a broad yellowband over red (the colours of Spain before the Civil War were redover yellow over purple). Fig 86

It is interesting to note that the emblem used by this Division wasalso worn as a National insignia on the right side of the German steelhelmets - in place of the German National Colours - as well as anarm-shield worn on the left upper arm of their German uniforms. Thislast badge had the addition of the word 'ESPANA' along the top edgeof the shield.

27

(250./nfanterie-Division - continued)

The Division was often referred to as the 'Blaue-Division' (BlueDivision) or Legion Azul. This name was derived from the colour ofthe Spaniards' traditional blue Falangist uniform shirts.


465.Grenadier-Regiment475.Grenadier-Regiment255.Artillerie-Regiment255.Aufklarungs-Abteilung255.Panzerjager-Abteilung255.Pionier-Abteilung255.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Lobau, Wehrkreis IV.History: This Division saw most of its active service in Russiawhen in June 1942 it formed part of XX Army Corps from GeneralReinhardt's 3rd Panzer Army under the control of Heeresgruppe Mitte.It continued in this capacity until the summer of 1943 when, under thecommand of General Poppe, it was part of LII Army Corps 'Ott' fromGeneral Hath's 4th Panzer Army from Heeresgruppe SUd it took partin the German Zitadelle Operation.

In the autumn of 1943 the Division was withdrawn from Russia andsent to France for rest and refitting. Whilst in France the Division's455.Grenadier-Regiment was disbanded.Emblem: A green spot on a white square. Because of itsemblem the Division was referred to as the 'Grunpunkt-Division' (TheGreen Spot Division). Fig 23

262.INFANTERIE-DIVISIONCompositi·on : 422.Grenadier-Regiment

482.Grenadier-Regiment486.Grenadier-Regiment262.Artillerie-Regiment262.Aufklarungs-Abteilung262.Panzer jager-Abteilung262.Pionier-Abteilung262.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wien, Wehrkreis XVI/.History: This Division, raised and formed in Vienna fromAustrian troops, served on the Russian Front. In June 1941 under thecommand of General Theisen it formed part of German IV Army Corpsfrom Heeresgruppe SUd. A year later in June 1942 it formed part ofXXXV Army Corps of General Schmidt's 2nd Panzer Army fromHeeresgruppe Mitte. It continued in this role until the fall of 1943 whenit was withddrawn from the Eastern Front and taken back to Austriawhere, because of the heavy losses the Division had sustained, it wasdisbanded.Emblem: A 'black church over bl'ue wavy lines all on a whitecircular background. The black church represented St Stephen's inVienna and the blue wavy lines the River Danube. Fig 43

28

10 11 12

268.lnfanterie-Div. 268.lnfanterie-Div.(a Iternative)

299.lnfanterie-Div.

arm allFig 10

black on a black-edged whiteFig 11


488.Grenadier-Regiment499.Grenadier-Regiment268.ArtiIIerie-Regiment268.Fusilier-Abteilung26B.Pionier-Abteilung268.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: MOnchen, Wehrkreis VI/.History: This Division spent its entire active service on theEastern Front. In June 1941 it formed part of VII Army Corps fromvon Kluge's 4th Army, part of Heeresgruppe Mitte. A year later in June1942 the Division's role had changed and it had become part of GeneralHeinrici's 4th Army in reserve, also from Heeresgruppe Mitte. InJanuary 1943 the Division formed part of XII Army Corps from GeneralHeinrici's 4th Army again from Heeresgruppe Mitte.Emblem: A black letter 'E' with an extended centralon a white circular background.Alternative An arrow design inemblem: circular background.

Contingents of the 278.lnfanterieDivision surrender to US forces nearthe Brenner Pass, Italy, May 1945.Note the 'Pomeranian Grenadier'emblem on the motor-cycle side-car,in typical position and size for this

class of vehicle (IWM),

29


993.Grenadier-Regiment994.Grenadier-Regiment27B.Artillerie-Regimentplus other units.

Home station: Wehrkreis III.History: This Division was known to have served in Italywhere in the spring of 1945 it was manning defence fortifications nearthe Brenner Pass. It surrendered to the 5th and 7th US Armies inMay 1945.Emblem: This Division adopted as its emblem a black figureof a Pomeranian Grenadier holding a musket on a red bordered whiteshield. Fig 54


505.Grenadier-Regiment506.Grenadier-Regiment291.Artillerie-Regiment291.Fiisilier-Abteilung291.Pionier-Abteilung291.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Insterburg, Wehrky.eis I.History: This Division took part in the 1940 French campaignand in the spring of 1941 the Division, commanded by General Herzog,was transferred to the Eastern Front. In the summer of 1942 it formedpart of XXVIII Army Corps from General Lindermann's 18th Army partof Heeresgruppe Nord.

It continued to serve on the Russian Front commanded by Generalleutnant Werner Goeritz and by March 1944 this Division was part ofthe LIX Army Corps, under the command of General von d'Chevalleriefrom 1st Panzer Army 'Hube'.Emblem: A green leaf on a red-bordered white shield. Fig 88Alternativeemblem: A yellow elk's head. Fig 37


50B.Grenadier-Regiment509 .Grenadier-Regiment292.Artillerie-Regiment292.Aufklarungs-Abteilung292.Panzer jager-Abteilung292.Pionier-Abteilung292.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis II.History: This Division, commanded by Generalmajor John, wasknown to have served in Central Russia.Emblem: A blue ring on a white rectangle, an emblem in useby this Division up to September 1943. Fig 44

30

from the 293.lnfanterie-Division moving along a badly churned-up Russianroad. Bear emblem is seen on the left-hand mudguard and unit tactical sign the

other side.

Alternativeemblem:

Home station:History:and in 1941Russia.Emblem: Because this Division was raised in Wehrkreis IIIwhich had its military headquarters at Berlin it chose as an emblema brown 'Berlin' bear. Fig 89

The Division was known as the 'Baren-Division' (The Bear Division).

A red spot on a white circle with a red border, anemblem in use after September 1943. Fig 67


511.Grenadier-Regiment512.Grenadier-Regiment293.ArtilJerie-Regiment293.Aufklarungs-Abteilung293.Panzer jager-Abteilung293.Pionier-Abteilung293.Nachrichten-AbteilungWehrkreis 11/.This Divisior. took part in the 1940 French campaign,

WaS sent to the Eastern Front where it served in Southern


514.Grenadier-Regiment515.Grenadier-Regiment294.Artillerie-Regiment294.Aufklarungs-Abteilung294.Panzer jager-Abteilung294.Pionier-Abteilung294.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis IV.History: This Division took part in the 1940 French campaignand in 1941, under the command of Generalleutnant Johannes Block,it was transferred to the Balkans. Here it formed part of XI Army Corpsunder the joint control of von Kleist's 1st Panzer Army and GeneralList's 12th Army. It continued its active service in Russia.Emblem: A solid green clover leaf and stem. Fig 90

31

299.1NFANTERIE-DIVISIO

arrowFig 12

After 1943 this Division adopted a whitedevice.

Composition: 528.Grenadier-Regiment529.Grenadier-Regiment530.Grenadier-Regiment299.Artillerie-Regiment299.Aufklarungs-Abteilung299.Panzerjiiger-Abteilung299.Pionier-Abteilung299.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Weimar, Wehrkreis IX.History: The Division, commanded by Generalleutnant Fraf vonOriola, was on active service in Central Russia.Emblem: Before 1943 the emblem used by this Division was arectangle divided horizontally into two equal halves, the top half infield-grey, the bottom half in white. The whole design bordered witha broad green edging. Fig 91Alternativee'mblem:


583.Grenadier-Regiment584.Grenadier-Regiment319.Artillerie-Regiment319.Fiisiliere-Abteilung319.Pionier-Abteilung319.Nachrichten-Abteilung405.Fiisiliere-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis IX.History: This was the Division, commanded by GeneralleutnantEriGh MOiler that occupied the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey,Alderney, Sark, Herm and Jethou from the summer of 1941 to the springof 1945. The Division was transferred to the three main islands(Guernsey-Divisional headquarters-Jersey and Alderney) tostrengthen those German Forces that had taken over control in June1940 after the British had evacuated their military forces along withthose Islanders who preferred not to remain.

The Division's entire period of military occupation was taken up withgarrison duties, the building and the supervising of the building ofextensive fortifications both on the surface and underground, as wellas anti-invasion preparations.

In June 1944 at the time of the Allied Normandy Landings thisDivision, as part of the German Atlantic Wall defence system formedpart of the LXXXIV Army Corps from the 7th Army under the commandof Generalfeldmarschall Rommel's Heeresgruppe 'B'.

The Channel Islands were finally and officially liberated at precisely07.14 hours on May 9, 1945, seven hours after the official end of thewar in Europe.Emblem: A circular emblem divided into two halves. ~he tophalf white, the bottom half in red as a battlemented wall. Fig 68

32

13

35.lnfanterie-Div.

16

7.lnfanterie-Div.

19

11.1 nfa nterie-D iv. (va ria nt)

22

168.lnfanterie-Div.

14

35.lnfanterie-Div. (variant)

17

11.lnfanterie-Div.

20

21.lnfanterie-Div.

23

255.lnfanterie-Div.

33

15

62 .Infanterie-Div.

18

34.lnfanterie-Div.

21

30.lnfanterie-Div.

24

356./nfanterie-Div.


586.Grenadier-Regiment587.Grenadier-Regiment320.Artillerie-Regiment320.Aufklarung-Abteilung320.Panzer jager-Abteilung320.Pionier-Abteilung320.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis X.History: This Division was on active service in the East from1942 to 1945. In 1943 commanded by Generalleutnant Georg Postel ittook part in the 'li tadelle' fighting when it formed part of Generalkommando 'Raus' from the Army Detachment 'Kempf' under the controlof Heeresgruppe Sud.

In April 1945 this Infantry Division had been redesignated as a 'VolksGrenadiere-Division' with the number 320 and was now commanded byGeneral von Kiliani. It went to make up part of General von Ie Suire'sXXXXIX Gebirgs Corps, from General Nehring's 1st Panzer Army, partoi: Heeresgruppe Mitte.Emblem: A red gateway with pointed roofs. Fig 69Alternative A red heart on a red edged white circular back-e'mblem : ground.


596.Grenadier-Regiment597.Grenadier-Regiment327.ArtiIIerie-Regiment327.Aufklarung-Abteilung327.Panzerjager-Abteilung327.Pionier-Abteilung327.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis XVI/.History: This Division was disbanded in 1944 and the remnantsabsorbed into the 377.lnfanterie-Division.Emblem: A red Imperial spread eagle. Fig 92

25

335.lnfantene-Div.

26

715.1 nfa nt~rie-Div.

34

27

1.Punzer-Dlv. (vuriant)

334.INFAN'TERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 754.Grenadier-Regiment

755.Grenadier-Regiment756.Grenadier-Regiment334.Artillerie-Regiment334.Fusilier-Abtei/ung334.Pionier-Abtei/ung334.Nachrichten-Abtei/ung

Home station: Wehrkreis XII/.History: This Division saw service in North Africa where itwas destroyed at Tunis in 1942.

The Division was re-created in South-West France during July andAugust 1943. After having been brought up to strength it was sent toItaly where it was in action in October 1944 fighting around theFlorence-Bologna road area as part of General von Senger und Etterlin'sXIV Panzer Corps.Emblem: A single barbed yellow arrow through a red ringinside which is depicted a green palm tree-commemorating theDivision's service in North Africa. Fig 93

335.INFANTERIE-DIVISIO'NComposition: 682.Grenadier-Regiment

683.Grenadier-Regiment684.Grenadier-Regiment335.Artillerie-Regiment335.Aufk/arungs-Abtei/ung335.Panzer jager-Abtei/ung335.Pionier-Abtei/ung335.Nachrichten-Abtei/ung

Home station: Wehrkreis V.History: This Division served on the Eastern Front from thespring of 1941 to the sunlmer of 1943, most of the time in Southernl1ussia. In July 1943 it took part in the Kursk salient fighting-'OperationZitadelle'-when, under the command of General Casper it formed partof Generalkommando 'Mieth' from General Hollidt's VI Army Corpsunder the control of Heeresgruppe SUd.

The Division was employed in Europe and was in action in theNormandy fighting of June 1944. This Division contained a large numberof Poles serving as German troops.Emblem: A black axe head inside a black-edged white shield.

Fig 2S


758.Grenadier-Regiment759.Grenadier-Regiment338.Arti/lerie-Regiment338.Aufklarungs-Abtei/ung338.Panzer jager-Abtei/ung338.Pionier-Abtei/ung338.Nachrichten..Abtei/ung

Home station: Not known.History: This Division was formed in France in 1943 and

35

28

48.lnfanterie-Div.

31

62.lnfanterie-Div.

34

44.lnfanterie-Div.

37

291.lnfanterie-Div.

29

57.lnfanterie-Div.

32

72.lnfanterie-Div.

35

73.lnfanterie-Div.

38

347.lnfanterie-Div.

36

30

232 .Infanterie-Div.

33

111.lnfanterie-Div.

36

78.Sturmd ivision

39

5. Gebirgsjager-Div.

40

81.lnfanterie-Div.

43

262.lnfanterie-Div.

