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79th Infantry Division (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The 79th Infantry Division (79. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Wehrmacht
during World War II
.
. It was designated as a Division on August 26, 1939. Assigned to the French-German border in the Saar region, the 79th trained and worked on the West Wall. The Division saw action against the French on the Saar Front on May 10, 1940 when they were a part of the invasion forces. In June, the division participated in attacks on the Maginot Line
and the capture of Epinal
. The Cross of Lorraine
(Lothringer Kreuz) was designated as the symbol. Unteroffizier Werner Psaar stated that since the division's first combat was mainly in the Lorraine region, this is what led to the symbol. From June 1940 until April 1941, the division was on occupation duty and trained for Operation Sea Lion. The 79th was relocated to Klagenfurt in April 1941 but was too late for the invasion of Yugoslavia
.
on June 26, 1941. From June 1941 until September 1942 the 79th fought in southern Russia at Korosten, Lutsk, Rovno, Piryatin, and Akhtyrka, Kharkov, Voronezh, Izyum and Kalack before being sent in October 1942 to the Battle of Stalingrad
.
Most men were taken into Soviet captivity including Generalleutnant Alexander von Daniels, the commander.
Bridgehead in August 1943. The division was evacuated to the Ukraine
and continued a slow movement west for almost a year.
as a part of IV Korps, 6. Armee. By August, the 79th was one of the divisions attempting to hold the city of Jassy. On August 23, 1944, with Romania
capitulated, 79th was once again encircled and virtually annihilated near Chitcani, Romania on the Berlad River. Less than 1,000 soldiers managed to escape. Generalleutnant Friedrich Weinknecht became the second commander of the 79th Infantry Division to be captured by the Soviets.
and now as the 79th Volksgrenadier Division (79. Volks-Grenadier-Division). It had only ten percent combat veterans and was largely made up by absorbing the 586th Volksgrenadier
Division (Katzbach). On December 11, 1944, the 79th Volsgrenadier Division was assigned to 7. Armee a reserve force near Bitburg, Germany. Though at half strength, the 79th was to take part in Operation Herbstnebel.
, Luxembourg. On December 24, 1944, the Volksgrenadiers in conjunction with the Führer Grenadier Brigade
, launched a series of attacks against the Blue Ridge Division, the 80th Infantry Division (United States). The objective was to seize the town of Heiderscheid, a strategic bridge crossing along the Sure River. Both units suffered very heavy losses, particularly when on December 26 most of the 79th VG artillery and FGB armor was destroyed by American fighter bombers. The 79th VG begin falling back, unable to hold against the US 80th Infantry Division, towards the town of Baunscheid, to hold another strategic bridgehead there.
was used as a divisional insignia by both the German 79th Infantry Division and its American counterpart.
Seventh Army (Germany)
List of German divisions in World War II
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:...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Creation and Early History
The 79th Infantry Division began mobilization on March 1, 1939 as a part of the second German "wave" system (2. Welle) of mobilization. Welle was the German designation for groups of infantry divisions raised at approximately the same time, with approximately the same type of organization,equipment, personnel and training. Raised from Rheinlanders in German Military District (Wehrkreis) XII, headquartered in Wiesbaden,the home station of the 79th was KoblenzKoblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
. It was designated as a Division on August 26, 1939. Assigned to the French-German border in the Saar region, the 79th trained and worked on the West Wall. The Division saw action against the French on the Saar Front on May 10, 1940 when they were a part of the invasion forces. In June, the division participated in attacks on the Maginot Line
Maginot Line
The Maginot Line , named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, was a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defences, which France constructed along its borders with Germany and Italy, in light of its experience in World War I,...
and the capture of Epinal
Épinal
Épinal is a commune in northeastern France and the capital of the Vosges department. Inhabitants are known as Spinaliens.-Geography:The commune has a land area of 59.24 km²...
. The Cross of Lorraine
Cross of Lorraine
The Cross of Lorraine is originally a heraldic cross. The two-barred cross consists of a vertical line crossed by two smaller horizontal bars. In the ancient version, both bars were of the same length. In 20th century use it is "graded" with the upper bar being the shortest...
(Lothringer Kreuz) was designated as the symbol. Unteroffizier Werner Psaar stated that since the division's first combat was mainly in the Lorraine region, this is what led to the symbol. From June 1940 until April 1941, the division was on occupation duty and trained for Operation Sea Lion. The 79th was relocated to Klagenfurt in April 1941 but was too late for the invasion of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
.
Barbarossa
It was assigned to Heeresgruppe Süd for Operation BarbarossaOperation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
on June 26, 1941. From June 1941 until September 1942 the 79th fought in southern Russia at Korosten, Lutsk, Rovno, Piryatin, and Akhtyrka, Kharkov, Voronezh, Izyum and Kalack before being sent in October 1942 to the Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
.
