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32nd Infantry Division (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The 32nd Infantry Division of the German Army
was mobilized on August 1, 1939 for the upcoming invasion of Poland
. At that time, it consisted of the usual German infantry division elements: three infantry regiments of three battalions each, one three-battalion regiment of light artillery, one battalion of heavy artillery (from a separate artillery regiment, but attached to the particular division), a Panzerjäger (anti-tank) Battalion, a reconnaissance (Aufklärungs) Battalion, a Signals Battalion, a Pioneer (Engineer) Battalion, and divisional supply, medical, and administrative units.
In the winter of 1941 the Division was trapped in the Demyansk Pocket
.
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
was mobilized on August 1, 1939 for the upcoming invasion of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. At that time, it consisted of the usual German infantry division elements: three infantry regiments of three battalions each, one three-battalion regiment of light artillery, one battalion of heavy artillery (from a separate artillery regiment, but attached to the particular division), a Panzerjäger (anti-tank) Battalion, a reconnaissance (Aufklärungs) Battalion, a Signals Battalion, a Pioneer (Engineer) Battalion, and divisional supply, medical, and administrative units.
In the winter of 1941 the Division was trapped in the Demyansk Pocket
Demyansk Pocket
The Demyansk Pocket was the name given for the encirclement of German troops by the Red Army around Demyansk , south of Leningrad, during World War II on the Eastern Front. The pocket existed mainly from 8 February-21 April 1942. A much smaller pocket was simultaneously surrounded in Kholm, about ...
.
Commanders
- Generaloberst Nikolaus von FalkenhorstNikolaus von FalkenhorstNikolaus von Falkenhorst was a German General who planned Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Denmark and Norway in 1940...
, 1 October 1936 – 19 July 1939 - Generalleutnant Franz BöhmeFranz BöhmeFranz Friedrich Böhme was an Austrian who later went on to become a military officer...
, 19 July 1939 – 1 October 1939 - Generalleutnant Eccard Freiherr von GablenzEccard Freiherr von GablenzEccard Freiherr von Gablenz was a German general who commanded several divisions during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 1 October 1939 – 1 December 1939 - Generalleutnant Franz BöhmeFranz BöhmeFranz Friedrich Böhme was an Austrian who later went on to become a military officer...
, 1 December 1939 – 15 June 1940 - Generalleutnant Wilhelm BohnstedtWilhelm BohnstedtWilhelm Bohnstedt was a German general who commanded the 32. Infanterie-Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 15 June 1940 – 1 March 1942 - Generalleutnant Karl Hernekamp, 1 March 1942 – 1 June 1942
- General der Infanterie Wilhelm WegenerWilhelm WegenerWilhelm Wegener was a German general of infantry, serving during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 1 June 1942 – 27 June 1943 - Generalleutnant Alfred Thielmann, 27 June 1943 – 12 September 1943
- Generalleutnant Hans Boeckh-BehrensHans Boeckh-BehrensHans Karl August Boeckh-Behrens was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 12 September 1943 – 1 February 1944 - Generalmajor Franz Schlieper, 1 February 1944 – 1 June 1944
- Generalleutnant Hans Boeckh-Behrens, 1 June 1944 – 13 August 1944
- Generalmajor Georg KoßmalaGeorg KoßmalaGeorg Koßmala was a Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful...
, 13 August 1944 – September 1944 - Generalleutnant Hans Boeckh-Behrens, September 1944
Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht
| Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 25 August 1944 | Bei dem Kämpfen im Raum von Modohn zeichnete sich die pommersche 32. Infanteriedivision unter Führung des Ritterkreuzträgers Oberst Coszmala durch besonders Tapferkeit aus. | At the battles in the area of Modohn Madona When it comes to age distribution of the Madona inhabitants, the majority group consisting of 5,925 people are registered as "labour-capable" ; 1,339 are under the age of "labour-capability" and 1867 are over... the 32nd pomeranian Infantry Division under the leadeship of Knight's Cross Recipient Oberst Coszmala (sic) distinguished itself through exceptional bravery. |