46

Fuh rer-Beg leit-Btl.

49

87.1 nfanterie-Div.

41

93.lnfanterie-Div.

44

292.lnfanterie-Div.

47

3.Panzer-Grenad ier-Div.

50

112.1 nfanterie-Div.

37

42

183.lnfanterie-Div.

45


48

1D.Pa nzer-Grenad ier-Div.

51

134.lnfanterie-Div.

Composition:

Home station:History:

commanded by Generalleutnant Fol ttmann.At the time of the Allied Landings in Normandy in 1944 it was

stationed in the Provence-Aries area west of Marseilles. The Divisionwas engaged in the fighting around the Strasbourg-Vosges area in midNovember 1944 when the Divisional Commander was killed in the actionat Belfort Gap. February 1945 found this formation in action in theRhineland battles at the Linnich bridgehead on the River Roer.Emblem: A shield divided into two halves. The left half showsa blue and white diamond pattern design. The right half two blackswords crossed on a white background, Fig 45

347.1N'FANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 860.Grenadier-Regiment

861.Grenadier-Regiment862.Festung-Grenadier-Regilnent347.Artillerie-Regiment347.Aufklarungs-Abteilung347.Panzerjager-Abteilung347.Pionier-Abteilung347.Nachrichten-Abteilun9

Home station: Wehrkreis XI.History: This was a static Division and at the time of theNormandy campaign in June 1944 this Division formed part of theLXXXVIII Army Corps under the Befehlshaber Nederland which in turnwas part of Heeresgruppe 'B' under the command of Generalfeldmarschall Rommel. The Division was stationed on the Dutch coastopposite Amsterdam,Emblem: Because of their connection with Holland this Divisionchose as its emblem a yellow windmill. Fig 38

356.INFANTERIE-DIVISION869.Grenadier-Regiment870.Grenadier-Regiment871.Grenadier-Regiment356.Artillerie-Regiment356.Aufklarungs-Abteilung356.Panzerjager-Abteilung356.Pionier-Abteilung356.Nachrichten-AbteilungWehr1<reis IX.Towards the latter part of the war this formation was

Croatian officersof 369.lnfanterieDivision checktheir maps. Notethe 'HRVATSKA'chequer - boardarm - shield inCroatian nationalcolours whichresembles thedivisional signa Iso (IWM-

MH8905) ,

38

serving in Northern Italy. In April 1945 the remnants of this badlymauled Division were formed into a Kampfgruppe which was attachedto 1.SS-Panzer Corps 'Priess' of the 6th Panzer Army 'Dietrich' whichcame under the control of Heeresgruppe SUd.Emblem: A green oakleaf and acorn on a white shield.

Fig 24


370.Grenadier-Regiment369.Artillerie-Regiment369.Aufklarungs-Abteilung369.Panzer jager-Abteilung369.Pionier-Abteilung369.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Stockerau, Wehrkreis XVI/.History: This Division consisted almost entirely of troops fromCroatia. It was equipped and trained by the Germans and staffed byGerman Officers and NCOs The Division was commanded by Generalmajor Fritz Niedholdt.

It was formed by the expansion of 369.lnfantry-Regiment which hadformerly operated under the 100 Jager-Division. It saw active servicein the Balkans in 1943 and in Yugoslavia in March 1944 where it carriedout anti-partisan operations.Emblem: Appropriately enough this Division in common withthe Croatian 373rd and 392nd Infantry Divisions used an emblem basedon Croatia's National Colours-25 red and silver (white) squaresarranged in chequer-board fashion on a shield.

Because of its emblem this Division was sometimes referred to asthe 'Schachbrett-Division'-the Chess Board Division. Fig 73

376.INFANTERIE-DIVISION

A white '0' shaped device on a grey square backFig 87

765.Grenadier-Regiment766.Grenadier-Regiment767.Grenadier-Regiment376.Artillerie-Regiment376.Aufklarungs-Abteilung376.Panzer jager-Abteilung376.Pionier-Abteilung376.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: \/\/ehrkreis VIIHistory: This Bavarian Division was on active service on theEastern Front, and in 1942 was fighting on the Dnieper Bend. InNovember of that year, under the command of General von Daniels itwas part of the German forces encircled at Stalingrad.

On the 11th January 1943 the Division was virtually destroyeddefending the western salient of Stalingrad around Marinowka. At thattime it formed part of Xl Army Corps 'Strecker' from von Paulus's6th Army.Emblem:ground.

Composition:

39

3?

--..-.-• ••

205.lnfanterie-Div.

55

20. Pa nzer- Grenad ier-D iv.

58

1.Panzer-Div.

61

FOh rer- Grenad ier-Btl.

53


56


59

1.Panzer-Div.

62

100.Jager-Division

40

54

278.lnfanterie-Div.

57

y~

60.Panzer-Grenadier-Div. (variant)

60

3.Panzer-Div.

63

114.Jager-Division

64

DO

3.Panzer-Div. (variant)

67

292.lnfanterie-Div.

70

11.Panzer-Div.

65

6.Panzer-Div.

G3

319.lnfanterie-Div.

71

16.Panzer-Div.

66


69

320.1 nfa nterie-D iv.

72


Generaloberst Guderian was, withRommel, the best known of Germanpanzer commanders. He held numerousmajor commands connected with the

armoured forces.

41


545.Grenadier-Regiment546.Grenadier-Regiment389.Artillerie-Regiment389.Aufk/arungs-Abtei/ung389.Panzerjager-Abtei/ung389.Pionier-Abtei/ung389.Nachrichten-Abtei/ung

Home station: Wehrkreis IX.History: This Division was one of the German formationsdestroyed by the Russians at Stalingrad. In January 1942, commandedby General Ervvin Jaenecke it formed part of XI Army Corps acting aspart of Heeresgruppe Reserve. By mid-January 1943 command of theDivision had passed to General Magnus and it formed part of vonSeydlitz's LI Army Corps from Feldmarschall von Paulus's 6th Army.On January 15, 1943 this Division ceased to exist.

A new Division was formed after Stalingrad under the command ofGeneralmajor Paul Herburt Forster, and it continued in action on theSouthern sector of the Russian Front.Emblem: The emblem used by the 'new' Division showed agreen arrow pointing upwards inside a red circle. Fig 94


744.Grenadier-Regiment651.Artillerie-Regiment711.Pionier-Abtei/ung711.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis XI.History: This was a static Division stationed in Normandy.In June 1944 it vvas commanded by Generalleutnant Reichardt and theDivision formed part of the LXXXII Army Corps from the 15th Armyunder Rommel's Heeresgruppe 'B'. It was positioned on the FrenchCoast in the Caen area between the Orne and the Seine.

The Division was transferred to the Eastern Front and in April 1945having been reduced to Kampfgruppe strength it formed part of LXXIIArmy Corps 'Schmidt' from General Kreysing's 8th Army, under thecontrol of Heeresgruppe SOd.Emblem: A red diamond on 3 white upright rectangle. Fig 74

715.1NFANTERIE-DIVISIONComposition: 725.Festung-Grenadier-Regiment

735.Festung-Grenadier-Regiment671.Artillerie-Regiment671.Nachrichten-Abteilung715.Pionier-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis V.History: Conlmandcd by Generalleutnant Kurt Hoffmann thisDivision was on active service in the Cannes-Nice area at the time ofthe Normandy Landings. It was moved to Italy late in 1944 when the735 Festung-Grenadier-Regiment was reformed from rear echelon troops.

42

Vehicles of the 97.Jager-Division move up on the Eastern Front during the invasionof Russia in June 1941. Note the black-curling feather emblem on the vehicle inthe foreground. A knocked out Soviet T-28 is on the extreme right (IWM-HU3418).

In April 1945 it was in action on the Eastern Front. The Division atthis time was commanded by General von Rohr and it formed part ofGeneral von Hengl's LIX Army Corps from General Nehring's 1st PanzerArmy from Heeresgruppe rvl itte.Emblem: Three red spots arranged vertically. Fig 75Alternativeemblem: Three \l'Jhite oak-leaves with one acorn. Fig 26

204.Jager-Regiment207.Jager-Regiment81.Artillerie-Regiment97.Aufklarungs-Abteilung97.Panzerjager-Abteilung97.Pionier-Abteilung97.Nachrichten-AbteilungVllehrkreis VI/.This south German Division was originally classifiedall other German Rifle Divisions as a 'Leicht-Division'

Home station :History:in common with(Light-Division) .

In June 1941 under the command of General Fretter-Pico it wasoperating in Russia as part of General von Stulpnagel's XVII Army CorpsReserve from Heeresgruppe Sud.

By June 1942 command of the division had passed to General Ruppand it formed part of Heeresgruppe Reserve. Later in this year thisLight Division was reclassified as a 'Jager-Division' and in the summerof 1943 this Division took part in the 'Zitadelle' campaign. It had yetanother change of commanding officer General Ludwig Muller and theDivision formed part of XXXXIV Jager Corps 'Angelis' from the 17thArmy part of Heeresgruppe Sud.

At the end of the war in April 1945 General Bader had taken over

97.JAGER-DIVISIONComp.osition :

43

73

76

369. rnfanterie-Div.

74---I

,----------.

711.lnfanterie-Div.

77

75

715.1 nfanterie-D iv.

78

79

21.Panzer-Div. 23.Panzer-Div.

80 81

24. Pa nzer-D iv.(1.Kavallerie-Div.)

2. Gebirgsjager-Div.

82


22.(Luftlande) Pz.-Gren.-Div.

Note

The fine black outer borderaround each emblem shown inthis book is not part of anydesign; it is merely intendedto represent the background onwhich the actual emblemmight be painted and thecolour within this border couldtherefore depend on where the

sign was applied.

44


83


84

162.1 nfanterie-D iv.

87


90

294.lnfanterie-Div.

93

334.lnfanterie-Div.

85


88

291.lnfanterie-Div.

91

299.lnfanterie-Div.

94

389.lnfanterie-Div.

45

86

250.lnfanterie-Div.

89

293.lnfanterie-Div.

92

327.lnfanterie-Div.

95

100.Jag er-D ivis ion

A column of vehicles from the 100.Jager-Division on the move, Russia, July 1942.Note the 'Fir-Tree' emblem on all vehicles. On motor-cycles all markings were

usuDlly half-size (Press-Bild-Zentrale).

ns Divisionol Commander and the formation formed part of XI ArmyCorps 'von Bunnu' from the 1st Panzer Army, Heeresgruppe Mitte.Emblem: A black curling feather on a white shield. The divisionwos knovJn as the 'Spielhnhnfeder-Division' after its emblem. FiJ 96

100.JAGER-DIVISIONComp.osition : 54.Jager-Regiment

227.Jager-Regiment83.ArtilIerie-Regiment100.Pionier-AbteiIun9100.Panzerjager-Abteilung100.Aufklarungs -Abtei/un9100J'Jachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis XVII.History: Originally cl3ssified as the '100 Light-Division' thisformation was employed in July 1941 in the attack on Russia. It wascommanded by General Sann and went to form part of General vonStulpnagel's XVII Army Reserve from Heeresgruppe Sud.

By May 1942 the Division was fighting in the Caucasus and at thistime the 369. (Croatia) Infanterie-Regiment was detached from thisDivision and transferred to form the 369.lnfanterie-Division. Later inthe year the 100.Leicht-Division was reclassified as the 100.JagerDivision. In June 1942 this Jager-Division formed part of General vonGeyr's XXXX Panzer Corps from Heeresgruppe Sud. It took part in theGerman encirclement of Staryyoskol in Russia and by December 1942it was itself encircled at Stalingrad and subsequently destroyed. At thetime of its destruction in January 1943 it was part of LI Army Corps'von Seydlitz' and was still cornmanded by General Sann.

A 'new' Division was formed in the Belgrade area in the early springof 1943 and transferred to Albania in May 1943. By April 1945 the

46

100.Jager-Division, commanded by Generalmajor Willibald Utz formedpart of VIII Army Corps 'von Mellthin' from the 17th Army and underthe control of Heeresgruppe Mitte.Emblem: A large yellow letter'S' superimposed over a greenfir tree. Fig 95Alternativeemblem: A green oakleaf and acorn on a white shield. Fig 62

114.JAGER-DIVISIONComposition: 721.Jager-Regiment

741.Jager-Regiment661.Artillerie-Regiment114.Aufklarungs-Abteilung114.Panzerjager-Abteilung114.Pionier-Abteilung114.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis /.History: Originally formed in Yugoslavia as 714.lnfanterie-Division it was converted to a 'Jager-Division' some time before 1944.Its commanding officer was Generalleutnant Karl Eglseer.Emblem: A black edged white shield bearing a thick blackcross rising out of two crossed green oak-leaves. Fig 63

The black cross shown on the white shield indicates this Division'sconnections with the Wehrkreis I, East Prussia and the green oak-leavesrepresent the role this Division took as Jager or Rifle troops.

96

97.Jager-Division

97

5. Gebirgsjager-Dtv.

98

44 .Infanterie-Div.