Stalingrad
The Sixth Army, including the 79th, began its attack on Stalingrad on October 17, 1942. The fighting in the Red October Tractor Factory was fiercely fought, hall by hall. When the Soviet Offensive started on November 19, 1942, the 79th was one of the units trapped in the "kessel" when they were surrounded on November 24. The Sixth Army surrendered on January 31, 1943. The division staff, including the Ia (Operations Officer) Oberst Hans Schwanbeck, were flown out of Stalingrad on January 8–9, 1943. This evacuation is still an issue with surviving veterans of the 79th.Most men were taken into Soviet captivity including Generalleutnant Alexander von Daniels, the commander.
Second Life
The 79th was quickly raised again by the surviving staff officers. On January 12, 1943, from remnants of other German units near Rostov. The division then took part in operations in the Novocherkassk area until relieved on March 13, 1943. They refitted in the Volnovakha area and in April 1943, returned to battle. They fought a number of defensive actions before reaching the KubanKuban
Kuban is a geographic region of Southern Russia surrounding the Kuban River, on the Black Sea between the Don Steppe, Volga Delta and the Caucasus...
Bridgehead in August 1943. The division was evacuated to the Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
and continued a slow movement west for almost a year.
Romania
1944 found the 79th in RomaniaRomania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
as a part of IV Korps, 6. Armee. By August, the 79th was one of the divisions attempting to hold the city of Jassy. On August 23, 1944, with Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
capitulated, 79th was once again encircled and virtually annihilated near Chitcani, Romania on the Berlad River. Less than 1,000 soldiers managed to escape. Generalleutnant Friedrich Weinknecht became the second commander of the 79th Infantry Division to be captured by the Soviets.
Third Life - Volksgrenadier
On October 27, 1944, the division was raised again outside of the Welle system, this time in West PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
and now as the 79th Volksgrenadier Division (79. Volks-Grenadier-Division). It had only ten percent combat veterans and was largely made up by absorbing the 586th Volksgrenadier
Volksgrenadier
Volksgrenadier was the name given to a type of German Army division formed in the Autumn of 1944 after the double loss of Army Group Center to the Soviets in Operation Bagration and the Fifth Panzer Army to the Allies in Normandy. The name itself was intended to build morale, appealing at once to...
Division (Katzbach). On December 11, 1944, the 79th Volsgrenadier Division was assigned to 7. Armee a reserve force near Bitburg, Germany. Though at half strength, the 79th was to take part in Operation Herbstnebel.
Luxembourg
On December 21, 1944, the 79th VG towards its assembly area near DiekirchDiekirch
Diekirch is a commune with city status in north-eastern Luxembourg, capital city of the canton Diekirch and the district of Diekirch. The city is situated on the banks of the Sauer river....
, Luxembourg. On December 24, 1944, the Volksgrenadiers in conjunction with the Führer Grenadier Brigade
Führer Grenadier Brigade
The Führer Grenadier Brigade was an élite German Heer combat unit which saw action during World War II. The Führer Grenadier Brigade is sometimes mistakenly perceived as being a part of the Waffen-SS, whereas it was actually a Heer unit and technically assigned to the Großdeutschland Division...
, launched a series of attacks against the Blue Ridge Division, the 80th Infantry Division (United States). The objective was to seize the town of Heiderscheid, a strategic bridge crossing along the Sure River. Both units suffered very heavy losses, particularly when on December 26 most of the 79th VG artillery and FGB armor was destroyed by American fighter bombers. The 79th VG begin falling back, unable to hold against the US 80th Infantry Division, towards the town of Baunscheid, to hold another strategic bridgehead there.
1945
After Heavy fighting continued in to January 1945, the Division fell to U.S. forces at Heidelberg and Darmstadt. Remains of the 79th fought in the vicinity of Rothenburg ob der Tauber under the name Battle Group (Kampfgruppe) "Hummel" in mid-April. This last organized unit of the 79th Volksgrenadier Division surrendered to US Forces on April 14, 1945. Grenadiers of the 79th Volksgrenadier Division fought small unit actions in the Alps.Commanders
| 79th Infantry Division (March 1939 - March 1945) | |
| General der Infanterie Karl Strecker Karl Strecker Karl Strecker was a highly decorated Generaloberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several corps.... |
March 1939 - January 1942 |
| Generalleutnant Richard Graf von Schwerin | January 1942 - August 1943 |
| Generalmajor Heinrich Kreipe | August 1943 - October 1943 |
| Oberst von Aulock | October 1943 |
| Generalleutnant Friedrich-August Weinknecht | October 1943 - August 29, 1944 (POW) |
| Generalmajor Erich Weber | 1944 |
| Oberst Reinherr | 1945 |
| Oberst Hummel | 1945 |
| Oberstleutnant von Hobe | 1945 |
| Oberst Reymann | 1945 |
| Oberst Seeher | 1945 |
Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Karl StreckerKarl StreckerKarl Strecker was a highly decorated Generaloberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several corps....