2.GEBIRGSJAGER-DIVISIONC.omposition : 136.Gebirgsjager-Regiment

137.Gebirgsjager-Regiment111.Gebirgs-Artilleric-Regiment67 .Gebirgs-Aufklarungs-Abteilung55.Gebirgs-Panzer iager-Abteifun 967.Gebirgs-Pionier-AbteiIun967.Gebirgs-Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Innsbruck, Wehrkreis XVII/.History: This Mountain Division took pJrt in the Sept-Oct 1939Polish campaign when it formed part of General Beyer's XVIII ArmyCorps from General List's 14th Army part of von Rundstedt's

47

99 100 101

102 103

BELOW: General der PanzertruppenSchmidt, commander of 2nd Panzer Army,was the 19th officer in the Wehrmacht tobe awarded the Oakleaves to the Knights

Cross of the Iron Cross.

RIGHT: Generalmajor von Ravenstein wasthe first commander of 21.Panzer-Divisionin North Africa. He WDS taken prisonerby New Zealand troops on November 29,

1941 (IWM-E6956).

48

99

100

101

102

103

4. Gebi rgsjager- 0 iv.

1.Fallschirmjjger-Div.

4. Fa Iisch irmjager-D iv.

25.Panzer-Div.

116.Panzer-Div.

Heeresgruppe SUd.It was moved to North Finland where, under the command of Oberst

Degan, it served in action against the r1ussians.Emble'm: A black elk's head on a red shield. Fig 79

4.GEBIRGSJAGER-DIVISIONComposition: 13.Gebirgsjager-Regiment

91.Gebirgsjager-Regiment94.Gebirgsjager-Artillerie-Regiment94.Gebirgs ja9er-Aufklarung-AbteiIun994.Gebirgs-Panzer jii ger-AbteiIun994.Gebirgs jiiger-Pionier-AbteiIun994.Gebirgsjager-Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis VII/.History: Formed in the autumn of 1940 from cadres takenfrom 25.lnf3nterie-r1egiment and 27.lnfanterie-Regiment.

In April 1941 the Division was serving in the Balkans as part of XIArmy Corps from General List's 12th Army and by July 1942, underthe command of General Eglseer it was part of XXXXII Army. Corps'Mattenklott' fighting in Russia as part of Heeresgruppe SUd. In Augustof this year units of this Division with climbers from the 1.GebirgsjagerDivision scnled Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus.

A year later in July 1943 this Division, now commanded by GeneralBraun formed part of V Army Corps 'Allmendinger' from the 17th Armyunder the control of Heeresgruppe SUd.

Sy April 1945 once more with a change of Divisional commanderand now commanded by General Breith the Division made up part ofLIX Army Corps 'von Hengl' from the 1st Panzer Army part ofHeeresgruppe Mitte.E~bl~!n : A Gentian, with blue petals and calyx and stem ingreen was used as the emblem by this Mountain Division. A Gentianis a plant found especially in mountain regions. Fig 99

5.GEBIRGSJAGER-DIVISIONC'omp,o,sition : 85.Gebirgsjager-Regiment

100.Gebirgsjager-Regiment95.Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment95.Aufklarungs-Abteilung95.Panzer jager-Abteilung95.Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon95.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Salzburg, Wehrkreis XVIII.History: Formed in the autumn of 1940 from part of the1.Gebirgsjager-Division and the 10.lnfanterie-Division. This Division sawservice in the Balkans in 1941 as part of the XVIII Corps of GeneralList's 12th Army. The Division took part in the German attack on andcapture of the Island of Crete.

Switched to the Eastern Front this Division formed part of L ArmyCorps from Heeresgruppe Nord in June of 1942.

A year later in June 1943 still on the Russian Front and commandedby Generalmajor Julius Ringel the Division was part of 1 Army Corpsfrom Heeresgruppe Nord.

Six months later the Division was withdrawn from Russia and

49

104

transferred to Italy where in January 1944 the Division relieved the305.lnfantry Division in time for the first battle of Cassino and positionedon the Gustav Line they faced the French 2nd Moroccan and 3rdAlgerian Divisions around Monte Cifaico.

By April 1945 command of the Division had passed to GeneralWittman and they formed part of III Panzer Corps from the 6th Armypart of Heeresgruppe Sud.Emblem: A yellow Chamois standing on three yellow 'mountain'peaks. Fig 39Alternative A white mountain goat standing on three whiteemblem: mountain peaks above which are the letters 'GEMSE'(Chamois) in white allan a black rectangular background. F'i~ 97

1.FALLSCHIRMJAGER-DIVISIONC'o,mposition : 1.Fc:lIschirmjager-Regiment

3.Fallschirmjager-Regiment4.Fallschirmjager-Regiment1.Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment1.Fallschirm-Panzerjager-Abteilung1.Fallschirm-Pionier-Abteilung1.Fallschirmflak-Bataillon1.Fallschirm-Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Not known.History: Formed in France in the spring of 1943, this Divisionwas transferred to the Mediterranean theatre when in June 1943 it wasstationed in Sicily at Catania. During September 1943 the Divisioncrossed over to the Italian mainland and was in action near Tarent.Under the command of Luft'JVaffe Generalleutnant Richard Heidrich ittook part in the Salerno fighting and withdrew to the eastern end ofthe Gustav Line where it remained from December 1943 to February1944. The Paratroopers serving as Infantry were brought into the Cassinofighting behind the Gustav Line from February 1944 till May 1944.

Moved north to Rimini the Division took up defensive positionsbehind the 'Green Line' from Sept to Oct 1944.Emblem: A green devil riding on a red trident all on a whitesquare background. Fig 100Alternative A white parachute. This Divisional emblem was alsoemblem: worn as a badge by members of the Division on theupper left sleeve of their combat jackets. Fig 104

105

1041.Fallschirmjager-Div.

1052.Fallschirmjager-Div.

50

A captured f(cttenkrc:d half-track motor-cycle from the 2.Fallschirmjager-Division,fJorth A 'rica. Note the kite-shaped emblem painted on the side of the vehicle. Thesr.?.J1I letter 'B' indicated Battalion Commander 'Burckhardt'. Other comma..ndersshown in this way were: 'K'-Kroh, 'vH'-von der Heydte, 'H'-Hubner and again

'K'-Kagerer (IWI'/I).

2.FALLSCHIRMJAGER-DIVISIONC'omp,osition : 2.Fallschirmjager-Regiment

6 .Fallschirmjager-Regiment7.Fallschirmjager-Regiment2.Fallschirm-ArtiIIerie-Regiment2.Fallschirm-Panzer jager-Abteilung2.FallschirmFlak-Abteilung2.Fallschirm-Pionier-Abteilung2.Fallschirm-Nachrichten-Abteilung

Hor.1e station: {Vot known.History: Units of this Parachute Division served as a Brigadein North Africa under the command of Luftwaffe GeneralleutnantHermann Bernhard Ramcke. After the destruction of the German AfrikaKorps the survivors were moved to Italy where in September 1943they were engaged as Infantry in Divisional strength in the fiercefighting south of Rome.Emblem: A kite-shaped emblem in outline only containing alarge 'R', indicating 'Ramcke' the divisional commander. Fig 105

4.FALLSCHIRMJAGER-DIVISIONComposition: 10.Fallschirmjager-Regiment

11.Fallschirmjager-Regiment12.Fallschirmjager-Regimentplus other units.

Home station: Not known.History: This Fallschirmjager Division was raised at Perugiain Italy in January 1944 and under the command of Luftwaffe Generalmajor Heinrich Trettner it served for most of its active service life inthe Italian campaign.

In June 1944 the Division, engaged as Infantry was opposing theAllied landings at Anzio and by September 1944 until October 1944they were stationed at Bologna behind the 'Green Line' defence position.

51

They continued in action in the Bologna area as part of the I ParachuteCorps until January 1945.

By April 1945 the Division had been switched to the Eastern Frontwhere it formed part of Heeresgruppe Reserve from Heeresgruppe Sud.

Emblem: A white comet with a blue red blue tail. Fi~ 101

PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISION "GROSSDEUTSCHLAND"Comp.osition : Panzer-Regiment 'Grossdeutschland'

Grenadier-Regiment 'Grossdeutschland'Fusilier-Regiment 'Grossdeutschland'Artillerie-Regiment 'Grossdeutschland'Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung 'Grossdeutschland'Panzerjager-Abteilung 'Grossdeutschland'Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung 'Grossdeutschland'Nachrichten-Abteilung 'Grossdeutschland'Sturm-gestchDtz-Abteilung 'Grossdeutschland'Heeresflak-Abteilung 'Grossdeutschland'

Home station: Berlin, Wehrkreis ,1/.History: At every stage in its history this unit was consideredan elite formation. Its personnel were drawn from allover Germanywhich resulted in strong inter-unit competition and a high degree ofesprit de corps. In war this unit distinguished itself with a fine fightingrecord and truly earned the unofficial title of "The Bodyguard of theGerman People".

As Infanterie-Regiment (motorized) "Grossdeutschland" commandedby General Graf Schwerin this unit fornled part of the HeeresgruppeReserve at the time of the French campaign of August 1940. It wasused in the attack west from Germany across Luxembourg, Belgiumand France towards Dunkirk and the French coast.

The Regiment next saw service· in the Balkans in 1941 and still underthe command of General Schwerin formed part of General Reinhardt'sXXXXI (mot) Army Corps coming under the joint control of von Kleist's1st Panzer Army and General List's 12th Army. During this period theRegiment took part in the attack into Greece.

By June 1941 the Regiment had been transferred to Russia andcommand of Infanterie-Regiment (mot) 'Grossdeutschland' had passedto Generalmajor Wilhelm-Hunold von Stockhausen. It came under thedirect control of Guderian's 2nd Panzer Army, from the XXXXVI ArmyCorps (mot) 'von Vietinghoff' which in turn was part of von Bock'sHeeresgruppe Mitte.

A year later in June 1942 Infanterie-Regiment (mot) 'Grossdeutschland' had been expanded to Divisional strength and was nowcommanded by Generalleutnant Walter Hoernlein. It formed part ofthe XXXXVIII Panzer Corps 'Kempf' from Heeresgruppe Sud, By July1942 Infanterie-Division 'Grossdeutchsland' had been converted to aPanzer-Grenadier-Division (Nov 1942). It took part in 'OperationZitadelle' (5.7.1943) and formed part of the XXXXVIII Panzer Corpsunder von Knobelsdorff which was part of the 4th Panzer Army 'Hoth'which in turn came under von Manstein's Heeresgruppe Sud.

52

Sd K:z 251 half-track vehicle fromthe eli t e ' Grossd eutschland'Panzer - grenadier - division somewhere in Russia, October 1943.Note the white steel-helmet d ivisional emblem with the tucticalemblem adjacent. Vehicle is sandyellow with brown 'mottle'

camouflage (Euro-Foto).

The end of the war in Europe in the spring of 1945 saw this eliteformation as part of IX Army Corps-'Army Corps East Prussia'.Emblem: An all white German steel helmet of 1935 patternAlternative An all white German steel helmet of 1935 pattern butemblem: with the addition of a section of tank track placedbelow, also in white. Fig 106, 107

106

P..:nzer-g renad ier-D ivision

107

.Grossdeutsch land'

108

10. Panzer-Grenad ier-D iv.

FOHRER-BEGLEIT-BATAILLONFOHRER-GRENADIER-BATAILLO'N"BRANDENBURG"-PANZER-GRENADIER-DIVISION

In addition to the all white German Steel Helmet emblem used bythe 'Grossdeutschland' Panzer-Grenadier-Division the FOhrer-BegleitBataillon (FOhrer-Escort-Bataillon) used a solid yellow steel helmetemblem, the Fuhrer-Grenadier-Bataillon a solid blue helmet emblem andthe 'Brandenburg' Panzer-Grenadier-Division a white steel helmet bearinga red 'Brandenburg' eagle. Fig 46, Fig 61, Cover centre

All three independent units originated from, and were extensions ofthe Panzer-Grenadier-Division 'Grossdeutschland'.

53

3.PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISIONC·omposition : 103.PDnzer-BatDillon

8.Panzergrenadier-Reg~ment

29.Panzergrenadier-Regiment103.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abtei/ung3.Artillerie-Regiment (mot)3.Panzerjager-Abteilung (mot)3.Pionier-Abteilung (mot)3.Nachrichten-Abteilung (mot)

Home station: Frankfurt/Oder, Wehrkreis III.History: This Division started life as the 3.lnfanterie-Division,but it took part in the 1939 Polish campaign as the 3.lnfanterie-Division(motorized) under the control of " Army Corps forming pJrt ofHeeresgruppe Nord, commanded by von Bock.

The Division served in France in 1940 and was transferred to Russiain 1941. In June of that year the Division commanded by General Jahnformed part of General Reinhardt's XXXXI Army Corps (motorized)from Heeresgruppe Nord.

By June 1942 the 3.lnfanterie-Division (mot) became part of theXIV Panzer Corps 'von Wietersheim' from the 4th Panzer Army 'Hoth'under the control of Heeresgruppe SUd.

By December 1942 the Division, now classified a 'Panzergrenadier·Division' was part of the German 6th Army encircled at Stalingrad, andby January 1943, when the last resistance to the Russians ceased theDivision commanded by General Schloner and forming part of XIVPanzer Corps 'Hube' of Feldmarschall Paulus's 6th Army no longerexisted.

However, the Division' was reformed in Italy in 1943 from the bulkof 386.Panzergrenadier-Division. By September of that year it took partin the German opposition to the Allied landings at Salerno. October1943 saw the Division, now commanded by Generalleutnant FritzHubert Graser, serving at Cassino in the south Elia area on the BernhardLine as part of Generaloberst von Vietinghoff-Scheel's 10th Army.

The 3.Panzergrenadier-Division, now commanded by General Denkartwas earmarked for the German Ardennes offensive in the winter of1944 and when the attack took place in December of that year theDivision was held as OKW Reserve.E'mblem : A solid yellow emblem, somewhat like the FreeFrench 'Cross of Loraine' except that the German Divisional emblemhad two equal length 'horizontal' arms which were tilted at an anglefrom bottom left to top right across the upright. Fig 47

10.PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISIONComp,osition : 110.Panzer-Bataillon

20.Panzergrenadier-Regiment41.Panzergrenadier-Regiment110.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung10.Artillerie-Regiment (mot)10.Panzerjager-Abteilung (mot)10.Pionier-Abtei:lung (mot)10.Nachrichten-Abteilung (mot)

Home station: Regensburg, Wehrkreis XIII.

54

History: Originally designated as the 10.lnfanterie-Division(mot) this formation took part in the German invasion of Poland inSeptember 1939 when it formed part of XIII Army Corps frorllHeeresgruppe SUd.

It was transferred to the West where it was employed in the 1940French campaign and in the spring of 1941 was moved once again,this time East in preparation for the German attack on Russia. In June1941 this motorized Infantry Division under the command of Generalvon Loper formed part of XXVI Army Corps (mot) 'von Vietinghof'from Heeresgruppe Mitte. By June 1942 it had been re-assigned toform part of XXXXII I Panzer Corps, from the 4th Army also part ofHeeresgruppe Mitte.

Towards the end of 1942 this Infantry Division (mot) was retitledas the 10.Panzergrenadier-Division. As a Panzergredadier-Division ittook part in the 'Zitadelle' fighting in June 1943 when under the command of Generalleutnant August Schmidt it went to form part ofXXXXI Pnnzer Corps 'Harp'.

Still fighting desperately on the Eastern Fr0nt by the early springof 1945 this Division had been reduced to a battle-group strength withonly its 20.Panzergrenadier-Regiment still operational. By April 1945the remnants under the command of General Kossmann went to formpart of the XXIV Panzer Corps 'Hartmann' from 1st Panzer Army underthe control of Heeresgruppe Mitte.Emblem: A large yellow capital letter 'F'. This emblem was inuse up to 1943. Fig 48Alternative After 1943 the Division used a white key as itsemblem: emblem. Fig 108

20.PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISIONComposition: 120.Panzer-Bataillon

90.Panzergrenadier-Regiment76.Panzergrenadier-Regiment20.Artillerie-Regiment (mot)120.Panzer-Aufklarungs -AbteiIun920.Panzer ;ager-Abteilung20.Panzer-Pionier-AbteiIun920.Panzer-Nachr;chten-Abtellun9

Home station: Hamburg, Wehrkreis X.History: As the 20.lnfanterie-Division (mot) this formation wasearmarked as part of Guderian's XVI Army Corps for the attack onPrague, Czechoslovakia, in 1938. It was used in the march into Polandin September 1939 and was then commanded by General Wiktonn andformed part of Guderian's XIX Army Corps (mot) from von Bock'sHeeresgruppe Nord.

Transferred to the West in 1940 it took part in the French campaign,still as a Motorised Infantry Division and still commanded by GeneralWiktonn when it formed part of XIV Army Corps (mot) 'vonWietershei m'.

In the spring of 1941 the Division, now commanded by GeneralmajorZorn, took part in Operation Barbarossa. It came under the commandof LVII Army Corps (mot) 'Kuntzen' from Heeresgruppe Mitte. In July

55

Fig SS

A side of a white dice cube showing 5 black spots.Fig 109

A staff car of 20.Panzer-Grenadier-Division gets a tow somewhere on the EasternFront, June 1943. It carries two divisional emblems plus a command pennant.

Registration plate has been painted out by wartime censors.

1941 it crossed the Dvi na river on the central front and was engagedin the fighting for Smolensk and took part in the subsequent captureof this town.

In the autumn of 1942 the 20.lnfanterie-Division (motorized) wasreclassified as a Panzergrenadier-Division.

In March 1944, commanded by General Jauer, the Division formedpart of the XXIV Panzer Corps 'Nehring' which was part of the 1stPanzer Army 'Hube'.

The winter of 1944 found the German Forces in the East being beatenback towards the frontiers of the German Reich. Command of theDivision had passed to Generalmajor Scholz and what remained of thisNorth German Division came under the control of General Weidling'sLVI Panzer Corps from General Raus's 3rd Panzer Army.

In March 1945 the survivors were ordered back to defend Berlin.General Scholtz committed suicide just before the move and by Aprilthey were situated on the Seelow Heights region east of Berlin. Herethe remnants of this badly mauled formation were engaged in the lastdays of the war in holding off the overwhelming Russian assaults onthe German capital.Emblem: A yellow stylized anchor.Alternativeemblem:

22.(LUFTLANDE) PANZE,RGRENADIER-DIVISIONC'omp,osition : 212.Panzer-Bataillon

16.Panzergrenadier-Regiment65.Panzergrenadier-Regiment22.Artillerie-Regiment (mot)122.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung22.Panzer jager-Abteilung22.Panzerpionier-Abteilung22.Panzernachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Oldenburg, Wehrkreis X.

56

General Kreipe, CommandingOf:icer of the 22(Luftlande)Panzer - Grenadier - Divisionstation on Crete. This photoW3S taken on his arrival in aBritish POW cam p after hisabductio:l {rom the Island of

Crete (IWM-E28484).

109

e ee

e e20.Pnnzer-Grenad ier-Div.

History: Stationed on the Westwall in 1939 as garrison troopsthis Infanterie-Division was employed in 1940 as Glider-borne troopstaking part in the German attack on the Belgium fortifications atEben-Emal.

In June 1941 the 22.lnfanterie-Division (mot) commanded by GeneralGraf Sponeck formed part of the 11th Army-Reserve from HeeresgruppeSud serving in the Crimea.

By July 1942 command of the Division had passed to General Wolffand it now formed part oJ LIV Army Corps 'Hansen' also fromHeeresgruppe Sud.

Towards the end of 1942 this Division to commemorate theirvictorious participntion in the French campaign as Airborne Troopsvvns honoured with the title '22. (LuftIJnde) PanzcrgrenCldier-Division',It was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and transferred to Crete.Under the command of General Kreipe-who was abducted by a Britishraiding party assisted by Crete partisans on April 13, 1944 and succeeded by Generalleutnant Friedrich Wilhelm Muller-the Divisionremained on Crete until the end of the war.E!'!lblem: . A red and white striped and chequered design ona shield. This emblem was based on the colours of the German Stateflag of Bremen.

60.PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISION 'FELDHER,RNHALLE'Comp,osition : 160.Panzer-Bataillon 'Feldherrnhalle'

120.Fiisilier-Regiment 'Feldherrnhalle'271.Panzergrenadier-Regiment 'Feldherrnhalle'160.Artillerie-Regiment (mot)160.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung160.Panzerjager-Abteilung160.Pionier-Abteilung160.Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Danzig, Wehrkreis XX.History: Originally formed as the 60.lnfanterie-Division whichincluded troops of the 'Heimwehr Danzig' and the SA Brigade'Eberhardt' (Gerrnan troops were smuggled into Danzig before theoutbreak of war to help form this Brigade). This Division took part inthe fighting for the Free City of Danzig, the Westerplatte and thesurrounding areas. It was in action in Russia by June 1941 as aMotorised Infantry Division, under the command of General Arenstorffwhen it formed part of OKH Reserve from Heeresgruppe SOd.

Sy July 1942 command of the Division had passed to Generalleutnant

57

Otto Kohlerr.1ann and it now formed part of von Mackensen's III PanzerCorps also from Heeresgruppe SOd. By the winter of 1942 this Divisionwas encircled and trapped by the Russians at Stalingrad. It was finallydestroyed in January 1943 when, under the command of its old CO,General Arenstorff it went to form part of XIV Panzer Corps 'Hube'.

In the spring of 1943 a new division was formed in France to replacethe one destroyed in Russia. The 271.lnfanterie-Regiment from the93.lnfanterie-Division was exchanged for the Division's old 92.lnfanterieRegiment (mot) when this unit was set up as an independent regiment.This 'new division' because it was formed around the 271.lnfanterieRegiment 'Feldherrnhalle' which in the main consisted of troops whohad been members of the SA (Sturmabteilung) was given the honorarytitle of '60.Panzergrenadier-Division "Feldherrnhalle" '.

The 'new' Division was transferred to the East and continued onactive service in Central Russia. By April 1945 the Division, commandedby General Pape formed part of General Kleeman's Panzer Corps'Feldherrnhalle' from Heeresgruppe SOd.E!~blern : Two yellow crosses, arms of equal length, one crossdirectly above the other. Fig 56Alternative These two yellow crosses were sometimes shown onemblem: a white shield. Fig 57

The yellow crosses were adapted from the coat-of-arms of the FreeCity of Danzig.

90.PANZERGRENADIER-DIVISIONComposition: 190.Panzer-Bataillon

155.Panzergrenadier-Regiment200.Panzergrenadier-Regiment361.Panzergrenadier-Regiment190.Artillerie-Regiment (mot)190.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilun9190.Punzerjager-Abteilung190.Pi 0 nier-AbteiIun9190.Nachrichten-Abteilung242.SturmgeschOtzc-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis 11/.History: Originally formed as 'Afrika Division z.b.V.' ('AfricaDivision for special purposes') from independent units in Africa thisDivision was reoi'ganized and renamed '90.Leicht Division' (90th LightDivision) in March 1941 and renamed '90.Leicht Afrika' shortly afterwards. This Division was subsequently destroyed in Tunis.

The commanding officers of the 90.Leicht-Division in North Africawere Generals Surnmermann, Veith, Kleemann, Lungershausen and GrafSponeck. It is interesting to note that the 361.lnfanterie-Regiment fromthe 90.Leicht-Division was formed from Germans who had served inthe French Foreign Legion.

In late 1943 survivors from the 90th Light had been evacuated toSardinia where they, along with 'Division-Sardinien'-a German Divisionconsisting of miscellaneous units stationed on the Mediterranean islandof Sardinia-were used to establish a new formation with the title'90.Panzergrenadier-Division'. It was commanded by Gcneralleutnant

58

A destroyed pz Kp:w IV tank from the 190.Panzer-battalion of the 90.Panzergrencdier·Division is inspected by an Allied soldier. Italy, 1944. Note the 'Map of Sardinia'

Divisional emblem (IWM-NA 10435).

Carl Hans Lungerhausen and after its formation it was sent to Corsicaand then on to Italy.

At the time of the Nettuno Landings and the Anzio bridgeheadfighting, the 90.Panzergrenadier-Division formed part of the HeeresgruppeReserve positioned behind the Cassino Front.

At the time of the second battle of Cassino in January 1944 commandof the Division passed to General Baade, a veteran of North Africa famewho was a holder of the Knight's Cross with Oak-leaves. General Baadecontinued as Divisional commander right up to May 1945 when tragicallyhe was severely injured in a bombing raid whilst on his way to hisestate in Germany and died on the very last day of the war.Emblem: The emblem chosen by the 90.PanzergrenadierDivision showed a bayonet of varying colours, according to branch ofservice, laid across a white map of Sardinia. Fig 81

This emblem was chosen to commemorate the place where theDivision was re-formed after its destruction in Tunis.

1.PANZER-DIVISIONComposition:

Home station :

1.Panzer-Regiment1.Panzergrenadier-Regiment113.Panzergrenadier-Regiment1.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung37 .Panzer jager-Abteilung73.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment37.Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung37 .Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung299.Heeresflak-AbteilungWeimDr, Wehrkreis IX.

59

Sd J(fz 251 armoured hal/-track vehicle forges across a river somewliere in the East,June 1941. Note the 'white oakleaf' emblem of 1.Panzer-Division (IVJM).

History: Formed on October 15, 1935 at Weimar and commanded by General Frieher von Weichs, by 1937 the Division wascommanded by Generalmajor Rudolf Schmidt. In 1938 the 1.PanzerDivision was earmarked as part of Guderian's XVI Army Corps for theproposed attack on Prague.

At the time of the Polish campaign of September-October 1939 theDivision, commanding officer now General Reinhardt, was part ofXVI Army Corps under General Hoepner, which in turn was part ofGeneraloberst von Reichenau's 10th Army under the direct control ofvon Rundstedt's Heeresgruppe SUd. The Division took part in theGerman invasion of Poland when it attacked from Schleisen into Polandeast of Lodz towards Warsaw.

By 1940 the command of the Division had passed to GeneralKirchner and at the time of the French campaign in October 1940 the1.Panzer-Division formed part of Guderian's XIX Panzer Corps, underthe joint control of von Kleist's Panzer Army and General List's ArmyCommand. The Division attacked west from Germany acrossLuxembourg and southern Belgium into France right up to Dunkirk.