, Generalleutnant, Commanding Officer, October 26, 1941 - Friedrich Weinknecht, Generalleutnant, Commanding Officer, July 15, 1944
208 Regiment
- Günter GoebelGünter GoebelGünter Goebel was an Officer in the German Wehrmacht and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II....
, Hauptmann, Fhr. einer Kampfgr. G.R. 208, January 18, 1943 with Oak Leaves - Richard Wolf, Oberstleutnant, Kommandeur G.R. 208, April 19, 1945 with Oak Leaves
- Fritz MüllerFritz Müller (soldier)Fritz Müller was a Oberst 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 military...
, Oberstleutnant Kommandeur G.R. 208, May 14, 1944 with Oak Leaves - Jakob Roth, Unteroffizier, Zugführer 2./G.R. 208, June 4, 1944
- Gustav Woszella, Leutnant, Führer 8./G.R. 208, July 4, 1944
212 Regiment
- Richard EichlerRichard EichlerRichard Karl Eichler was a highly decorated Oberst 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...
, Oberstleutnant, Kommandeur G.R. 212, January 20, 1943 - Volkhard EitnerVolkhard EitnerDr. med. Volkhard EitnerIn German a Doctor of Medicine is abbreviated as Dr. med. . was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, Hauptmann, Kommandeur I./G.R. 212, June 10, 1943 - Robert Nittler, Oberleutnant, 3./G.R. 212, January 20, 1943
226 Regiment
- Andreas von AulockAndreas von AulockAndreas Maria Karl von Aulock was a highly decorated Oberst in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 79th Infantry Division. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, Oberst, Kommandeur G.R. 226, August 16, 1944 with Oak Leaves - Fritz Krück, Oberleutnant Führer II./G.R. 226, March 5, 1945
- Karl-Willi Lumpp, Oberleutnant, d. R. Führer 3./G.R.226, July 18, 1943
- Hans-Hermann Möckel, Hauptmann, Führer Kampfgruppe, April 17, 1945
Order of Battle 1939
- Infanterie-Regiment 208
- Infanterie-Regiment 212
- Infanterie-Regiment 226
- Artillerie-Regiment 179
- Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 179
- Pionier-Battalion 179
- Aufklärungs-Abteilung 179
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachrichten-Abteilung 179
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachschubtruppen 179
Order of Battle 1944
- Grenadier-Regiment 208
- Grenadier-Regiment 212
- Grenadier-Regiment 226
- Divisions-Füsilier-Battalion 79
- Artillerie-Regiment 179
- PanzerjägerPanzerjägerPanzerjäger was a branch of service of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War which were the anti-tank arm-of-service who operated anti-tank artillery, and made exclusive use of the tank destroyers which were also named Panzerjäger...
-Abteilung 179 - Pionier-Battalion 179
- Feldersatz-Battalion 179
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachrichten-Abteilung 179
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachschubtruppen 179
Trivia
The Cross of LorraineCross of Lorraine
The Cross of Lorraine is originally a heraldic cross. The two-barred cross consists of a vertical line crossed by two smaller horizontal bars. In the ancient version, both bars were of the same length. In 20th century use it is "graded" with the upper bar being the shortest...
was used as a divisional insignia by both the German 79th Infantry Division and its American counterpart.
See also
Battle of the Bulge order of battleBattle of the Bulge order of battle
This is the order of battle of German and Allied forces during the Battle of the Bulge.Caveat: This Battle lasted more than a month, with assignments in considerable flux. Any hierarchy of unit within Corps within Army within Army Group is inherently a snapshot of a single moment in that flux. The...
Seventh Army (Germany)
List of German divisions in World War II
Printed references
- Quarrie, Bruce The Ardennes Offensive, I ARMEE & VII ARMEE (Order of Battle series book), Osprey Publishing Group, London, UK. 2001. ISBN 1-85532-913-1
- Hans Sänger Die 79. Infanterie-Division. 1939, ISBN 10 3895552135
- Unteroffizier Werner Psaar, Source: "Wiesbadener Soldatenkalender 1943" Rud. Bechtold & Comp. , Wiesbaden
Web resources
- Pipes, Jason. "http://www.feldgrau.com/InfDiv.php?ID=69". Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- "http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Volksgrenadierdivisionen/79VGD.htm". German language article at www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de. (Follow links for 79. Volks-Grenadier-Division) Retrieved December 28, 2007.
- Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
- Oberst Alois Weber "http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Personenregister/W/WeberA.htm". German language article at www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de. Retrieved December 28, 2007.