By the summer of 1941 the Division was serving on the RussianFront still under the command of General Kirchner and now formed partof General Reinhardt's XXXXI (mot) Corps which in turn was part ofGeneral Emil Leeb's Heeresgruppe Nord.

In the spring of 1943 the Division was withdrawn rapidly from theRussian -front and moved to Greece where it was stationed for rest andrefitting before being flung back during the summer of 1943 into thefighting on the Eastern Front. During November and December 1943under the command of Generalleutnant Eugen Walther Kruger theDivision was engaged in the Kiev Salient fighting as part of theXXXXVIII Panzer Corps.

By March 1944 command of the Division had changed once more toGeneral Marcks and the Division was now part of III Panzer Corps'Breith' under the control of 1st Panzer Army 'Hube' fighting in thenorth Ukraine.

60

By April 1945 this once proud Panzer Division had been reduceddue to heavy losses in troops and vehicles to Kampfgruppe (battlegroup) strength. It was part of the 4.SS Panzer Corps 'Gille' of ArmyOberkommand 6 'Fretter-Pico' part of Heeresgruppe Sud.Emblem: This Division had three emblems in use at varyingtimes. A single yellow 'X' was in use in 1940. F'ig 58

An inverted yellow letter 'y' was in use from 1941 to 1945, and anemblem also in use from 1940 to 1945 showed a single upright white03k-leaf. Fig 59, Fig 27

3.PANZER-DIVISIONComposition: 6.Panzer-Regiment

3.Panzergrenadier-Regiment394.Panzergrenadier-Regiment75.Panzer-ArtilIerie-Regiment3.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung39.Panzer jager-Abteilung39.Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung39.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Berlin; Wehrkreis 11/.History: Formed in Berlin on October 15, 1935 and under thecommand of General Fessman this Division took part in the AustrianAnschluss and later the German invasion of Poland.

During the 1939 Polish campaign the Division was commanded byGeneral Frhr Geyr von Schweppenberg and was part of Guderian'sXIX Army Corps which was part of von Kluge's 4th Army from vonBock's Heeresgruppe Nord. The Division, along with the 2.MotorizedInfantry Division and the 20.lnfantry Division (mot), attacked fromPommern into Poland to Thorn, then moved on to Warsaw.

In the spring of 1940 command of this Division passed to GeneralStumpf and at the time at the German attack on France the Divisionformed part of General Hoepner's XVI (mot) Army Corps under vonReichenau's 6th Army, part of General von Bock's Heeresgruppe 'B'.This Panzer Division saw service in the 1940 French/Low Countriescampaign in their attack across the Albert Canal and south of Brussels.

Transferred to Russia in the summer of 1941 and commanded byGeneralleutnant Model, the 3.Panzer-Division formed part of GeneralGeyr von Schweppenberg's XXIV (mot) Army Corps, which was partof Guderian's 2nd Panzer Army from von Bock's Heeresgruppe Mitte.The Division took part in the Bialystock-Minsk Pocket battle and inJune and July 1941 in the Dnieper River crossing.

By July 1942 the Division was commanded by General Breith andit went to form part of the German 6th Army under Paulus part ofXXXX Panzer Corps 'Geyr von Schweppenberg'.

The 'Zitadelle' campaign of July 1943 saw yet another change ofDivisional Commander this time General Westhaven. The Division wasnow part of the XXXXVIII Panzer Corps commanded by General vonKnobesdorf which in turn formed part of Hath's 4th Panzer Army

.coming under the control of von Manstein's Heeresgruppe SOd.In February 1944 the Division was fighting on the Dnieper Bend in

the Ukraine and later in the year it was moved west to France wherein December 1944, at the time of the German Ardennes Offensive, and

61

Sd Kfz 250/3 half-track (rom the 3.Panzer-Division on the Kuban Steppes. Note theaddition of the traditional 'Berlin Bear' shield as well as the official panzer

emblem for this division (Euro-Foto).

under the commend of General Denkert it formed part of the OKWReserve Westfront.

By April 1945 this Panzer Division had been reduced to the statusof a 'Kampfgruppe' (Battle-group) and commanded by General Sothit went to form part of the 4.SS Panzer Corps 'Gille' from the German6th Army 'Fretter-Pico'.Emblem: This Panzer Division used two Divisional emblems atdifferent times. Up to the year 1940 it bore a yellow runic emblem,a yr-rune within a kreis (circle). Fig 60

In 1941 the emblem was changed to show an inverted letter 'y' withtwo small digits all in yellow. This emblem was in use for the restof the war. Fig 64

!n addition to this last emblem this Division adopted the practice ofdisplaying a white shield with the black Berlin Bear emblem alongsidethe 1941-45 emblem. Because of this additional device recalling the factthat the Division had been formed in Berlin t:,is Panzer Division wasoften referred to as the 'Bear Division'-the 'Baren Division'. Fig 83

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe author and artist would like to thank the following individuals

for assistance with pictures and information in the preparation ofthjs book:

Peter Chamberlain, Howard Davies, James Lucas, David Nash,Les Roker, Terry Spencer, and Hugh Page Taylor.

In addition, grateful thanks are tendered to the staff of the ImperialWar Museum, London, for research facilities.

62


4.Panzergrenadier-Regiment114.Panzergrenadier-Regiment76.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment6.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung41.Panzerjager-Abteilung57.Panzer-Pionicr-AbteilungB2.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung298.Heeresflak-Abteilung

Home station: Wuppertal, Wehrkreis VI.

History: Originally formed as the 1.Light Division this formationwas converted in the winter of 1939-40 to become the 6.Panzer-Division.This new Panzer Division saw service in France during the 1940 Frenchcampaign under the command of General Kempff when it formed partof General Reinhardt's XXXXI (mot) Army Corps which formed partof General List's Army and General von Kleist's Panzer Army, all ofwhich came under the control of von Rundstedt's Heeresgruppe 'A'.

The Division was stationed in the West until the spring of 1941 whenafter having been re-equipped and brought up to strength it was movedEast and took part in 'Operation Barbarossa'. Commanded by GeneralLandgraf the Division formed part of General Reinhardt's XXXXI (mot)Army Corps from the 4th Panzer Army 'Hoepner' under the control ofGeneral von Leeb's Heeresgruppe Nord.

In December 1942 the Division now under the command of GeneralRaus was on Reserve as part of General Hath's relieving force forStalingrad, part of General Kirchner's LV/I Panzer Corps. After manyweeks of bitter and desperate fighting trying to reach Stalingrad andbreak the iron ring of Russian forces encircling the doomed 6th Armythey were eventually stopped at Bolwassiljewka unable to penetrateany further.

On February 2nd 1943 the very last Germans holding out in thepulverised city of Stalingrad were finally overwhelmed and the 6th Armyceased to exist. Out of a total of 330,000 troops encircled sinceNovember 1942, 200,000 German and Rumanian troops of all rankshad been killed between November 1942 and February 2nd, 1943.24 Generals, including a Field-Marshal-von Paulus-had been capturedin addition to 2,500 other officers and 91,000 troops being takenprisoner. 22 German Divisions were completely destroyed with a lossof 1,550 tanks, 480 armoured-cars, 8,000 guns and mortars, 61,000trucks, 235 munition dumps and vast quantities of other equipment.The German Luftwaffe lost in excess of 750 planes over Stalingrad.

After its failure to reach Stalingrad this Division was withdrawnbriefly from the Russian Front during the spring of 1943 and movedback to France for rest and refitting. It was transferred again to Russiawhere the Division was engaged in the 'Zitadelle' fighting during thesummer months of 1943. The Division was now commanded by Generalvon Hunersdorf and it was part of /II Panzer Corps 'Breith' from GeneralKempff's Army under the control of von rv1anstein's Heeresgruppe SOd.

By March 1944 General Denkert had taken over as DivisionalCommander and the formation went to make up part of LIX Panzer

63

Corps commanded by General von d.Chevallerie being part of 1st PanzerArmy 'Hube'.

In April 1945 still serving on the Eastern Front the Division formedpart of the 2.SS Panzer Corps 'Bittrich' from 6th Panzer Army 'Dietrich'.Its last Divisional Commander was General von Walldenfels.Emblem: In common with other Panzer formations formedbefore 1941 this Division had two emblems in use at different times.

Up to the year 1940 the emblem being used by the 6.Panzer-Divisionwas an inverted yellow letter 'V' with two solid yellow dots positionedat the base of the 'V' to the right. Fig 65

From 1941 to 1945 the emblem was changed to show two yellowcrosses positioned side by side. Fig 66

11.PANZER-DIVISIONC'omp,ositio,n: 15.Panzer-Regiment

110.Panzergrenadier-Regiment111.Panzergrenadier-Regiment119.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment11.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung61.Panzer jager-Abteilung209.Panzer-Pionier~Abteilung

341.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung277.Heeresflak-Abteilun9

Home station: Gorlitz, Wehrkreis VII/.History: The origin of this Panzer Division goes back to thewinter of 1940 when it was formed in France from the German11.Schutzen-Brigade. This Rifle Brigade had taken part in the Frenchcampaign and was converted into the 11.Panzer-Division.

In the spring of 1941 this new Panzer formation was moved east tothe Balkans where in April of that year under the command of GeneralCruwell it went to form part of the XIV t\rmy Corps (mot) underGeneral von Wietershein. Two months later In June 1941 the Divisiontook part in the attack on Russia when it formed part of XXXXVIIIArmy Corps 'Kempf' from Heeresgruppe SUd.

A year' later in July 1942 command of the Division had been givento General Scheller and it was now part of the XXIV Panzer Corps'Wandel' from Heeresgruppe SUd. By December 1942 it was engagedin the fighting on the Chir River and commanded by General Balck itformed part of XXXXVIII Panzer Corps 'Heim'.

In July 1943 the Division took part in the massive tank battles in theKursk Salient-'Operation Zittadelle' when, under yet another commander General Mickl und Balek, it went to make up part of theXXXXVIII Panzer Corps now commanded by General von Knobelsdorff.

In March 1944 with yet another change of Divisional Commander nowGeneral von Wietersheim it was part of III Panzer Corps 'Breith' whichformed part of the 1st Panzer Army 'Hube'. The Division was withdrawnfrom the Eastern Front in the spring of 1944 and moved back to Francewhere it was stationed in the Bordeaux area. In May 1944 it absorbedthe 273.Reserve Panzer-Division and in June was engaged in the battlesfollowing the Allied landings at Normandy. At this time, still commanded by General von Wietersheim it came under the control ofLVIII Panzer Corps 'Kruger'.

64

LEFT: 11.Panzer-Division, the ' GhostDivision'. Somewhere on the RussianFront this crew member takes timeout for rest and relaxation. The PzK pfwIV displays the divisional sign on both

the hull and stowage box.

ABOVE, RIGHT: Another close-up of the 'Ghost' emblem. It is interesting to notethat this example has been stencilled in the opposite direction to the emblems

shown above.

The Division was used in the Ardennes Offensive with its complementof tanks reduced to 69 and it continued in action in the West right upto the end of the war.Emblem: The emblem used by the 11.Panzer Division was astencilled animated pictorial representation of a white ghost with whiteshroud and headdress blowing in the wind and a sword clenched inits fist raised above its skull-like face. At the heels of this ghostlyfigure appears a stencilled version of a tank. Because of this emblemthis formation was known and referred to as the 'Gespanster-Division'-the 'Ghost-Division'. Fig 110Alternative An emblem known to have been used by this Divisionemblem: from 1941 to 1945 in addition to the 'ghost' emblemwas a yellow circle with a single yellow upright line running fromtop to bottom inside the circle. Fig 70

110 111

11.Panzer-Division

65

Afrika Korpsj21 Panzer-Div.

Comp.osition:

Home station:History:


64.Panzergrenadier-Regiment79.Panzergrenadier-Regiment16.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment16.Panzer-Autklarungs-Abteilung16.Panzer jager-Abteilung16.Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung16.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: MOnster, Wehrkreis VI.History: Formed as the 16.lnfanterie-Division, this formationwas converted towards the end of the summer of 1940 to a 'PanzerDivision'. It was then sent to the Balkans where it served until June1941 wRen it was moved east to the Russian Front. At this time theDivision was commanded by General Hube and it formed part of GeneralKleist's 1 Panzer Group from Heeresgruppe SUd./ B July 1942, commanded by General von Angern, it was part of

'\10 Mackensen's III Panzer Corps also from Heeresgruppe SUd.However, in November 1942 when it formed part of General Hube'sXIV Panzer Corps, it was trapped in the Stalingrad Pocket and finallysurrendered to the Russians on January 13, 1943.

A new Panzer Division was formed in France in the Spring of 1943and designated 16.Panzer-Division. It was sent to Italy in the summerof 1943 where it served as part of LXXVI Panzer Corps. It wascommanded at this time by General Sieckenius.

In the winter of 1943 it was transferred once again, this time backto the Eastern Front, where it continued in active service right up tothe end of the war. In March 1944 the Division, now commanded byGeneral Back, went to form part of III Panzer Corps 'Breith', part of1st Panzer Army 'Hube'.

By April 1945 the Division, once more under a new divisional general,Generalmajor Dietrich von Muller, commander since the summer of1944, formed part of LIX Army Corps from 1st Panzer Army 'Nehring'.E'mblem : Before the destruction of this Division at Stalingradin January 1943 the emblem used was a yellow runic sign - a largeletter 'V' with a horizontal bar across the bottom stroke of the letter.

After Stalingrad this emblem appeared on a yellow edged blackshield. Fig 71, 72

21.PANZER-DIVISIO·N5.Panzer-Regiment125.Panzergrenadier-Regiment192.Panzergrenadier-Regiment155.Panzer-ArtiIIerie -Regiment21.Panzer-Autklarungs-Abteilung39.Panzer jager-Abteilung220.Panzer-pionier-Abteilung200.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilun9305.Heeresflak-AbteilungBerlin, Wehrkreis III.Formed originally as the 5.Light-Division in January

66

A captured Sd Kfz 251 half-track displaying on the front left wing two clear examplesof the 21.Panzer-Division 'D' emblem and the Afrika Korps Palm Tree sign. These

latter are also carried on the bonnet sides (IWM).

1941 after the French campaign from units of the 3.Panzer-Division,it was sent to North Africa three months later where in late October1941 it was renamed 21.Panzer-Division.

Its first Divisional Commander in North Africa was Generalmajorvon Ravenstein, who was captured on November 29, 1941, and wassucceeded by Generalmajor von Bismarck. Other divisional commanding officers of the 21.Panzer-Division in North Africa were Generalsvon Randow, Hilderbrandt and von HUlsen. In May 1943 the Divisionwas destroyed in Tunis.

A new 21.Panzer-Division was formed in Normandy in the springof 1944. It had a complement of 150 tanks, 60 assault and self-propelledguns and 300 armoured personnel carriers, and was under the commandof Generalleutnant 'Feuchtinger. It was heavily engaged in the Caenarea during the Normandy fighting of Jun 1944 when it formed partof LVIII Army Corps 'Kruger'.

In the last remaining months of the wal/ this Division was disengagedfrom the Western Front and rushed east in an attempt to stem theRussian advance on Germany.

In April 1945, commanded by General Marcks, it formed part ofXXXXVIII Panzer Corps from the OKH Reserve under the control ofHeeresgruppe Mitte.E'mblem: The sign allotted to this Panzer Division was anemblem in yellow looking rather like a rounded letter 'D' but with theaddition of a line across the middle of the letter. Fig 76

Throughout its service in North Africa the 21.Panzer-Division usedan extra emblem - the 'Afrika Korps' sign - displayed in conjunctionwith its official divisional sign. This showed a white palm tree whichhad a 'mobile' swastika positioned across the centre of the palm treetrunk.* Fig 111

*The Afrika Korps sign was also carried en the vehicles of other units withinthis famous fighting formation.

67

Comp.osition :

Sd Kfz 251 half-track escorted by motor-cycles moves forward on the Russian Front.Note the 'Eiffel Tower' emblem used together with the official 23.Panzer-Division

,arrow' emblem.

23.PANZER-DIVISION201.Panzer-Regiment126.Panzergrenadier-Regiment128.Panzergrenadier-Regiment128.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment23.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung128.Panzerjager-Abteilung128.Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung128.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung278.Heeresflak-AbteiIun9

Home station: Wehrkreis V.History: Formed in France in Octo er 1941 the 23.Panzer-Division was moved to Russia in the early aut,.. nn of 1942 after havingbeen stationed in France for almost a year carrying out occupationalduties. On its arrival at the front, the Division, commanded by GeneralCount von Boineburg-Lengsfeld, was flung into the atwnpt to relievethe encircled 6th Army at Stalingrad. The Division was very short ofequipment and the relief effort failed. The 23.Panzer-Division, alongwith the 17.Panzer-Division, in order not to be drawn into the 'cauldron'were forced to fight their way westwards back from Stalingrad to theDon.

In July 1943 the Division, now commanded by General Mack, formedpart of General Geyr von Schweppenberg's XXXX Panzer Corps fromHeeresgruppe Sud, and by April 1945 it went to form part of theGerman 1.Cavalry Corps 'Harteneck' from the 2nd Panzer Army. TheThe 23rd's last divisional commander was General von Radowitz.

68

Emblem: This Division used from 1941 to 1945 a yellow arrowemblem with its point set at 2 o'clock and with a single bar at rightangles across the tai I of the arrow. F'ig 77

In addition to this 'arrow' emblem the Panzer Division, to commemorate the fact that they had been raised and had served in France,displayed a white representation of the Eiffel Tower. This 'tower'emblem was often used together with the 'arrow' sign. Fig 112

24.PANZER-DIVISIOINComposition: 24.Panzer-Regiment

21.Panzergrenadier-Regiment26.Panzergrenadier-Regiment89.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment24.Panzer-Autklarungs-Abteilung40.Panzer jager-Abteilung40.Panzer-Pionier-Abteilun986.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung

H,ome station: Wehrkreis I.History: In France in January 1942 the German 1.Kavallerie-Division was converted into the 24.Panzer-Division. This was the onlycavalry division in the Wehrmacht to be re-equipped as a panzerdivision. The operational history of the 1.Kavallerie-Division goes backto the time of the 1939 Polish campaign when this unit, as a CavalryBrigade, together with Panzer-Verband Ost Preussen, attacked southinto Poland from East Prussia around the Lonza area. This attackcontinued down to Brest-Litowsk, where the German forces met upwith their Russian 'allies'. At this time the Cavalry Brigade was underthe command of General Feldt and it formed part of Army Corps'Wodrig' from von Kuchler's 3rd Army under the control of Generalvon Bock's Heeresgruppe Nord.

By the Spring of 1940 the Cavalry Brigade had been raised todivisional strength and in May of 1940 the 1.Kavallerie-Division tookpart in the attack west from Germany into Holland and on to Rotterdam.At this time the Division went to form part of XXXXIX (mot) ArmyCorps 'Schmidt' from von Kuchler's 18th Army under the control ofvon Bock's Heeres r......Dm~

Commanded b I Feldt the Division was moved to the Eastand in June 19 part in the German invasion of Russia. It wasengaged in the r .S5 of the Dnieper River and the attack on andcapture of smo ensk. At this time it formed part of XXIV Army Corps(mot) 'Geyr S-c weppenburg' from Heeresgruppe Mitte.

It continue f ting in Russia until the Winter of 1941, when theCavalry Division was withdrawn from the Eastern Front and movedback to France, where in January 1942 it was converted into a PanzerDivision and subsequently sent back to Russia.

By November 1942 command of this Division had passed to Generalvon Lenski and it formed part of XIV Panzer Corps 'Hube', part of theGerman 6th Army fighting in Stalingrad. In January 1943, having beenencircled in the Stalingrad Pocket and after many weeks of desperatefighting, this Panzer Division, along with all the other Axis forces, wasfinally overwhelmed and destroyed.

69

Vehicles from the 1st Cavalry Division (jumping horse emblem) move past membersof the RAD (Reichsarbeitsd ienst-the German Labour Service) in Russia, Sept 1942

(Euro-Foto) .

A new Panzer-Division was formed, again in France in the earlySpring of 1943, and it was sent first to North Italy for a brief periodin the late Spring of 1943 and then moved to the Russian Front, whereat the end of July 1943 it took part in 'Operation Zitadelle'. At thattime the Division was commanded by General-major von Edelsheimand it formed part of General Lemelsen's XXXXVII Panzer Corps whichin turn was part of Model's 9th Army, coming under the control ofvon Kluge's Heeresgruppe Mitte.

The Division continued to serve on the Eastern Front right up to theend of the war and in April 1945 its last commanding officer wasGeneral von Nostitz, when the formation went to make up part of ArmyCorps 'East Prussia'.E'mblem: Both the 1.Kavallerie-Division and the 24.PanzerDivision used the same Divisional emblem. A gold-yellow horse andrider leaping over a fence all within a near complete gold-yellow circle.

This emblem originated before the war with General Baade (laterto become in January 1944 commander of the 90.PanzergrenadierDivision) and was used by Cavalry Regiment 3. It was retained as anemblem when the Cavalry troops became the 24.Panzer-Division duringthe Wi nter of 1941-42. Fig 78Alternative Sometimes used in place of the 'horse and rider'emblem: emblem was a much simplified version all in goldyellow. Fig 82

25.PANZER-DIVISIONC·omp,osition: 9.Panzer-Regiment

146.Panzergrenadier-Regiment147.Panzergrenadier-Regiment91.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment25.Panzer-Autklarungs-Abteilung87 .Panzerjager-Abteilung87.Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung87 .Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis VI.

70

History: This Division was formed in Norway during 1942 butw.as below normal strength. Transferred to France in 1943 thesedeficiencies were remedied and the Division brought up to strengthwith a full complement of troops and vehicles.

In March 1943 General Trager took over as Divisional Commanderand the Division went to form part of General Nehring's XXIV PanzerCorps from 1st Panzer Army 'Hube'. The Division was moved East inOctober 1943 under the command of Generalleutnant Adolf Schell,where they were in action in Southern Russia from October 1943 tothe end of the war.Emblem: A red shield divided into two halves by a thick blackbar. Top half of the shield displayed three yellow five-pointed stars,the bottom half a yellow crescent moon. Fig 102

116.PANZER-DIVISIONComp.osition : 16.Panzer-Regiment

60.Panzergrenadier-Regiment156.Panzergrenadier-Regiment146.Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment116.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung228.Panzerjager-Abteilung675.Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung228.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung281.Heeresflak-Abteilung936.Sturmgeschutz-Brigade

Home station: Wehrkreis VI.History: Although this Panzer-Division was formed in Francein the early Spring of 1944 from the 16.Panzergrenadier-Division andthe 179.Reserve-Panzer-Division its original forerunner was the16.lnfanterie-Division (mot).

This motorised Infantry Division was in operation in the Balkansduring the early part of 1941 when, commanded by General Heinrici,it went to form part of XXXXVI Panzer Corps 'von Veitinghof'. In June1941 the Division was switched to the Russian Front where it waspart of II I Panzer Corps 'von Mackensen' part of Heeresgruppe SUd.

On September 13, 1942 the 16.lnfantrie-Division (mot) was orderedto cover a vast wilderness of 350 square miles stretching from southof Stalingrad to the Terek River. The reconnaissance units (AufklarungsAbteilung) from this Division reached within 20 miles of Astrakhan,the furthest point east any German unit had reached in Russia. Towardsthe end of 1942 this motorised Infantry Division was upgraded to a'Panzergrenadier-Division' and it continued in action in Southern Russia.

Early in 1944 the 116.Panzer-Division was formed from the amalgamation of the 16.Panzergrenadier-Division and the 179.Reserve-PanzerDivision and by June 1944, under the command of General GrafSchwerin it formed part of General Kruger's LVIII Panzer Corps fromvon Geyr/Eberbach's Army Group which formed part of von Rundstedt'sOberbefehlshaber West. At the time of the Normandy Landings theDivision was stationed just north of Paris.

Used during the German Ardennes Offensive of December 1944 the116.Panzer-Division was commanded by General von Waldenburg andformed part of Kruger's LVIII Panzer Corps which came under the

71

RIGHT: Wreckage of a 116.-PanzerDivision staff-car which wasdestroyed by shelHire at a crossroads near Mortain, France, 1944.Note the 'leaping greyhound'emblem on the left hand rear sideof the car just above the artillerytactical emblem (IWM-EA33464).

OPPOSITE PAGE: A pz Kpfw IVtank from the Panzer-Lehr-Divisionmoves forward during the Battlefor Normandy. The 'L' Divisionalemblem can be clearly seen

(Euro-Foto) .

control of von Manteufell's 5th Panzer Army, part of Army Group 'B'(Heeresgruppe 'B') commanded by Ganeral Model.E'mblem: A greyhound leaping over a strip of three bushesall inside an oval border. This division was sometimes referred to asthe 'Windhund-Division' after its emblem. Fig 103

130.PANZER-LEHR-DIVISIO,NC'omp.osition: 103.Panzer-Lehr-Regiment

901.Panzergrenadier-Lehr-Regiment902.Panzergrenadier-Lehr-Regiment130.Panzer-Aufklarungs-Lehr-AbteiIun9130.Panzer-Artillerie-Lehr-Regiment130.Panzer jager-Lehr-Abteilung130,Panzer-Pi0 nier-Lehr-Batailion13.Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung311.Heeresflak-Abteilung

Home station: Wehrkreis III.History: Under the command of Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerleinthis Division was formed during the winter of 1943-44 in France fromDemonstration Units of Panzer Training Schools. It W3S speciallyequipped for an anti-invasion role and by June 1944 it was the mostpowerfully equipped Panzer-Division in the Wehrmacht, with 190 tanks,40 assault guns and 612 half-tracked vehicles, double the normalcomplement.

At the time of the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944, theDivision was stationed in France in the Le Mans area. It formed partof LV III Panzer Corps 'Kruger' formi ng part of von Geyr jEberbach ArmyGroup from von Rundstedt's OBWest.

The Division suffered very heavy losses during the Normandy fighting.By June 25, 1944 its complement of tanks had been reduced to 66and on July 23 only 50 tanks and SturmeschOtz were left out of anoriginal total of 230 Armoured Fighting Vehicles.

The Division was rebuilt by mid-November 1944 with a strengthening

72

of 72 newArdennes in

Emblem:for 'Lehr/.

Alternativeemblem:

tanks and at the time of the German offensive in theDecember 1944 the Division was held as Army Reserve.

A white letter 'L' in handwritten style, the 'L' standingFig 113

The same emblem but set inside a white outlinedparallelogram. Fig 114

112 113 114

23. Panzer-Division 130. Pan zer -Lehr -D ivis ion

73

Appendices

Appendix 1: Code names forGerman military operations,1939-45

ACHSEALARIC.HALPENVEILCHENANTON

ATTILAA'UGSBURGBARBAROSS,ABLAUFUCHSBLUCHER

BRAUNSCHWEIG

DANZIG

EDELWEISSELBEFELIXFEUERZAUBERFISC.HZEIHE'RFRITZ

GELB

G'Ru,NHARTMUTHIMMLER

ILONAISABELLA

JOLKAKRIEMHILD

LACHSFANG

MARITA

(Axis) Occupation of Italy, 1943.(Alaric) Earlier version of 'Achse.'(Alpine Violet) Intervention in Albania, 1941.Another code-name used for operation 'Atilla',1942.Occupation of 'un-occupied' France, 1940-1942.Delay of offensive in the West, November, 1939.Attack on Russia, 1941.(Blue Fox) Operation in Finland.Attack from the Crimea on the Caucasus byHeeresgruppe SUd - Army Group South, 1942.(Brunswick) Attack on Caucasus by ArmyGroup South - Heeresgruppe SUd, 1942.Proceed with offensive in the West, November1939.Attack on Baku, 1942.Earlier version of 'Augsburg'.Attack on Gibraltar, 1940-41.(Fire Magic) Earlier version of 'Nordlicht'.(Heron) Attack on Stalingrad, 1942.Attack against Russia, later re-named'Barbarossa' .(Yellow) Attack in the West, 1939. Occupationof the Netherlands.(Green) Attack on Czecholsovakia, 1938.Invasion of Denmark and Norway, 1940.Border incident, the attack on Gleiwitz RadioStation, Poland, 1939.Attack on Spain.Invasion and occupation of Portugal throughSpain, an earlier version of 'Ilona', 1941.Occupation of Switzerland.Kriemhild Movement. Retreat from KubanBridgehead.(Sal mon trap) Seizure of M urmansk Rai Iway,1942.Attack on Greece, 1941.

74

MERKURN'ORDLICHTOLDENBUR'GOTTOPROJEKT 25ROTREINDEE'RSCHAMILRHEINSCHULUNGSEELoWESILBERFUCHSSONNENBLUMETAIFU,NTANNENBAUMWEISSWESEROBUNG

WESEROBUNG NORDWESEROSUNG SOD

WIESENG'RUND

ZITADELLE

(Mercury) Seizure of Crete, 1941.(Northern Light) Capture of Leningrad, 1942.'Barbarossa'/'0 Idenburg'.Invasion of Austria.Greece.(Red) Operations in the West.Operations in Finland.Parachute attack on Maykop, 1942.(Rhine) Earlier version of 'Danzig'.Training for the Rhineland Occupation.(Sea Lion) Invasion of England, 1940.(Silver Fox) Operations in Finland.(Sunflower) Expedition to Tripoli, 1941.(Typhoon) Attack on Moscow, 1941.(Christmastree) Occupation of Switzerland.(White) Attack on Poland, 1939.(Weser Exercise) Invasion of Denmark andNorway, 1940.(Weser Exercise North) Occupation of Norway.(Weser Exercise South) Occupation ofDenmark.(Meadowland) Seizure of Fisherman'sPeninsula in the Artic Ocean.(Citadelle) Fighting in the Kursk Salient,Russia, 1943.

General,'eldmarscha/l List, Commander-in-Chief in the Balkans, talking with troopsfrom the 4.Gebirgsjager-Division. Note the mountain troops' sleeve badge (Euro-Foto).

75

Appendix 2: Glossary of terms

LVF

OSTLEGION

HEI,M'WEHR DANZIGLEHR-DIVISION

NAMED MILITARY AND PARA-MI,LITARY FORMATIO~NS

'FELDHERRNHALLE' Historic building in Munich, revered by theNazis for its symbolic significance in theabortive Putsch of November 9, 1923. An elitecontingent of SA men was formed as a GuardStandarte and a Demonstration Unit which borethe title 'Feldherrnhalle'. This title was continuedin use by the 271.lnfantry Regiment which waslater expanded to become the 60.PanzerGrenadier-Division 'Fernherrnhalle' (see 73.lnfDiv and 60.Pz-Gren-Div).

FESTUNG-GRENADIER Fortress-Grenadier-Regiment. A static fortressREGT infantry regiment.FUSILIER-REGIMENT An honorary name for certain Infantry

Regiments which carried on the traditions of'FUsilier-Regimenter' of the old Imperial Army.There was no difference in organization fromGrenadier-Regi ments.

GRENZKOMMAND,O Frontier-Command Unit.'GROSSDEUTSCHLAND' 'Greater-Germany' a title given to the elite

German Army formation.Danzig home defence Army.Instruction and Demonstration Division (see130.Panzer-Lehr-Division) .Air-Landing, Glider-borne troops, refers to the22 (Luftlande) Panzergrenadier-Division.Legion des Volontaires Franc;ais contreI'Bolshevism. French Volunteer Legion, alsodesignated as the 638.lnfantry-Regiment (see17.lnfantry-Division) .Legions or Units of troops organized fromamongst 'volunteers' from the East, see162.lnfantry-Division.

PANZER-VERBANOcOST-PREUSSEN'SASA BRI'GADE'EBERHARDT'STURMDIVISIONVOLKS-GRENADIERDIVISION

VOLKSSTRUMDIVISIONGoTZ vonBERLICHINGEN

Armoured Formation 'East-Prussia'.Sturmabteilung, Storm-Battalion, Brown-Shirts.

Danzig SA Formation.Assault-Division, a honorary title.Peoples-Grenadier-Division. Army Division madeup from any available military manpower whichincluded many various types of formations.Organized late in the war.A Division formed from members of the GermanVolkssturm, the German 'Home Guard'.A Medieval German national hero who wore amailed fist in place of his amputated hand, see78.Sturmdivision.

76

OKH

OKW

WEHRKREISOBERBEFEHLSHABERHEERESGRUPPENO'RDMITTESuO

LEICHT-DIVISIONNACHRICHTENPANZERPANZERJAGERPIONIERSTOSSSTRUPPESTURMGESCHUTZ

ARTILLERIEAUFKLARUNGSBATAILLONFALLSCHI1RMJAGERGEBIRGSJAGERHEERESFLAKJAGER-DIVISIONKAMPFGRUPPE

MI,LITARY ORGANIZATIONS'WEHR-MACHT German Armed Forces, including Army (Heer),

Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air-Force).Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. High Commandof the (German) Armed Forces.Oberkommando des Heeres. High Command ofthe (German) Army.German Military District.High Command, Supreme Commander in Chief.Army Group, a grouping of Armies.North.Centre.South.

MILITARY FORMATIONSABTEILUNG A battalion or a detachment up to battalion

strength.Artillery.Reconnaissance.Battalion.Parachute troops.Mountain troops.Army Anti-Aircraft.Rifl e-Divi si 0 n.Battlegroup, tended to be formed out of theremnants of badly mauled units.Light-Division.Signals.Armoured.Anti-Tank.Engineer.Small assault group of shock troops.Armoured self-propelled gun.

MILITARY RANKSGRENADIERFUSILIERJAGERGEFREITEROBERSTGENERALMAJORGENERALLEUT,NANTGENERALOBERSTFELDMARS'CH'ALLGENERALFELDMARSCt-IALLCHEF

Grenadier, an Infantry soldier.Fusilier, an Infantry soldier.Rifle soldier.A corporal.Colonel.Major-General.Lt.General.Colonel-G3neral.Field-~J1arshal.

General-Field-M arshal.

Chief, see 12.lnfantry-Division.N.B.: Only ranks mentioned in this book are

listed above.

77

Appendix 3: Index

PART l-NUMERICAL LISTING(N.B.: The first entry gives the page number of the historical text; the second

entry gives the pagers) on which the relevant symbol appears.)

Infantry Divisions1.lnfanterie-Division7.

11.12.21.30.34.35.44.48.57.61.62.71.72".73.78.81.87.93.

111.112.125.134.162.168.183.205.218.223.232.246.250.255.262.263.278.291.292.293.294.299.

78

Page number9, 9

10, 3310, 33

10, Cover, 911, 9, 33

12, 3313, 3313, 33

14, 36, 4715, 3615, 3616, 14

16, 33, 3617, Cover

18, 3618, 3619, 14

19, 14, 3720,3720, 3721, 3621, 3721, 22

22, 22, 3722, 4524, 3324,3724,4025, 2226, 4526,3626,4026,4528, 3328, 3729, 2930,40

30, 36, 4530, 37, 40

31, 45.31, 45

32, 29, 45

Infantry Divisions319.lnfanterie-Division320.327.334.335.338.347.356.369.376.389.711.715.

Jager-Divisions97.Jager-Division

100. "114. "

Gebirgsjager-Divisions2.Gebirgsjager-Division4.5.

Falls'chirmjager-Divisions1.Fallschirmjager-Division2.4.

Panzer-Gre'nadier-Divisions'Grossdeutschland' Panzergrenadier-DivisionFUhrer-Begleit-BataillonFUhrer-Grenadier-Bataillon'Brandenburg'-Panzergrenadier-Division

3.Panzergrenadier-Division10.20.22.60.90.

Panzer-Divisi'ons1.Panzer-Division36.

11.16.21.23.24.25.

116.130.Panzer-Lehr-Division

79

Page number32, 4134, 4134,4535,4535,3435,3738,3638,3339,4439,4542,4542,44

42, 34, 44

Page numbe'r43,47

46, 40, 4547,40

P'age number47, 44, 47

49,4849,36

Page number50, 48, 50

51, 5051, 48

Page number52,5353,3753,40

53, Cover54,37

54, 37, 5355, 40, 57

56,44f?7, 4058,44

Page numbe'r59, 34, 40

61, 40, 41, 4463, 41

64, 41, 6566, 4166,44

63, 44, 7369, 4470,4871, 4872, 73

Cassino Monastery. Italy, February 1944. General Frido Senger und Etterlin, weI/known commander of XIV Panzer Korps, assisting the Archbishop of the Cassino

Monastery to safety (Euro-Foto).

PART 2-DESCRIPTIVE LISTING OFDIVISIONAL EMBLEMS

(1) Animals, including Birds and Fish

Cover

78 44

Division Fig Page

293.lnfantry 89 45

3.Panzer 83 4412.lnfantry 2 95.Gebirgs-

jager 39 36291.lnfantry 37 36

11.lnfantry 19 332.Gebirgs-

jager 79 44

116.Panzer 103 48

5.Gebirgs-jager 97 47

BEAR:BEAR:

B.ULL:CHAMOIS:

GREYHOUND: leaping over strip of threebushes inside oval border.

GOAT: white mountain goatstanding on three whitemountain peaks on blackrectangle.

HO'RSE: and rider in yellow jumping yellow fence set insidealmost complete yellowcircle. 24.Panzer

HORSES' white stylized, two crossedHEADS: on orange-edged green

clover leaf. 71.lnfantry

Emblem descripti,on

brown standing.black standing in whiteshield.white about to charge.yellow standing on threeyellow 'mou tain' peaks.

ELK'S HEAD: yellow.ELK'S HEAD: red and white on white

and red shield.ELK'S HEAD: black on red shield.

80

Emblem descripti.on Division Fig PageWEASEL: black rearing. 125.lnfantry 7 22EAGLE: red Imperial spread eagle. 327.lnfantry 92 45EAGLE: red Brandenburg spread 'Brandenburg'

eagle on white German Panzer- Coversteel hel met. grenadier

FEATHER: black curling on white 96 47shield. 97.Jager

FISH: yellow outline, natural. 35.lnfantry 14 33FISH: yellow outline, stylized. 35.lnfantry 13 33

(2) BuildingsCATHEDRAL: Ulm in black on white

triangle inside white shield. 78.lnfantry 5 14CHURCH: St Stephen's, Vienna, in

black over blue ",\laves onwhite circle. 262.lnfantry 43 37

GATE: Brandenburg, Berlin inwhite on black back-ground. 218.lnfantry 9 22

GATEWAY: red with pointed roofs. 320.lnfantry 69 41TOWER: Eiffel, Paris, white version

of. 23.Panzer 112 73WINDMILL: yellow. 347.lnfantry 38 36

(3) Celestial objectsCtOMET: white falling with blue, 4.Fallschirm-

red, blue tail. jager 101 43MOON: yellow crescent with

yellow cross. 62.lnfantry 15 33MOON: yellow crescent with

yellow diamond. 62.lnfantry 31 36

(4) Geometric shapesBAR: horizontal, blue. 7.lnfantry 16 33CIRCLE: white with black letter 'E'. 268.lnfantry 10 29CiRCLE: white with black arrow

design. 268.lnfantry 11 29CIRCLE: white with red border

containing red spot. 292.lnfantry 67 41CIRCLE: white with red edge

containing red heart. 320.lnfantry Not shovvnCIRCLE: divided horizontally top

half white, bottom half redin battlement form. 319.lnfantry 68 41

CiRCLE: white with green heart. 87.lnfantry 49 37CIRCLE: black broken with black

letter 'C'. 134.lnfantry 8 22CIRCLE: yellow with single yellow

upright line dividing circlefrom top to bottom. 11.Panzer 70 41

CIRCLE: almost complete in yellowwith yellow horse andrider jumping yellow fence. 24.Panzer 78 44

81

44

40

36

45

41

3336

47

45

37

1447

443333

4437

57

41

4537

33

36

37

44

Page

56

82

66

752317

498

91

32

47

97

Fig

2233

74

33

94

934420

74

44

67

40

109

299.lnfantry

5.Gebirgsjager

61.lnfantry44.lnfantry

60.Panzergrenadier

6.Panzer

334.lnfantry292.1nfantry

21.lnfantry

81.lnfantry

24.Panzer

72.lnfantry3.Panzer

grenadier

Division

711.lnfantry

292.lnfantry


11.lnfantry20.Panzer

grenadier

711.lnfantry

111.lnfantry


292.lnfantry

389.lnfantry

withCROSS:

C'ROSS:

CROSS:

CROSS:

CROSS:

CROSS:CROSS:

RING:

Emblem description

CIRCLE: simplified and stylizedform of horse and rideremblem used by 24.PanzerDivision, in yellow.yellow with thick equallength arms.yellow, Lorraineslanted cross bars.two yellow positioned sideby side.two yellow, arms equallength, positioned onecross above other.thin black on white shieldwith black edging.black gothic, white edges.white Maltese on greenshield.

DIAMOtND : yellow on black rectangle.DIAMO,ND : red on white upright

rectangle.RECTANGLE: white with blue ring.RECTANGLE: b I a c k wit h yellow

diamond.RECTANGLE: white upright containing

red diamond.RECTANGLE: black with white mountain

goat standing on 3 whitemountain peaks.

RECTANGLE: divided horizontally intotwo halves with thickgreen border.in red containing greenarrow pointing to 12o'clock.red containing green palmtree all pierced by yellowarrow.blue on white rectangle.large red on white square.red on white circle withred border.large red with whitenumeral '1' reversed.three red arranged vertically.green on white square.blue in white square.5 black on white dice.

SP'OTS:

SPOT:SPOT:SPOTS:

SPOT:

RING:

SPOT:SPOT:

82

Emblem descripti,()n Division Fig PageSQUARE: white with large red spot. 21.lnfantry 20 33SQUARe: white with blue spot. 11.lnfantry 17 33SQUARE: white with green spot. 255.lnfantry 23 33SQUARE: white with green devil 1.Fallschirm-

riding on red trident. jager 100 43SQUARI! : grey with white letter '0'

with spurred down stroke. 376.lnfantry 87 45TRIANGLE: small black inverted on

larger red triangle. 183.lnfantryPA1RALLELO- white outline containing 130.Panzer- 42 37GRAM: white handwritten style Lehr-

letter 'L'. Oivision 114 73

(5) Human and supernatural figuresDEVIL: green riding on red trident 1.Fallschirm-

on white square. jager 100 48GHOST: white with raised sword. 11.Panzer 110 65GRENADIER: bl3ck holding musket on

red-bordered white shield. 278.lnfantry 54 40HEART: green on white circle. 87.lnfantry 49 37HEART: green with white edging. 134.lnfantry 51 37HEART: red on red-edged white

circular background. 320.lnfantry Not shownFIST: iron, red on red-bordered 78.Sturm-

white shield. division 36 36KNIGHT: black, armoured with

sword raised on black-edged white shield. 21.lnfantry 3 9

(6) Letters and numerals:LETTER: '0' with spurred down

stroke in white on greysquare. 376.lnfantry 87 45

LETTER: '0' in yellow with lineacross middle of letter. 21.Panzer 76 44

LETTER: 'E' in black with extendedcentre arm on whitecircular background. 268.lnfantry 10 29

LETTER: 'F' in yellow. 10.Panzer-grenadier 43 37

LETTER: 'L' in white handwrittenstyle. 130.Panzer-Lehr 113 73

LETTER: 'L' in white handwrittenstyle inside a white out-lined parallelogram. 130.Panzer-Lehr 114 73

LETTER: 'R' inside kite-shaped out- 2.Fallschirm-line. jager 105 50

LETTER: 's' in yellow superimposedon green fir tree. 100.Jager 95 45

LETTER: 'T' in red on blue arrow. 16.2.lnfantry 84 45LETTE'R: 'X' in yellow. 1.Panzer 58 40

83

Emblem descripti,on Division Fig PageLETTER: 'y' yellow, inverted. 1.Panzer 59 40LETTER: 'y' yellow, inverted with

two small yellow digits. 3.Panzer 54 41LETTE"R 'y' yellow, inverted with

two yellow dots. 5.Panzer 55 41LETTER 'y' yellow with yellow

horizontal bar acrossbottom stroke of letter. 15.Panzer 71 41

LETTER: 'y' yellow with yellowhorizontal bar acrossbottom stroke of letter, allon yellow-edged blackshield. 16.Panzer 72 41

NU,MERAL: white figure '1' reversed. 81.lnfantry 5 14NUMERAL: white figure '1' reversed on

large red spot. 81.lnfantry 40 37

(7) Runic emblemsRUNE: 'Yr' rune in yellow within

a yellow circle. 3.Panzer 50 40

(8) ShieldsSHIELD: black and white quartered

with black castelated bar. 1.lnfantry 9SHIELD; white containing white

triangle with blackrepresentation of UlmCathedral. 78.lnfantry 5 14

SHIELD: white, black-edged con-taining black axe head. 335.lnfantry 25 34

SHIELD: white, black edging withthin black cross. 51.lnfantry 4 14

SHIELD: white with black standing'Berlin Bear'. 3.Panzer 83 44

SHIELD: white with black curlingfeather. 97.Jager 96 47

SHIELD: white with black edgingcontaining knight in blackarmour. 21.lnfantry 3 9

SHIELD: white with red edging con-taining black PomeranianGrenadier holding musket. 278.lnfantry 54 40

SHIELD: white with black edgingwith thick black crossrising out of two crossedgreen oakleaves. 114.Jag~r 63 40

SHIELD: white with green oakleafand acorn. 356.lnfantry 24 33

SHIELD: white with green oakleafand acorn. 100.Jager 62 40

SHIELD: white with diagonal bluewavy line. 34.lnfantry 18 33

84

Emblem descripti,on Division Fig PageSHIELD: white and blue diagonally

halved. 48.lnfantry 28 36SHIELD: white covered with blue

diamonds. 57.lnfantry 29 36SHIELD: white with two yellow

crosses one above the 60.Panzer-other. grenadier 57 40

SHIELD: white with broad browndiagonal bar. 112.lnfantry 50 37

SHIELD: white with red edge con-taining red mailed ( iron)fist o f G 6 t z von 78.Sturm-Berlichingen. division 36 36

SHIELD: white with red edgecontaining green leaf. 291.lnfantry 88 45

SHIELD: white with red edge con-taining black fleur-de-Iys. 246.lnfantry 53 40

SHIELD: white with red map andwhite bayonet laid acrossmap. 93.lnfantry 41 37

SHIELD: white top, red bottomdivided by zig-zag centralline. 73.lnfantry 35 36

SHIELD: tilted with red and whitehorizontal bars. 30.lnfantry 21 33

SHIELD: red, white, red horizontalsections. Austrian NationalColours. 44.lnfantry 34 36

SHIELD: red and white chequer-board design. CroatianNational Colours. 369.lnfantry 73 44

SHIELD: red and white striped and 22.Panzer-chequered design. grenadier 80 44

SHIELD: red and white with whiteand red elk's head. 11.lnfantry 19 33

SHIELD: red, yellow, red. SpanishNational Colours. 250.lnfantry 86 45

SHIELD: red with black elk's head. 2.Gebirgs-jager 79 44

SHIELD: red divided into two halvesby black horizontal bar.Top half displaying three5-pointed stars, bottomhalf a yellow crescentmoon. 25.Panzer 102 48

SHIELD: vertically divided red,blue, yellow over whitebase. 12.lnfantry Cover

SHIELD: blue with two blackcrossed short swords. 223.lnfantry 85 45

85

Emblem description Division Fig Page

SHIELD: divided vertically into twohalves. Left, blue andwhite diamond pattern,right, white wth two blackcrossed swords. 338.lnfantry 45 37

SHIELD: black with yellow edgecontaining yellow 'V' withhorizontal yellow baracross bottom stroke ofletter. 16.Panzer 72 41

SHIELD: green with white Maltesecross. 163.lnfantry 22 33

(9) Trees, leaves, flo'wers' and plantsTREE, white palm tree with Afrika

white mobile swastika Korps,positioned across centre of esp.palm tree trunk. 21.Panzer 111 65

TREE: green palm inside red ringpierced by yellow arrow. 334.lnfantry 93 45

TREE: green fir with yellow letter'S' superi mposed upon. 100.Jager 95 45

LEAF: green on red-borderedvvhite shield. 291.lnfantry 88 45

LEAF: clover, green. 294.lnfantry 90 45LEAF: clover, green with orange

edges containing twowhite crossed horses'heads. 71 .1 nfantry Cover

OAKLEAF: white. 1.Panzer 27 34OAKLEAF: green with acorn on white

shield. 356.lnfantry 24 33OAKLEAF green with acorn on white

shield. 100.Jager 62 40OAKLEAVES: two green crossed below

white shield with blackedges bearing thick blackcross. 114.Jager 63 40

OAKLEAVES: three white with oneacorn. 715.lnfantry 26 34

FLOWER: blue petalled gentian(mountain flower) with 4.Gebirgs-calyx and stem in green. jager 99 48

FLEUR-DE- black on red-edged whiteLYS: shield. 246.lnfantry 53 40TOADSTOOL: white with red spots. 205.lnfantry 52 40

(10) Weapons and equipmentARROW: type device in white. 299.lnfantry 12 29A1RROW: blue under red letter 'T'. 162.lnfantry 84 45ARROW: yellow through red ring

containing green palm tree. 334.lnfantry 93 45

86

Emblem descripti,on Division Fig PageA'RROW: yellow at 2 o'clock with

single bar across tail. 23.Panzer 77 44A1RROW: green at 12 o'clock inside

red ring. 389.lnfantry 94 45A'RROW: design in black on white

circle. 268.lnfantry 11 29AXE: black axe head on black-

edged white shield. 335.lnfantry 25 34BAYONET: white across red map on

white shield. 93.lnfantry 41 37BAYONET: coloured laid across white 9J.Panzer-

map of Sardinia. grenadier 81 44STEEL white German 1935 'Grossdeutsch-HELMET: pattern. land' Panzer-

grenadier 106 53STEEL yellow German 1935 'Fuhrer-Begleit-HELMET: pattern. bataillon' 46 37STEEL 'Fuhrer-HELMET: blue German 1935 pattern. Grenadier-

batnillon' 61 40STEEL w hit e with redHELMET: 'Brandenburg' spread 'Brandenburg-

eagle on German 1935 Panzer-pattern helmet. grenadier Cover

SWORDS: short black crossed onblue shield. 223.lnfantry 85 45

TANK white below white German 'Grossdeutsch-TRACK: steel hel met. land' Panzer-

grenadier 107 53TRIDENT: blue. 232.lnfantry 30 36TRIDENT: red with green devil riding

on white square back- 1.Fallschirm-ground. jager 100 48

KITE: kite shape outline with 2.Fallschirm-letter 'R'. jager 105 50

PARACHUTE: white. 1.Fallschirm-jager 104 50

(11) Miscellaneous objectsANCHOR: yellow, stylized. 20.Panzer-

grenadier 55 40DICE: white with side showing 20.Panzer-

five black spots. grenadier 109 57KEY: white. 10.Panzer-

grenadier 103 53MAP: Sardinia in white with

coloured bayonet laid 90.Panzer-across. grenadier 81 44

t~AP : red on white shield withwhite bayonet. 93.lnfantry 41 37

87

Appendix 4: Important dates

Periods during which the Capitals of Europe were under GermanControl

City

ViennaPragueWarsawCopenhagenOsloLc .J!nburgAmsterdamBrusselsParisBelgradeAthet

Country

Austria., Cze hoslovakia

PolandDenmarkNorwayLuxemburgNetherlandsBelgiumFranceYugoslaviaGreece

GermanOccupation

March 13, 1938.March 15, 1939.Oct. 1, 1939.April 9, 1940.April 9,.1940.May 10, 1940.May 14, 1940.May 17, 1940.June 14, 1940.April 18, 1941.April 27, 1941.

Allied Liberation

April 5, 1945.May 7, 1945.Jan 17, 1945.May 5, 1945.May 7, 1945.Sept 10, 1944.May 5, 1945.Sept 3, 1944.Aug 25, 1944.Oct 20, 1944.Oct 14, 1944.

RomeBucharestSofiaHelsinkiBudapestBerlin

The Fall of Enemy Capitals or former Enemy Capitals

Italy June 4, 1944.Rumania Aug 31, 1944.Bulgaria Sept 9, 1944.Finland Sept 15, 1944.Hungary Feb 13, 1945.Germany May 2, 1945

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